Gold, Silver Coins Found In 1715 Shipwreck

Above, silver coins and artifacts on display at the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some divers became millionaires when they discovered a treasure trove of silver and gold coins from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck off the coast of Florida.

The Palm Beach Post reported:

SEBASTIAN, FL — More than 1,000 silver coins and five gold coins worth about $1 million were recovered from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck off the coast of Florida, a shipwreck salvage company said.

On Sept. 30, 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels LLC announced that over 1,000 silver coins known as "reales" were recovered by Captain Levin Shavers and the crew of M/V (motor vessel) "Just Right" off the southeast region of Florida, widely known as Treasure Coast. Five gold coins called "escudos" were also recovered in a separate find.

The company's discovery is part of a "vast fortune carried by the fleet, which was transporting New World riches back to Spain" when a hurricane struck on July 31, 1715, according to a news release. The company said historians estimate that about $400 million worth of gold, silver, and jewels were lost in the storm. 

To read more, go here. 

Spanish Treasure Along Florida Coast

Above, shipwreck artifacts savaged displayed at the Key West
Shipwreck Treasures Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before Florida became a state, ship disasters took place along the Florida eastern coast involving Spanish treasure ships en route from Cuba to Spain when hurricanes hit.

To this day, treasures wash up on shore and are found by beachcombers.

Disasters would happen even into the 1800s. There is an interesting shipwreck museum in Key West with artifacts for those eras.

Above, a silver bar from a 1656 shipwreck. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Citrus County Chronicle has an interesting article on Spanish treasures that found their way onto the ocean floor.

They begin it with:

In Havana, Cuba, July 1715, 11 Spanish treasure ships and one French warship were preparing to sail to Spain carrying over 15 million pesos in gold and silver. King Philip V of Spain relied on the riches of the new world to pay the bills and was in dire need of the money.

The route was the same one taken for over 100 years. The fleet catches the Gulf Stream north of Cuba, sails north along Florida’s east coast, then turns eastward across the Atlantic Ocean to Spain.

Lacking the Weather Channel, the admiral of the fleet was unaware of a hurricane brewing in the Atlantic, planning a rendezvous with the ships off the eastern coast of Florida. A major maritime disaster was imminent.

Above, the Reap The Wild Wind movie display at the Key West
Shipwreck Treasures Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum, there is a display of Reap The Wild Wind movie memorabila. The movie was about shipwreck salvors starring John Wayne, Ray Milland and Paulette Goddard.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Tops World Tourism Ranking

Above, Tokyo's Kappabashi "Kitchen Town". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ironic as it may seem, Japan ranks number one in world tourism ranking, but the country is closed off (with few exceptions) to foreign tourism.

The Japan Times reported:

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND – Japan on Tuesday came out ranking highest on a list of destinations in a 2021 travel and tourism development report by the World Economic Forum, despite the country being closed to foreign tourists due to restrictions against the coronavirus.

Topping the list for the first time, Japan ranked highly for its cultural resources and in several infrastructure categories, with the United States ranked second and Spain third.

Japan ranked fourth overall in the biennial report for air transport infrastructure and cultural resources, sixth for ground and port infrastructure, and 12th for natural resources. But it ranked low for its response to climate change, coming in 107th place.

To read more, go here. 

20 Interesting Things About New Mexico

Above, Zuni-Ohaha Indian dancing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Quora sent me a link to a Q & A on the state of New Mexico which I found interesting.

It is "20 Interesting Things About New Mexico" by Rick Cormier, author of "American Baapu: India Through My Eyes".

Here's the first five:

1.) Santa Fe has more artists per capita than any other American city. 

2.) New Mexico is the state with the most PhD.s per capita. Los Alamos, NM has more PhDs than any American city. Santa Fe, NM ranks #2. 

3.) New Mexico is the 5th largest state in the U.S., but only has about 2 million people. This works out to 17 people per square mile. At first, this reminded me of Maine... big state with only 1.3 million people... until I did some research and discovered that Maine has 43 people per square mile! ...Big difference! 

4.) More than 1/4 of the total population of New Mexico lives in Albuquerque. 

5.) New Mexico was NOT named after Mexico. Spaniards named New Mexico after the Mexica (Aztec) Empire in 1563 because they hoped the Indians there would have the same riches as the Aztecs did. At the time, Mexico was called "New Spain." In 1821 (two and a half centuries later) it was named Mexico.

To see the remaining 15, go here. 

VICE Magazine Tweets: Calling For Blowing Up Mt. Rushmore

Above, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We live in very strange, and dangerous, times.

The Left in this country are totally out of control. They belong in lunatic asylums.

The latest is a Tweet from the leftist rag, VICE, who calls for the blowing up of Mount Rushmore. This is right out of ISIS's playbook. Some unhinged idiot just may act on this and damage it and other national monuments.

