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Punta Piedrita

This is from a few years ago in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I took this from a hotel room we stayed at before boarding a cruise ship. It was early in the morning before leaving the hotel and as I opened up the glass door to the veranda my lens immediately fogged. I had to be patient and wait for fifteen minutes or so while the temperature of the glass equalized with the outside air. That happens when you go between air conditioning and a hot humid climate. Coming from Florida I should have been used to it.

Punta Piedrita

When we got on the ship and headed into the Caribbean the same thing happened all the time. The cabin was climate controlled and as soon as the camera hit the outside air it fogged. The same happened with eye glasses. The best thing is to let the camera warm for about thirty minutes before shooting. As I said, I should have known because I go through the same routine every summer here in Florida.

More from the beach gallery

Anyway, we were only here in San Juan for a couple of days. The sights, food and people were all amazing and I’d go back in a minute. The people that I know and have met from here all have a combination of purpose and friendliness that is unique to this island. I believe this island and its people are a treasure of the caribbean.

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St. Johns, Antigua

Last autumn I was here on a ship leaving out of St John’s Antigua at the end of a typical day. As it’s now February that seems lifetimes ago. We arrived early in the morning and saw everyone headed in to work including the president in his limo. That’s the thing about foreign lands, even the most mundane things like going to work seems kind of interesting. I wonder why that is? Maybe if someone from Antigua saw me in Florida headed to work and wrote about it, …never-mind, it’ll never happen.

Last autumn I was here on a ship leaving out of St John's Antigua at the end of a typical day. As it's now February that seems lifetimes ago. We arrived early in the morning and saw everyone headed in to work including the president in his limo. That's the thing about foreign lands, even the most mundane things like going to work seems kind of interesting. I wonder why that is? Maybe if someone from Antigua saw me in Florida headed to work and wrote about it, ...never-mind, it'll never happen.

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San Juan Street Party

One of many things that impressed me about the old town section of San Juan was how much the residents like to hang out and shoot the breeze. This was one of many such gatherings I noticed as I walked through the cobblestone streets on a Saturday afternoon. Old world charm and sense of community is tangible here. As I shot this an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens came barreling down the street towards me so I stepped out of the way. As it passed I realized it was a actually a van advertising a fruity rum drink. OMG, only in San Juan!

One of many things that impressed me about the old town section of San Juan was how much the residents like to hang out and shoot the breeze. This was one of many such gatherings I noticed as I walked through the cobblestone streets on a Saturday afternoon. Old world charm and sense of community is tangible here. As I shot this an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens came barreling down the street towards me so I stepped out of the way. As it passed I realized it was a actually a van advertising a fruity rum drink. Only in San Juan!

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Sunrise on Deck

On the last day of our journey aboard the Jewel of the Seas I got up before sunrise to capture a few pictures around the ship. This is the top deck and running track which overlooks the pool area. In a couple of hours this would be full of folks catching some rays or enjoying water volleyball. But in the tranquility of the morning the sun rose behind a layer of clouds and cast these rays that I was lucky enough to capture. The cruise season is in full swing now and I suspect the economies of many Caribbean ports of call are doing quite well right about now.

On the last day of our journey aboard the Jewel of the Seas I got up before sunrise to capture a few pictures around the ship. This is the top deck and running track which overlooks the pool area. In a couple of hours this would be full of folks catching some rays or enjoying water volleyball. But in the tranquility of the morning the sun rose behind a layer of clouds and cast these rays that I was lucky enough to capture. The cruise season is in full swing now and I suspect the economies of many Caribbean ports of call are doing quite well right about now.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Antigua Market

A couple of months ago I was in Antigua and longed for an authentic meal. It just so happened that the wife of our taxi driver had a stall in this market. When we found it she invited us inside out of the afternoon sun to serve us at her table table. Despite the humble surroundings her kitchen was spotless and the food was full of flavor, my favorite was the salt fish. Yet the most authentic part of the meal was her warm hospitality, for that brief time she made us feel like family. Apparently she was in accounting at the banana factory before it shut down, now she runs the food stall temporarily until things improve. After that wonderful meal and conversation we walked through the market where I captured this scene.

A couple of months ago I was in Antigua and longed for an authentic meal. It just so happened that the wife of our taxi driver had a stall in this market. When we found it she invited us inside out of the afternoon sun to serve us at her table table. Despite the humble surroundings her kitchen was spotless and the food was full of flavor, my favorite was the salt fish. Yet the most authentic part of the meal was her warm hospitality, for that brief time she made us feel like family. Apparently she was in accounting at the banana factory before it shut down, now she runs the food stall temporarily until things improve. After that wonderful meal and conversation we walked through the market where I captured this scene.

