Aventura, Florida

December 3, 2002

Hello,

This past summer I read a travel article about Spain called “Extremadura, a land of rugged beauty.”  My wife, Alice, and I had been to Spain twice before: Barcelona, Madrid, and Burgos in the summer of 1967. Then  Seville in the spring of 1970.  Now, on my own, Extremadura in the far west of Spain is enticing. So, I book a flight, a rental car, and my first night. 

I arrive in Madrid on Friday morning, November 22, pick up the car, and head west to Extremadura—“a land of rugged beauty and the home of the conquistadors, Pizzaro and Cortés.”  My destination is the city of Cáceres, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Got your atlas handy?

After a couple of stops along the way for lunch and souvenir hunting (the town of Talavera de la Reina is known for its pottery and tile work), I arrive at the Castillo de las Seguras in Cáceres.

Well, this rural castillo is truly a 15th-century castle. One night only, please! The heating is mostly the fireplace in the center hall. They do supply a small electric heater for the room, but I never warm up. The place is just too rustic, even for me. So I find a small hotel in the center of town for the next three nights.

The old city of Cáceres is excellent.  Restored and maintained 14th–16th-century public buildings, churches, and palaces. An archaeological museum with artifacts and carvings dating back to the Romans and the Goths.

From Cáceres I make day trips to other cities:

Alcántara. Over the Río Tajo lies a high, graceful five-arch Roman bridge that has supported vehicular and foot traffic for more than 1,500 years.

Trujillo. A larger-than-life statue of Pizzaro on horseback. Another one stands in Lima, Peru.

Guadalupe. An extraordinary monastery, rich in treasure. Exquisite clerical robes, huge prayer books (100 pounds (45 k) each). The words and musical notation are clearly marked and illustrated. And two El Greco paintings!

Lunch that day is a leg of baby goat. They simply roast the entire leg, put it on a plate, hoof and all, and serve it with French fries.

My favorite day trip is to Mérida, south of Cáceres. Yes, the name is the same as the Mexican resort town and a city in Venezuela.  Mérida is known for Roman ruins.

My sightseeing begins with a walk around and up and over a Roman aqueduct and a very large hippodrome. Next, across a Roman bridge over the Río Guadiana. Then up the hills of the city past the remains of a Temple to Diana.

Lunch is a light tomato soup with bread and eggs, followed by baked trout.

Best of all, the spectacular archaeological site of a Roman theatre and amphitheater sits side by side at the highest point of the city. The amphitheater is still in use, seats 14,000 spectators, and has perfect acoustics. Up front is a double layer of tall marble pillars with original carvings.

Sadly, I leave Cáceres and, in the pouring rain, drive north to Placencia. A "pleasant" city with a beautiful cathedral, a central square with shops and restaurants, surrounded by winding streets with more shops, and homes with small balconies. Come to think of it, all the cities I visit have this same layout.

In Placencia, I treat myself to a night at a Parador. Paradores throughout Spain are old castles converted to luxury hotels. As I stroll the ancient passageways, staircases, and public areas, I am truly following in the footsteps of royalty.

The guest rooms, actually small suites, stock every amenity. The restaurants are in the old dining halls or chapels. Everywhere are works of stone and carved archways. A castle! Built for luxury and security. I could stay a month.

The meals in the Parador are graciously served. For lunch, I have veal stew as good as my mother used to make. For dinner, roasted vegetables and a platter of local cheese with the regional crunchy bread. Local wine.

The next morning, the breakfast buffet has everything! Including my favorite: tiny almond pastries with café con leche. Of course, café in Spain is espresso with hot milk. So classic. So civilized.

I am sad/glad to leave the Parador. If I stay a month, I will gain 10 kilos.

I continue north toward Salamanca, the city that motivated my trip in the first place. On the way, two detours.

First to an area called La Vera. A string of quaint villages surrounded by snow-capped mountains. I buy more terra-cotta, hand-painted dishes.

The second detour is Hervás. A small town noted for the ancient, now restored Barrio Judeo. I find Stars of David in the grillwork of doorways. Large cobblestone Stars of David are inlaid in the pavement at the entrance to the Barrio.

Salamanca is splendid. A golden city built with a locally tinted stone. All the public buildings and the Cathedral glow in the sunlight and moonlight.

Since the freshly quarried stone is soft, the facades of the buildings are meticulously carved, as delicately as a silversmith’s work. The style is thus known as Plateresque—like silver. Eventually, the stone dries to become hard and durable.

The Plaza Mayor is grand and spectacular. Bells toll from atop the city hall.

The University of Salamanca is one of the oldest in Europe and ranks with the famous schools of Paris and London. International students come to study and to enjoy the culture.

I visit two museums: a collection of Columbian gold amulets and masks, and an exhibit of 19th-century Polish art, including a drawing and a painting of Chopin.

Salamanca is on my “To See Again” list.

But now, me voy a Madrid.

Hasta pronto,

Juan

Brunei Darussalam

Bandar Seri Begawan

19 June, 2026

Salam Alaicum,

The Special Sights I visited in Brunei:

Located in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is the largest and most opulent mosque in Brunei.  It features 29 magnificent golden domes that represent the current Sultan of Brunei, the 29th ruler. 

Completed in 1994, the mosque was built to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sultan's reign. The building features grand marble staircases and intricate marble fountains. 

A massive, magnificent gold chandelier hangs directly from the center of the dome, serving as a primary focal point that illuminates the wide prayer space.  The mosque is capable of accommodating up to 5,000 worshippers.

The site is popular with visitors who can enjoy free entry, but are required to dress modestly.  Robes available for use.

The Ash-Shaliheen Mosque is also located in Bandar Seri Begawan.  This mosque is the opposite of opulent.  I much prefer its simple lines and humble color.  I am remined of the architecture I had seen in North Africa and Central Asia. It features unique Moroccan-inspired architecture,characterized by sand-colored walls and distinct blue-green domes.

The mosque is situated near the Prime Minister's Office and is a popular place of worship for locals and visitors alike.

At midday today, a Friday in BSB, I take a long walk from my hotel to destinations unknown!

Eventually the sidewalk/roadway begins to rise.   I keep walking.  What will I find below and beyond the rise?

Situated along the Kedayan River, I find the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Silver Jubilee Park. The park was built to commemorate the 25th anniversary (Silver Jubilee) of the ascension to the throne of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

The main structure features five Islamic-style arched entrances representing the  Five Pillars of Islam, twenty-five spiral columns signifying the Sultan's 25-year reign, and a large terraced water fountain representing the Sultan.

The facilities of the Park include a circular 12-point star mound at the entrance, parking places, jogging tracks, exercise equipment, and children's play areas.

I examine the flora.  I spy one fascinating "leaning" tree and three "golden"potted plants.  (See the captions on the photos.)

I am alone here.  I assume the children and their families are at home today on Friday, the Muslim Sabbath.

Peace,

Jan