In October of 2009, I was able to accompany my friends Bill and Gloria on a trip to India.

 

Below are some shots from my second excursion to Asia.

 

 

Hobart at the Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site of Buddhist temples carved from the side of a mountain: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajanta_Caves.

 

 

Hobart with his long lost kin near Ajanta.

 

 

Hobart at the Bibi ka Maqbara in Aurangabad: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibi_Ka_Maqbara.  We were told this is a near replica of the Taj Mahal, though the minarets are taller and out of proportion.

 

 

Bibi ka Maqbara again.

 

 

Hobart at the Gateway of India monument at Mumbai harbor

 

 

Hobart with his travel companion, Bill, outside the 5-star Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel in Mumbai: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taj_Mahal_Palace_&_Tower .  The "heritage" wing was largely destroyed by fire during the Nov. 26, 2008 terrorist attack and is being restored to its former glory.

This next collection of photos from Rome are all at or near the Forum Romanum.  Some attractions include the Flavian Amphitheatre, better known as the Colosseum and the Capitoline Museum.

 

 

The Vatican
 
 
 

The Vatican
 
 
 

The Vatican
 
 

Trevi Fountain with Susan
 
 

Making a wish
 
 

Pondering the magnificent fountain
 
 

Group shot
 

Part 2 of the Rome leg of our Italy Trip

 

Here are shots from my trip to Italy in 2009 with Brendan and Susan.

 

This is the first part of the trip in Rome.

 

 

Fountain near the Spanish Steps

 

 

 

With Brendan at the Spanish Steps

 

 

 

Mmmmm, Chianti!

 

 

 

Hobart may like Chianti too much.

 

 

 

Gelato is even better!

 

 

 

An excellent first dinner in Rome.

 

 

 

A romantic dinner...

 

 

 

...with just the three of us.

My friend Traci took me on a trip back to her home state of Georgia.

 

We got to see the tree that owns itself- the sign in the photo will explain that one.

 

I also chowed down at "The Varsity,"  and got a chance to do a little ATV riding!

 

We also explored an art museum there in Atlanta.

My friends Heidi and Jon got married in 2006 in California.  We spent some time in San Francisco before going to the wedding, and I got a few nice shots from Chinatown, the Golden Gate, the Transamerica Building, and in front of Alcatraz.

 

I also got to have some of the best Dim Sum I've ever had in Chinatown, which is to be expected.

 

I really wasn't prepared for how hilly it was there.  You see pictures and watch movies set there and see the hills, but you really don't get an accurate picture without experiencing them, especially from the backseat of a cab driven by an overzealous driver.