~~ August 1-3, 2015 Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park Saskatchewan Canada

It's been sometime since my last post. This time it's much closer to home. Cypress Hills is an anomaly in this part of the world. It's open year round and has many many activities and things to do. It is like a little bit of mountain foothills in a generally flat part of Saskatchewan. Many rare and uncommon plants and animals exist nowhere else in Saskatchewan. Here you can find wild turkeys, mountain bluebird, lodgepole pine, moose, elk and the Calypso Orchid. Here are a few photos ...

A side trip to Tompkins Saskatchewan

Sod House

Vintage combine 

Black Eyed Susan

{{ April 8th Canada : A postscript of a 91 day asian adventure

Now that I have returned from this adventure, I have some time to go through a considerable quantity of photos and will include a few I missed along with some comments. This will be in no particular order.

PUERTO GALERA - Philippines

Two lovely ladies working in a seaside bar. A small place, Puerto Galera offers several discos and bars which cater to the many tourists who visit. The place is fascinating from a tourists point of view and I would love some day to be able to spend the time to explore the place more.

BALUARTE DE SAN DIEGO - Manila, Philippines

Descending staircase at Baluarte De San Diego. An impressive structure full of history which the Philippines is trying to restore and could prove to be a valuable tourist draw.

WWII Japanese armament from the occupation of Manila at Baluarte San Diego

SEOUL, South Korea

Blossoms through a bay window

And of course Mandu - Korean dumplings .... Yummy!

YOGYAKARTA Indonesia

Perhaps one of the most unique things I saw were the illuminated pedal cars. I am including some extra shots of them not originally included in the blog.

BANGKOK Thailand

One of my favourite hotels in Bangkok, The Mandarin Silom. Few do up their lobby areas better. Real flowers and unique displays. Hotel has many things I like, especially when you can get a good deal on the rooms.

My favourite park in Bangkok, Lumphini Park is truly an oasis in the midst of this huge city.....

Yes, I must confess that Thailand still has that amazement factor for me. When one young waiter was being questioned over and over by an irate customer over some issues involving logic he replied after some thought and a beaming smile "Amazing Thailand".

{{ April 6th Facinating Manila and Fort Santiago and The Baluarte De San Diegoplus Gardens

To continue the tour, after lunch we walked along cobblestone streets of the old city until we came to Fort Santiago, built in 1571 by the Spanish. Damaged by earthquake, restored and strengthened, it was even used by the Japanese during World War 2.

Next to the Fort, an interesting and colourful tree.

In stark contrast to the calmness here is a squatters area just across

Next on to the Baluarte De San Diego, the oldest stone Fort in Manila built in 1586.

And then this sign...

Yes, a golf course is right beside the Fort. Better golf balls than cannon balls, I guess.

And the adjacent gardens with many amazing bonsais.

And an unexpected swarm of bees

More surprises

Jack Fruit