Aug 28 2012

Jake’s Sunday Post theme: From a distance


Jake’s theme this week is a lovely one, and I have found a few photos to show you.

The first one is of Alcatraz Island, taken from Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. It’s often referred to as “The Rock,” and was firstly a military prison in 1868, and then a federal prison from 1933 until 1963. In 1972, it became a national recreation area and in 1986, was designated a National Historic landmark. I was reading some of the history of this island on Wiki, and it was so fascinating. One of the best know inmates was Al Capone, who was incarcerated there in 1934, for four and a half years.

I guess I had to include one sunset shot, and this photo was taken whilst crossing the Nile from Luxor. In the distance is the ‘Valley of the Kings’, where can be found the tombs of the Pharaohs and noblemen of ancient Egypt.

Back on dry land, you can see the pyramids way in the distance. You can tell how far away they were, because my teenage son looks so huge in comparison. ๐Ÿ™‚

This photo, was taken whilst skimming across Lake Titicaca from Bolivia to Peru, in a high-speed Hydrofoil. We had a breathtaking view of the snow-capped Andes mountains in the far distance.

This last one was taken much closer to home; in fact from my bedroom window. If you look carefully, you will see a funnel-shaped cloud, which is a tornadic water-spout, way out at sea in the Indian Ocean. This is apparently quite a rare event, but not uncommon off our part of the South African coast towards the end of summer.

I hope you enjoyed my collection of “from a distance” photos. To see what other bloggers have come up with for Jake’s theme, click here.

73 comments on “Jake’s Sunday Post theme: From a distance”

    • Yes, you’re right. It would be wonderful to sail elegantly across Lake Titicaca, with a picnic basket and a bottle of sparking wine to match the sun on the water. ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Breathtaking, beautiful views from a distance. I remember how I was almost so close in reaching the walls of Alcatraz but unfortunately I only paid for the boat ride and not the actual tour.

    • Thanks so much. i have very happy memories when I look at all these photos. I also didn’t do the tour. Hopefully, there’ll be a next time for both of us. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Thanks, Ruth. It was quite far out at sea, but I suppose one can never be sure what they’re up to. I wouldn’t have liked to have been on a ship out there.

    • Thanks so much, optie. There are so many wonderful travel pics on various bloggers sites. I could spend all day just browsing them, but now I must go and play the piano instead. ๐Ÿ™‚

  16. Fantastic pics, Ad! I love them all and it’s hard to pick a favourite. What a wonderful life youโ€™ve had traveling to all these amazing places ๐Ÿ˜€

  17. If I may ask, at a rough guess, how many albums do you have? I find it amazing that you have all these lovely pictures and you always seem to know where to go and which ones to use. Do you have them cataloged, like your own personal photo library with lots of cross references and stuff? Seriously, I love these pictures .. the Peru and Egypt especially! (i seem to be improving on the a’s and e’s, lol)

    • Sorry to disappoint you, Marco. No, I certainly don’t have all my photos neatly categorised. I do have quite a good memory for the photos, as I’ve been through them so many times. When I see a WP challenge, I just go through until I find the ones I have in my mind. It can be quite time confusing. ๐Ÿ™‚

      • So you like rummage through the photos…do you keep them in boxes, albums, okay some on your computer – but the other ones? what about paper cuts, especially from handling the older ones?

    • Most of them are on my laptop. Hubby has transferred the best of the travel ones from the days before digital cameras came into being. I do have photo albums too which I occasionally look through when I’m feeling nostalgic about what I used to look like when I was young. ๐Ÿ˜€

  18. Beautiful pictures and story. I wanted to let you know that I am nominating you for a cute award, “The Super Sweet Award.” Stop by my website to pick up the instructions later this evening for details. Congratulations on a great website. Marsha ๐Ÿ™‚

  20. Great range for the distant theme! Beautiful SF, stunning shot of Nile, the pyramids, the breathtaking lake Titicaca …. And, you capture the tornadic water-spout. Wow!

  21. I remember watching a film “the bird man of Alcatraz” The prison always left a lasting impression.

    Great pics. Your’ve inspired me to start looking for my offering ๐Ÿ™‚

  24. Saw one of those water spouts off Southbroom when we lived there… naturally didn’t have my camera with me… lovely photos.. boy you certainly have got around… that photo of Lake Titicaca is something quite special..

  27. Some great ‘distance’ perspectives.
    I remember when one of those waterspouts headed straight for our house, but fortunately was down to a flurry by the time it beached.

  29. I heard that all the seals had left Pier 39 in San Francisco. It was full of them and quite stinky when we visited a few years ago!

    I love the shot taken from the hydrofoil. I always take lots of photos from boats.

    Great job.

  33. Love the sun sparkling on the water. That always makes me smile when I see it. Your son is handsome. Your pix are great. ๐Ÿ™‚

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