First Painting of President Donald Trump

About three weeks ago, the first painting of President Donald J. Trump was revealed by C-SPAN.

According to the Daily Mail (U.K.):

It is a right of passage for all presidents - and now Donald Trump has been immortalized in oils before he even takes office. 

His first presidential portrait has been revealed, just three weeks ahead of his January inauguration. 

C-SPAN revealed the oil painting, made by North Carolina painter and sculptor Chas Fagan, on Wednesday as part of its American Presidents: Life Portraits exhibit that has been touring the United States since 1999. 

The network said that this is the first portrait of Trump since he was elected president.

To read more, go here. 

Mexico Border Wall Ordered Built By Trump

President Donald J. Trump is acting in such breakneck speed that it has Washington-watchers' heads spinning (or exploding).

Reuters reported:

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed directives to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico and crack down on U.S. cities that shield illegal immigrants, proceeding quickly on sweeping and divisive plans to curb immigration and boost national security. 

The Republican president is also expected to take steps in the coming days to limit legal immigration, including executive orders restricting refugees and blocking the issuing of visas to people from several Muslim-majority Middle Eastern and North African countries including Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Libya and Yemen. 

Trump signed two executive orders at the Department of Homeland Security, one ordering construction of a wall along the roughly 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) U.S.-Mexico border and the other moving to strip federal grant money from "sanctuary" states and cities, often governed by Democrats, that harbor illegal immigrants. 

In cities such as San Francisco local officials, often Democrats, refuse to cooperate with federal authorities on actions against illegal immigrants. 

"The American people are no longer going to have to be forced to subsidize this disregard for our laws," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said.

Democrats are screaming bloody murder over this and other Trump actions. But the beauty of ordering the building of the wall at the U.S.-Mexico border is: he doesn't need approval from Congress. They already passed a law in 2006 that authorized the construction of the wall.

To read more, go here. 

TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards: Japan's Top 25 Hotels

Above, a budget hotel such as the Asia Center of Japan is just fine for me. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I look for a hotel in Japan (or anywhere else, for that matter), I usually look for location, cost, amenities and restaurants (either in the hotel or nearby). I go to places to go see things, not sit in the hotel room, so I am not concerned if it is a five-star or a two-star hotel. Just as long as it is not a dump with bedbugs and no need for a CSI kit to inspect the room.

However, other people want to have a taste of luxury while traveling. If they can afford it, more power to them. That's just not my priority for accommodations while traveling.

TripAdvisor.com has their Travelers' Choice Awards list of the top 25 hotels in Japan and, naturally, most (if not all) of them are five-star hotels. If you prefer and, most importantly, can afford a five-star hotel, you will enjoy seeing what they look like and why they made the Travelers' Choice Awards.

I have to admit, they all look nice!

To see them, go here.

Tokyo Japan’s Famous Tsukiji Fish Market

Above, one of many vendors at the Tsukiji outer market. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever since I visited the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, I have been urging people to visit the historic fish market (before it is closed down and moved) ever since.

Net News Ledger has a new article on the Tsukiji Fish Market, which includes the current status on its impending move (whenever that will be is anyone's guess).

They begin with:

TOKYO – TRAVEL – Located in central Tokyo, Tsukiji is the largest fish market in the world with separate wholesale and retail areas. Besides being the source for most of the fresh fish served in Tokyo’s sushi bars and restaurants, Tsukiji is the best food court imaginable. 

On a recent trip to the market, like everyone else on the crowded sidewalk, I had come to see what wonderful ready-to-eat dishes were for sale. I didn’t know what I wanted, but I knew I would find something delicious at one of the closet-sized stalls.

So, while there's still time, people should take the opportunity to visit the Tsukiji Fish Market and partake in what has to be the freshest sushi I have ever tried.

To read more, go here.

Japan's Hotels Saw Rise In Average Daily Rate In 2016

Above, the Niigata Dormy Inn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's hotels saw rates climb in 2016.

Despite the rise, occupancy rates have risen during the same period with record numbers of foreign tourists visiting Japan.

