These from Finnmarken - Oksfjord, Norway

Pacific Princess in Shanghai. Of interest is that ship in front of her with the strange structure on top. Any ideas on what it is?

For once, we are ahead of you, David :D Check under Cruise Ships, :D Jiari

Thanks Liz. Missed that. Wondered what on earth I was looking at. At first I thought that dome must have been a structure on the pier.

Coincidantally it was an issue on a German forum, weeks ago There you find all the information about the ship: http://www.maritimematters.com/jiari.html

The view from Costa Marina´s stern cam doesn´t seem much intersesting today, but if you know the location you can imagine the Castle of Miramare, not far from Triest, Italy. We have our "Neuschwanstein" and the Italians have their "Miramare" http://www.castello-miramare.it/ Enjoy the vitual tour ! Visited it as a child and also year later. One thing I remember, the one who built it visited it once and spent only a few days in it :roll:

Wolfgang, thanks for sharing the link! Are you going to reserve the “Sala del trono” for our forum gathering?

Wolfgang, that's why we can count on you to make it better :)

Castles...every little girls and grown women's dream ! The closest thing we have in America ( Unless you count Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, which I think reminds me more of a French Chateau ) is Hearst Castle. The views are breathtaking from it and the story of it being built is unbelievable. Filled with European artwork, even some whole rooms brought over... Is it one man's folly or a gift to the ages ? The estate's magnificent main house, "Casa Grande," and three guest houses are of Mediterranean Revival style, while the imposing towers of Casa Grande were inspired by a Spanish cathedral. The blending of the architectural style with the surrounding land, and Hearst's superb European and Mediterranean art collection, was so seamless that world-renowned architectural historian, Lord John Julius Norwich, was moved to say that "Hearst Castle is a palace in every sense of the word." http://www.hearstcastle.com/

Caught this 1 this morning.

Dani, have you ever visited the Biltmore Estate? I am only about a 20 minute drive from there. You are right about the way it looks. They even advertise it localy as a Chateau. It was still interesting. Have not been in a long time. They just had Singer Tony Bennett thre last night for a show.

And STILL there is no available deck chair :!: :evil:

Nice capture Phyllis.