Our 3rd and final day in Roma began with yet another early visit to the Vatican. The line was even shorter this time, and we got in quickly. While my mom and aunt went to check out the papal crypt, my fiance and I went to check the treasury; on the hunt for the true tomb of Alexander IV's greatest political adversary, his successor, Pope Julius II ( Genoan-born Guiliano Della Rovere). I had read from two sources that Julius the 2nd shared a tomb with his uncle and predecessor to the papal throne, Sixtus VI, but after talking with the staff, it appears that was not so. The demolition of the old St. Peter's Basilica displaced a lot of Papal remains, so as it stands, no one seems to know exactly where the true spot his remains lie, if there even is one now. A bit disappointed, but impressed by Sixtus' ornate tomb ( in which they don't even seem to be sure his remains truly lie there), we made our way to the Vatican museum. While I did enjoy seeing the Sistine chapel in person, the museum itself reminded much of my Florentine dome climb in the aspects of hot, cramped, and poor ventilation; only the museum went on for literal miles( in all seriousness, the building is not only enormous, but with all the twists and turns one could probably spend all day, and still not see everything. It took at least an hour of walking for us to reach the Sistine chapel!) Despite all the priceless papal and worldly treasures, I was ultimately glad to leave the museum behind me. After the journey to find the Sistine Chapel, the group split again as my fiance and I left to find the empty tomb Julius II had celebrated artist, Michaelangelo Buonarotti construct. Ironically enough (since his enemy Alexander IV had a humble final resting place after he banished his remains from the Vatican), we found it in a very quaint ( and by quaint, we didn't even think it was a church, let alone a Basilica housing the monument of so infamous a Pope) Basilica, near the Roman Coliseum. Though ornate, the tomb was never finished ( it was meant to depict a grand throne with a likeness of Julius II on top; at the altar of St. Peter's Basilica). From there we returned to the Roman forum for some last minute filming. Finally, we met back up at the hotel, and set out for our final dinner in Italy. It did not disappoint. It's been an unforgettable trip, that we will all remember. I'll see you guys on the next adventure. Be sure to look out for new picture sets, and new episodes of my Sunlit Earth motion picture series on YouTube! Cheers!
Roma Day 2 08-02-2015
Roma Day two started early with a trip across the Tiber River to the Vatican. The line for St. Peter's Basilica was just forming up good, so we were able to get in the massive ( and when I say massive, know that I am very much understating the size of this place) church. The halls were ornate with the statues, and tombs of popes long passed. There were even three glass coffin's containing the remains of three popes on display. While I consider it a bit on the macabre side of things, it was interesting to see the former leaders ( who all passed on long before I was even a thought) of the Catholic faith up close and personal. After finishing our tour of the basilica, (which was brief and limited due to mass being performed at the main alter that day), we scouted out the entrance to the Vatican museum, for our reserved visit scheduled on the next and final day in Roma. We made our way down the road from St. Peter's square to the beautiful Castel Sant' Angelo. I got some decent ( as great as I was gonna get with the crowd that day) shots from the Ponte Sant' Angelo, and the ancient fortress itself afforded some beautiful views from the upper walkways, and it's library. After a sweltering morning on the other side of the Tiber, we crossed back over near the Spanish Steps, and grabbed lunch before visiting the Trevi Fountain ( which unfortunately was undergoing renovation at the time so there wasn't much to see), and the resplendent Pantheon. As luck would have it there was a choir present that was serenading the crowd with Gothic hymns at the alter. With their voices resounding, the choir made it an unforgettable experience. After the Pantheon, our group split, and I left to hunt for the tomb of Alexander VI ( Spanish Born 16th Century Pope, Rodrigo Borgia). You won't see the church marked on city maps, or really read about it in guide books, but Alexander VI( one of the most infamous Renaissance popes mind you), is tucked away buried in a quite little church on the side of the Tiber opposite the Vatican. While I did track down the church, I hit a dead end in the fact that the church is observing prayer for the month of August, and not allowing visitors. Happy to have found the church, but a bit disheartened at not being able to see the tomb with my own eyes, I beat a path back for the hotel and the rest of the group. We had a hearty dinner, and every one turned in early as we prepped for our final day in Roma.
