"The Order of St John of Jerusalem occupied Rhodes from 1309 to 1523 and set about transforming the city into a stronghold. It subsequently came under Turkish and Italian rule. With the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Great Hospital and the Street of the Knights, the Upper Town is one of the most beautiful urban ensembles of the Gothic period. In the Lower Town, Gothic architecture coexists with mosques, public baths and other buildings dating from the Ottoman period." UNESCO.ORG...... Pix from May 2012

"Bringing the London 2012 flame to this beautiful island was one of the greatest joys and satisfactions that I have lived as President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee. It may be away from mainland Greece, but it is so close to our hearts,"
Spyros Kapralos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, May 2012.

Spiro, Miaoulis, Catadopoulos, Purrides and co.. :-) May 2012.

Kastellorizo is a tiny Greek island 120 km east of Rhodes - and only 2 km off the southern Turkish coastline. The island has 200 inhabitants and it's only 5 sq mi small. bRaNdSboRg.CoM has been photoblogging regularly from this wonderful little paradise since 2004. Dedicated Kastellorizo website can be found on bRaNdSboRg.CoM. This latest blog is from May 2012.

Flagstaff is a city located in northern Arizona. It's early economy was based on the lumber, railroad, and ranching industries. Today, the city remains an important distribution hub for many large companies. The local tourism sector is strong - due to the proximity to Grand Canyon National Park, Oak Creek Canyon, the Arizona Snowbowl, Meteor Crater and the historic Route 66. Pictures from January 2012.

Jerome was a mining town established on the side of Cleopatra Hill in Northwestern Arizona in 1883. The town housed the workers in the nearby United Verde Mine and quickly became a notorious "wild west" town, a hotbed of prostitution, gambling etc.. On 5 February 1903, the New York Sun proclaimed Jerome to be "the wickedest town in the West".
In 1915 the population of Jerome was estimated at 2,500. Nowadays less than 300 souls make their living in Jerome. These pics are from January 2012.

January 2012. A trip through the desert areas around Tucson in Southern Arizona. Sabino Canyon and Tucson Mountain Park. If y'all dont like them sticking cacti - no need to click any further:

Pictures from January 2012. From Manhattan and views from Weehawken, NJ.

"Dear Cecil: .......Since elementary school I have repeatedly heard the story of how Manhattan was bought from the Indians for a mere $24 worth of trinkets. Something about this has long troubled me. Assuming the value of the barter items was estimated at about the time of the famous transaction, shouldn't it be adjusted for all those years of inflation? Maybe Manhattan wasn't such a steal after all. — Charles R. McNeill II, Washington, D.C." [straightdope.com] .......... Pictures from a very cold January 2012.

Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in Brooklyn, New York, United States. Possibly it's best known as the site of the Coney Island amusement park - a true New York City institution. The park is open during Summer only - but here we are in January. Thanks God for Nathan's Famous! Pix from January 2012.

KL is the federal capital and most populous city in Malaysia. It's the cultural, financial and economic centre of Malaysia and a wonderful almost postmodern mix of old and new, traditional and modern, religious and 'street' Western . Truely a very interesting city. And a great place to visit for any Western muslim-frightened introvert. bRaNdSboRg.CoM loves KL! Pictures from February 2012.

Auckland is by far the largest settlement in New Zealand. With its prime location on the North Island with the Pacific Ocean to the east Auckland is home to many cultures. The majority of the inhabitants claim British descent, but substantial Māori, Pacific Islander, Polynesian and Asian communities exist as well. Ethnic groups from all corners of the world have a presence in Auckland, making it the wonderful cosmopolitan and lively city it really is. Pics from downtown Auckland, Devonport and Waiheke Island. February 2012.

The Warorot Market in Chiang Mai is where the locals do their shopping, and almost anything can be found here. Fresh/dried fruit - vegetables - flowers, butchery and bakery items, herbs, condiments, clothing, shoes, cosmetics, jewellery, silks, hemps, handicrafts, ceramics, wood carvings, beauty supplies, household appliances, electronic gadgets, sunglasses, watches, souvenirs, fireworks, etc etc. Pictures from February 2012.

Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It is located 700 km north of Bangkok, among the highest mountains in the country. Chiang Mai means "new city" and was so-named because it was the new capital, founded in 1296, succeeding Chiang Rai in the capital of the Lanna kingdom. In recent years, Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city and has been attracting over five million visitors each year, of which many are Western tourists, who seem to blossom here - partly due to a cooler climate than Bangkok and partly due to the very welcoming local attitude(!) Pictures from February 2012.

Moʻorea is an island in French Polynesia, part of the Society Islands, 17 km northwest of Tahiti.
Because of its stunning scenery and accessibility to Papeetē, Moʻorea is a popular upmarket tourist destination and the island is often mentioned as the typical blue logoon dream escape. In Frommer's travel guide Mo'orea is considered the most beautiful island in the world. Pictures from February 2012.

Tahiti is the main island in French Polynesia, which is located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. The island and the capital Papeete is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. Tahiti was proclaimed a colony of France in 1880 although it was not until 1946 that the indigenous Tahitians were legally authorised to be French citizens. French is the only official language although the Tahitian language (Reo Tahiti) is widely spoken. Pictures from February 2012.

Once the Xiengkeo Palace belonging to nationalist hero Prince Phetsarath - the Grand Hotel Luang Prabang certainly has its history written. Situated a few miles outside Luang Prabang the hotel makes a wonderful quiet getaway set in yesteryear mode. Mekong views and great gardens. bRaNdSboRg.CoM recommends :-) Pictures from February 2012.

The 4350 km of Mekong River runs through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. These pictures are all from the Luang Prabang area in northern Laos. February 2012.

Luang Prabang is is a city located in northern Laos, at the confluence of the two rivers Nam Khan and Mekong. It's the capital of the Luang Prabang Province and has a population of about 100,000. Until the communist takeover in Laos in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. With its Unesco World Heritage status Luang Prabang has a lot to offer. The usual tranquil Laotian atmosphere, original French colonial houses, buddhist temples en masse, loads of markets - and the most beautiful settings any other town in the World could only dream of. Pictures from February 2012.