• House Sit Europe Trip
  • House Sit Europe Trip

House Sit Adventure

We are off exploring ! Baca lagi
  • Fort Erie Sit

    19 Ogos 2025, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Fort Erie's on Lake Erie history centers on Old Fort Erie, a National Historic Site of Canada, which was first built in 1764 and became the site of what is known as Canada's Bloodiest Battlefield during the War of 1812. After being captured by the Americans in 1814, it withstood a siege and was later destroyed by the British, with the fort's battleground the location of extensive fighting, heavy casualties, and the discovery of hundreds of skeletons belonging to American soldiers during later construction. The fort was restored to its 1814 condition and designated a National Historic Site in 1931.Baca lagi

  • Old Fort Erie

    19 Ogos 2025, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Fort Life

    The Commissary Office served as a general store for soldiers. In both British and
    American Armies, the Commissary Officer was a civilian contracted to operate this store in forts and military encampments.
    Commissary Officers were often unpopular due to high prices, limited stock, and poor quality of goods, leading many to be accused of corruption. There were exceptions, John Warren Sr. served as
    Commissary Officer for Fort Erie from 1780-1813 and was extremely popular due to his fair pricing. It is believed that his pricing was in part due to his own experiences, having served over two decades in the British Army.
    Did you know?
    An average American soldier earned $8 a month. In 1814, items such as bar of soap or a piece of chocolate could cost 50 cents or more and a simple cup of coffee could cost 62.5 cents, making these items a luxury.

    Doctor

    Opium
    Used widely by the 19th century as a painkiller and for recreation, often being dissolved in alcohol. A mix of wine, herbs and opium known as laudanum was the most popular medicinal application.
    Peppermint Oil
    Sometimes regarded as "the world's oldest medicine,"
    with archaeological evidence
    dating its use to 10,000 years ago, peppermint oil was used to treat numerous ailments such as sores, colds, headaches and venereal disease.
    Mercury Tablets
    For centuries mercury was used to treat gastrointestinal issues, breathing conditions and tuberculosis; later research proved it to be toxic!
    Cinchona Bark
    Harvested in South America, cinchona bark was a popular but expensive medicine in the early 1800s. Usually dried and crushed into a powder, the bark was used to treat fevers, muscle spasms and malaria.

    Haudenosaunee Encampment
    During the War of 1812, most
    Haudenosaunee had adopted many
    European aspects to their lives, with
    European styled homes, clothing, and the practice of Christianity, but many traditions were still being practiced. Traditional song and dance played with traditional instruments were still an important part of the social structure, and lacrosse was used in its traditional role as an alternative to war, training for warriors, and a healing ritual.
    Did you know?
    Many historians believe that the United States Constitution was inspired by the framework of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

    By 1814, the Haudenosaunee had been drawn into the war with the majority fighting alongside the British under John Norton (Teyoninhokarawen) and a smaller portion fighting with the Americans under Red Jacket (Sagoyewatha). Both the British and Americans realized their potential on the battlefield and as a result many warriors were well paid and equipped. Employed as scouts and skirmishers, these warriors proved invaluable to both armies. The Battle of Chippawa caused many warriors to go home as some of the most brutal fighting was between Haudenosaunee warriors and was threatening to become a civil war.
    Did you know?
    Scalping was not just performed by the Haudenosaunee but was also practiced by White settlers on the frontiers of Canada and the United States.

    Trade between Europeans and the Haudenosaunee occurred for over two centuries prior to the War of 1812, often revolving around the lucrative fur trade. After the American Revolution (1776-1783) furs were usually traded for weapons and ammunition. This trade led many Americans to accuse the British of purposely arming the Natives to resist American expansion and greatly influenced American opinion toward war in 1812.
    Did you know?
    Gift giving was an integral part of Haudenosaunee culture. During the War of 1812, weapons, food and clothing were popular gifts exchanged to native tribes for military service. With mounting supply problems. in 1814, the British found it difficult to continue supplying native groups, resulting in fewer warriors fighting for the British.
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  • Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory

    23 Ogos 2025, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Step inside one of the largest glass-enclosed butterfly conservatories in North America and discover a tropical garden oasis. The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory features over 2,000 vibrantly coloured butterflies fluttering freely throughout winding pathways adorned with lush vegetation and trickling waterfalls.