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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On Deck

Royal’s Jewel of the Seas; on deck one evening at sea. This is a section normally busy with people sunbathing or just walking the deck, but I headed up here around dinner and so it was pretty empty. Sure enough, early in the morning folks would be walking or running this track. My hat is off to those people, with discipline and fortitude to walk off the previous night’s meal. I tried a couple of times, but always seemed to get sidetracked by the drink of the day. Working up ambition on board a cruise ship can be a challenge, trying to stay focused on anything is pretty much impossible. But then that’s the whole idea, right?

Royal's Jewel of the Seas; on deck one evening at sea. This is a section normally busy with people sunbathing or just walking the deck, but I headed up here around dinner and so it was pretty empty. Sure enough, early in the morning folks would be walking or running this track. My hat is off to those people, with discipline and fortitude to walk off the previous night's meal. I tried a couple of times, but always seemed to get sidetracked by the drink of the day. Working up ambition on board a cruise ship can be a challenge, trying to stay focused on anything is pretty much impossible. But then that's the whole idea, right?

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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Saint Lucia Rain Forest

was in Saint Lucia recently and traveled up a mountain to a rainforest. I stopped at a shop along the way for some refreshments and then walked up a little path behind the food stand where I captured this stream in and amongst the lush vegetation. The rainforest are a source of water for the residents of the island and I found it a nice place to sit in the shade to escape the heat. We could use a rainforest or two near my home of Florida, but until that happens we’ll continue to use tiki bars for shade and refreshment.

was in Saint Lucia recently and traveled up a mountain to a rainforest. I stopped at a shop along the way for some refreshments and then walked up a little path behind the food stand where I captured this stream in and amongst the lush vegetation. The rainforest are a source of water for the residents of the island and I found it a nice place to sit in the shade to escape the heat. We could use a rainforest or two near my home of Florida, but until that happens we'll continue to use tiki bars for shade and refreshment.

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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Old and New

In October I arrived by ship at this port in Bridgetown Barbados. The sugar elevators used to play a major role in the economy but are little used now due to the world market. However in it’s place tourism has taken hold and as most people know, Barbados has the most friendly people anywhere in the Caribbean and perhaps the most beautiful beaches. I was intrigued by these towering elevators which represent the old economy as they silhouette the tug in the foreground. This tugboat is used to guide large cruise ships into port which deposit the new economy (tourist) to the island. Either way, it’s an island that relies on the sea and is undergoing transition and I, for one, can’t wait to go back.

In October I arrived by ship at this port in Bridgetown Barbados. The sugar elevators used to play a major role in the economy but are little used now due to the world market. However in it's place tourism has taken hold and as most people know, Barbados has the most friendly people anywhere in the Caribbean and perhaps the most beautiful beaches. I was intrigued by these towering elevators which represent the old economy as they silhouette the tug in the foreground. This tugboat is used to guide large cruise ships into port which deposit the new economy (tourist) to the island. Either way, it's an island that relies on the sea and is undergoing transition and I, for one, can't wait to go back.

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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Top Down

This is a view of the lobby on the Jewel of the Seas, a ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. The first time I saw this ship it played a trick on my eyes as I thought I was looking at two ships. Turns out this one is small relative to some others. Nonetheless, if you stand midship on about the 13th floor and look down through a glass table, you’ll see this lobby and elevators. And I thought a sailboat was big.

This is a view of the lobby on the Jewel of the Seas, a ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. The first time I saw this ship it played a trick on my eyes as I thought I was looking at two ships. Turns out this is one is small, relative to others. Nonetheless, if you stand midship on about the 13th floor and look down through a glass table, you see this lobby and elevators. And I though a forty foot sailboat was big.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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San Juan Charm

This is the old town section of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Walking through here on a recent afternoon was like walking back in time to a different era. It seems time has slowed down here and a different pace of life is respected. People get together for conversation and gatherings in the streets or in verandas above. This colorful street was just one of many I passed and to me represents a feeling of community and charm rarely found today. I will return to Puerto Rico one day and when I do I’ll stay a little longer, and move a little slower.

This is the old town section of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Walking through here on a recent afternoon was like walking back in time to a different era. It seems time has slowed down here and a different pace of life is respected. People get together for conversation and gatherings in the streets or in verandas above. This colorful street was just one of many I passed and to me represents a feeling of community and charm rarely found today. I will return to Puerto Rico one day and when I do I'll stay a little longer, and move a little slower.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.