Fort Jefferson by Seaplane

Cockpit of our transportation today........ok, lets go! 

On our way the pilot tells us the US Coast Guard patrols these islands for illegal activities

Slashdown

My first class seating lol

Ground level view of Fort Jefferson

Over 16 million bricks were used in the building of Fort Jefferson

The lighthouse built in 1825 was the first structure on the island 

After awhile ( like most forts) the weaponry became useless because of the advances in shipbuilding 

Aerial view of the fort as we approach

Once Spain sold Florida to the United States the idea was for Fort Jefferson to protect their interests and the piracy from the Caribbean

The design of the fort called for a four tiered six sided walls 

Dry Tortugas Park is a 100 square mile area that includes mostly open water with seven small islands  in which  Fort Jefferson is located on one of these.

Inside the grounds the army employed civilian machinists, carpenters, blacksmiths, masons and general laborers

During the peak period as its history of a fort there were a population of over 1700

Fort Jefferson is around 110 km ( 70 miles )  west of  Key West Florida 

This was a subclass type of plane called amphibian aircraft.......because of its ability to land on airfields also

In 1888 the fort was turned over to the Marine Hospital and operated as a quarantine station

To support the large workforce and lacking fresh water they collected rainwater but with not much success 

The fort towards it end of it usefulness was also used as a prison.......most common were Army privates charged with desertion

In 1992 Fort Jefferson and Dry Tortugas was established a National Park

Landing back into Key West Florida

Seville Spain

Walking the streets of Seville

Plaza de Espana

General Archive of the Indies

Inside the Alcazar Palace

Torre del Oro

As i visit one of my favorite country's in Europe i was told to make sure to see Seville and i wouldn't  be disappointed......they were more that right!  You have three UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in a small radius; A) Alcazar Palace Complex in which construction stared in 1181 with a Mudejar and Renaissance style over the 500 years to build it  B) The Cathedral erected in the Gothic style in the 1400's  C) General Archive of the Indies ( its  is a repository for valuable documents) built in the style of the Spanish Renaissance but also the Plaza de Espana, Maria Luisa Park, Metropol Parasol, Torre del Oro and Triana Bridge and so on

Triana Bridge

 But what really impressed me was how the city is lit up at night that really highlights the architecture and of course having a subtropical climate year round helps to keep the cafes and bars busy and as you walk around in awe then feed off the energy from the lucky locals lucky enough to live here or like myself that is fortunate enough to been able to visit

Palace Gardens

Plaza de Espana  Bridge

Maria Luisa Park

Plaza de Espana

Metropol Parasol

Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver

If ever on the west of coast of Canada and in Vancouver area you need to try the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Originally built in 1889 it was made up of hemp ropes and cedar planks ( i might of had second thoughts with that type of construction,  err..... probably not as I'm always looking for an adventure)

and now is a wire cable bridge. What a cool way to walk above the tree line at 70 meters high (230ft) plus crossing the 136 metered bridge (446ft) with the Capilano River below. Great method to take in nature at its best and get over your fear of heights hahahaha!!

Besides the bridge.......many cultural things to observe like the Totem Poles