According to Travel Daily Asia:

Japan’s hotel sector experienced a steady increase in ADR (average daily rate) last year. 

According to the full-year data from STR, the country’s ADR climbed 5.2% to JPY15,396 (approx. US$136) in 2016, due in part to the recovery of the yen, which increased nearly 10% against the US dollar in 2016. This marked the first time the yen had increased in value since 2011.

To read more, go here. 

A Tourist In Tokyo Q&A

Above, a Starbucks coffee shop in Ginza. One question pertained to coffee. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you are planning a trip to Japan (Tokyo in particular), but have questions on certain aspects such as money, bathing, food and other things, the Daily Mail (U.K.) as posted a Q & A article that will answer some of your questions.

They begin with:

TOKYO (AP) — Tourism to Japan is booming, with 1 million Americans among the country's more than 20 million annual visitors. But language barriers and cultural differences may seem intimidating to some travelers. Here are answers to questions you might have if you're contemplating a trip to the capital city, Tokyo.

To read more, go here.

Free Drinks May Soon Be History In Las Vegas

Above, The Mirage hotel sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While one is at a roulette wheel, a crap table, playing keno or even slot machines, free drinks have been a mainstay in Las Vegas for years.

All that may change (to a certain extent) if all Las Vegas casinos adopt a new technology.

According to Travel + Leisure:

Don't count on fueling your next Vegas vacation with those free casino drinks: There's a good chance those will be going away, unless you're willing to do a bit of gambling. 

MGM and Caesars, two popular destinations on the Las Vegas strip, are testing new technology that would better tell bartenders which casino visitors deserve those free cocktails—and who doesn't—based on how much they are playing and betting.

Last year, I played roulette at The Mirage Hotel casino in Las Vegas and was served free drinks while playing.

To read more, go here.

T + L: "Why It's Still Worth Owning A Digital Camera"

Above, a resting bison at Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I first saw the headline, "Why It's Still Worth Owning A Digital Camera", my first reaction was, "Why? Has something else replaced digital cameras?"

Then it became clear what Travel + Leisure was driving at when I read the opening paragraph.

They wrote:

Make no mistake: The cameras in today’s top-of-the-line smartphones can take some absolutely stunning images. The iPhone 7 (and particularly the 7 Plus, with its dual-lens system), the Google Pixel and the Samsung Galaxy S7, just to name a few examples, are all highly capable shooters. 

Yet there is still only so much you can ask of a smartphone camera. Limitations in sensor size, lens technology and other factors mean that, barring some miraculous technological breakthrough, standalone cameras will always be more capable than our smartphones. 

I don't lug around my digital cameras all the time (I have two Canon digital cameras). If there is something that I want to shoot on the spur-of-the-moment, I'll use my Samsung Galaxy Prime's camera.

Above, a shot of Godzilla in Shinjuku. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

But when I am on vacation or somewhere else that's special, I'll bring the cameras.

To read more, go here.

Newly Discovered A-Bomb Photos Now On Display

Above, the Atomic Bomb Dome. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those planning to visit Japan, and Hiroshima in particular, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum has some newly-discovered photographs on display.

According to an article in The Japan Times:

HIROSHIMA – The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum on Tuesday showed to the press a total of 10 newly discovered photos, including one taken by the crew of the Enola Gay that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima that shows the mushroom cloud rising skyward on the morning of Aug. 6, 1945. 

The photographs collected from the Library of Congress and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in the United States also include a picture of U.S. Navy sailors observing the so-called Atomic Bomb Dome 10 years after the bombing.

Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park and Museum is one of the most popular attractions in Japan for foreign tourists.

To read more, go here. 

Bush 41 To Leave ICU

Above, George and Barbara Bush today.

It is good to hear that former President George H. W. Bush will soon be leaving the ICU. He is currently battling pneumonia. Former First Lady Barbara Bush, who was suffering from bronchitis, was discharged from the same hospital.

