Trip Around the World - London

The final day in London was filled with a nice family visit. We started with an english breakfast at the hotel, before heading to East London. First a stop at Spitalfields Market. Then a walk down Brick Lane towards Hoxton. A tube ride later and we were on Portobello Road for lunch. We walked around Notting Hill and down Kensington Church Road. By this point it was late and we had to catch a train to Heathrow for our long flight to Hong Kong. It was a great visit with family in London.

I will post photos when I return.

Mark

Trip Around the World - London

Beautiful day in London. Landed at Heathrow at 6:30, made it through customs into the city and to The Connaught hotel in Mayfair. This is a classic hotel. The service here is amazing. Next to see a family member's flat around the block from the hotel. We then walked to Regents College for quick tour of the campus before heading to Harrods for a little shopping. We had a relaxing lunch and then I headed to Hyde Park for a long walk though the trees, along the water and around Kensington Palace. This was a nice way to see a bit of London that I missed on prior travels. Dinner was at classic Veeraswamy. This Indian restaurant has been around since 1926 and has a long list a famous diners for a very good reason. The food there is great! We walked back to Mayfair and I enjoyed a nice Scotch at The Punch Bowl, a classic pub. I am now enjoying my beautiful room at The Connaught.

I will post photos when I return.

Mark

Trip Around the World - New York

A good final day in New York started with breakfast at a classic diner before beginning a walk south. The first stop was B&H Photo. It is quite simply the most amazing photography store. Next was a nice walk further south, including a bit along the water to the Pulse Art Show, before lunch at Dos Caminos. Finally off to the airport for a flight to the next stop in London.

I will post photos when I return.

Mark

Trip Around the World - New York & Chris Peters @ The Last Rites Gallery

A great day in New York started with a walk in Central Park before heading to The Frick Collection. Next down to The Village and SOHO. After multiple trips to New York, I finally had my New York pizza at John's on Bleeker. This was a great recommendation from a friend. After lunch we checked out the art galleries. Later we headed over to the St Andrews pub before heading to The Last Rites Gallery for the Chris Peters opening. The show was great and I met a lot of great people. Off to bed now before a final day in New York and flight to London.

I will post photos when I return.

Mark

Trip Around the World - New York City

Started a trip around the world today with a flight from Los Angeles to New York. Checked into The Royalton and immediately headed out to the Burger Joint at Le Meridian. It is already late here and there is a lot on the schedule for tomorrow.

I will post photos when back in California.

Mark

New Badge Feature

Los Angeles

We had an enjoyable day in Los Angeles. First we went to the Museum of Contemporary Art, it was interesting. Next we walked over to Walt Disney Concert Hall. The building is amazing and I will need to go back with a wider lens and take more photographs. We then headed down the hill to the Geffen Contemporary. I have to admit, I am not a huge fan of the collection, but the venue is great. We finished the day off with lunch in Chinatown at the Empress Pavilion. It was a good day in LA.

Photos of the day are posted in the Los Angeles gallery here. (Panasonic GF1 - 20mm f1.7 & 14-45mm f3.5-5.6)

Mark

Santa Monica

We had a nice day visiting family in Los Angeles today. We decided enjoy a bit of the beautiful day in Santa Monica. While I have been to Santa Monica several times, I never went to the pier until today.

A few photos are posted in the Santa Monica gallery here. (Panasonic GF1 - 20mm f1.7)

Mark

Aliso & Wood Canyons Park

Another nice hike in Aliso & Wood Canyons Park tonight. This photo is a view back at our neighborhood from within the park.

A few photos are posted in the Aliso & Wood Canyons Park gallery here. (Nikon D700 - 24mm f2.8)

Mark

Aliso & Wood Canyons Park

We went for a hike in Aliso & Wood Canyons Park today. The trails were a mess with erosion caused by the heavy rains. On the positive side, the hills were nice and green.

A few photos are posted in the Aliso & Wood Canyons Park gallery here. (Nikon D700 - 24mm f2.8)

Mark

Cabazon

We headed to Cabazon today. The mountains surrounding Cabazon were beautiful. I should have pulled off the road for a few clean shots. I only managed a couple from a parking lot.

The photographs are posted in my Cabazon gallery here. (Nikon D700 - 24-120mm f3.5-5.6VR)

Mark

Aliso Viejo

We had a little break in the rain and I took Winston out for a nice long walk. It is always difficult to take photographs when Winston is pulling my hands around with his lead, but I gave it an attempt.

Photos are posted in the Aliso Viejo and Winston galleries on my site. (Panasonic GF1 - 20mm 1.7)

Mark

Pasadena - Norton Simon

We enjoyed a nice day walking around Old Town Pasadena and visiting the Norton Simon Museum. Our last visit to the Norton Simon was over 12 years ago. We should not have waited so long to return. After the museum we went to Jake's for tasty hamburgers. It was a good day.

Photographs from the day are posted in the Pasadena gallery here. (Panasonic GF1 - 20mm f1.7)

Mark

Los Angeles

We had a nice day in Los Angeles. The day started with Bob's Doughnuts and the Coffee Corner at the Los Angeles Farmers Market. We then enjoyed a walk around the market before heading over to The Grove. The weather was perfect for a walk around the outdoor markets. We stopped in several of the shops before heading to Samy's Camera and eventually the furniture and antique shops on La Brea. Before heading home we stopped for a late lunch/early dinner at Joan's on Third. I had a tasty bowl of Boeuf Bourguignon. That was a nice end to our day in LA.

Photos are in my Los Angeles gallery here. Panasonic GF1 - 20mm f1.7

Mark

Aliso & Wood Canyons Park

It is a beautiful morning in Orange County and we went for a hike in Aliso & Wood Canyons Park.

Shots from our hike are posted in the Aliso and Wood Canyons gallery here. (Panasonic GF1 - 20mm f/1.7)

Mark

Laguna Beach

I was working on something at home and looked out my window to see a beautiful sunset developing. I grabbed my camera with whatever lens was attached and headed to the beach. I got there just a few minutes later than I would have preferred, but still enjoyed a nice sunset. It is good to be in California in January.

A couple are photos are in my Laguna Beach gallery here. (Nikon D700 -24-120mm f3.5-5.6)

Mark

Laguna Beach

We enjoyed another beautiful morning in Laguna Beach today. We had breakfast at the Orange Inn cafe and then walked along the beach. Hard to believe it is January.

Photographs from today are posted in the Laguna Beach gallery here. (Panasonic GF1 - 20mm f1.7)

Mark

La Jolla

We spent a nice day in La Jolla. It had been over 10 years since our last visit to the beautiful bluffs. The weather was perfect and the atmosphere was relaxing. We walked along the bluffs and checked out the seals. After a little shopping, we enjoyed a nice lunch at Cody's.

Photographs are posted in the La Jolla gallery here. (Nikon D700 - 17-35mm f2.8)

Mark

Laguna Beach

We started our new year off with a nice morning at Treasure Island Park in Laguna Beach with our west highland white terrier, Winston.

Photographs are in the Laguna Beach gallery here. (Panasonic GF1 - 20mm f1.7)

Mark

Aliso Viejo

I saw Avatar in 3D today. Wow! I have not seen anything in 3D since Captain EO. Avatar was much better. Good story and great special effects. I walked around the Aliso Viejo Town Center after the movie and took this photo. (Panasonic GF1 - 20mm f1.7)

Cheers,

Mark