Charleston Kaleidoscope - 2

I was a day ago walking around with my camera in the picturesque lanes of Charleston's Down Town. It was probably for the last time and I took the chance to say a quiet "Good Bye" to all the lovely and pretty places, before we will be leaving this wonderful town.

I don't like to go away from here because I know, I will miss all this beauty of the Southern lifestyle and hospitality!

I will miss also all the historical places and corners, all the big and impressive houses and the stories behind!

I will miss also all the pretty small houses, hidden away in private backyards!

And I will miss also all the many beautiful galleries where we spent many hours looking to the great art of artists from and about "The Lowcountry" here in South Carolina. Yes, Charleston is magic, Charleston is beautiful and Charleston will have always a special place in my heart!


There will be more "Good Bye" photos posted in the next days, stay with me!

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My first photo book about Key West is published now!
A pretty book not only for Key West fans...!
"Good Times in Key West - Seven Years in Paradise"
You can see a preview and place your order here


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ALL my CALENDARS 2009 are still available here:

* KEY WEST CALENDARS 2009
* CHARLESTON CALENDARS 2009
* FLORIDA CALENDARS 2009
* FLOWER CALENDARS 2009

Drayton Hall Plantation - Impressions #1

Drayton Hall Plantation House - side view

Looking out to the wonderful park.

A view trough the window.

A pretty stucco ceiling.

The ball room for gorgeous banquets and elegant balls.

The wooden floors are original and still in a beautiful condition.

The hallway to the two stairways to the 2nd floor.

The stairways were partially replaced and are not original anymore.

A big terrace gives you the fantastic view over the huge park and
all the old oak trees.

And to the left side you can enjoy the view to the little pond where a lot of big white Heron birds are fishing.

This house has and had NO air conditioners (of course), only to open all the windows helps on a hot summer day, to get some fresh air rotating in the house.

View from the basement window to one of all those impressive old oaks.

Drayton Hall Plantation House

If these walls could talk... Let our guides introduce you to a house that has survived for over 265 years-the only 18th-century plantation house on the Ashley River to survive intact to present day.

Examine the architectural details-the mahogany swags, the hand-carved molding, the plaster ceilings-that make the house renowned.

Meet the families-both white and black-who lived and worked here for generations. Learn about the preservation efforts that keep this house in near original condition today.

Read more about online here

The Beauty of Magnolia Gardens #1

The historic Gardens, a beautiful place to be

A moment of peace

Azaleas, Azaleas.... everywhere!

It's like out of a dream

Founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, Magnolia Plantation has survived the centuries and witnessed the history of our nation unfold before it from the American Revolution through the Civil War and beyond. It is the oldest public tourist site in the Lowcountry, and the oldest public gardens in America, opening its doors to visitors in 1872 to view the thousands of beautiful flowers and plants in its famous gardens.

watch a video about the Gardens here

Touring Down Town in a Horse Carriage

On a wonderful warm spring day like these it's the best thing to do for tourists, take a horse carriage ride! You will see and experience the charm of this town the most this way, listening to the tour guide words.

The horses stop here and there and you will not miss out one of those wonderful historic houses and corners.

And this wonderful animals are waiting very patiently.

Let's go, up to the next destination!

With my next visitors from abroad I will be also a horse carriage tourist, special when my grandchildren will be visiting me one day. :-)

WELCOME TO CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Street scene in Charleston's Down Town

Inviting house front in Charleston

In front of "The Market" in Down Town

Swamps are typical for this region too

And the sunsets here will be very different too - than in Key West


Hello my friends,

I'm back again!

Our move went very smooth so far. Our travel trip of 750 Miles away from Key West to Charleston,SC in the North was big fun - only the weather went from 78F down to 34F and that was a big shock for us, coming from warm Key West, wearing always only shorts and flip-flops every day. I had to buy first warm long pants and closed shoes for me...LOL..

We are now moved in to our very nice apartment and are waiting for the delivery of new furnitures. As soon as we are established here, we will be running out to explore and I will have time enough to do new photos from this very nice town. I'm very excited!