CenAm 2008-01-07

...where we explored Veracruz; the aquarium, the wax museum, a nap, and the boardwarlk at night. We (stupidly) decided to walk to the Acuario de Veracruz, which my trusty (?) guide book says is "About 2km south" of the city center. It seemed a whole lot longer, with the rising sun in our eyes and glaring off the harbor and white sidewalks. Overall, a nice aquarium that you should go see if you're in town.

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 1/30 sec, f/3.5, ISO 3200

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 at 10.0 mm; 1/10 sec, f/4.0, ISO 3200

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 at 15.0 mm; 1/30 sec, f/5.0, ISO 3200

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 at 20.0 mm; 1/30 sec, f/5.7, ISO 3200

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 at 17.0 mm; 1/30 sec, f/5.7, ISO 3200

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 at 12.0 mm; 1/30 sec, f/5.0, ISO 3200

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 at 20.0 mm; 1/30 sec, f/5.7, ISO 3200

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 at 20.0 mm; 1/30 sec, f/5.7, ISO 3200

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 at 10.0 mm; 1/30 sec, f/9.9, ISO 3200

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 106.0 mm; 1/30 sec, f/5.7, ISO 3200

Ooooh! Jelly fiish! Whatever the guy that designed this was on, it worked. A giant tank full of swirling shapes, with an ambient sound track.

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 106.0 mm; 1/80 sec, f/5.7, ISO 3200

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 72.0 mm; 1/60 sec, f/5.7, ISO 3200

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 0.8 sec, f/3.5, ISO 3200

At the aquarium, they sold an addon to the Museo de Cera....and we learn a new word today! The cera weren't terribly neat, but the fun house at the end was worth it. The spinning walkway (here), the hall of mirrors, the haunted house, the exit that looked like a dungeon. Nice! Just too dark to get any kind of photos.

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 0.3 sec, f/6.4, ISO 400

After a much needed nap, and dinner, we wandered back down to the harbor. Honestly, this is the most interesting thing I've seen at the Plaza de las Artesanias.

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 25 sec, f/16.0, ISO 100

Our favorite cafe, the only place we've been to more than once. The Gran Cafe de la Parroquia. 30-second exposure, with an SUV backing up in the middle (that's the yellow dashed lines).

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 at 10.0 mm; 30 sec, f/11.3, ISO 100

The good ship CSAV Venezuela.

I can't get enough of the docks at Veracruz, especially at night. What you can't see is the very alive boardwalk on the left.

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 1/15 sec, f/3.5, ISO 3200

The Cathedral just off the Zocalo.

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 72.0 mm; 1/40 sec, f/6.4, ISO 3200

Not terribly obvious what's going on here. The kids are watching a guy that strung a line between two trees and was walking across it, with the usual excitement of swinging back and forth, falling but catching himself, etc. He only did one show, and I caught the last bit. :-(