    An architectural marvel
    The Butterfly Conservatory was built in 1996. It remains the largest facility of its kind in North America. It quickly became a "must-see" attraction and has since welcomed millions of guests to explore and learn about the delicate beauty and fascinating lifecycles of butterflies in a tropical paradise environment. The facility includes an 11,000 square foot conservatory, video theatres, interactive displays and is also the teaching facility for the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture. It also includes laboratories and specialized greenhouses for rearing butterflies and growing plants.
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  • Niagara Botanical Gardens

    23 Ogos 2025, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Explore the parterre, rose, vegetable and herb gardens, and let the serene beauty of Niagara’s most beautiful natural surroundings captivate you.

    Designed by students of the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, the gardens feature over 80,000 annual plants grown in the on-site greenhouse. One hundred and fifty student-designed hanging baskets can also be spotted in the gardens throughout the growing seasons.

    Malabar spinach: planting, harvesting & care tips - Plantura
    Red Malabar spinach (Basella rubra) is a heat-loving, non-true spinach vine with red stems and succulent green leaves used in salads, stir-fries, and smoothies. It's an excellent summer alternative to true spinach, as it thrives in hot weather. The plant needs a trellis to climb, is sensitive to frost, and produces dark purple berries that can be used for dye
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  • Niagara Falls & Old Power Station

    27 Ogos 2025, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    COMPOSITION OF THE LAND
    The Niagara Parks Power Station sits on a flat parcel of solid bedrock that formed nearly 430 million years ago.
    The land is composed of several layers of sedimentary rock, called strata.
    Even after the tunnel reached a depth of 174 feet, workers continued to dig down an additional 35 feet under the tunnel to the Medina Sandstone layer.
    This was to ensure that the tunnel sat on a more solid base.

    BUILDING the TUNNEL
    Building a 2,200-foot underground tunnel was a significant mining task, especially in the early 1900s when construction tools and materials were much more limited than today®

    THE VERTICAL SHAFT
    The construction process began with the excavation of a vertical shaft halfway between the power station and the falls. Everything needed for construction had to go down or come back through this entrance shaft, including workers, equipment, building materials, explosives and excavated rock.
    From the base of this underground entry point, workers continued construction of the tunnel by excavating in opposite directions. One team dug toward the power station's wheelpit, while another team dug toward the end of the tunnel where water would eventually exit into the Niagara River.

    CEMENT
    Cement had only been used for less than a century by the time this tunnel was under construction. The cement blend used in the tunnel was composed of one part cement powder, mixed with three parts sand and five parts aggregate. This blend was ideal to hold a lot of weight over a long period of time.
    The cement was made on ground level and then pumped into the forms that lined the tunnel to fill in the desired shape. It was not used on the tunnel's arch.
    HEAVY MIX RATIO
    BRICKS
    The ceiling of the tunnel is lined with four layers of brick that include one layer of hollow brick, two layers of solid brick and one layer of glazed brick. The tunnel boasts over 5,700,000 handmade bricks.
    The top layer of brick has a glass-like coating that is durable and prohibits the accumulation of anything more than a naturally occurring slime on its surface.
    Its smooth surface allowed water to pass through the tunnel without wearing down the face of the walls.

    GRANITE
    Granite is a durable stone with low water absorption. It was used along the last 17 feet of the tunnel, where the final drop of the tunnel meets the water of the Niagara River, due to its ability to withstand the constant flow of water passing on both the interior and exterior of the tunnel.

    NIKOLA TESLA'S INDUCTION MOTOR
    In 1888, Tesla delivered his first large public lecture about the benefits that alternating current could bring to the world. George Westinghouse was in favour of this new concept and was drawn to the ideas Tesla proposed. The two reached an agreement that summer and began to manufacture induction motors based on Tesla's work.
    An induction motor is composed of a rotor and a stator. During operation, the stator creates a rotating magnetic field that induces a current and magnetic field in the rotor. Rotor torque builds as the rotor trails behind the rotating stator field.