PJ Media reported:

On the same day as a deadly incident in Barcelona that police have confirmed as a terrorist attack, a tweet published by VICE (whose website PJ Media will not link to in this post) called for blowing up Mount Rushmore.

Here's the Tweet that PJ Media copied before VICE removed it:

It is getting to the point where good citizens have to be on the alert for suspicious people who may want to do harm to our monuments and possibly cause death or injury. If I were to see someone attempt something, that person will be immediately knee-capped and their hands broken. Or worse. This is something that none of us should put up with.

Then there's a report of a Missouri state senator (a Democrat) who said she "hopes" President Trump gets assassinated. Another deranged idiot!

To see more, go here.

Looks Like Romulan Ale

Travel + Leisure posted an article on a new blue wine from Spain.

They wrote:

There's a company in Spain that goes by the name of GIK that's trying to make blue wine a thing. 

Whether or not that's a good (or delicious) thing is yet to be determined, but it's at least intriguing.

It looks like Romulan Ale from Star Trek to me.

To read more, go here. 

New "Godzilla & Hiroshima" Trailer With Spanish Subtitles

Above, Jonathan Bellés at Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have come across many Godzilla fans from south of the U.S. border.

In fact, this blog receives a lot of view hits from Central America and South America.

Therefore, it is only fitting (and natural) that producer/director Jonathan Bellés, who hails from Spain, should include a Spanish-subtitled version for Spanish-speaking fans. From what Jonathan has told me, there are a lot of kaiju fans in Spain.

So, here is a blog with the new trailer for Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Rise of Kaiju Eiga for those fans.




On occasion, the Spanish-language television stations in Los Angeles plays Godzilla movies dubbed in Spanish. I sat down and watched one of the Heisei Series of Godzilla films (it was either Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla or Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, I have forgotten which) at one time and thought it was interesting that the Spanish dubbing seemed to fit the lip movements of the Japanese actors more closely than does the English dubbing.

Above, a Spanish lobby card for Godzilla vs. Megalon.*

*To see more vintage Godzilla lobby cards, go here.

FreeRolls Picks Up Monster Japan Travel Guide News

Above, Ai with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

FreeRolls.es picked up the news on the holiday sale of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Based in Spain, FreeRolls is:

FreeRolls is a Digital Magazine with direct link for the best selected news in real time. 

The last news about Poker, Entertainment, Business, Travel... Interviews and interesting articles.

To view the site, go here. 

Jonathan Bellés and "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan"

On November 24, Jonathan Bellés, producer/director of the upcoming documentary, Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga, spoke at the 2nd Cultural Cycle Japan in Valencia, Spain at the La Petxina Cultural Center.

Jonathan Bellés gave a lecture on his documentary Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga. During his lecture, he also discussed The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

The accompanying photos show Bellés with the travel guide.

Jonathan Bellés Discusses Godzilla Documentary At 2nd Cultural Cycle Japan In Spain

On November 24, producer/director Jonathan Bellés gave a presentation on "Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Dawn of the Kaiju Eiga" in Valencia, Spain. Posted below, is the video of his presentation.

Here is the description of the video in Spanish:

Dentro de las actividades del 2º Ciclo Cultural de Japón en Valencia, en el Centro Cultural La Petxina, Jonathan Bellés ofrece una conferencia sobre su documental "Godzilla & Hiroshima: Los Albores del Kaiju Eiga", además de responder a las preguntas del público asistente.

And, a rough translation:

Among the activities of the 2nd Cultural Cycle Japan in Valencia, at La Petxina Cultural Center, Jonathan Bellés gives a lecture on his documentary "Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga" plus answer questions from the audience. 

Note: Jonathan Bellés discusses a "certain travel guide" 42 minutes into the video.

Here's a still from the presentation:

Above, Jonathan Bellés discusses his upcoming documentary.  Photo courtesy of Jonathan Bellés.

Jonathan Bellés' Mission Accomplished

Above, Haruo Nakajima during his interview with Jonathan Bellés in Germany.  Photo courtesy of Jonathan Bellés.

Word has been received from Spanish producer/director Jonathan Bellés that his mission to Germany to interview the original Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima has been accomplished.

He sent me an email that said, in part:

I have the interview with Nakajima!!!!!!!!!!!

I am very very very HAPPY!!!!!! It's unbelievable for me, it's more than a dream!!!!

The interview with Nakajima will be a part of the documentary, Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Dawn of the Kaiju Eiga that slated to be completed next year.

Monster Japan Travel Guide In Spain

Producer/director Jonathan Bellés sent this group shot photo from the Festival of Terror in Castellón, Spain (known as FANTASTI'CS). He was there speaking on his documentary project, Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Dawn of the Kaiju Eiga.

As you can see, a Bellés (third from left) his holding a familiar publication.