I am having my own breathing issues. I have been congested today and have been trying to stay indoors. I don't know if it is my usual allergies or the start of something else, but the coughing and all has left me short of breath at times. It has been colder than usual in L.A.

Well, it's that time of the season.

Needles KOA

Above, The Beast at Needles KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The final campground I stayed at during my three-week trip to Metropolis, Illinois was the Needles KOA.

I left Monument Valley and headed to Grand Canyon National Park. I just planned for a drive-through after having breakfast in Cameron, Arizona.

While in Grand Canyon, I was debating whether to stay the night in nearby Williams or Kingman. I decided not to stay at either and pressed on the Needles, California, which is just across the Colorado River, which is also the border. This way, I would have fewer miles to drive the next day in getting home.

I got to the KOA in Needles in the late afternoon. There were signs along Interstate 40 for the campground and what exit to take. But, after doing so, it was a bit hard to find as it is situated about a mile and a half from the freeway with no tall signs to mark their location.

But when I got there, I found a nice, clean campground with a friendly and helpful staff (I even received an escort to my site) and a spacious site. After using some of my bonus points I accumulated, I only paid $34.00 for the night. I lucked out again as I didn't have use my leveling blocks as the site was very level.

Oleander bushes served as a border between sites and added a little privacy.

This is a nice campground that is perfect for an overnight stay.

To access their website, go here.

Limon KOA

Above, The Beast at Limon KOA in Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After leaving Kansas, I entered Colorado and made my way to the Limon KOA for an overnight's stay.

It was a convenient little campground (64 sites) with farmland scenery, friendly staff and lots of bunnies running around.

My site was a back-in site with full hook-ups. The site was fairly spacious with border fences. It also had a picnic table to use. There wasn't much in the way of shade, but I got there in the late afternoon, so that wasn't a problem. The campsite was nice and level, so I didn't need to use my leveling blocks.

The staff was friendly and helpful. After my KOA discount was applied, I paid $30.00 for the night's stay. I would stay there again.

To access the Limon KOA website, go here.

Grand Canyon/Williams KOA

Above, The Beast at Grand Canyon/Williams KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here is a review of the Grand Canyon/Williams KOA located in Williams, Arizona.

The Grand Canyon/Williams KOA was my first overnight stop during my trip to Metropolis, Illinois last year. I had stayed at Circle Pines KOA in Williams in 1992, but they were about to close for the season. The Grand Canyon/Williams KOA is open all year.

I arrived in the afternoon and was assigned a back-in campsite, which included a barbecue and electric and water hook-ups. There was no sewer hook-up at the site, but I could have used their dump station to empty my holding tanks if necessary.

The hook-ups were placed in such a way that I was unsure that my power cable and water hose would reach the outlets. So I pulled forward instead and that worked out better.

Along with the barbecue grill, each site has a fire ring and a picnic table to use.

The site was a little more spacious than other campgrounds I've been to. The sites next to mine were unoccupied. There was a handful of other campers there.

There is some shade, which is nice during the summer months since this is the Arizona desert. The staff was friendly and helpful and they had a nice convenience store at the office. After my KOA discount was applied, I paid $32.00 for the night's stay.

Above, the Grand Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The campground is on Route 64 and that is the route to take to Grand Canyon National Park from Williams. Grand Canyon National Park is roughly 46 miles from Williams.

To access the Grand Canyon/Williams KOA website, go here.

Elk City/Clinton KOA

Above, The Beast at the Elk City/Clinton KOA in Oklahoma. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My third overnight stop during my trip to Metropolis, Illinois was at the Elk City/Clinton KOA in Canute, Oklahoma.

It is located right off Interstate 40 and easy to access once you get off the freeway.

I got there around 4:00 in the afternoon after leaving Albuquerque and crossing the Texas panhandle.

The campground had plenty of shade and the staff was friendly and helpful. I paid $38.00 (after my KOA discount was applied) for the night's stay. It is far enough from Interstate 40 so one isn't bothered by any road noise.

The KOA does serve breakfasts and dinners. I cooked my own dinner and left before breakfast was served.

