Arrived in Buenos Aires
We managed to get out of Dallas between two winter storms. Lucky we made it! Had an uneventful flight, although sitting in an airplane for 11 hours (and a 3 hour jet lag) does tire one out. Just the same, we went for a walk in the San Telmo neighborhood, where our hotel is located. Tomorrow we explore further.
Eva Peron is very popular
Still summer here, so trees are blooming
More Grafitti
Here’s one for Tanya
Skyline from our hotel
Taking a break
Grafitti
Grafitti
Oh oh….. ice and snow!
If you read my last post, you know that we are leaving for Buenos Aires tomorrow. But last night the temperature dropped, it started to sleet, and now the whole Dallas Fort Worth areas has come to a slip sliding halt. Only the foolish and the officials are out there moving. Flights are being canceled.
We parked our motor home at some friend’s house yesterday, before the mess started. Hopefully it is all right. We are staying at Tanya and Shane’s house to wait out the storm.
Not sure when all this is supposed to end, but let’s hope our flight to BA tomorrow isn’t delayed, or worse, cancelled…..
A quick view of Tanya’s back yard….
A new year, a new country
On February 24, 2014 we start our next big trip… circumnavigating (mostly) South America.
We will spend 4 days in Buenos Aires, and sample some of the local scenery, food, and culture. We look forward to a lot of scenery, some great food, and of course — Tango!
On march 1 we board the Infinity (Celebrity Cruise Lines) to begin the first part of out 4 week cruise. We will sail to Uruguay, then through the Drake Passage (reputed to be the roughest seas on earth), then up through Chile. On the 14th day we arrive in Santiago, Chile.
After one day in Santiago, we cruise north and touch base in Peru. We will see Panama, as we cruise the entire Panama Canal. A few more stops, and arrive in Fort Lauderdale. From here by plane back to Dallas.
Should be a terrific cruise!
Starting in Argentina….
Kickstarter and travel albums
For 5 years, we have been traveling to local and exotic locations. And I have been documenting it with my camera. My photo albums have become popular, so much so, that on our next trip (by cruise ship around South America) one of my goals will be to focus on images for hard bound photo albums. The ship is booked, the travel arrangements are made, and we leave in 4 weeks.
The trip includes some exotic locations, including significant wildlife, nature, local people and habitats. I have put together significant and capable photo gear, have made arrangements for photo storage in the Cloud, so we’re ready to go.
There are however some additional photo opportunities, in remote and beautiful locations. But the only way to get there is to hire expensive local guides. Since I would like to add this to my trip, I need to raise money. To do this, I have started a Kickstarter project called “Circumventing South America”. The link is here:
You can check it out if you like. Of course, there is absolutely no obligation, and the photographic record of our journey will be free on our web site, as always. So travel with us as I will try to keep our blog at http://www.laninga.com up to date, internet willing.
An image from last year’s Galapagos trip
Christmas Day Sleigh Ride
On Christmas Day, the whole Allen/Laninga/Frost clan enjoyed a variety of activities, to each their own. Visiting pawn shops, shopping at REI, and whatever pleases you. Tanya, Jen and Romola (with help from the girls) made home made spaghetti noodles. At dinner, we had a delicious Caesar salad, followed by a spaghetti dinner.
After dinner we went on sleigh ride through the lights of Coppel. The weather was balmy, somewhere around 65 degrees, so we were glad the sleigh had wheels, not runners for snow.
Main Street, Coppell
Old time Coppel store front
All aboard the sleigh!
Hmm… a different kind of light
Decorations
Decorations
Decorations
Decorations
Decorations
After the ride
Christmas day at the Allens
This year, daughter Tanya and hubby Shane hosted the Christmas day festivities. In attendance were (naturally) Tanya and Shane, Romola and John (Tanya’s family), Mary Allen (Shane’s mom), Robert Frost (Mary’s brother), Chris Frost (Roberts son) and his son Tyler, Robbie with Lisa, Emma and Brooke and last but not least Leanne (Shane’s aunt with daughter Jen. And of course four dogs…..
First we had Christmas brunch, Tanya’s special baked French Toast with sausage and fresh fruit. Delicious. After this we had a Dirty Santa gift exchange, seems like everyone finally got what they wanted! Then we had the general gift opening. Naturally this was followed by an extended play time with the goodies.
Mid afternoon we had smoked turkey and ham dinner. Lots of side dishes. And, of course a whole side table of deserts…
It was a really nice family day, when we could enjoy each others company and reflect on the many things we have to be thankful for.
Mary, Robert, Shane, Leanne
Robert
Mary, Brooke, Robert, Lisa, Leanne
Mary
Emma
Brooke, Robert, Shane, Lucky
Jen, Tanya, Romola
Tyler, Jen
Romola
Robbie, Emma, Mary, Brooke, Robert and fish
Emma, Mary, Robert, Shane
Robert, Shane, Leanne
Romola, Lisa
Robert, Shane
Robbie, Emma, Mary, Robert, Shane
Opening presents
Mary and Robert
Leanne, Chris, Tyler
Emma, Shane
Brooke
Emma
Carving the meat
Attentive crowd
Just a long day
Dallas at night
Romola and I took a walk in Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas. This park is built right over top of a busy Dallas freeway, and creates some space that would otherwise be just a sea of cars. Since you are right downtown, you get a good view of some of the buildings. And since Christmas is close, plenty of lights.
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Fort Worth’s Parade of Lights
Fort Worth has an annual Parade of Lights, appropriately enough sponsored by TXO Energy. It travels around Sundance Square, the centerpiece of downtown Fort Worth. Quite a nice place, actually, with lots of restaurants, bars and stores. We arrived mid afternoon to avoid the traffic rush, got some local scenery in, and stopped in for a Margarita and snacks.
We paid for reserved seating, simply because we didn’t want to bother with carrying chairs, finding a spot, etc. etc. and that worked out quite nicely. No rush, just get to your seats and enjoy the parade, Here are a few pictures.
Tarrant County Courthouse at sunset
A night view from our seats, looking up
Title sponsor float
Many lights
Snowman in lights
Well lit displays
A guy on his bike (with lights)
Manu guys on one bike, probably “lit up”
Hey, it’s Santa! End of the Parade.
Thanksgiving 2014
Stacy and Dallas invited the family to their place to have Thanksgiving dinner. We had a great time and as usual the food was overwhelming. So good, and so much… we’ll have food memories (sometimes called leftovers) for a while to come!
We had a great visit, telling new (and old) stories, the guys helping with some outside chores while the women put the finishing touches on a delicious dinner. Unfortunately, we decided to watch the Cowboys game after dinner. Unfortunately, because the Cowboys played poorly and lost bad.
However, it failed to put a damper on a very pleasant afternoon. Thanks to everyone for their contributions, and especially Dallas and Stacy for providing the home and most of the dinner.
One end of the dinner table setting…
And the other.
The women hamming it up in the kitchen
And ready to eat, one end of the table
And the other.
Halloween party!
Stacy (daughter) and Dallas (her girlfriend) throw a great Halloween party! This year’s theme was “steam punk”; think of Jules Verne era science fiction. The costumes were terrific, a lot of effort was put into this by the many attendees!
I was honored to be asked to take pictures, here are a few of them. I’ll be posting a lot more in my Flickr album. Maybe then I will get all the names right too!
Stacy and Dallas
The snack table was loaded, vegan on the left, meat on the right
Dallas and Stacy spent a lot of time on decorations, making by hand 100’s of bats
A group picture
Romola and John
Guests
Guest
Guests
Another group shot
Guests
Guests
Guests
Guests
Val (Dallas’ mom) on left
Guests (ebola?)
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