my new Vixia HF R700 camcorder

I bought an older model camcorder (February 2016) because of the price. Around $200.

I want zoom. 57x is more than I’ll ever need.

Photos at 2.07 Megapixels (1920 x 1080).

No Wi-Fi.

It’s tiny. I can carry it on my hip. And on the trail. 

Canon – VIXIA HF R700

I’m just now debating whether to video in AVCHD 60fps or MP4 60fps?

I want slow motion for Gymnastics.
Or … does it matter if later being uploaded to YouTube anyway?
Watch a VIDEO review.

Antalya, Turkey

My favourite photo from Antalya.

Antalya is the fifth most populous city in Turkey and the capital of its eponymous province. Located on Anatolia‘s flourishing southwest coast bordered by the Taurus Mountains. …

Antalya is Turkey’s biggest international sea resort, located on the Turkish Riviera. … A record 12.5 million tourists passed through the city in 2014. …

In 2015, the population was 2.288 million but it feels small city to the tourist staying in the ancient walled city, Kaleiçi;.

Myself and the rest of the very happy tourists enter and exit most often via Hadrian’s Gate.

Hadrian visited this outpost in 130.

I stayed only two nights my first visit prepping for a week long hike along the coast.

On my return I had more time to enjoy the sights.

They love statuary.

Atatürk on May Day. Plenty of police.

Evening walks are lovely.

Everyone who’s been to Antalya can recommend it. It’s very tourist friendly.

more photos

Sandia Peak Tramway, Albuquerque

One of the top tourist attractions in New Mexico.

I took the Sandia Peak Tramway trip on one of the snowiest days of the year.

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Views were cool. But limited.

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The Tramway provides access to a ski hill on the other side of the mountain.

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In summer this is a terrific way to access hiking and mountain biking trails.

Still … I’m glad I saw it. Highly recommended.

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Sandia is wrongly advertised as the “longest in the world”.

The entertaining cable car announcers grudgingly concede that Dajti Ekspres cable car in Albania is longer.

And I’ve been to Merida, Venezuela. That series of four aerial tramways – reopened April 2016 – goes 1640 – 4765 meters making it the highest tourist aerial tramway in the world. It’s 12.5 km long. Far longer than Sandia.

I love cable cars and have taken a number of these – 10 Most Amazing Aerial Lifts In The World

Sandia did not make that list. It did make this one – Amazing Aerial Tramways of the World

What’s unique about Sandia is that it has only two support towers.

hiking New Mexico, Texas

I love holidaying the S.W. USA. One of the best hiking regions of the world.

Rent-a-car. Making it up as I go along. 🙂

I’m generally headed towards Big Bend National Park in remote west Texas. On the Rio Grande.

Blue Mesa, Petrified National Forest, New Mexico
Blue Mesa, Petrified National Forest, New Mexico

flying to the American S.W.

Canada is great. But the winter weather #sucks(™).

I’m off for a couple of weeks hiking. I’ve never visited New Mexico.

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KashaKatuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

I booked with Delta. The same seat on the same flight is priced differently depending on which Code Share partner you book with. WestJet #sucks(™).

westjet-sucks

Christ the Redeemer, Rio

Like everybody, I’ve always wanted to visit this most famous statue.

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Live everyone, I found it to be no let down. 🙂

Most take the quaint cog railway up and down. (But there is a rough scramble trail which starts close to the Botanical Gardens.)

Things go better with ...
Things go better with …

You arrive at the top to his back facing. Interesting.

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I like the face. It’s as tranquil as many Buddha statues.

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The views are terrific. Obviously.

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There’s Maracanã Stadium. It will host Opening & Closing Olympic ceremonies.

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This guy’s certainly going to be cheering Brazil to win the men’s futebol gold medal.

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Everybody here is happy, happy.

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But the Russian girl – Lena – I arrived with nearly got us kicked out. She climbed the Redeemer for a photo. 🙂

… A symbol of Christianity across the world, the statue has also become a cultural icon of both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil, and is listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone, and was constructed between 1922 and 1931. …

Rick and Christ the Redeemer