    UNDERSTANDING FREQUENCY
    Frequency is the number of times an electrical current changes direction in a second. It is measured in hertz (Hz). During operation, the generators in this power station rotated at a rate of 25 times per second, causing the current to change direction the same number of times, or at
    25 Hz frequency.
    In the early years of power generation, random frequencies were used based on their convenience for powering steam engines, water turbines and the electrical generator. Frequencies could range anywhere between
    17 Hz and 133 Hz. As new technology and machinery developed in the late
    1800s, different frequencies were selected based on what worked best for new inventions.
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  • Bird Kingdom

    29 Ogos 2025, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    The World’s Largest Free-Flying Indoor Aviary. Discover hundreds of tropical birds as you explore the pathways throughout the multi-level rainforest. Meet friendly parrots and exotic animals at Bird Kingdom’s Animal Encounters. Explore the ruins of the Night Jungle that is home to many fascinating nocturnal creatures.

    Well represented from Australia
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  • Duncan

    9 September 2025, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Proudly living up to the name “The City of Totems”, Duncan has over 40 beautifully carved totems scattered all around the City. With rich history behind each totem, it is a “Must See” on your visit to Duncan

    The Feast
    BALD EAGLE (YUXWULE')
    KILLER WHALE
    (Q'UL-LHANUMUTSUN)
    This pole is based on a local Quw'utsun' legend.
    The Quw'utsun' people called upon Tzinquas (Thunderbird) to help them. The Killer Whale was eating all the Salmon in Cowichan Bay and the Salmon were not getting up the river.
    Tzinquaw helped them by taking the Killer Whale out of the bay and putting it on top of Mount Tzouhalem, the mountain beside the bay, where Tzinquaw ate him. The Spirit-Helper face in the Killer Whale represents the blowhole of the Whale.
    The face in the fluke (tail) of the Whale represents a (second) Spirit Helper. Doug explained the presence of the eagle: The story was the Thunderbird but I made the figure into an Eagle, I wanted to show the power of it, so I did the legs muscular and strong (Doug LaFortune, Interview, Sept 2012).°

    Raven's Gift
    TOTEM POLE (S-XT'EKW*)
    MAN (SWUY'QE')
    This one was a story about a young fellow... the Man in the middle with the adze in his hand was a carver. He's holding the adze, he is saying "Here is my gift to you". The Chief commissioned this pole and the Raven brought the carved pole to another village that was near the river... the Beaver helped provide the log: I enjoyed working on the poles and I liked the people in Duncan. I love carving; it's been my life's work. l've been doing it almost forty years. I just love to carve. I strive to get better every time I do something (Doug LaFortune, Interview, Sept 2012).®

    Pole of Wealth
    SPIRIT (SULI)
    KILLER WHALE
    Q'UL-LHANUMUTSUN)
    BLACK BEAR SPE'UTH).
    The top two figures on the pole represent the Quw'utsun' legend of the Thunderbird and Killer Whale. Tzinquaw (Thunderbird) is one of the more rare and powerful beings in our (Quw'utsun") history. A Killer Whale is an extremely important part of our culture and history... The figure of Spe'uth (black bear) adds to the power of the story, as he is like the eldest of a generation; strong and protective (Tim Kuchylski, grandson, Interview, Feb 2013).
    The wealth of the pole's owner is indicated by the copper shield that spe'uth (black bear) is holding in his paws.
    Simon's work is textured, which was his trademark; some of the animals would look like they had fur, feathers or scales.
    Another one of Simon's trademarks was to put faces on the feet of the bear; a sad and a happy face. Simon would say that in life there are sad times and happy times.®

    Transformation
    BALD EAGLE
    NUXWULE)
    KILLER WHALE
    (Q'UL-LHANUMUTSUN)
    MAN (SQUY"QE)
    In keeping with Coast Salish protoco, Corky's family told the stories of his poles.
    The Eagle was very symbolic for Corky in transformation and in life; as Corky had gone from full-time fishing into carving.
    The man represents that human part of the Killer Whale.
    Our people believe that there was an undersea world; you put on your Killer Whale and then you went into the ocean.
    You lived in the undersea world as part Human but also as the Whale; when you came up you took it off. You can see the Wolf carved on the Whale's fluke. When he would get one of the old ones (trees) like this pole that Corky worked on, he wouldn't paint it, because he could feel the essence of the tree...
    He loved the wood of the tree. he wanted to leave it the way it was and let it speak for itself (lane Baines Marston, sister, Interview, Nov 2012) °
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  • Chemainus

    10 September 2025, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    The Chemainus mural project is the world’s leading community-driven art tourism experience. Spurred to save a community from certain economic collapse, the Chemainus mural project has delighted and inspired millions of visitors and ultimately became the blueprint for community mural projects globally.
    The project continues to innovate through trompe-l’oeil, advanced technologies, such as Evolon, 3D/audio and sculpture/painting mixed-media concepts.
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  • Cowichan Ag Show

    13 September 2025, Kanada ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    The 2025 Islands Agriculture Show will be held at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds in North Cowichan.

