Photo Album

The crew chief tests the ice before landing

2006-04-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

Checking for Crevasses

2006-04-28T07:09:00.000-07:00

Crevasses are deep, wide cracks in the ice. Sometimes when the wind blows, snow will accumulate over the crevasse making a snow bridge. This bridge is deceptively dangerous because it will not hold your weight. If you step on a snow bridge, you will fall into the crevasse.

Once inside the crevasse, the heat from your body will melt the ice causing you to become wedged. In some cases, people have been successfully rescued from a crevasse. Most of the time, the victims freeze to death before being rescued. The Queen knows of one instance where the frozen body came out of the crevasse in pieces; a grappling hook had to be used to retrieve the remains.

The pick axe is used to test for these snow bridges. If the crew is unsure about a particular spot, an auger will be used to test the depth of the ice, as shown here.

The Imperial Family

2006-04-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

The Emperor, Empress, and family.

I find penguins at present the only comfort in life. One feels everything in the world so sympathetically ridiculous; one can't be angry when one looks at a penguin.
-- John Ruskin

Want a Ride?

2006-04-20T12:06:00.000-07:00

Grand Mosque

2006-04-20T12:05:00.000-07:00

Bahrain skyline in the Diplomatic Area

2006-04-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

This photo looks down on the Dubai Embassy on the left, and Quatar's embassy on the right. It's called the Diplomatic Area because most of the foreign embassies are located on this block. To the right of Quatar's embassy is the United Nations building. These embassies are all guarded by Bahraini Marines, armed with what looked like M16s. I couldn't get close enough to know for sure what type of weapon they carried. We didn't speak the same language, so I wasn't taking any chances. It's bad enough when communication break downs happen when we do speak the same language...

The bridge in the background heads east toward the Muharraq Airport.

This photo is taken from the roof of our apartment building.

It looks out over empty dirt lots to a new "luxury" apartment complex that was built in 2001. The cement patio walls surround a pool.

15th Century Fort in Manama, Bahrain

2006-04-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

This 15th century fort is being restored by archaeologists.

This human graciously agreed to have her portrait taken next to this fort for contrast.

As you can see, it is still partially underground.

Canterbury Arts Centre

2006-04-18T13:17:00.000-07:00

As seen from the Botanical Gardens

Members of the Arts Centre entertain us as we punt down the river.

Bridge of Remembrance

2006-04-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

Punting down the Avon

2006-04-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Cordoba

2006-04-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

Here you can see what is left of an old Roman bridge.

Bullfighting in Ronda

2006-03-28T12:46:00.000-08:00

Want to go to a bullfight?

This arena looks ancient. Cerveza, anyone?

Ole! Enjoy the show!

Cannon at Fort Constitution

2006-03-07T10:39:00.000-08:00

This tired old Civil War cannon is being replaced.

Whaleback Light

2006-03-07T07:20:00.000-08:00

Can be seen from many spots on shore, including Fort McClary and Fort Foster in Kittery, Fort Constitution in Portsmouth, NH, and Great Island Common in New Castle, NH. The lighthouse is accessible only by boat and is closed to the public. The history of other area forts used during the Revolution, Civil War, Spanish-American War, as well as World Wars I and II can be toured here.

Fort Constitution

2006-03-07T06:52:00.000-08:00

This fort, formerly known as Fort William and Mary was in use from 1631 - 1948.