Footprints to The Del When I set out, the skies were filled with gray gloom and rain was not in the cards. Once I was halfway to my destination, the clouds opened up and released pent-up moisture. Down at Coronado, California I waited out the storm. Smooth sandy beaches resulted from the morning's precipitation and set up the above photograph. The wait was worth the time! As the sun set on the horizon, my polarizer helped bring out detail in the clouds above Hotel Del Coronado and enhanced the teal sky. The curved footprint trail leads the eye to the conical roof of The Del. I thank the beach-goer who left their footprints in the sand!
In Gear The gears pictured above are in the tram station at Hong Kong's Victoria Peak. The Peak Tram ride was similar to a cable car ride in San Francisco. The view from the 1,800-foot peak is spectacular. Even on cloudy days the experience is enjoyable. From the peak, numerous high-rise buildings that mark the landscape of modern Hong Kong are visible. Unfortunately I only spent a short time atop Victoria Peak on a cold and cloudy afternoon. For the fair-weather traveler, many restaurants with good views of the harbour are located on Victoria Peak. Interestingly, a Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant is one of the restaurants. The first Bubba Gump restaurant I went to was in Monterey, California, the first Bubba Gump location. Its a small world! Canon S90: f/2, 1/8 sec, ISO 200 March 4, 2010
Smoke-filled...Monastery While in Hong Kong we did a full-day tour of the islands and stumbled across this smoke-filled monastery. From the image above it is hard to see past the numerous hanging incense cones and the grimy cinderblock walls covered in soot from incense. However, deep in the shadows of the altar the gilt furniture and dark woods accentuate the room's connection to a higher power. I was told that some of the cones of incense can burn for two weeks. If you look closely you might be able to find red prayers hanging within the incense. March 3, 2010
