64.01 Utah / Geres: As we await autumn in Geres, Portugal, we cannot help but grieve over Mario, a true friend and gentleman, lost a couple of years ago.

Tribute to Mario Baptiste:  

I met Mario through my brother more than forty years ago. Apparently, Mario had a rough start with me as I was unable to provide him a parking bay at our garage. He perceived I wasn't amicable at the time. Although I don't remember the incident, to this day, I still carry the pain. Anyway, our relationship blossomed. Although we did not see much of each other, especially as we emigrated, during each visit to the home country we spent time with Mario. In fact, Mario never missed greetings for each member of the family, including birthdays, marriages, babies, holidays. 

  When our son, Robbie, arrived in the world more than 36 years ago, Mario gave him a gift of a koala bear, a cute little stuffed toy. When Rob's son, Casey, followed nearly 5 years ago, we walked into the baby's room and behold, there sat Mario's koala. Rob had realized something special about Mario, too. 

  Mario fled Mocambique in his teens and settled in Johannesburg. His parents moved to Portugal later while he remained. He eventually established a couple of successful photographic stores. In that regard, after our first Hike-about outing, he told me that he could not stand to look at our photographs with their pink and blue shades. He was quite insulted. Acting in typical Mario fashion, he walked to a shelf in the store and removed a point-and-shoot camera and gave it to us. After the usual resistance and argument, we left the premises and attempted to rid our shots of the artificial pinks and blues. Mario did so much more...what a true friend he was. 

  Why this mention of Mario? Since we decided to visit Portugal, all I have ever wanted to do was to meet Mario and at least travel a little with him in what was his mother country. The thought of him showing us around, interpreting conversations and more importantly, just being with us is what my heart and soul desires. Where is Mario? G-d only knows. He just left the world without us knowing until a few weeks after his death. One can't get over a tragedy such as that easily, if ever. 

  "Mario, we arrived in Portugal in a typical Lazarow fashion. It amounted to more adventure (chaos) than we ever have on the mountains (something we don't need in our lives (chaos)). Heck, as always, we needed you and dammit, we miss you. Bless your soul!"

  Mario holds a very special woman...maybe (because) that's when I got 'cross' with him.
(Photo provided by Gavin L with appreciation. Photographer should remain anonymous to avoid further embarrassment.) 

  We await the arrival of autumn colors in the mountainous region of Portugal, town of Geres, for starters. While we are often wrong, we don't believe we will experience the autumn we celebrated in Utah during 2021. Set out below are many photographs from this incredible region outside Salt Lake City. However, they are a tiny sample of a 9-week stint in the colorful mountains of one of our favorite states.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

63.22 Nepal: Last Post: Perspectives of an hotel, Le Glamour, amongst the various sites and sights of Pokhara.

  While there are many other blogs from Nepal unpublished, the variation is limited because we had little desire to move too far from our base of Pokhara (besides an initial stay in Kathmandu), on this occasion. It is now time to move onto and into Europe for a couple of months. 

In the misty morning...
My brother, Mark, built and operates a stunning model railroad. This view reminds me of typical scenes of his creation. Particularly like the curve that I perceive.
An hotel, Le Glamour, as we approach it on our way to Methlang. Apparently, the hotel is open for guests but we only see workers renovating it. (See below)
Machhapuchhare (Fishtail) hides behind the Hotel Le Glamour above. Could it be le amour?
From across the lake, one can make out the same hotel on the spine and further to the left is Sarangkot Tower with Fishtail at rear.
A section of Annapurna on view and to its right Fishtail juts through the clouds. To its right is the hotel.
No giant mountains but yet another illustrating the position of the hotel.
The lake from another perspective allowing for reflection.
One of the clearest shots of the hotel.

The mist persists as we walk above the city.
A dull day but the lake is covered in glass.
Another perspective of the lake following much rain the previous night.
Color is an important aspect of the culture.
We step off the path to view the lake and then face the jungle.
A view between the trees including the island that houses a temple.
...and now for different color from Nepal. 

Stairway to Heaven...for an angel. (Also known as 'angling for something...')
Who are you calling an 'Old Goat'?
Do you come here often?
"He's gotta a ticket to ride." 

'Excuse me, Sir, would you move to the rear of the bus...upfront is for deodorant users only.'
Apparently, it is no longer possible to define a woman. This is a tremendous help for us as we do not have to give too much thought to this caption. (As an aside, it makes us wonder what the gender of the next president of the USA could be...) Confused?
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

Until our next visit, a salute to an important aspect of Nepal.

Cheers again!