    ​We are thrilled to have you join us for an exciting celebration of agriculture, innovation, and community spirit! Over the years, this event has grown into a cornerstone of our Islands' culture, bringing together farmers, producers, innovators, and visitors from all walks of life to showcase the best of what our land and waters have to offer.

    Join us for networking, educational workshops and seminars, collaboration in the agricultural community, and more!
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  • Butchart Gardens

    16 September 2025, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    The Butchart Gardens is a 121-year-old world famous 55-acre display garden located in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia. Created by Jennie Butchart, and still privately owned and operated by the family, The Gardens was designated a National Historic Site of Canada, in 2004 for its one hundredth birthday.Baca lagi

  • The Raptors Park

    19 September 2025, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Birds of prey have always inspired and captivated us. They are silent predators from the sky, swooping down with speed, precision, and deadly intent. But they are also vulnerable. Unfortunately, raptors are declining at an alarming rate due to human influence. Globally, nearly 30% of raptors are considered threatened, vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. Thankfully, there is hope.

    The Raptors brings people closer to birds of prey. Our goal is to educate, illuminate and inspire a sense of personal responsibility for the future of both birds of prey and the planet.
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  • Cowichan River Day, Blessings

    21 September 2025, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    The Quw'utsun Sta'lo' has been the heartbeat of the Cowichan People since time immemorial and is a provincially and nationally designated Heritage River, organizers said in a press release.

    There will be performances by Tzinquaw Dancers, and opportunities to learn Quw'utsun teachings, make salmon art, meet birds of prey from The Raptors (earlier post) and learn about the watershed.Baca lagi

  • Alaska Cruise-Ketchikan, Day 3

    8 Oktober 2025, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Day 3
    Arrive 7am sail 4.30pm

    Ketchikan, Alaska, is a southeastern city known as "Alaska's First City" and the "Salmon Capital of the World". It is a popular cruise ship destination located on Revillagigedo Island, accessible by air or sea, and is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. The city is rich in Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian culture.

    Creek Street - historic boardwalk, once a red-light district and now a charming area with shops and galleries

    "THE ROCK"
    A monument to Ketchikan's heritage, "The Rock" features seven figures representing the people and personalities that fist made this frontier home.
    Featured at the top is the welcoming figure of Gut Wain (Chief Johnson) of the Gaanaxadi clan of the Tlingit tribe. Other characters include a Native drummer, a fisherman, a miner, a frontierswoman, a logger and a bush pilot. Local artist Dave Rubin created the bronze sculpture with Terry Pyles and Judy Rubin.

    Thundering Wings
    THE STORY OF KETCHIKAN
    Keech Xaan (now Kichxáan)
    Thundering Wings, the monumental cedar sculpture you see here, was carved by renowned Tlingit master carver Nathan Jackson. The City of Ketchikany commissioned the creation of this public art piece to represent the Tlingit origin of the name for Ketchikan Creek, our town's namesake. The late Tlingit Chief Reynold Denny, Sr. (1910-1991) of the Sanyaa Kwáaan Neix.ádi (Cape Fox Eagle-Beaver clan) recounted the oral tradition of the name Ketchikan, which inspired Nathan Jackson's rendering:
    "About three hundred years ago, the Ketchikan Creek area belonged to the Neix.ádi. The name of the chief was Chief Cu Kax. When the people of his tribe climbed Deer Mountain to the look out point and looked down to the creek they saw the image of an eagle with open wings sitting on a large rock at the head of the creek. They named it Keech Ka Xa haan (Keech - wings, Ka - spread, Xa haan - over). This was reduced to Keech Xaan (now Kichxáan). The white settlers came and, unable to say the name correctly, changed it to Ketchikan."
    On November 16, 1991, the original sculpture was dedicated with a community celebration including traditional Tlingit song and dance. The current Thundering Wings is a reproduction that was also carved by Nathan Jackson. It was installed on July 4, 2016.
    NATHAN JACKSON, A NATIONAL TREASURE
    Nathan Paul Jackson (b. 1938) was born into the jilkoot Kwaaan Lukaax.ádi (Chilkoot Raven-Sockeye clan) near Haines, Alaska. He is one of the most important Tlingit and Alaska Native artists of our time. Several of Jackson's larger works are on display in the National Museum of the American Indian, the Field Museum in Chicago, and many other museums and public institutions in the United States and internationally. Jackson is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship, is a Rasmuson Foundation Distinguished Artist and holds an honorary doctorate of humanities from the University of Alaska, Southeast. Perhaps one of Jackson's most important contributions has been to pass on traditional carving skills to the next generation who have in turn become accomplished artists. He has lived in Ketchikan since the early 1970s.
    NORTHWEST COAST NATIVE ART
    The original Thundering Wings rests at the Ketchikan Museums®
    Totem Heritage Center. The Center features two totem poles carved by Nathan Jackson, Raven-Fog Woman which tells the story of why the salmon return to the creeks each year and Honoring Those Who Give which incorporates figures and symbols that represent the founding of the Totem Heritage Center. The Center also features contemporary
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  • Alaska Cruise-Juneau,Day 4

