Seasonal Paradise

Mirrored Lake At Kildermorie In Scotland

Fishing In Scotland

Married In Prague

The End of Our Pre-Honeymoon

We went to Venice as our 'pre-honeymoon' before going to Prague to get married. Here we're in the water taxi, headed back to the Venice airport just after dawn.

Venice Water Taxi

On A Venice Water Bus

Sasha's First Gondola Ride

Venice Gondolas

Ferraris in Prague

This was taken the day Obama was in Prague. Ferraris in Prague, on cobblestones, doesn't quite compute.

Czech Calligraphy

What on earth does this say? I had to stop to check it out....and relax by the rivers edge for a whlie. The Vltava was a mirror at 7am.

Enticing Entrance to Bacchus In Mdina

Bacchus Restaurant Review

Bacchus is the best deal in Mdina. We passed by this restaurant when we took a guided tour of Malta which included Mdina, back in May 2008. It was built in 1650 but the outer walls date back 2000 years. The food was great and the house wine mediocre. The surroundings were very much in keeping with the entire feel of Mdina. Dark, old, quite and underground. We had two appetizers which were more than enough food for us, a bottle of wine and a tea and the bill came to less than 30 Euro all in.

Ghosts In Mdina

We only encountered one ghoul in Mdina.

The Magical City of Mdina

Back on the main islland of Malta we decided to swing by the ancient city of Mdina. This city dates back 2000 years to Roman time. Most of the internal buildings were built around 500 years ago.

The Azure Window

Behind us is Gozo's Azure Window

Gozo Kempinski

The Gozo Kempinski from our balcony. Alas the outdoor pool is not heated. The indoor pool was a perfect 32 degrees and quite the match for the outdoor pool. The indoor jacuzzi was only 34 and the steam sauna was also not quite hot enough for our tastes. The restaurant and cafe balconies had similarly spectacular views but the food was horrendously overpriced compared to equal or better class local restaurants. We had a nice surprise with the Kids Club free daycare. The service was first class and faultless and Irena enjoyed a flower laced bath and a facial and mask at the spa on Sunday. We'll be back.

Comino Island

On the way to Gozo we ferry past Comino which is THE hotspot during the summer with it's incredible blue water beach. It's pretty dead during the winter when the water is too cold to swim in.

Beachcombing

There are a couple of small but top notch beaches in Malta. One is at Golden Bay in the NW of the island. The other is by the Corinthia and Intercontinental North of Sliema and Valletta. The rest are solid rock beaches with ladders dropping off into the water. The sand is coarse and peppered with tiny sea shells.

Coffee and a Poodle

We took in a coffee on our favorite terrace at the Corinthia hotel in Malta and were presented with a balloon poodle for Sasha by the friendly hotel staff. Sasha was ecstatic.

In NYC for The Mike and Juliet Show

Miami Sunset

Kiss Attack

Irena sends another onslaught of kisses Sashas way.

Miami Sunning & Boating

Racoon Frenzy

One minute we're feeding a squirrel, next minute we're feeding a friendly l'il raccoon. Next minute we're marauded by a dozen hungry racoons. I withdraw early. I didn't want them to mistake Sasha pram as a food delivery system.

Would you trust this face?

Beluga Whale at Vancouver Marine Park

Malta, St Andrews Home : First Maltese Sunrise

First Maltese Sunrise
Originally uploaded by Mark C Brooks

On the balcony

Malta, St Andrews Home : Maltese Rainbow

Maltese Rainbow
Originally uploaded by Mark C Brooks

Malta, St Andrews Home : Balcony View

Balcony View
Originally uploaded by Mark C Brooks

Maltese Fishing Town

Maltese Fishing Town
Originally uploaded by Mark C Brooks

We spent a couple of days in this little fishing town hanging out and
getting a feel for Malta.

Maltese Boating, and Diving

Maltese Boating, and Diving
Originally uploaded by Mark C Brooks

We sailed to Comino and Gozo from Malta.  When we moored in Comino we all
jumped off the boat.

Maltas Island Of Comino

Maltas Island Of Comino
Originally uploaded by Mark C Brooks

Irenas in the middle of the shot in the blue bikini.

The Rock Church

After presenting at Nokia I had a few hours to wander round Helsinki.  The highlight of my walkabout was this Rock Church, hewn out of solid rock.

Rudys Tours Of Panama

Rudys Tours
Originally uploaded by Mark C Brooks

Rudy did a great job of showing us around Panama, for two days.  We can't
recommend Rudys Tours enough.  He's standing in front of one of the many
buildings that are being restored in the amazing Casco Viejo in Panama.
This whole area is being restored from ruinous slum to high-end age-old
elite properties.  The facades have to remain intact.  This building has
been demolished all except for the front of the building.

Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo
Originally uploaded by Mark C Brooks

Kids swimming at the hotel that was used for the upcoming Bond movie,
overlooking Panama City.