Some pix from last Sunday at our own private camping spot 10 minutes from home in the suburbs of Cleveland. A friend owns a 40 acre horse farm and a river oxbows his property. The other side of the river is the Metroparks, but on our side it's private so we can have fires, beer, etc. And, as I say, ten minutes from home so if one of the kid's gets too dirty or wet they can run home and be back in no time.
A belated greetings from the shark bite capital of the world, New Smyrna Beach Florida. Located just south of Daytona Beach on the Atlantic coast, my son and I had a great week of R&R. I would've been blogging while there but the condo's wi-fi was out and I was without internet for a week! Now that's a real vacation.
We headed out on Sunday flying first class both ways to Orlando airport. It was Jack's second flight and first time up front. It was only my second time rubbing elbows with the elite. If you've never experienced it, well, words don't do it justice. Suffice to say there's better food served with real china, glassware and silverware, warm towels, free drinks, a drink offer before take off, and very attentive service. Have I mentioned how much I love Continental Airlines.
We arrive at Orlando airport on schedule and are shuttled to my favorite car rental agency, Enterprise. I'd reserved a simple compact car but was offered an upgrade to a Cadillac DTS that had been sitting idle for awhile. Another 10 bucks a day and we were riding in fine style to the shore. Here's a shot of it on the beach in Daytona. In case you weren't aware you can drive on the beach there for a small charge.
My son asked why we were getting such good deals. I told him it's because I was dressed in sport coat, tie and slacks. I'm from the old school where you used to dress up while flying, like going to church. Nowadays hardly anyone does so and thus you stand out as someone important amidst the slovenly dressed.
We arrived at our beachfront condo around 7pm. A co-worker of mine was the one who suggested I go to New Smyrna, as he and his family have been going there for 17 years. It's not as well known, meaning less crowded and is a getaway spot for many Floridians.
The condo unit is owned by a friend of his who gave us a great deal on it since it was going unoccupied that week. We were not expecting the close proximity to the beach and were in awe of our good fortune.
Here's a photo of the complex from the beach. Ours was on the right side, second floor, closest to the beach. That's Jack playing in the sand.
Here's a few more condo shots. Breakfast on the balcony.
Relaxing poolside.
Chillin' in the shade on the balcony after a swim.
Most of our time was spent either at the pool or boogie boarding. I am in need of a boogie boarding fix every year and this sure satisfied me. Here's Jack in action.
As it's prone to do in Florida during the summer, the afternoon thunderstorms would roll in. This would give us a chance to cruise down to Flagler St., the heart of New Smyrna Beach and about 2 miles north of us. There's some great shopping from art galleries to unique gift shops to surf shops. There's also some great well worn bars and restaurants as well.
Here's Jack at the much photographed Flagler Ave. sign.
Being an early riser I was fortunate to catch some spectacular sunrises. Sometimes while just lying in my bed and looking out the window at the ocean, or in the case taking a sunrise stroll along the beach.
I never did mention as to why New Smyrna Beach is known as the shark bite capital of the world. This year alone 15 people have been bitten. Most of them occur north of Flagler at the inlet where the intercoastal waterway empties into the Atlantic. This is where much of the surfing is done and also where sharks come to feed.
The bites mainly come from baby sharks who can't tell the difference between fish and a human. Though there have been some more serious bites inflicted by adult bull nose or nurse sharks. Fortunately Jack and I saw none. It was in my mind most of the time while boogie boarding but I didn't venture in much past my waist.
Here's a photo taken a couple months ago that's been seen world wide. It's a remarkable shot taken by a surfer/photographer in New Smyrna. He was just snapping away at some friends who were surfing and caught this adult shark leaping out of the water right behind them.
So, my son Jack and I, bid you adieu from the sunny shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
On our last day in Paris we decided to stay in the hotel neighborhood which is in southern Montmartre right next to the Opera district. It was probably the most enjoyable day spent. This had to do with the fact we weren't walking so much and the little discoveries of actual neighborhoods without the tourist aspect being so prevalent.
Here's a shot from Rue De LaFayette looking down our street at the hotel on Rue Faubourg Montmartre.
A few blocks down from our hotel near the intersection of our street and Boulevard du Montmartre is the famous Chartier restaurant. We didn't eat there though.
Our favorite discovery was these mid 1800's arcades called the Passages. They ran on for about 5 blocks and had different names on each block. Lots of old book stores, antiques, galleries and small cafes. We had a two hour lunch at one we deemed as looking quintessential French with simple French cuisine and nothing but locals as customers. We were not disappointed. It was wonderful food and a 3 course lunch with two carafes of wine ran 50 euros. It's called Les Troubadours Bistrot.
Another shot of our street looking from the corner of Blvd. du Montmartre.
We capped the trip with one last Metro ride to Bercy Village near the end of the newest subway, Line 14. The fellow message board member I spoke of suggested meeting there as it's not known as a touristy place. The street on which the bar was located was right off the Metro and was a pedestrian, cobblestone street lined with cafes and bars.
He lives a little over an hour out of the city and we were flattered he'd come that far on the train to meet us. We had some good laughs, discussions about the message board, music, politics, etc. He spent some time in the US as a French teaching assistant at a university in Boston. For the life of me, I can't remember which one.
Anyway, cheers to the internet for creating real life friendships across the world.