    9 Oktober 2025, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    Arrive 9am sail 9pm

    Juneau is the capital of Alaska, located in the panhandle region and accessible only by air or water, as it is surrounded by rugged terrain. The city is known for its stunning natural scenery, including the Mendenhall Glacier, and offers numerous outdoor activities like hiking, whale watching, and kayaking. Juneau's history is rooted in gold mining, and it is a popular cruise ship destination

    All goods and visitors must arrive by plane or boat, as there is no road network connecting to the rest of the state or country.
    The city was founded in 1880 after prospectors discovered gold, and it became the capital in 1906
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  • Alaska Cruise-Skagway, Day 5

    10 Oktober 2025, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    Arrive 7am sail 8pm

    Skagway is a historic Alaskan town at the northern end of the Inside Passage, famous for its role as the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush. Today, it is a popular cruise ship destination known for its preserved gold rush-era downtown, scenic beauty, and attractions like the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad and the Chilkoot Trail.Baca lagi

  • Alaska Cruise-Seattle, Day 8

    13 Oktober 2025, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Arrive 7am sail 4pm

    WELCOME TO THE SPHERES
    People have an innate connection to nature, which is often lost in the urban environment. The Spheres were created to reconnect people to nature through biophilic design and provide a space to take in the positive effects of exposure to nature, like increasing creativity and reducing mental fatigue. Each plant inside The Spheres was chosen from the Amazon Plant Collection and is expertly cared for by members of Amazon Horticulture.

    Chihuly Garden and Glass.

    WINTER BRILLIANCE
    Commissioned by Barneys New York in 2015 for its holiday window display on Madison Avenue, Winter Brilliance is a joyful expression of both its namesake season and Chihuly's desire to present his work in unexpected and dramatic ways. The composition comprises Chandeliers, Towers, Reeds and clusters of Icicles, a form which Chihuly developed in 1996 for his first permanent outdoor installation, the iconic Icicle Creek Chandelier in Leavenworth, Washington.
    Ice is one of my favorite materials to work with because of the way it interacts with light. It inspired me to create the icicle form.
    - Dale Chihuly

    SEALIFE ROOM
    The 15-foot Sealife Tower takes inspiration from the sea and Puget Sound. The Towers evolved from Chihuly's desire to present sculptures in spaces where ceiling structures could not withstand the weight of his Chandeliers.
    The Tower and Vessels in this room include forms such as starfish, octopus conch shells, sea anemones, urchins, and manta rays. The Sealife Drawings, and Sealife Vessels are other ways in which Chihuly explores his love of the sea.

    PERSIAN CEILING
    Chihuly began the Persians series in 1986 while experimenting with new forms. Originally, he displayed Persians in pedestal compositions, often with smaller shapes nested in larger pieces.
    Later, working with an architectural framework, he mounts larger forms to walls and suspends them as overhead compositions.
    The first Persian Ceiling was presented in his 1992 exhibition opening the new downtown Seattle Art Museum. Lit from above and resting on a flat glass pane, the elements of the Persian Ceiling come together to provide an immersive experience in color and shape.

