YesRetired, Halifax, NS (2025)

07/03/2025

My new favorite band probably doesn’t really exist! It reminds me of 70’s era Eagles or America with a new age vibe. Climbing fast on Spotify at over 750,000 listeners. The “Velvet Sundown” virtual group of 4 members each have unique biographies. Their first album has 10 songs which are all great. AI really is amazing. There is at least one human behind it all somewhere, and even some real humans who are trying to impersonate the AI members. A 2nd album is expected to be released in mid July.

Overview by AI
🎶 The Velvet Sundown’s music is steeped in dreamy abstraction and emotional depth, often evoking a sense of timeless melancholy and quiet rebellion. Here’s a breakdown of the recurring themes and meanings in their songs:

🌿 Nature & Transience

Lyrics frequently reference natural imagery—pines, rivers, echoes, crimson skies—to evoke fleeting beauty and emotional landscapes.
This creates a meditative, almost spiritual tone, where nature becomes a metaphor for memory, loss, and transformation.
🕊️ Anti-War & Peace

Many tracks carry anti-war and pro-peace messages, though they’re delivered subtly through poetic phrasing rather than direct protest.
The upcoming album Paper Sun Rebellion is expected to lean even more into these motifs, suggesting a quiet resistance against violence and chaos.
🌫️ Emotional Abstraction

Rather than telling clear stories, the lyrics drift through moods and impressions—“emotional weather patterns” as one reviewer put it.
Phrases like “echoes through the pines” or “crimson parade” recur like fragments of dreams, designed more to be felt than interpreted.
🧘‍♂️ Stillness & Reflection

Their album Dust and Silence is described as a “long exhalation in minor key,” with restrained instrumentation and whispered vocals that invite introspection.
It’s music that doesn’t demand attention—it lingers, like fog or memory.

My new favorite band doesn’t really exist! I70’s era Eagles or America with a new age vibe. Climbing fast on Spotify at over 750,000 listeners

06/08/2025

Experiencing the vibrant Hindu Chariot Parade in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was truly a delight. In retirement, I find myself embracing spontaneous cultural events and taking the time to explore their deep-rooted traditions.
The Ratha Yatra Chariot Parade (Wikipedia), a celebration that dates back over 5,500 years, was a mesmerizing display of devotion and joy. A grand chariot, adorned with vivid colors and flowers, carried Hindu leaders and a representation of Krishna. As part of the festivities, the chariot was pulled through the streets using long ropes, uniting the community in a shared act of reverence. The procession was led by exuberant dancing and rhythmic music, including the famous “Hare Krishna” chant, with a touch of Nova Scotian flair—local bagpipers setting the tone at the forefront. With police ensuring smooth passage through the busy Spring Garden Road shopping district, the parade was an unforgettable sight.
More Photos and Video below:

Hindu Chariot Parade in Halifax, retirement, embracing cultural events and taking the time to explore their deep-rooted traditions.

05/21/2025

FLINTSTONES - UNDERGROUND CITY, TURKEY
One of the most fascinating experiences from our snowbird travels in Turkey was exploring the Underground City of Saratlı Kırkgöz, near Cappadocia. The resemblance to the cave-like homes in The Flintstones is undeniable. Among the 36 known subterranean cities in the region, some extend up to eight stories deep and span as much as eight kilometers.
These cities, built before the turn of the millennium, primarily served as secret refuges for Christians seeking shelter from outside invaders. Thanks to the soft volcanic sand, excavation was relatively easy—though exposure to open air eventually hardened the material, ensuring durability.
Larger underground settlements could accommodate around 2,000 families—roughly 10,000 people. Their construction often began with a deep well reaching the water table, which doubled as an air shaft. Branching outward from this central point, the cities featured communal living spaces, shared kitchens and bathroom facilities, and even stables for livestock. Ingeniously, the excavated debris was disposed of in fast-moving rivers to keep the existence of these hidden cities a secret.

Fascinating experience in Turkey, Underground City of Saratlı Kırkgöz, near Cappadocia. cave-like homes like the Flintstones TV show

05/11/2025

UK CASTLE OF MY DREAMS
We explored the castle of my dreams, while on an extended layover in the UK, when returning from our European snowbird excursions. It has all the important elements including massive stone walls protecting an impenetrable tower keep on a prominent cliff, surrounded by a natural river moat. Of course it has a dungeon, and Great Hall, plus a secret underground cavern! It is even linked to King Henry 8th in the Tudor era, after its origins in 1100 era and even further back 11,000 years if you consider the cavern artifacts.

