Friday, December 5, 2014

Gold Country, Sierra Foothills, California, USA - 25-26 November 2014

For most of us, when we think of Gold Country, the imagery of cowboy towns, wild west saloons, and stage coaches probably emerge. Many of these gold-rush towns, formed after the 1848 discovery of gold in California, still exist along historic Highway 49. These days, Gold Country has evolved from rustic mining towns to a charming tourist destination of award-winning wineries, classy boutiques, arts and crafts stores, culinary excellent restaurants, and memorable antique shops. A few caverns found "inside them hills" in the heart of Gold Country are also a popular attraction for the family and adventure enthusiasts. 

Over the course of 2 days, I explored 4 historic towns of the gold-rush era, namely Jamestown, Columbia, Murphys, and Angels Camp in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties. All 4 are located within the California Mother Lode zone ~ a zone filled with gold-bearing quartz veins and regarded as one of the nation's most productive gold-producing districts. Jamestown is located on historic Highway 49, Columbia on Parrots Ferry Road, Murphys on Highway 4, and Angels Camp is at the junction of Highways 49 and 4.

Close to Murphys and Angels Camp along Parrots Ferry Road is the amazing Moaning Cavern, a limestone cave located in Vallecito, California (pop. 442 per census 2010). Known to be California's largest single cave chamber with a height of over 180 feet, the massive room is tall enough to fit the Statue of Liberty. It was astounding. I enjoyed the 45 minute informative tour (cost $14.95 per adult). Some highlights:

1. Skewed depth perception inside the cave due to a lack of natural sunlight. Visually, everything looked close even though in reality, they were over a 100 feet away.

2. 65 feet down several flights of narrow wooden stairs was the middle landing platform where I saw and touched some limestone columns and draperies. When struck, these 'dead' columns made fascinating sounds. Looking up at the ceiling of the 180 feet chamber from the platform, I saw stalactites.

3. A seemingly flimsy 100-foot-tall metal spiral staircase that was built in 1922. I feared for my life when I walked down the 10-storey-high column, no thanks to acrophobia.

4. Spectacular sight from the bottom of the shaft. With time and a good dose of wild imagination, various 'images' - from Winnie the Pooh to a gargoyle - started to appear from the rock formations. They totally rock.

5. Absolute darkness when the guide turned off all the lights in the cave. Pitch black. Silence. Heightened auditory function. My eyes were opened but I couldn't see my hand in front of me. After some time, I 'saw' a white dot from the top of the cave ~ a strange optical illusion generated by the mind.

I hope you'll enjoy the photos below. May the love, peace, and joy of grace be with you and your loved ones this holiday season and always.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Porto, Portugal - Part IV (August 30-31, 2014)

Part IV highlights:

1. Church of St. Ildefonso
2. The Majestic Cafe and the Bolhao Market
3. The (vegetarian version of the) Francesinha
4. Capturing the night lights from atop the Dom Luis I bridge
5. The National Museum of Antonio Soares dos Reis
6. A bus ride to the beach (Praia dos Carneiros) and lighthouse

Well, this concludes this portion of my travel updates from Europe. When I'm settled in, I hope to do a reflection piece on what the Camino meant to me and my transition back into society. Until next time, adios, much love to you all and God bless!

Above: Inside the Church of St. Ildefonso

Above right: The Majestic Cafe

Above left: Inside the Majestic Cafe; Above right: The shopping street of Rua Santa Catarina

Above right: The Bolhao Market (Mercado do Bolhao)

Above left: Teatro Sa da Bandeira; Above right: A vegetarian version of Porto's famous dish, the Francesinha (7.50 euros, with a cup of sangria)

Above left: A silhouette of the Se Cathedral; Above right: A silhouette of the Clerigos Tower (Torre dos Clerigos)

Above: A cold and windy evening walk on the upper level of Dom Luis I bridge

Above right: The 11 am Sunday Mass at the circular St. Augustine church of the Monastery of Serra do Pilar (Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar) in Gaia

Above: The National Museum of Antonio Soares dos Reis (Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis) (Entrance fee: 5 euros per adult; 2.50 euros per student)

Above left: Um Traje de Capri (A Black Capri) by Silva Porto (1877); Above right: Colheita - Ceifeiras (Harvest - Reapers) by Silva Porto (1893)

Above left: Ilha dos Amores (Island of Love) by Jose Malhoa (1908); Above right: The medicine by Jose Malhoa

Above left: Cabeca de rapariga (Head of a girl) by Marques de Oliveira (1891); Above right: Cephalus and Procris by Marques de Oliveira (1879)

Above left: Interior (Costureiras trabalhando) (Interior (seamstresses working)) by Marques de Oliveira (1884); Above right: Viscondessa de Vinho e Almedina (The Viscountess of Vinho e Almedina) by Antonio Soares dos Reis (1882)

Above: O Desterrado (The Exile) by Antonio Soares dos Reis (1872) ~ sculpted in carrara marble 

Above: The Count of Ferreira by Antonio Soares dos Reis (1876)

Above right: Narciso (Narcissus) by Antonio Soares dos Reis (1881)

Above: Flor Agreste (Flower Wasteland) by Antonio Soares dos Reis (1881)

Above right: Henrique Pousao (self-portrait, 1878)

Above left: Cecilia by Henrique Pousao (1882); Above right: Esperando o sucesso (Waiting for success) by Henrique Pousao (1882)

Above left: Cansada (Feeling tired) by Henrique Pousao (1882); Above right: Rapariga deitada no tronco de uma arvore (Girl resting on a tree) by Henrique Pousao (1883)

Above left: Macieira partida (Broken apple tree) by Sousa Pinto (1883); Above right: Cabeca de velho - Portuzelo (Head of an old man - Portuzelo) by Sousa Pinto (1890)

Above: Jose Tagarro (self-portrait, 1929)

Above: Baiser (Caress, Kiss) by Ernesto Canto da Maya (1934)

Above right: Waiting for bus #500 to go to the beach (Praia dos Carneiros) and lighthouse

Above: Ponte da Arrabida, one of six bridges across the river Douro

Above left: Riding a double-decker bus #500; Above right: Praia dos Carneiros (foggy day)

Above left: These yellow (Camino) arrows were everywhere! :)