    MILLE FIORI
    With the Mille Fiori - Italian for "a thousand flowers" - Chihuly assembles gardens of glass that include many of his series of works.
    First exhibited in 2003 at the Tacoma Art Museum, the techniques used to create the Fiori rely less on tools and more on the use of fire, gravity, and centrifugal force.
    The artist has said that memories of his mother's garden serve as inspiration for these "gardens of glass."

    IKEBANA AND FLOAT BOATS
    This installation includes two of Chihuly's wooden rowboats, one filled with Ikebana elements and another with Nijima Floats. Their origins date to 1995 in Nuutajarvi, Finland, where he experimented with temporary installations along the shore of the nearby river and tossed glass forms into it to see how the glass would interact with water and light. Local teenagers gathered the drifting glass in rowboats, inspiring Chihuly to create a new type of installation with a variety of forms including two seen here: Ikebana and Niijima Floats.
    The Ikebana Boat features long, flower-like glass stems inspired by the Japanese art of ikebana. Niijima Floats were inspired by the artist's trip to the Japanese island of Niijima and by childhood memories of discovering Japanese fishing net floats along the beaches of Puget Sound.

    MACCHIA FOREST
    Chihuly began the Macchia series in 1981 with the desire to use all 300 colors available to him in the hot shop and named it such atter asking his friend Italo Scanga the word for "spot" in Italian. Thinking about the colors and intensity of stained-glass windows, Chihuly realized that the glass panes looked clearer and more vibrant against a cloudy sky than a blue one.
    This idea inspired his experimentation to separate the interior and exterior colors by adding a white layer in between, a "cloud," and as
    he mastered the technical complexities, pushed the scale up to four feet in diameter.
    Each work is speckled with color, which comes from rolling the molten glass in small shards of colored glass during the blowing process. To complete the piece, he adds a lip wrap of a contrasting color.

    GLASSHOUSE AND
    GLASSHOUSE SCULPTURE
    The Glasshouse is the centerpiece of Chihuly Garden and Glass.
    Throughout his career, Chihuly dreamed of working on the design for a glasshouse and the artwork within it. This is the first opportunity he has had to realize that dream. The design draws inspiration from two of his favorite buildings: Sainte-Chapelle in Paris and the Crystal Palace in London. Chihuly signed a beam during the dedication ceremony on May 21, 2012.
    The Glasshouse Sculpture is an expansive 100-foot-long installation in a palette of reds, oranges, yellows and amber. Made of many individual elements, it is one of Chihuly's largest suspended sculptures. Chihuly calls the intensely colored blown-glass forms of this monumental work Persians. The perception of the artwork varies greatly with natural light and as the day fades into night.
    Chihuly is pictured here admiring the magnificent Palm House at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, near London, which is one of his favorite conservatories. His appreciation of this nineteenth-century architecture comes in part from the use of hand-blown glass to make all the windows, something extraordinary considering the size of the buildings. In 2005, thirty years after this photo was taken, Chihuly was invited to show his artwork at Kew.
    Glasshouses come in many beautiful sizes and shapes and are some of the most incredible buildings in the world. When you walk through them, you feel peaceful and inspired.
    - Dale Chihuly

    CHANDELIER WALKWAY
    Chinuly creates an architectural sequence with dynamic colors and forms along the Chandelier Walkway.
    Sunset Chandelier
    Mighty Citron Chandelier
    Royal Jo Chandelier
    Fly Yellow Chandelier
    Emerald Chandelier
    Olympic Blue and Turquoise Chandelier
    Alfa Red Chandelier
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  • Alaska Cruise-Astoria, Day 9

    14 Oktober 2025, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Arrive 10am sail 6pm

    The Astoria-Megler Bridge stands as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most impressive architectural marvels, offering breathtaking views as you cross between Oregon and Washington over the mighty Columbia River. This 4.1-mile steel cantilever bridge provides an unforgettable driving experience with panoramic vistas of the river mouth, Pacific Ocean, and surrounding coastal mountains.