The Pembroke Castle tourist attraction is well suited to kids as well as history buffs, with a mix of totally intact walls and structures with old rubble ruins. The interactive audio video displays add great insights and the guide who provided the free guided tour was so knowledgeable. Well designed displays and models add depth to the history. The original Welsh were not very friendly to the tax collector inhabitants of the castle. The Castle is located on the West coast of Wales, which is about 5 hour drive from London.

The castle has extra meaning for me, since my 8th great grandfather John Poyer, was the governor and Mayor there until 1649, where the impenetrable castle was held seige for 2 months until taken and destroyed by Cronwell. Its as close as we get to having a castle in our family.

King Henry VIII’s father Henry the 7th was born here, to his 13 year old mother Lady Margaret Beaufort.
Article is continued below with lots of photos:

Pembroke UK: Castle of my dreams, with Impenetrable tower on a cliff, moat, dungeon, Great Hall, underground cavern! Links to King Henry 8th

05/02/2025

BALLOON RIDE: JUST DO IT!
A hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia in Turkey at sunrise was a must do attraction for me. Its a cool (3C) start to the day, but feel’s warmer once moving in the sky, especially when accompanied by the overhead flame of the balloon. Our pilot has over 6 years of experience here.

They start filling the balloon using cool air from a series of big fans, then move to a horizontal version of the propane powered nozzles, until it is vertical. Loading the basket is tricky, using a step ladder to climb over the top edge of the basket. The basket holds 20 people, divided into sections of 6 people.

Going up was very smooth, much like an elevator ride, but we had to rehearse the landing position, which involves crouching low in the basket, while holding on to the rope hand holds. It was a short bump, but I saw one person bump their nose when they weren’t prepared properly.
Photos of my 1 hour trip

hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia at sunrise Cool (3C) start to the day, but warmer once moving especially when accompanied by the overhead flame of the balloon.

04/22/2025

MAGIC CARPET RIDE through Turkey in 14 days
During our Snowbird retirement, we embarked on a captivating 14-day journey through Turkey, tracing a loop from Istanbul to Cappadocia after reaching the 90-day limit in the European Schengen zone.
This adventure offered fascinating glimpses into the opulent lives of the Sultans, from their lavish palace harem rooms to the contrast between sprawling modern cities and the ancient underground settlements that once provided refuge for ordinary citizens. We marveled at the grandiose mosques where the Islamic faithful gather for prayer five times a day, each one a testament to Turkey’s deep spiritual heritage.
Beyond its stunning landscapes and architectural wonders, Turkey holds a pivotal place in global history. It is home to the world’s oldest known novel, written on cuneiform clay tablets around 5,000 BC, and played a crucial role in the transition to the Bronze Age around 1300 BC. Even in more recent times, Turkey was the site of a significant World War I battle at its border with Greece, involving forces from Australia, New Zealand, and other nations.
Our time there was nothing short of extraordinary—an immersive experience in a land where ancient legacies and modern vibrancy coexist in breathtaking harmony.
Most of our trip was on an organized trip in a comfortable modern bus coach. We highly recommend this approach which provides an easy way to experience all this including a knowledgeable English speaking guide, hotels, breakfasts, skip-the-line entry.

Summary of major stops
Istanbul (Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace Museum, Bosphorus cruise), Ankara, Anıtkabir Mausoleum, Saratlı, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukale, Izmir, Ephesus, Troy, Canakkale, Gallipoli. Separate articles about each stop will be forth coming.
More Photos and information in the link below:

Amazing insights into the lives of the wealthy Sultans of the past including their palace haram rooms, the large modern cities contrasted with the historically significant underground cities, where the common person was able to stay safe

03/27/2025

During our snowbird adventure along Spain’s Costa del Sol, we explored the charming coastal path through the older section of Benalmádena, home to traditional architecture and design.

The roundabout near the impressive Holiday World resort featured lifelike elephant sculptures that instantly caught our attention at our first bus stop. Beyond this landmark, we discovered hidden gems—small public beaches and oceanfront apartments, some accessed by serene pathways through lush garden areas. The terraced Spanish architecture here elegantly utilized the sloping hillsides, blending seamlessly with more modern developments. Bamboo served a dual effect: protecting against erosion while also contributing to driftwood challenges for the nearby sandy shores.

