Sicily was the largest colony established by Greece. What that actually means sinks in about the third time you visit a vast, partially excavated archaeological site and find a temple, or several, that appear to be transplanted straight from the Acropolis in Athens. The temples may the most impressive sights, but there are lots ofContinue reading “Where the Greeks were”
Category Archives: Lillian
Piazza Armerina–Roman mosaics at their best
We didn’t know much about Piazza Armerina until we looked for archaeological sites to visit within driving distance of us in Sicily. The guidebook indicated interesting mosaics at the Villa Romana de Casale near the town of Piazza Armerina. The mosaic floors of this villa, owner unknown but possibly the Emperor Maximian (250-310 AD), areContinue reading “Piazza Armerina–Roman mosaics at their best”
Become your favorite character for a day in Edinburgh
As readers of Alexander McCall Smith and Ian Rankin, each of whom set their stories in and around Edinburgh, it was easy to find landmarks that relate to the work of both authors. In the background of the photo you see here is the street sign for Scotland Street. (There is no number 44). TheContinue reading “Become your favorite character for a day in Edinburgh”
Museums and more museums
The good weather having deserted us, we headed indoors to check out some of the museums of Edinburgh. We started at the Scottish National Gallery, where we admired art from the Renaissance to 1900. It’s a traditional art museum and we enjoyed the broad range of work. (The Scottish National Academy is nearby, but weContinue reading “Museums and more museums”
Plants and Animals, the Royal Botanical Garden and the Edinburgh Zoo
Two days of sunny weather let us take advantage of the natural world in Edinburgh, the Royal Botanical Garden, and the Edinburgh zoo. Both have their high points. The Botanical Garden is very large and has many different gardens, though I misread Scottish Heath Garden as Scottish Heather Garden, and was mildly disappointed until IContinue reading “Plants and Animals, the Royal Botanical Garden and the Edinburgh Zoo”
The hike to Arthur’s Seat
A good park takes planning and Holyrood Park began as a hunting preserve long before 1541 when James V enclosed the area with a wall. Though adjacent to Holyrood Palace at the east end of the Royal Mile (where the Queen was recently in residence), the former hunting grounds are now a world-class park thatContinue reading “The hike to Arthur’s Seat”
Our Castle Experience–round 2.
Getting to Edinburgh Castle was an adventure all its own, because we had to find a route that was short enough that Jonathan’s ankle would still function after we arrived. We pored over the street map and ended up taking a bus to the center and walking up “the mound” to the castle. It wasContinue reading “Our Castle Experience–round 2.”
Beachcombing at the Albufera del Medio Mundo
The Albufera del Medio Mundo has the best beachcombing on our coast. We had an interesting walk, first along the lagoon and then along the beach. Nest of an American Oystercatcher There were a lot of different things to be found along the beach. We found the skull of a sea lion. OnlyContinue reading “Beachcombing at the Albufera del Medio Mundo”
Merry Christmas
We celebrated Christmas Peruvian style, with turkey dinner on Christmas Eve, Noche Buena. There’s nothing like a Christmas morning walk on the beach to make a great holiday. There were a few presents. Jonathan found a replacement for my wedding ring. I lost it the only time I took it off. It’s by Vidal Aragon,Continue reading “Merry Christmas”
Our holiday guests
Lillian and Neil arrived from the US, spent the night in Lima and we all headed north for two days of seeing the great sites in the Moche Valley. The murals at Huaca de la Luna were spectacular. Five stories of multicolored carvings are impressive. We were so busy with our selfie, there isn’t muchContinue reading “Our holiday guests”
Llywindatravels 2022 