    Camp 18 Logging Muesum

    VERTICAL SPOOL
    This is the earliest type of logging donkey put into production
    These are often referred to as ‘Dolbeer’ beer because of the inventor
    This idea originated from the cap capstains used on ships. Although small enough to be a ‘toy’ by later standards the Dolbeer was all able to move large logs by using one or more block purchases

    Earliest records of these Dolbeer donkeys date around 1872, with recorded patents presently available dated 1883. Used in California to replace oxen or horses which were kept on to take the cable back to the brush, they were primary used to move logs to the pole road
    Previous to its present location this machine and one of the loaders at this museum were housed in Milwaukee.
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  • Alaska Cruise-SanFransisco, day 11a

    16 Oktober 2025, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    BARRACKS/APARTMENTS
    n 1905, the Army used inmate labour to add three concrete. stories on top of the original dock level brick barracks built. in the 1860s. The finished structure, known as Building 64, served as quarters for soldiers assigned to prison guard duty. In preparation for civilian inmates, the Bureau of Prisons remodeled the barracks building into apartments for correctional officers and their families. The apartment house included a small market and a tiny post office. During the federal penitentiary era, this end of the island was fenced off for the security of the families.

    THE DOCK
    The oriinal dock was completed in 1854 and has be largely
    modified and enlarged several times since then. The large four-story building immediately behind the dock was once a military barracks Its ground floor was built between 1865 and
    1867. Designed to house soldiers and cannon to defend the dock, its 10 foot thick brick walls made it virtually bomb-proof. Along today's dock, a row of brick gun casemates can still be seen. The restored guard tower is a remnant of the federal penitentiary era. During those years, six towers around Alcatraz were manned by armed guards, whose clear view made escape by prisoners extremely difficult

    GUARDHOUSE & SALLYPORT COMPLEX
    Built in 1857, the guard house is the oldest building on the island. The first line of defense against enemy landing parties, it could only be entered by crossing a drawbridge over a 15-foot deep dry moat. Two gun ports for 24-pound howitzers flanked the entrance, and firing positions for riflemen capped the roof. Alcatraz's defenses were never tested in battle. Instead, the Guardhouse's basèment served as a prison for troublesome Army soldiers..
    Later uses included a military prison, library, theater, and schoolhouse.

    MILITARY SCHOOLHOUSE
    The small buildings on top hull of the Guardhouse and Sallyport
    was built by the Army in 1917. Designed in the Mission Revival style, the schoolhouse originally held a shoe repair shop and hat factory. Later, it served as a classroom where Army prisoners received grade school education. In 1934, after the military left and federal prison employees arrived the building was remodeled into housing for bachelor guards.

    POST EXCHANGE & OFFICERS' CLUB
    The Alcatraz Post Exchange (PX), or "Soldiers Clubhouse," built in 1910, was the local general store, a place for soldiers and their families to buy food and personal goods. When Alcatraz became a federal prison in 1934, the PX was converted into a recreation hall and correctional officers club, complete with a dance floor, movie theater, gymnasium, two-lane bowling alley, and soda fountain. The building was one of several destroyed by, fire in June 1970.

    INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS
    Work was a privilege on Alcatraz, and most inmates labored five days a week at menial jobs such as making military uniforms and refinishing furniture. Convicts worked in two large factory buildings separated from the rest of the island by double fences topped with barbed wire.
    The three-story building at the tip of the island was called Model Shop because it was designed to serve as a "model" of rehabilitation for prisoners. Built by the Army in 1922, it contained carpentry, plumbing, and blacksmith shops. The long two-story building, known as New Industries, was constructed by the Bureau of Prisons in 1940 and served as a laundry, dry cleaning plant, and tailor shops.

    MAIN PRISON BUILDING
    In 1907, the War Department drew up plans for a new prison building that could house up to 600 Army prisoners. When finished in 1912, the cellhouse was reportedly the largest steel reinforced concrete building in the world. Unskilled Army inmates largely provided the labor. When Alcatraz was chosen as a federal maximum-security penitentiary in 1934, the aging cellouse was renovated by the Bureau of Prisons. Tool-proof bars replaced the flat, mild steel cell fronts of the military prison, and gun galleries were built at either end of the cell room. Also, the number of cells was reduced from 600 to 336.

    WARDEN'S HOUSE AND LIGHTHOUSE
    The wardens house commanded the summit of the island. An impressive Mission Revival-style home. It had sexenteen large rooms with sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. Built in 1921, it was originally the residence of the military prison commandant. After the island became a federal penitentiary in 1934, it became home to Alcatraz's four wardens.
    The lighthouse was originaily built in 1854 to guide gold rush shipping into San Francisco Bay. The present concrete tower was erected in 1909. Lighthouse keepers and their families once lived in homes at the towers base.

