Presque Isle, Erie - 29th July 2014

Perry's Monument

 Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie that took place near Ohio's South Bass Island, in which Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry led a fleet to victory in one of the most significant naval battles to occur in the War of 1812.

The Battle of Lake Erie, sometimes called the Battle of Put-in-Bay, was fought on 10 September 1813, in Lake Erie off the coast of Ohio during the War of 1812. Nine vessels of the United States Navy defeated and captured six vessels of British Royal Navy. This ensured American control of the lake for the rest of the war. It was one of the biggest naval battles of the War of 1812.

 

Presque Isle Light House

 

Wildlife on Presque Isle

 



The Beaches

Niagara Falls - 27th July 2014

Niagara Falls is the name given for three waterfalls that straddle the international border between Canada and the United States.
The three waterfalls are the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls. The Horseshoe Falls lie mostly on the Canadian side and the American Falls entirely on the American side, separated by Goat Island. The smaller Bridal Veil Falls are also located on the American side, separated from the other waterfalls by Luna Island.
Located on the Niagara River, which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, the combined falls form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world, with a vertical drop of more than 50 Meters (165 ft). The falls are located 27 Kilometres (17 miles) north-northwest of Buffalo, New York and 121 Kilometres (75 miles) south-southeast of Toronto.

 

Horseshoe Falls

Skyline Tower

 

American Falls

 

 

 

Three Sisters Islands

 

Maid of The Mists



Dressed for a shower



Bridal Veil Falls (Far Right of Picture)

Getting drowned under the Horseshoe Falls

 

The Falls at Night

 

Buffalo New York - 26th July 2014

Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Buffalo is located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. Buffalo has a population of 261,310 and the Buffalo–Niagara Area is home to 1,215,826 residents.
Originating around 1789 as a small trading community near the Buffalo Creek, Buffalo grew quickly after the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825. By 1900, Buffalo was the 8th largest city in the United States, and went on to become a major railroad hub, and the largest grain-milling center in the country.


Electric Tower

Buffalo City Hall

Pearl Street Grill & Brewery (Great Beers and Great Views)

 

Below

USS Croaker was built as part of the effort to assemble a major submarine force just prior to and after the US entry into the '2nd World War', USS Croaker was sent to the Pacific to wage a war of attrition against Japan’s merchant marine and Navy. USS Croaker had 6 WWII pacific war patrols, was awarded 3 battle stars, and claimed 11 Japanese vessels including a cruiser, four tankers, two freighters, an ammunition ship, two escort craft, and a minesweeper.

USS Croaker

Sad reminder of the cost of the Vietnam War. Spent several quite moments in reflection here.

Below

The USS Little Rock was the first ship to bear the name of Little Rock, Arkansas, and is the only guided missile cruiser on display in the US. USS Little Rock is the sole survivor of the Cleveland class, the most numerous of US wartime cruisers (29 vessels total). The Little Rock made four cruises to the Mediterranean and two to the North Atlantic. She served with distinction as flagship for both the Second and Sixth fleets.

USS Little Rock

Rainbow over the 'First Niagara Centre' Indoor Arena

Best way to finish the day - Oysters in the Bay.

Dubai (UAE) - 12th July 2014

Dubai is the most populous city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the second largest emirate by territorial size after the capital, Abu Dhabi. Dubai is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is one of seven emirates that make up the country. The city of Dubai is located on the emirate's northern coastline.
The earliest mention of Dubai is in 1095 AD, and the earliest recorded settlement in the region dates from 1799. Dubai was formally established on June 9, 1833, by Sheikh Maktoum bin Butti Al-Maktoum when he persuaded around 800 members of his tribe of the Bani Yas, living in what was then the Second Saudi State, to follow him to the Dubai Creek by the Abu Falasa clan of the Bani Yas. It remained under the tribe's control when the United Kingdom agreed to protect the Sheikhdom in 1892 and joined the United Arab Emirates upon independence in 1971 as the country's second emirate. Its strategic geographic location made the town an important trading hub, and by the beginning of the 20th century, Dubai was already an important regional port.

Wildlife in Dubai



Arabian Oryx

Sand Gazelle

Baby Quail

Common Mynah

Falcon

Red-Wattled Lapwing

Buildings in Dubai

 

Air-Conditioned Bus Stop

Etistat Tower

 

 

 



Arabian Desert

 

 

Dates

Falconry Display

Traditional 'Mandi' Food