Venezia Day 2 07-28-2015
Our second day in Venice began early in the morning around 8:45. We embarked on a booked to of the Venetian islands of Murano (Famous for the art of glass blowing), Burano (a colorful old fishing village famous for the art of lace work, and the leaning bell tower of it's church, Chiesa di San Martino), and Torcello ( Home to the Churge of Santa Maria Assunta, the origins of which date back to as early as 639 A.D. ; and the fabled Throne of Attila). Although it was a somewhat fast paced morning and afternoon, the tour was very enjoyable, and it was nice to feel the breeze out on the water, and I got some pics of a haunting abandoned monastery, it's ruin slowly decaying and sinking just outside of Burano. When we returned to the city from our excursion, we helped ourselves to some delicious prosciutto and funghi (mushroom) pizza, and crossed the Rialto Bridge to visit Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto, the oldest church in Venice. We ended our day dining in St. Mark's square sitting front row whilst being serenaded by a live band playing classical
Firenze Day 3 07-32-2015
We began our last day in Firenze with a challenging climb up the dome of the Duomo. To say that the climb was arduous is a massive understatement. The climb had all the symptoms of being a claustrophobic nightmare (tight, cramped, dark, poorly ventilated). Climbers were rewarded with a beautiful view of the city, basked in the shine of a newly risen sun. Once we had descended and gathered our bearings, we left for the Chiesa di Santa Croce; final resting place of celebrated artist Michaelangelo Buonarotti (this place was also Michaelangelo's childhood church), legendary scientist and scholar Galileo Galilea, and brilliant statesman and author of "The Prince" Niccolo Machiavelli; among other notable Italians. The face of the exterior is striped marble, much like the design of the Duomo. To the left of the front steps, a large statue of Dante (of "Dante's Inferno" fame) overlooks the square before the church. Next we embarked on a private tour of the mysterious and secluded Vasari Corridor, a once secret passageway, that connects the Ufizi gallery to the Pitti Palace. The passageway was used in the 16th century by the powerful Medici family (at the time, the masters of Firenze and much of the Tuscan city states) to cross over the Arno River without having to mingle with the commoners and as a safety measure against potential assassins. The corridor is now secretive gallery of sorts, housing several wonderful paintings from various artists from around the world. From it, you also get a view of the exclusive balcony seats the Medici used when attending the Chiesa di Santa Felicita. The tour was very relaxed and quiet, as only small private groups are allowed, and a friendly guard escort haunted our footsteps, to ensure guests did not touch or damage the artwork. Once we exited the corridor, we grabbed a quick lunch and hopped on the train for Pisa. Once off the train, a quick bus ride got us to the Field of Miracles, the area in which the Leaning Tower, and Pisa's Duomo, Baptistry, and Camposanto Cemetary are found. Much like the statue of David in the Accademia Gallery, I was a little awestruck to get up close and personal with a sight I had seen in movies and books all my life. The cathedral was impressive with it's golden gilded ceiling, and the body of St. Ranieri, a 12th century merchant turned man of the cloth who gave all his fortune away to preach sermons in that very church. The body lay in a glass coffin high up on an alter to the right of the pulpit. The church also housed the tomb of Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII. We walked across to the Baptistry, which we climbed for a great view of the Duomo and the Leaning Tower. From there, a quick visit to the Camposanto Cemetary; a large rectangular structure with tombs set up on either side, and built into the floor and walls. We opted out of climbing the Leaning Tower. After that, it was back on the train to Firenze to find dinner and prepare for our last stop on out Italian Adventure, Roma. Stay tuned for Roma day 1.