My campsite had a fire ring and picnic table along with full hook-ups (electric, water and sewer).

It was a nice campground for a good overnight stay.

To access their website, go here.

Report To The Secret Service

If you hear or see anyone making threats, "jokes" or any other comments about assassinating President Trump, report it immediately to the U.S. Secret Service.

Madonna's rant about blowing up the White House has landed her in hot water as the Secret Service is now investigating her.

While some comments may be jokes, some wacko may be incited enough by them to actually act it out.

An example:

The woman in question above has since been fired and has been interviewed by the Secret Service. The investigation is ongoing. Go here for more.

Secret Service contact information:

Brit Hume Exposes CNN's Inauguration Crowd Deception

CNN, the Counterfeit News Network, has been caught in another instance of fake news when they showed purported crowd differences between President Trump's inauguration and President Obama's 2009 inauguration.

Brit Hume of the Fox News channel exposed CNN's deception.

According to Independent Journal Review:

At a time when there should be national unity, a media war has erupted between the size of Obama's and Trump's, err, Inauguration Day crowds. 

The size of the crowds is being hotly disputed as a flashpoint between the Democratic Party and its supportive media, who want to delegitimize the new president, and the Trump administration, which wants the symbolism of a massive crowd on the Washington mall to defy the opposition's narrative.

While White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was wrong in saying that “the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration”, it was a very respectful turnout (some may have decided to stay away due to threats of violence by leftist mobs).

To see the real crowd comparisons, go here.

Counterfeit News Network Struck A Chord

After posting the "Counterfeit News Network" satire/parody logo at The Deplorables Facebook page, it met with a big reception among the members.

Right now, it has 193 likes and 63 shares. Not too shabby!

Here's where it stood at around ten minutes ago:

National Pity Party

Across the nation, bat-shit crazy leftist women (or arguably "women") marched in the Women's March on Washington.

The event was supposedly in protest against President Trump and, allegedly, reproductive rights. But some of the celebrity speakers were totally insane.

A couple of examples:

Singer Madonna said that she's thinking about "blowing up the White House." This is only handing her a Secret Service investigation. Can you say, "terrorist threat"?

Actress Ashley Judd was equally as loony, as she attacked Trump and his daughter Ivanka with, "I'm not as nasty as your own daughter being your favorite sex symbol, your wet dreams infused with your own genes." She comes across as a screeching wacko. Who will ever go to a movie she's in ever again? (I don't think she's been in anything substantial for quite a while.)

Seeing some of these marchers stomping for "reproductive rights" (i.e., abortions) that one would have to think, "Why are they so concerned? Some of them are so ugly that no abortions would be necessary as no man would find them attractive enough to want to even touch." I've seen many Facebook posts by women absolutely appalled at the vagina costumes. Many said, "These idiots don't represent me!" "They are embarrassing!"

It is very hard to take anyone seriously when they dress like this (is she supposed to be a taco?):

This is supposed to be inspiring? If anything, it may keep people from missing the Ringling Bros. Circus. It was a circus on its own. This kind of behavior is a prime example why Donald Trump won the election and is now in the White House. These people are lunatics!

Read this from the Daily Mail.

Now We Know What CNN Stands For

Well, they earned it!

How Passenger Rights May Change

Above, an Airbus A380 at LAX. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the Obama Administration now history, people are beginning to wonder what changes, if any, will take place with the Dept. of Transportation where it concerns airline passenger rights.

According to Condé Nast Traveler:

As the Obama administration leaves Washington, D.C. and power changes hands, travelers might be wondering: What’s going to happen to the dozens of airline passenger protection rules that took effect—and others that are still pending? 

First, some context. During the past eight years, an unusually active team over in the Transportation Department pushed through a slew of new rules affecting air travel, starting with the three-hour tarmac delay requirement, which levied stiff punishments on airlines that held fliers in planes for hours on end. That was followed by other other policies, which allowed passengers to hold reservations for 24 hours before making final payment, increased compensation for passengers who were bumped; and a requirement for airlines to advertise prominently the full price of an airline ticket, including all taxes.