Speaking of Godzilla, it was 59 years ago today that the "Big G" was released in Japan. 

Jonathan Bellés To Speak At FANTASTI'CS About Godzilla Documentary

Jonathan Bellés, the producer/director of the upcoming Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Dawn of the Kaiju Eiga documentary, tells me that he will be speaking a week from today (November 2, for you low-information voters, etc.) at the Festival of Terror in Castellón, Spain (known as FANTASTI'CS).

He will be discussing his documentary and, also, on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. Cool, eh?

Along with his note, Bellés sent me this poster:

Looks like we'll both be busy with conventions this coming week, as I am participating in a panel on Godzilla (2014) and Pacific Rim (2013) at Stan Lee's Comikaze E

xpo in Los Angeles on Friday.

Made It To Spain

Above, "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan."  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last week, I reported that I mailed off a copy of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan to Spanish producer/director Jonathan Bellés. Bellés is currently preparing his doctoral project documentary, Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Dawn of the Kaiju Eiga.

He indicated that he'd like to purchase the travel guide, but I told him I'd send him one with my compliments.

He sent me his "snail mail" address and I was unsure if I addressed the envelope correctly at the time of mailing. Apparently, I did.

Perfect Timing! Godzilla Documentary Producer/Director To Go To Germany

Above, Haruo Nakajima discussion panel at this year's Mad Monster Party in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Talk about perfect timing!

Haruo Nakajima will be a guest at the Weekend of Horrors convention in Germany November 8 -10. Since Germany is practically in Spain's backyard (or vice-versa), arrangements are being made for Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Dawn of the Kaiju Eiga documentary director/producer Jonathan Bellés to interview Haruo Nakajima at the convention.

Just hope there's a good translator available.

A Word With "Godzilla & Hiroshima" Producer/Director Jonathan Bellés

Above, Jonathan Bellés.

My grandfather (on my dad's side) came from the island of Mallorca (Majorca), Spain. Spain is also where Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Dawn of the Kaiju Eiga producer and director Jonathan Bellés comes from. Specifically, he was born in Castellón, which is on the Spanish mainland near the island of Mallorca.

Now Bellés is based in Valencia, Spain where his production company, Producciones 451 is headquartered.

I asked him if there are many kaiju fans in Spain and he says there are. "In Spain, there many kaiju fans. In fact, I am the co-founder of the website www.godzillaencastellano.com.  It was founded in February 2003," he says.

Many people remembered the 50th anniversary of Godzilla events in Hollywood back in 2004. Fans in Spain also commemorated the anniversary in 2004.

"In 2004, Angel Sala, the Catalonian director of The International Fantasy Film Festival (in Sitges, Barcelona), screened several Godzilla movies because of 50th anniversary of Godzilla," said Bellés.

On the Godzilla documentary, Bellés said that it will also include Gamera, Ultraman and other monsters in the genre.  Financing for the documentary is limited as it is a doctoral project for him. He plans to travel to Japan, United States and elsewhere to interview actors, producers, critics and others for the documentary.

In Japan, besides interviewing, he plans to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Lucky Dragon No. 5 exhibit in Tokyo. "I want to travel to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Museum mainly. I will visit the Lucky Dragon No. 5 also," said Bellés.

He hopes to have Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Dawn of the Kaiju Eiga completed and released by summer 2014.

2020 Olympics Summer Games Vote Is Today

Above, a view looking up the Sumida River from Tokyo Bay.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The vote on who will be hosting the 2020 Olympic Summer Games will be held today. Earlier reports indicated that the vote would be held September 6.

According to reports I've read, the vote will come at 9:00 am Tokyo time (which will be around 5:00 in the afternoon Los Angeles time).

According to the United Kingdom's The Independent:

This morning the Buenos Aires Hilton will host an eclectic global cast. There will be princes, prime ministers, plenty of promises, awkward sports stars stuttering over speeches and almost certainly a fair number of immaculately attired children out to tug any heartstrings available. At stake is the greatest sporting prize a city can earn: the right to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The bid teams from Tokyo, Istanbul and Madrid each have 45 minutes to make their final presentations to the 100 or so members of the International Olympic Committee and convince them the 2020 Games should be theirs.

They see Tokyo as the "safe" choice, Istanbul as the "bold" choice and Madrid as the "bargain" choice.

To view the article, go here.

Monster Japan Travel Guide Available At Amazon.es

Tourists from Spain who are also fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies are now able to get the  ebook edition of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan at Amazon.es.

To get to the page where the travel guide to Japan is posted, go here.

Amazon Kindle Stores Overseas

Sales have been doing great for the Kindle version of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan over at Amazon.com.

The guide is also available at these overseas Kindle Stores of Amazon:

Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom)
Amazon.de (Germany)
Amazon.fr (France)
Amazon.es (Spain)
Amazon.it (Italy)