We also found the 15 dollar beers I'd read about on line. If you drink at cafe in a prime location, like across from the Opera House, a Corona runs 10 euros or about 15 bucks a pop. Yikes. So, we had the cheapest glass of red wine at 8 euros. A little splurge.
We're hanging out in the hotel neighborhood today in Montmartre. It's just off the ritzy area and prices at cafes, etc. are considerably less.
Then we're meeting up with a member of a music message board Ia belong to. He lives in the Paris suburbs. It'll be fun to meet someone via the net and shared passions like music and shows how cool the internet can be. Looking forward to talking music with a Parisian.
Last night we took the obligatory boat ride up and down the Seine. A very touristy thing to do but it did give us a good look at things. The most striking of which, is the fact that every night the banks fill with locals and tourists for sunset picnics where food, wine and beer is consumed without a hassle it appears. Street musicians perform as entertainment and the parade of boats leaves a great deal of hand waving going on.
Today we did the Louvre and D'Orsay museums. I can't help but laugh. In this day of digital photography, tourists just constantly shoot pix. At seemingly every painting they see. Here the poparazzi set their sites on the silent and still Mona Lisa. This just cracked me up.
Though I did get a shot of me and Venus.
A cool shot outside the Louvre.
And inside D'Orsay.
So, did the Champ-Elysee, after strolling Montaigne where the tres chic shop.
Headed toward the Arch de Triumph which was closed. Looked like they were already setting up for Bastille Day.
Then we headed over to the Eiffel Tower.
Did some record shopping at Virgin Megastore and then over in the Latin Quarter at Gibert Joseph. Picked up the new Coldplay (see Eiffel pic), Odessy and Oracle, and Tonight's The Night. A bottle of wine at a cafe near the fountain of St. Michel where this was the view.
Lots more strolling then ended up at the Pompidou Centre.
And of course, lots of time spent down here in the Metro.
Notes:
I'm not really a foodie and Europe and especially France is not a bargain so we eat with things we get at Supermarches. Spend the money on some nice street side drinks.
Obviously other tales to tell but no time.
Also, the 5 years of French in high school and college has come in
handy. Really fun to try and remember and practice my French, I do
pretty well with simple things and still have the enunciations down
well.
Bonsoir, well it is here anyway. Just up from a nap after a long, long
day of traveling first class (the only way to fly) and exploring Paris
on our first day.
Staying just south of the Montmartre district, home of many famous artists. Spent the morning here and then took the Metro to Notre Dame. Church day for us.
Now heading back up to the Moulin Rouge area for our first evening in the city.
In front of Sacre Coeur.
The view of Paris from Sacre Coeur.
Notre Dame
La Gare De Nord, the main train terminal of Paris.
So, I've really turned into a big fan of surfing over the last few years. I watch every movie I can find. I'm happy to be a fan from afar.
Needless to say, I was very excited to head to the north shore yesterday where the waves are intense in the winter.
First
stop was Sunset Beach. Again, my good camera is broken so I wasn't able
to get any worthwhile shots of surfers as they are pretty far off
shore. There's "no swimming" signs posted on all north shore beaches
but that doesn't stop the surfers or others from frolicking on the
shore.
Sunset is great for surfer watching but the bottom near the shore is alot of rock/coral. Here's me tempting fate.
Next, we headed south to Waimea Bay. Here's me in our rented Wrangler overlooking the bay.
Parking is a bitch up north so we ended up parking on the road. From
above the waves didn't look to promising but I soon found the best
boogie boarding of my life.
My girlfriend had a hard time catching
me in action with the camera. In one shot you'll see just the very top
of my head as the wave came crashing down. I had one bad ride in which
I rode too far out front and slammed hard on the shore, jarring my
shoulder and neck. 
So yesterday morning was one of those experiences you'll remember for a lifetime. We went whale/dolphin watching/snorkeling. We chose SeaHawaii because they didn't tout their on board buffet. Many of these outfits are on large boats with "tourists". Might as well just go to an aquarium for as close up you'll be.
SeaHawaii is run by two native brothers, Walter and Tommy. Great guys. Walter picked us up at 6:30am for the hour drive to the west coast.
We boarded the small zodiac boat and headed out to sea. We had nothing but good luck.
About 10 minutes out we spotted a whale. Over the course of the two hour trip we saw that whale and another surface a few times, spout water, and breech 5 times!
Soon after the whale spotting we came across a school of Spinner dolphins. They were in fairly deep water of about 40 feet. It's on the verge of too risky due to shark territory. They just weren't coming in any closer so the decision was made to jump anyway.
We all jumped in and followed the school for awhile. We frightened them so they swam at the bottom . Still, because of the amazing clarity of the water that day we were able to see them easily. Yet another piece of luck. Oh, and the Pacific was very calm.
We boarded the boat when we lost track of the school. About 10 minutes later we found them again and dove back in. As before they headed to the bottom. We again followed them above. Suddenly they all began surfacing about 50 feet in front of us. It was heart stopping.
Back on board the boat we headed closer to shore to snorkel over the coral reefs. We swam amazingly close (5-10 feet) with giant turtles and saw a great array of colorful fish.
If you aver head here SeaHawaii is who to hook up with. I tried taking some pix of the dolphins and whale but no luck.
I'll post a couple pix of the boat.
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