Since President Trump knows the travel industry inside and out, having run hotels and an airline, some are cautiously optimistic that no real changes will be made, especially on protections that have been in place for years and are popular with the traveling public.

To read more, go here.

Caesars Is Eyeing Japan

Above, Caesars Palace Forum shopping area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the bill that passed in the Japanese Diet on December 14 allowing for the legalization of casinos in Japan, U.S. casino operators are seeing opportunities to expand into Japan.

One of them is the parent company of Las Vegas's Caesars Palace.

According to GGR Asia:

U.S.-based casino group Caesars Entertainment Corp is “pursuing a number of growth opportunities in Asia, including Japan,” Steven Tight, its president of international development confirmed to GGRAsia. He added the group would “release information at the appropriate time”. 

The executive also said that Caesars was preparing to move forward on its previously-slated South Korea venture. 

The news comes as it was confirmed on Tuesday that Caesars Entertainment Operating Co Inc – which runs some of the group’s most profitable venues including flagship properties in Las Vegas – is on the path to concluding its reorganisation under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

To read more, go here. 

Osaka Saw Record Foreign Visitors In 2016

Above, Osaka Castle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One Japanese city that is often overlooked by tourists is Osaka.

Most tourists when coming into Japan largely confine themselves to Tokyo. When venturing out of Tokyo, they will head to Hiroshima or Kyoto. Since Osaka is a next-door neighbor to Kyoto, it is an easy place to reach.

Osaka is about a 30-minute commuter train ride from Kyoto. When in the city, there are subways available (although not quite as extensive as Tokyo's subway and train system) to get visitors to the city's attractions such as Osaka Castle and the Dotonbori restaurant district.

More people are discovering Osaka as record numbers of foreign visitors headed there in 2016 (I was last in Osaka in October 2015).

According to The Japan Times:

OSAKA – Over 9.4 million foreign tourists visited Osaka last year, the largest number ever, Osaka tourism authorities announced earlier this week. 

The figure represents a 31 percent increase on 2015, and is more than triple the number of foreign nationals who visited the city in 2013, officials added.

Naturally, since Osaka had been featured in Godzilla Raids Again (1955) and in Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989), kaiju fans have reason to visit the city.

To read more, go here.

It Has Arrived

The Navajo style rug/blanket arrived in yesterday's mail and I have already put it on The Beast's dinette seat backrest.

Here it is:

This will help to protect the cushions from Sierra's claws whenever we go on trips and she decides to do some climbing.

It's Pouring!

Above, the scene of the parking lot from my bedroom window. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It's a good thing that I planned to stay inside today to watch all of the Inauguration events. It is pouring outside!

The apartment building's parking lot has re-formed "Lake Tarzana" in a short period of time. I would have a heck of a time trying to get to my car if I had to go somewhere.

No complaints, though. We need the rain to make up for the years of drought.

Mr. President!

Mike Pence Sworn In As Vice President of the United States

Governor Mike Pence is sworn in as Vice President of the United States by Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas:

Trump's Lincoln Memorial Concert: Mike Deaver's Playbook

It was a feeling of seeing a "long-lost" friend again yesterday while watching the "Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration" concert at the Lincoln Memorial.

Yes, there was great entertainment by Toby Keith, Lee Greenwood and others, but it was a feeling that the late Michael K. Deaver returned from the grave to organize the event. The event was attended by thousands of people.

Deaver was known for setting up spectacular settings and backdrops for President Ronald Reagan during his eight years in office. The shots of the Lincoln Memorial, the concert and the fireworks afterwards seemed right out of Deaver's playbook on public events.

It helps also to have a photogenic new first family on hand.

Whomever organized the event for Donald Trump did an excellent job. After eight years of scarce patriotic symbols, this was a breath of fresh air.

Here's a video of the full concert:

Tomorrow

Tomorrow, our long national nightmare is over.

About the only good that Barack Obama did for American was that he was the best salesman for the gun industry that it ever had. I guess we can thank him for that.