Sacsahuaman Inca Ruins - Peru

"Saqsaywaman", phonetically sounds like "sexy woman" - A complex constructed of gigantic boulders interlocked in a jigsaw pattern, it was believed that this was a fortress inhabited by royalty.

Alpacas and vicunas grazing amidst ruins

A remaining doorway

Moray Inca Ruins - Peru

Circular terraces going down to a depth of about 100 feet.  Temperature difference between the top and the bottom of the pits could be approximately 20 degrees F.

Stone steps leading from one level to another

Outline of a building which may have been that of the caretaker.

Peruvian Chicha Beer

Peruvian chicha beer is made from sprouted corn.

The pink-colored beer is made from the purple corn and has a softer edge.  This one is favored by the ladies.

Covered urns containing the brew in a country bar!

Serving it up!

Peruvians Love Hats - Cusco, Peru

Peruvian Shaman

Vendors with woven belts

Unmarried Quechuan Woman

Quechuan children

Machu :Pichu Overlook

Spinning yarn by hand

Post-Funeral Gathering - White hats mean these women rule the roost!!

Quechua Family - Cusco, Peru

Brightly adorned with woven motifs of animals, birds, flowers and anything of significance on their shawls, skirts, hat bands, etc., Quechua families head down from their villages higher up in the mountains into town during market day or whenever they come for supplies.  The flowers on the women's hats indicate that they are not married and they are also hiding places for their money.  Nowadays, Quechuans are very enterprising in charging tourists like us a sole per person for any photo taken!

Fallen Angel - Cusco, Peru

Having dinner and drinks at the Fallen Angel restaurant in Cusco, Peru is somewhat like attending an art gallery during opening night, full of energy and buzz, yet somehow, feeling like you are in some secret hideout or boudoir at the same time.  There were many unique arrangements in each section of the restaurant.  A converted bed with lots of plump pillows covered in animal print served as seating and a glass-topped bathtub with real fish darting inside was used as a table.  A cool and creative way to recycle and of course, to sell art!

NYC Grand Hyatt

More free artwork around NYC...these marble ladies are on the second floor lobby of the Grand Hyatt hotel on 42nd Street near Lexington Ave by the Grand Central station.  The sculptures named Awilda and Chloe were created by artist Jaume Plensa.

Batman Returns - a Joyce Pensato exhibition

Take a stroll over to the Chelsea section of New York City and you can drop into any of the numerous galleries to check out exhibitions by various artists - a NYC freebie.  This exhibition presented works by a local NYC artist, Joyce Pensato.  For more about her, you may click on the following link:

http://www.petzel.com/exhibitions/2012-01-12_joyce-pensato/

Winter at Mount Seymour

About 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Canada, you can have the most exhilarating winter experience either snowboarding, skiing, winter camping or snowshoeing at Mount Seymour.

El Parque del Amor (Love Park) - Lima, Peru

The Lovers (El Beso) by Victor Delfin

Overlooking Pacific Ocean

Graffiti of love commitments etched on mosaics

Similar in design to Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain

Beckoned by the imposing sculpture of the lovers locked in a passionate embrace, this park is a rendezvous point for many couples or for those who want to stroll or relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean or daredevils paragliding off the cliffs not too far away.  The park is located in the Miraflores section of Lima, Peru.

Mustard Yellow & White

Doorways

Amber Fort - Jaipur, India

Near Mother Theresa's Orphanage - Kolkata, India

A Ghost Tree in India

Peppered among the rocky soil and other deciduous trees, ghost or "kullu" trees were conspicuous with their white bark and skeletal branches. This tree was one of many growing in Ranthambore National Park, India.

Sea Sponge

A Lazy Dog Afternoon

Negril, Jamaica

July 4th Fireworks - NYC

View from Jersey City, NJ

Coney Island Mermaid Parade - Brooklyn, NY

Coney Island, a piece of Brooklyn, New York that is still unique and quirky, welcomes the summer with a wacky, fun Mermaid Parade each year since 1983.  A bit of outrageous, a lot of pasties, Nathan's Original hot dogs, a wooden boardwalk, sandy beach, aging Cyclone roll coaster and lately, some new rides added in Luna Park truly define Coney Island as it is today!

To find out more about this parade, check out: http://www.coneyisland.com/mermaid.shtml