Tag: iPhone Friday

iPhone Friday

After returning from a remarkable trip to Egypt, I am excited to share my experiences. Highlights include visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum, where the Tutankhamun mask’s new display left a lasting impression.

As I have returned from my trip to Egypt, there will be much to share! First of all, it was another amazing experience in this ancient country, rich in history and culture, which continually captivates and inspires me to return once again at a future date! From exploring the magnificent pyramids that have stood the test of time to wandering through the bustling markets filled with vibrant colors and scents, every moment was a unique adventure. There are numerous photos to be edited, capturing both the breathtaking landscapes and the friendly faces of the locals, posts to be written that will convey the stories of my journey, and work to be caught up on as I reflect on this incredible experience and plan for future travels!

Here’s a quick iPhone snapshot from my visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum…

Tutankhamen Mask

When I last visited the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the Tutankhamun display had not yet been relocated to its impressive new home. However, my wife and I were fortunate enough to see the iconic mask in its previous museum near Tahrir Square. This experience allowed us a glimpse of the extraordinary craftsmanship that surrounds this historical artifact. The anticipation of viewing it in the GEM, which promised to be a marvel in itself, only added to our excitement.

The newly created exhibit space for the Tutankhamun collection in the GEM is nothing short of spectacular. The architectural design and thoughtful arrangement of the displays truly enhance the experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves deeply in the ancient world. The lighting is particularly noteworthy; it highlights the intricate details of the artifacts while creating a mesmerizing atmosphere that draws you in from the moment you step into the exhibit. Each piece tells a story, and the thoughtful curation makes it easy to appreciate the cultural significance of these relics.

During my visit, I managed to capture an iPhone shot of the famous mask, which turned out pretty well. The way the mask is presented in the museum is indeed out of this world, with its vibrant colors and intricate details standing out brilliantly against the backdrop of the exhibit. It’s a moment that instills a sense of awe and reverence for the ancient Egyptian civilization and its monumental achievements.

When you plan your visit to the GEM, I have one crucial word of caution: remember to breathe. The awe-inspiring sights are likely to take your breath away as you navigate through the vast halls filled with relics of the past. Furthermore, it’s wise to select a specific part of the museum that you wish to explore on the day of your visit. Due to the extensive collection, it’s impossible to see everything in a single day. Planning your time and focusing on certain exhibits will allow you to fully appreciate the depth and richness of this unparalleled museum experience. Whether you choose to delve into the art, the history, or the artifacts, the GEM truly offers something extraordinary for every visitor.

iPhone Friday

The journey may be lengthy, but it’s rewarded with a fantastic Chinese meal in Egypt at China Red restaurant.

As I have arrived in Egypt, I thought there would be nothing better than have this installment focused on my experiences here. Be forewarned that this post is not what you might expect to see about Egypt.

After spending most of the last 24 hours either in airports or airplanes, there was nothing that I wanted more than to feel clean again after a shower. Next on the menu, literally, was to decide on a nice dinner. Staying at the Le Meridien at the Cairo airport, I did have the choice of 4 different restaurants with cuisines ranging from Lebanese to pub food, and Chinese. As I expect to eat plenty of middle Eastern cuisine over the next week plus, I chose China Red, the Chinese restaurant. I was not disappointed!

The atmosphere is great and welcoming and the menu is appealing, as it has focus and doesn’t try to serve everything, the way many American Chinese restaurants do. After I placed my order for a Sakkara Gold beer and some food, I was also provided with a basket of kroepoek…

Kroepoek

Kroepoek are deep fried crackers made from a starch and a flavoring, which in this case was prawn. They are very airy, as they expand tremendously during frying with lots of air pockets.

Next I had ordered some shrimp spring rolls, which were delicious…

Shrimp Spring Rolls

Of course, they were really hot on the first bite, so be careful; their flavor and consistency was wonderful! I ate these with my soup, which was a West Lake soup…

West Lake Soup

This is one of those fantastic Chinese soups that has a smooth, velvety feel when eating it and has a great balance of egg whites, tofu, chicken, vegetables, and mushrooms. This chef really understands how to create an amazing combination of flavors with none being overpowering the others.

I completed this meal with a fantastic beef and seafood stir fry, of which I forgot to take a picture; the smell was so good that I dug into it immediately, after which I realized my error.

In total, a fantastic meal at a reasonable price with attentive service. I highly recommend China Red for your next time in Cairo!

iPhone Friday

Experiencing the aurora borealis in Iceland was unforgettable, yet witnessing such phenomena from my backyard also brings joy.

Last Friday, I mentioned that I found several iPhone shots that grabbed my attention, which made finding an image for this week rather easy.

Over the past year, we have been blessed with some rather spectacular solar events to color our skies in the northern hemisphere. Each of these events has provided a unique spectacle, transforming the mundane into something truly magical. The colors swirling in the sky, reminiscent of a painter’s palette, have often left me speechless at the sheer beauty that nature presents. I’ll be honest that after having experienced the aurora borealis in Iceland on a very cold winter night, I feel that it’s cheap to get the same effect— or even better— without having to go through the hardships of braving freezing temperatures and rugged terrains.

Nevertheless, here’s a view from my backyard on November 11, 2025…

Backyard Aurora

It’s fascinating how certain phenomena can evoke such strong emotions and memories. The vibrant hues of the auroras danced above me like a living artwork, and while that experience was unforgettable, I must admit that witnessing solar phenomena right from the comfort of my home or local area can be equally rewarding. This juxtaposition of adventure and accessibility adds a new layer to our appreciation of such wondrous natural displays, reminding us that sometimes, the beauty of the world is just around the corner, waiting for us to take a moment to look up.

iPhone Friday

Discover the magic of iPhone Friday in the Woods through a photo that tells a story of golden autumn vibes and nature’s beauty.