    STAFF HOUSING AREA
    Most of the penitentiary staff, along with their wives and children, lived on Alcatraz. Living quarters included, aging army barracks overlooking the dock small cottages and modern apartment houses buit in 1940. With spectacular views of the in Golden Gate Bridge.
    At the very tip of the island was a
    cuplex occupied by two of the most
    Important people on the island, the associate warden and the captain of the correctional staff. During the 1959s, an average of 76 families. lived on the island at any one time Dozens of children grew up on Alcatraz, and were ferried each day to schools in Sam Francisco. Wives and off duty guards took the shuttle to the city for shopping trips and social events.
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  • Alaska Cruise-SanFransisco, day 11b

    16 Oktober 2025, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Telegraph Hill: This prominent hill is home to Coit Tower and has been the site of important radio and telegraph infrastructure, leading some to speculate it was once nicknamed "Wireless Hill".

    This is the real story of Lillie Coit and Coit Tower.

    Lillie Coit: This Girl Is on Fire
    Lillie Hitchcock Coit began her love affair with fighting fires at a young age.

    While still in school, Coit came upon the Knickerbocker No. 5, an understaffed and struggling volunteer fire engine (there was no city fire department at the time) trying to maneuver the steep hills of San Francisco. Coit immediately tossed her school books aside and ran to the aid of the men pulling the engine.

    What Coit’s 15-year-old arms couldn’t do, her voice could, as she yelled at more passersby to help instead of standing just standing around. Because of Coit’s pleas for help, the fire engine made it to its destination and succeeded in extinguishing the fire. From then on, Lillie Hitchcock Coit, or ‘Firebelle Lil’ Coit as she came to be known, was given the title of honorary firefighter. Firebelle Lil’ was even celebrated alongside the men of the Knickerbocker No. 5 in parades and floats throughout the city.1

    Luck Be a Lillie Coit Tonight
    Not content just to fight fires with the boys, Coit, a woman with old money and new ambitions, wanted to enjoy all the manly pastimes her male companions enjoyed, too.

    Coit was a voracious gambler, often the only woman in the game, and would sometimes even disguise herself as a man in order to get into some of the more elite “no dames allowed” underground games. Coit also was an avid hunter, shocking the men around her with her expert sharpshooting skills.

    She once even witnessed a murder when a business associate stormed her Palace Hotel room with a gun after a failed deal. The would-be-murderer was shot by Coit’s associate, but we think that if Coit had been a bit younger (she was 60 years old at the time), she would have done the deed herself.2

    Coit Tower: A Towering Tribute
    When Lillie Hitchcock Coit died in 1929, she left a whopping one-third of her fortune to the city of San Francisco, so the city could build a tribute fitting of her love and admiration for her beloved home.

    After some consideration, it was decided that the money should be used to build both a tower on Telegraph Hill and statue in Washington Square Park. The statue features three firemen, one of whom is carrying a woman. A more fitting tribute might have been Lillie Hitchcock Coit carrying all three men herself, but we digress…

    The other tribute became Coit Tower.

    On October 8th, 1933, Coit Tower was completed. Designed by Arthur Brown, Jr., the 210-foot tower offers a 360-degree view of the beautiful city of San Francisco on a clear day and lets you know what it would look like to live inside a cloud on a foggy one. Thick and cylindrical, many believed the tower was modeled after the shape of a fire hose as a further tribute to Lady Coit but that is just a coincidence.

    Throughout the tower are hand-painted murals by 27 different artists depicting somewhat radical views on politics, racial equality, and Marxist ideas. The murals were created as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Public Works Art Project.

    Some of these frescos were so controversial that they were painted over after the 1934 longshoremen’s strike. Coit Tower was even locked up from the public, lest visitors get infected by messages in colors on a wall and go mad for equal pay, like at the end of the movie Pleasantville when the black and white people start seeing what apples look like.

    Today, you can visit Coit Tower every day of the week, excluding major holidays, and tour its murals for a small fee. On your visit, be sure to pay tribute to the lady that made the tower possible, Lillie Hitchcock Coit.

    A woman who made up for her lack of penis with the size of her balls.
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