A new compact camera with a more powerful zoom capability

I was looking for a compact camera with a greater zoom power than what my Canon Powershot SD800 IS is capable of. I found one with a 10x optical zoom with the Panasonic DMC-TZ5, a compact camera a tad bulkier than my Powershot which was on sale at Costco for $269 minus a $70 discount. I am a sucker for what I perceived as a good deal, so I went ahead and bought it. So far I am happy with the results that I am getting out of it and for a price that I considered a steal LOL.

I took a shot at this Monarch butterfly at a Nature Restoration project.

I took this shot....

and this one....

and I stitched them together into this photo of a small lake.

In the background (slightly left of the midpost) too far to notice, are two guys doing clean-up work.

I zoomed on them (10x) and this is the result. Probably with a top of the line camera, I can do better but I am happy with what I am getting with this compact camera. What do you think?

What a difference a meltdown makes

The current economic meltdown in the US of A has affected my 4o1K retirement nest egg. It is now down to 201K and still going down LOL. And with all the stimulus money being pumped by the government to the ailing economy, its inflationary effect is going to further erode my nest egg. As a move to neutralize the decline of my buying power, I am going to seek the best value for my money from now on.

This piece of chicken and plate of chicken caesar salad which I got from Costco cost $9. This is good enough for two, maybe even three people.

This half-chicken with a piece of corn bread and sides of corn and green beans from Boston Chicken costs a little over $8 with tax.

I paid $17, exclusive of tax and tip for this plate of grilled trout with broccoli and baked potato at a Red Lobster resto.

Guess what I am going to do more often from now on? LOL. This economic downturn is now worldwide. Thanks to the greed of corporate America and the shakers and movers of Wall Street! How are you guys coping with it?

A walk in the park

One of the things I enjoy is to walk to the county park across our street for a couple of hours each day. I find this daily walk very relaxing and very beneficial to my health. I used to drive to the national parks and hike some of their trails; but now, even the ones classified as easy takes me a longer time to negotiate than before. The gain in elevation makes a big difference - the higher the summit, the harder the hike. Sometimes it is even necessary to camp overtime before hitting the trail back. With most county parks, the "trails" are paved in concrete and there is almost a negligible change in elevation. It is a cakewalk even for those whose mobility is impaired to a degree.

I have to walk through our community greenbelt area.....

and cross a major street.....

to get to the park.....

then I follow the paved trail (good for walking, jogging, biking and skating) winding around the park.

The park has unisex restrooms and drinking fountains like this one.....

and a couple of lakes, often stock with catchable fish (trout and catfish).

This is the smaller of the two lakes and the one where the fishes are more friendly to fishermen LOL

There is also a nature walk that is gradually being developed and a group campground for youngster. There are several soccer and baseball fields and an archery range. The park is barely use during weekdays but during Saturday and Sunday afternoons, especially during the summer months, the park is alive with people.

January 29 Sydney

After leaving Melbourne, we had one more day at sea before we arrived at our final port of call on the morning of the 29th. We decided to spend three nights in Sydney before flying home to LAX.

It was a wonderful vacation overall, but it could have been better if we had more time to spend at our cities or places of choice. Next time, we may try to spend an entire vacation in just one place to really get to know it...like spending a month or two and live like a local and not a tourist.

We were treated to a baked Alaska candlelight parade at dinner the night we spent the full day at sea.

The view that greeted us as we entered the harbor at Sydney

On our way to the Sydney Opera House, I turned my back and took a last shot at our cruise ship which was preparing to load a fresh bunch of cruisers on a reverse itinerary to Auckland.

Famous Bondi beach with no one but a solitary walker

Blue Mountain, Australia's answer (I supposed) to the US Grand Canyon. If you have seen Grand Canyon...it is!

January 27 Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne (pronounced "Melben" by the Aussies) is a city I have always wanted to see since I started traveling internationally. I was not disappointed with what I saw in the limited time I was there. I'll probably go back another time, may be see more of Australia as well.

Our cruise ship at Port Philip

An Australian equivalent of a Southern California lunch truck. It will freak me out if I see a Southern California food vendor in a tie!

Shown at the Shrine of Remembrance are military medals awarded to Australian soldiers

On the left side of the picture is Capt. Cook's cottage "transplanted" from England

Our river boat in the foreground cruising Yarra River

Check out the very narrow clearance between the boat and the bridge!

Champagne night on board!

Champagne anyone?

Long, narrow corridor between staterooms

January 26 At Sea

Very early in the morning there was a public announcement from the Captain that there was going to be an emergency evacuation of a passenger who was stricken ill and needed immediate surgery. Cruisers whose staterooms where immediately below where the helicopter was going to hover were required to leave and assembled at the Horizon Court (a buffet venue) and everyone else were told to stay away from the open deck topside. This is a safety procedure in case the helicopter accidentally crash in the evacuation operation.

Shortly a rescue helicopter came from shore, hovered over the ship, lifted the ailing cruiser in a stretcher and flew her to the nearest hospital on land. Although all cruise ships have medical facilities on board, they are not equip to conduct surgical operations. It is reassuring to know that in medical emergencies they know what they can and cannot do and always know when to call for outside assistance when needed.

After that little unplanned excitement, the rest of the day was spent celebrating Australia Day at sea.

The land-based rescue helicopter which came immediately to evacuate the ailing passenger

It was Australia Day!

Poolside barbie, Australian style

My photos did not do justice to the food made available poolside for the special day.

This musical trio was doing its best to liven up the poolside party

Cake eating contest! I was on the other side of the pool preoccupied with eating to bother getting close for a good shot LOL.

Aftermath of the cake eating contest. None of the contestants finished their cake within the specified time but the one who ate the most won.

January 25 Hobart, Tasmania

Early in the morning of the 25th we arrived at Hobart in Tasmania. The ship remained at port till 5 pm before lifting anchor and sailing for Melbourne. We had enough time for a drive around Hobart to get a feel for the city and to visit a maritime museum, a botanical garden and an old mansion.

Diamond Princess at berth in Hobart

Hobart, Tasmania

A maritime museum in the city

A bedroom in the mansion we visited showing a chamber pot beside the bed. I'm sure when the mansion was in use that chamber pot was as far away from the bed as the room will allow LOL.