Another Friday and, hopefully, a great weekend to look forward to! Browsing through my iPhone photo library, I actually found several cool shots after I last posted in this series, so there are more stashed away for upcoming episodes!

As I scrolled through the memories captured in those images, I realized how each photo tells its own story, evoking the feelings and emotions of that specific moment in time.

This one from last October is particularly special. I remember standing there, feeling the gentle breeze brush against my skin as I looked up and admired the interplay of colors and sunlight filtering through the leaves. The golden hues of autumn wrapped everything in a warm embrace, creating a scene so picturesque that it felt like stepping into a painting. Every detail—from the way the light danced upon the branches to the crispness of the air—added to the beauty of that moment, reminding me why I love this season so much.

I’m eager to share more of these cherished snapshots in the future, each one revealing a little piece of my journey and the world around me. So stay tuned for more visual stories to brighten your days!

The trees are alight!

There’s just nothing like the fresh autumn air, a mild breeze, and the sun bringing out all the color that surrounds us! The vibrant hues of red, orange, and yellow paint the landscape, creating a breathtaking canvas that captures the essence of the season. Each breath fills the lungs with a crispness that invigorates the spirit, while the rustling leaves provide a soothing soundtrack to our surroundings. Families gather for weekend outings, enjoying the simple pleasure of pumpkin picking and nature walks, embracing the warmth of each other’s company. For my money, it doesn’t get any better until the next great day! The anticipation of falling temperatures and cozy evenings spent by the fire adds an extra layer of magic to this time of year.

iPhone Friday

Smartphones are often preferred for quick photos or reminders over writing notes. Here’s an example.

Sometimes, our smartphones are just perfect for that simple photo, or reminder to work on something. As it’s quicker to take a photo that it is to jot down a note, I will often use my smartphone rather than write anything.

Here’s an example from the past week…

No Team Swag!

There’s nothing more important to many of us than having some cool swag for our teams, as it enhances our sense of belonging and community. During our face-to-face meetings one of the identified obstacles was exactly that, so I made sure to add it to my laptop as a constant reminder.

iPhone Friday (+1)

An iPhone image from Boston’s Logan Airport, highlighting a cool reflection of the new international terminal’s brilliant red facade.

This iPhone Friday image might be a day late, but I felt it was worth sharing. One of the best features of our smartphones is that they ensure that we always have a camera with us, which nowadays is of pretty good quality.

Here’s what I noticed yesterday…

International Reflections

As I was waiting in the cellphone lot at Boston’s Logan Airport, I was looking at this reflection in front of me. The new international terminal is a brilliant red and looks amazing. I could help but be intrigued by the reflected baggage carts and then vehicles went by…

iPhone Friday

This week’s image highlights the New Salem Academy Museum, established in 1795.

It’s great to have a sense of revival in this week’s posts, as I feel energized by it. In that vein, I’ll change my self-imposed constraints a little for the iPhone Friday series. From this post on, I will be posting only images that were recorded within the past week. This has the added benefit of reminding me to get out of the house and look around a bit more for something interesting. Simply because, all work and no play dull my senses!

Here’s a take from this past week…

New Salem Academy Museum

New Salem Academy was brought into existence on February 25, 1795, when Massachusetts governor Samuel Adams signed the legislation that created the academy. The Trustees of New Salem Academy have continuously managed the affairs of the Academy since then, which today focuses on the provision of scholarship opportunities for residents of New Salem and descendants of Academy attendees and staff.

Note that the museum is open by appointment only, so please reach out to plan your visit!

iPhone Friday

A simple iPhone photo taken in winter 2015, showcasing lovely sunlight.

After last week’s installment of iPhone Friday with a panoramic view of Temples and Towers in Zion National Park, we’re going for something really simple! Just a simple iPhone shot from the winter of 2015 with some rather lovely sunlight.

Here’s that view…

Winter Sun

Of course smartphone technology has advanced a tremendous amount over the past 10 years and a lot of the artifacts in this image won’t show up any more. Getting a Raw Max image from the iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers incredible results and fidelity.

Enjoy your smartphones and be sure to take photos!

iPhone Friday

Smartphones simplify tasks like taking panoramas compared to DSLR or Mirrorless cameras, which require more effort. Here we get a quick vista of Temples and Towers in Zion.

There are some things that are pretty straightforward to do with our smartphones, but would take a bit of work to accomplish with a DSLR or Mirrorless camera. One example is panoramas. With a smartphone, we simply click a button, pan the horizon with a reasonably steady hand, and it’s all figured out. To do the same with our ‘real’ camera, we should first make sure that the tripod and camera are level, and then we take several shots. Once we have the captures, we then have to stitch them together in our favorite editing software, etc. A bit more work (definitely worth it for an amazing result!)

Here’s the easy way…

Temples and Towers

This is an early morning capture of the Temples and Towers vista at Zion. Majestic, as the sun paints the towers and the temples on top of them. Definitely the easy way out, but not bad with a 40+MP image.

iPhone Friday

In this Independence Day iPhone Friday edition, the author celebrates the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, a band that embodies free speech and joy.

For this United States Independence Day edition of iPhone Friday, I cannot think of a more appropriate selection than the one featured here.

Free speech flows forth from these folks…

Grand Slambovians

The Slambovian Circus of Dreams is one of those bands that everyone should experience, as they will lift up your spirits and take you for a ride on the Trans-Slambovian BiPolar Express that you will never want to leave! This image is from a show on my birthday in 2023 at the Bull Run in Shirley, Massachusetts. It was a blast and filled with joy!

Now to find them again!