the Leaning tower
view from the Dome
Firenze Day 3 07-32-2015
We began our last day in Firenze with a challenging climb up the dome of the Duomo. To say that the climb was arduous is a massive understatement. The climb had all the symptoms of being a claustrophobic nightmare (tight, cramped, dark, poorly ventilated). Climbers were rewarded with a beautiful view of the city, basked in the shine of a newly risen sun. Once we had descended and gathered our bearings, we left for the Chiesa di Santa Croce; final resting place of celebrated artist Michaelangelo Buonarotti (this place was also Michaelangelo's childhood church), legendary scientist and scholar Galileo Galilea, and brilliant statesman and author of "The Prince" Niccolo Machiavelli; among other notable Italians. The face of the exterior is striped marble, much like the design of the Duomo. To the left of the front steps, a large statue of Dante (of "Dante's Inferno" fame) overlooks the square before the church. Next we embarked on a private tour of the mysterious and secluded Vasari Corridor, a once secret passageway, that connects the Ufizi gallery to the Pitti Palace. The passageway was used in the 16th century by the powerful Medici family (at the time, the masters of Firenze and much of the Tuscan city states) to cross over the Arno River without having to mingle with the commoners and as a safety measure against potential assassins. The corridor is now secretive gallery of sorts, housing several wonderful paintings from various artists from around the world. From it, you also get a view of the exclusive balcony seats the Medici used when attending the Chiesa di Santa Felicita. The tour was very relaxed and quiet, as only small private groups are allowed, and a friendly guard escort haunted our footsteps, to ensure guests did not touch or damage the artwork. Once we exited the corridor, we grabbed a quick lunch and hopped on the train for Pisa. Once off the train, a quick bus ride got us to the Field of Miracles, the area in which the Leaning Tower, and Pisa's Duomo, Baptistry, and Camposanto Cemetary are found. Much like the statue of David in the Accademia Gallery, I was a little awestruck to get up close and personal with a sight I had seen in movies and books all my life. The cathedral was impressive with it's golden gilded ceiling, and the body of St. Ranieri, a 12th century merchant turned man of the cloth who gave all his fortune away to preach sermons in that very church. The body lay in a glass coffin high up on an alter to the right of the pulpit. The church also housed the tomb of Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII. We walked across to the Baptistry, which we climbed for a great view of the Duomo and the Leaning Tower. From there, a quick visit to the Camposanto Cemetary; a large rectangular structure with tombs set up on either side, and built into the floor and walls. We opted out of climbing the Leaning Tower. After that, it was back on the train to Firenze to find dinner and prepare for our last stop on out Italian Adventure, Roma. Stay tuned for Roma day 1!
the Leaning tower
view from the Dome
Firenze Day 2 07-30-2015
We started our day early again, with a quick breakfast, and short ride to the train station. It was there that we boarded a bus for an all day tour of some of the best Tuscany had to offer. Our first stop was the Medieval walled town of Monteriggioni. It was built in the 13th Century by the republic of Siena, and surrounded by a wall (which still surrounds the city today) to protect it from Siena's former (and technically current) rival city-state, Firenze. Many of you may know Monteriggioni as the stronghold of Ezio Auditore di Firenze, protagonist of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th installments of the Assassin's Creed videogame series. I happen to be a huge fan of the series, so naturally, getting to visit the actual town in real life was a serious highlight for my day (and the sole reason I booked this particular tour). From Monteriggioni, we drove to the Large Medieval city of Siena. Once the full on rival of Firenze, it was conquered by the Medici in the 1551 in the Battle of Scannagallo; thus losing it's independence to the Florentine city-state. Siena is known throughout Tuscany for the horse races held twice a year in its Piazza il Campo, a clam-shell shaped town square in the heart of the city. We ventured on to the spectacular Cathedral at the top of the hill the city is settled on. The dome was very ornate, much resembling the Duomo of Florence, with the colored marble on the outside. From Siena, we drove to the picturesque medieval hilltop town of San Gimigano, known for its various towers (originally there were 72! Of that number, only 14 remain). Lastly, we ventured to the Chianti region, to a winery where participants were invited for a wine and snack tasting. The rolling hills sang in the evening sun on the hour long drive back to Florence. It was a wonderful tour and exciting day that I'll not soon forget.