A centuries-old stone signal tower stood as a historic reminder of the region’s defense against pirates in the 1500s, where signal fires would link coastal towers. Adding a touch of glamour, a classic Rolls Royce convertible hinted at the area’s affluent lifestyle. Even the washrooms embraced the natural aesthetic, featuring conch shell faucets for a unique twist. Lastly, the “Trocadero” bohemian-style Moorish restaurant provided an unforgettable experience with its five-star dining and breathtaking views of the ocean—both indoors and outdoors.

Click below for 35 photo slide show.

Coastal oceanfront walk through the older Benalmadina with older traditional development. Elephant resort, bars, restaurants.

03/19/2025

BioPark (zoo), 2025 Update – New section added for South America:
We revisited the bio-park again in 2025 to see the big new section that was added for South America. It has a totally different feel that the main park. You enter through a room full of very large, colourful fish tanks, then through doors into a old library re-creation, then into a moorish feeling section with ancient globes and maps, lastly a large enclosed, outdoor pen with many creatures. The vulture flies freely overhead, you go UNDER a fish tank, sloths move around, while small monkey’s and birds flit about.

This "one of a kind" zoo has amazing sculpted jungle backdrops of authentic Asian / African settings that are part of the Bioparc zoo-immersion experience in the town of Fuengirola, Spain. It feels like an exciting Indiana Jones style jungle exploration experience with Indonesian temples and ruins t...

03/16/2025

Mijas Pueblo article updated. Defunct Bull Fighting ring, Museum of Life in Spain 50 years ago, Cave church, Flamenco.

Charming White washed tourist town of Mijas, Spain, with a maze of winding streets similar to Venice. Donkeys are a historical symbol of pride for the town. Lovely botanical gardens set in the ancient fortress, and an old bull fighting ring.

02/28/2025

Military Battery Park, with fanciful water fountains
One of our Snowbird day trips while in Costa del Sol, Spain, took us to a relaxing green space just off the free train ride to Montemar. The Battery Park was originally used in WW1 and WW2, but has been transformed into a space for the people with lots of fountains and fanciful statues of fairies, Neptune and mythic creatures as well as a pond for small boats in the summer. The viewing tower provides a lovely panoramic view of the coastal community, near Torremolinos. There is also a public elevator tower to bring people from lower street level to the elevated park level.

It was of special interest to Cathy, because her father worked, as a chemist, with the ammunitions used in WW2 in Halifax, NS.

The 4 cannons here were originally horse drawn canons used in WW1, but were remounted on a vehicular drawn base for WW2.

Battery Park originally used in WW1,2, transformed into a space for the people with fountains and fanciful statues of fairies and mythic creatures

02/24/2025

Carnival – the burning of the lizard
During our snowbird travels in Spain we enjoyed a quirky “burning of the lizard” event, which occurs as a symbolic end to the week long “Carnival” events. The fancy dressed cardboard lizard float is taken in a 2km parade to the beach in Benalmadena where it is burned on the beach by the local firefighters, amid much music, dancing including colorful carnival girls. There is also much music on the nearby stage at the “red BilBill castle”.

The children really get into it with various fancy costumes with the coastal mermaid theme. It look like a school of fish came from a school. Local band including a big sousaphone was nice to listen to (I played one of them when I was in high school).

If you like men in white tights and historic Spanish dress, the stage had a delight with lovely golden shoes, and other groups of talented singers, which even included their little children.
More photos and videos in our article:

Carnival, burning of the lizard" event including music on the nearby stage at the "red BilBill castle" in Benalmadena.

02/17/2025

Fantastic stone sculptures in old Spanish rock quarry
We thoroughly enjoyed the many fantastic stone sculptures and 3D reliefs, located in the outer edge of an old rock quarry in Osuna, Spain, during this years Snowbird excursion to the inland mountain parts of Costa del sol. The now abandoned rock quarry was used by the Iberians before Roman times during the 5th centry BC, as a source of “ashlar” precision cut building blocks. In the early 2000’s the quarry owner, hired a local rock sculptor to create many symbolic rock carvings, at the site, including a huge wall piece on the cavernous cave like interior of the old quarry. The two horn players at the entrance way were inspired by the Cornicen of Iberian art from the 1st century BC. found in Osuna.
The Spanish “El Coto de las Canteras”,relief carvings resemble the Petra temple carvings in Jordan. They have sometimes been called the Petra of Andalusia. The sculptor is “Francisco Javier Valdivia Gómez“.

fantastic 3D stone reliefs and sculptures in an old rock quarry in Osuna, Spain. Abandoned rock quarry used by the Iberians before Roman times

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