Firenze Day 1 07-29-2015
We waved goodbye to the islands of Venizia as our train took us south to Firenze (Florence). Nestled between rolling green hills and mountains, Florence is almost every bit the artist's Mecca as it was during the Renaissance. After getting off the train, we were thrust into a mad dash to get our city cards (if you should ever find yourself in Florence for a few days I heavily recommend getting this card. It covers most of the major attractions with skip the line privileges, and even covers public transportation. Quickly pays for itself many times over), and catching the appropriate bus to our new accommodations. It was sweaty, hot, and frustrating, but we made it to our hotel in one piece. After checking in and refreshing, we made our first stop to the Academia gallery, home to Michaelangelo's world famous statue of the biblical David; poised and au naturale. I admit to being taken aback seeing the statue in person.It was much larger than I thought it was going to be, but as regal as the pictures I'd seen countless times; needless to say, it did not disappoint. Next we walked further and saw the Duomo Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, but opted to venture inside one of our other days at an earlier time so as to avoid the crowd. We ventured on to the Ponte Vecchio (Vecchio Bridge) before stopping to get dinner. After filling our stomachs and resting our feet, we tackled the Palazzo Vecchio. There was a great museum exhibit of the upper floors (several rooms had ceilings completely) gilded with gold!). A further climb up the tower of the palace revealed a vast overlook of the city. So I ended my day with a shot of Firenze and the hills beyond bathing in the golden setting Tuscan sun. A view to die for. Stay tuned for Firenze day 2!
David in all his naked marble glory
The Duomo
Venezia day 1 7-27-2015
We landed in Venice around 8:45 European summer time. After a quick bus ride to the city, we had the convenience and pleasure of a private boat to our hotel (the front entrance of which was open to the canal). For our first day, we visited St. Mark's square, St. Mark's Basilica (sadly no photos allowed inside. I urge readers to Google the impressive interior of this basilica if you get the chance.), saw the beautiful paintings on the ceiling of the Chiesa di Guiliano (sadly no pictures allowed inside here either), visited the Chiesa di San Salvador, found and crossed the beautiful and famous Rialto Bridge, had an amusing but relaxing Gondola ride, during which we got an up close look and passed under the bridge of Sighs (the bridge connecting the Doge's Palace to the old prison), and as the sun began to set, we took pictures from the city's highest point, the Campanile di San Marco. After dark, we found St. Mark's square to still be a lively place, rife with peddlers selling goods, and live bands on either side playing for cafe-goers dining at the outdoor tables for some of the restaurants of the square. I don't think my shots, blogs, or video can do justice for a city so beautiful, and full of history, short of seeing it for one's self. It's been breathtaking so far, and that was only day one of our Italian adventure. Stay tuned for a recap of day number 2.
Cheers!
St. Mark's square from above
Atalaya 6-08-2015
While spending a nice afternoon at the Huntington Beach State Park in Murrel's Inlet, South Carolina, My fiance and I got to visit the derelict estate, Atalaya, that is on the state park grounds. I've added a new set of pictures in the Abandoned sites section, and there is a video ( the first in my series of videos accompanying my new photo sets) that is up on the new Sunlit earth Youtube channel found here. I got the history of the house from the Atalaya page of the huntington beach website here. "
Archer Huntington, son of transportation magnate Collis P. Huntington, and Anna Hyatt Huntington, noted sculptor, purchased Brookgreen and three adjoining plantations in January of 1930 as a site for a winter home and as a setting for Mrs. Huntington's sculpture. Construction of the house began the following winter. The home was named Atalaya, a Spanish term for watchtower. Archer Huntington, a noted authority on Spanish culture, designed the house after the Moorish architecture of the Spanish Mediterranean coast.
Construction of Atalaya began in 1931, apparently without detailed written plans. Work on the building was not continuous, but divided between it and Brookgreen Gardens over a 2 1/2 to 3 year period. Mr. Huntington, wanting to provide work opportunities for community residents during the Great Depression, insisted that local labor be utilized in its construction.
The outer walls of the building form a square, 200 feet on each side, with the east side facing the ocean. Within the walled structure there is a large open inner court with a small entry court at the rear.
1. Outdoor studio
2. Indoor studio
3 . Studio bathroom
5. Studio storage
6. Office storage
7. Secretary's office
8. Mr. Huntington's
study
8. Valuables storage
9. Mr. Huntington's bath
10. Master bedroom
11. Mrs. Huntington's
bath
12. Clothes storage
13. Secretary's bath
14. Secretary's room
15. Library
16. Foyer
17. Sun room
18. Breakfast room
19. Dining room
20. Food service room
21. Servants' living room
22. Food preparation room
23. Kitchen
24. Pantry & storage
25. Pantry
26. Walk-in ice box
27. Cook's quarters
28. Servants' quarters
29. Storage
30. Servants' bath
31. Laundry room
32. Housekeeper's room
33. Housekeeper's bath
34. Laundry drying yard
35. Laundryman's quarters
36. Wood/Coal storage
37. Garage
38. Generator room
39. Incinerator
40. Wood shed
41. Oyster shucking room
42. Paved courtyard
43. Bear pens
44. Dog kennels
45. Horse stables
46. Tack room
The living quarters consist of 30 rooms around three sides of the perimeter. The one-story brick building is dominated by a square tower that rises nearly 40 feet from a covered walkway that bisects the inner court. It is functional in design, having contained a 3,OOO-gallon cypress water tank. Water drawn from an artesian well was pumped into a 10,000gallon concrete cistern where the sand settled out. From there, it was pumped into the tower tank. The height of this tank gave the water enough pressure to flow through the house. The covered walkway of open brickwork is lined with archways and planters on both sides. Living facilities, including the dining room, sun room, library and bedrooms, occupied the ocean side of the house. The southern wing housed Mr. Huntington's spacious study, his secretary's office and Mrs. Huntington's studio. The studio, with a 2S-foot skylight, opened onto a small enclosed courtyard where she worked on her sculptures. Mrs. Huntington enjoyed sculpting from live animals therefore facilities such as horse stables, a dog kennel and a bear pen were included in the construction.
Heating was done entirely by coal room heaters and wood fireplaces. Ramps, instead of stairs, lead from the courtyards up to each entry door and wood was hauled in by small carts. Grillwork, designed by Anna, and shutters were installed on each window to protect against hurricane winds.
The Huntingtons returned to Atalaya after the war for their usual stay in 1946 and 1947. These were the last years they used their home.
After Mr. Huntington's death in 1955, most of the furnishings from the house were sent to the Huntington home in New York City. The equipment from Mrs. Huntington's studio was transferred to the new studio at Brookgreen Gardens. The 2,500-acre tract including Atalaya was leased to the state by the Brookgreen Trustees in 1960. Mrs. Huntington died at her Connecticut home in 1973.
I hope you guys enjoy the new pics, and the video. This is the start of phase two of my photography efforts. Phase 3 is coming.
Lost souls, Sea Cliff Lighthouses, and breathtaking sunsets 7/23/2014
Today was the last day of my Canadian holiday. I visited the Fairview cemetery where the graves of several victims of Titanic are laid to rest. I concluded my day with the long awaited trip to Peggy's Cove. Much like the Hopewell Rocks, this was a photography paradise, and a place so beautiful, that if I didn't have pictures, I honestly don't think anyone would believe me. I waited until the sun was setting before I made my reluctant departure. When the golden rays begin their final descent below the horizon, the village sings. I think I've got some of my favorite shots I've ever taken on this trip. I'm sad to leave such a beautiful place, but happy to be headed home to my family and loved ones just the same. Keep an eye out for further entries chronicling my future adventures. Expect a massive picture update to the site over the next week!
Canadian adventure: Last Day 07/23/2014
Unfortunately, the whales did not want to come out and play yesterday while I was in Lunenburg. I was able to to get some shots of a small colony of seals basking in the sun. I'll have to try whale watching again someday. Today is my final day in Canada. I'm going to actually do a little leisurely relaxing, and then head out to Peggy's Cove (A UNESCO world heritage site) to get some evening shots of the village and the lighthouse. Hit the road for home before first light tomorrow morning. Praying I get some great shots!
Halifax day 2
Morning readers. Today I've booked a whale watching cruise. So I'm gonna attempt that in a little while. The ship leaves from Lunenburg Nova Scotia, which is just about an hour away from Halifax. Hopefully I'll see some whales and get some decent shots. When speaking with a representative of the tour company, they said that a fin whale had been sighted in the area over the last few days. Being that it's the second largest animal on the planet, that would be a real treat, but I'd be happy seeing any whales either way. Wish me luck! Stay tuned for further entries as the Journey continues!
Hopewell Rocks 07/21/2014
I've just arrived at my last destination in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Today included a bit of a drive from New Brunswick, but not before I visited the Hopewell Rocks. I can honestly say that I've never seen anything like that. The thought that right about now where I and several other tourists were walking is completely submerged under nearly 40ft of water is mind-bending for me.
I'm going to start pulling pictures from the Canon tonight to make room for the last two days of my adventure. There's more to come, so stay tuned!
Hopewell & Halifax 07/21/2014
I'm sad to leave my hotel here in Saint John, but it's time I shove off for my next destination. Next on the itinerary is the Hopewell Rocks. It's two hours from here, and on my way to my next Hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia; where I should be arriving at in a few hours. The Hopewell Rocks are found along the Bay of Fundy where the tide rises the highest on the planet. At low tide I will be able to walk the ocean floor amongst the towering rock forms carved by years of erosion caused by said high tides. Stay tuned for the next entry, and some pictures! Cheers!
Saint John Part 2 07/20/2014
As my second and final day in Saint John, New Brunswick draws to a finish, I lay in my room reflecting on a day of adventure complete with the Reversing falls, some pretty decent macro insect shots, a surprise trip to the ocean floor (the planned ocean floor trip is tomorrow) at the Seaside Park across the bridge, and the modest but nonetheless beautiful Cathedral of Immaculate Conception (which nearly had all to myself). Tomorrow morning I check out the Saint John Marketplace before embarking on my Journey to Halifax. I will be stopping at the Hopewell Rocks along the way. Keep an eye out for further posts as my adventure in the Great White North continues!
Saint John 07-20-2014
What's up everyone? I'm about to get my 2nd day in New Brunswick Started. I arrived in the beautiful city of Saint John yesterday evening around 4pm, after a literal driving marathon through the northeastern US. The city is built right on the coast, and there is a breathtaking view of the Atlantic along the highway. I'll be taking lots of pics, so get ready for a massive update over the next week or so complete with some new banners!
Just got done getting breakfast at a chain restaurant called Cora's. After 2 days of eating packed food, the breakfast poutine (home fries, chopped/sauteed peppers and onions, chopped bacon and sausage, and topped with scrambled eggs and Hollandaise sauce) really hit the spot! About to try and get shots of the reversing falls. Keep an eye out for more entries to the Jouneybook!
3-14-14
We'll be downtown Charlotte, NC from 1-4:30 doing some script reading, and shooting a scene from the upcoming "How to make a movie sketch" for the TIN-ASS project!
2/24/14
As an addendum to today's post, I wanted to also say that the lovely and talented Christlyn McAllister has made it to the "Friends" page. She's an awesome photographer from the area, and her work definitely speaks for itself. you can find a link here, and on the "Friends" page. Look, like, and share!
Cheers!
[2/24/14] Shout out to the REAL United States Video Blog
I wanted to give a quick shout out to the awesome folks who produce the REAL United States Video Blog. Paul and Beverly Campbell are filmmakers after my own heart who put you in a front row for their adventures in this great and beautiful country we live in. Check em out at www.youtube.com/user/RealUnitedStatesVlog. Watch, enjoy, subscribe, share, and pass on the love!
Catch you guys on the next entry,
Cheers!
[2/21/14] Website is up! What up world!
Greetings and Salutations! I finally got the website up after a long and productive weekend of taking pictures and making videos (the last 3 in the videos page). As stated in the "Who am I and what am I doing here" page, I'll be posting up pics and vids from my various exploits for your viewing pleasure. I'm still putting away for the big Canadian trip numero dos in a few months, so in the meantime, the only traveling I'm gonna be doing in is back and forth from film shoots, and to the mountains and coasts on personal excursions for the sake of photography. I'll be updating the Journeybook prior to any photography excursions, so you guys check it out and keep up with me. I look forward taking you guys on my many adventures!