Many cool sights await visitors who come aboard Peruvian Navy training ship BAP Unión.
This morning I stepped aboard an amazing ship. The enormous Peruvian tall ship BAP Unión visited San Diego for the weekend!
The BAP Unión is a beautiful sailing vessel that is used to train cadets in the Peruvian Navy. The 378 foot, four-masted barque also operates as a floating goodwill ambassador, uniquely representing the nation of Peru.
San Diego is the first stop of BAP Unión’s first ever tour of the West Coast!
Please read the photo captions for more interesting information. Click the signs and they will enlarge for easy reading.
Four-masted barque BAP Unión docked at Broadway Pier in San Diego, during its 2019 tour of the West Coast.People explore the impressive tall ship during its visit to San Diego’s Embarcadero.Sign explains the BAP Unión’s figurehead, which represents emperor Túpac Inca Yupanqui, who led a fleet of rafts on a voyage of exploration across the Pacific Ocean.The bronze figurehead was sculpted by Peruvian artist Pilar Martínez.A gangway welcomes curious visitors during a sunny San Diego weekend.Bienvenidos a bordo al B.A.P. “Unión”On the main deck of BAP Unión, near the aft mainmast and its many working ropes.The ship’s shining bell.Tilting my head upward to gaze at the tall ship’s masts, yards and rigging.I’ve turned about to face the ship’s stern. I see plaques, the ship’s wheel and the bridge.Sign explains Peru’s coat of arms, a national symbol used by the country’s armed forces.Plaque commemorates the launching of BAP Unión on December 22, 2014. The ship was commissioned on January 27, 2016. At the time of her commissioning, she was the largest sailing ship in Latin America.Artistic metalwork can be found all over the perfectly maintained tall ship, including these medallion-like designs.Shining plaques in the wooden deck at the foot of some steps.Climbing up the steps that lead to an area near the ship’s bridge.Engraved at the edge of each step is BUQUE ESCUELA UNION.Looking back down at the wooden deck around the aft mainmast.A visitor aboard the BAP Unión checks out the impressive ship’s wheel.The words BUQUE ESCUELA A VELA UNION.A sign provides a description of the ship’s wheel.Looking forward across the amazing ship. Many downtown San Diego buildings rise in the background.Mounted above the ship’s bridge is Peru’s coat of arms.Walking past the bridge toward the stern of BAP Unión.Visitors pose for a photo at a second wheel at the rear of the large tall ship.Looking straight up into the San Diego sky at the billowing flag of Peru.Starting forward, about to pass the ship’s bridge.Sign explains the bridge, where modern navigation and steering controls are located, and where naval cadets train. The ship’s watch is constant under the command of an officer.About to descend steps, as I continue forward along the port side of the ship.A crew member on deck tends to some ropes.Another look upward before heading into an internal part of the ship.Inside a spacious cabin, visitors enjoy looking at many cultural displays that concern Peru, including exquisite crafts and textiles.A fantastic work of art represents Peruvian culture.A colorful Peruvian folk art figurine.An officer’s cap with books and more artwork on a shelf.As the self-guided tour proceeded, I took a photo through a window into the ship’s kitchen. This is where Peruvian dishes are prepared for the crew and foreign guests.Sign describes the kitchen of BAP Unión.I see some food being prepared!Back outside in sunlight on a more forward part of the main deck. Souvenirs from Peru could be purchased by visitors.Another flight of steps leads toward the ship’s bow.I couldn’t stop looking up.Visitors learn a bit about the tall ship’s operation, including how an anchor is lowered.An anchor chain, winch and other equipment operated by naval cadets near BAP Unión’s bow.Looking back across the upper deck of the picturesque Peruvian tall ship.One last sets of steps to descend before the self-guided tour ends.The incredible Peruvian tall ship BAP Unión visits San Diego.
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The Peruvian Navy training ship BAP Unión is presently docked at San Diego’s Broadway Pier. I walked out onto the pier late today to check out the enormous, four-masted tall ship!
The 3-year-old BAP Unión is a 378 foot steel-hulled barque, with a crew that includes many Peruvian naval cadets. As young sailors learn about duty aboard an amazing sailing ship, the BAP Unión serves as a fine ambassador for the nation of Peru wherever it goes. The handsome bronze figurehead, which includes symbols from the Inca culture, was created by Peruvian sculptor Pilar Martinez Woodman.
Today the tall ship begins her very first tour of the West Coast, following earlier stops at San Juan, Miami, Mayport, Norfolk and Boston. The BAP Unión will be docked at San Diego’s Embarcadero through this weekend, and visitors can enjoy tours aboard the vessel with an admission ticket to the Maritime Museum of San Diego!
As I walked out on Broadway Pier, I took some cool photos!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
I enjoyed a small photographic adventure yesterday evening.
Walking along the Embarcadero, camera in hand, I gazed out toward San Diego Bay and the descending sun. Occasionally I paused to frame long shadows, glowing clouds, silhouettes and bright reflections on the water.
These photographs represent a segment of my walk from Broadway Pier to the Greatest Generation Walk, just south of the USS Midway.
The exaggerated contrasts in these photos were produced by my camera’s automatic mode. When I shoot into the sun, many of the resulting images can appear very dramatic. And darkly mysterious!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
I was drawn to the Star of India today. I sat on a wooden bench of the historic tall ship and gazed out at sailboats gliding across the sparkling water of San Diego Bay.
Finally I stood up and walked about the Star of India’s sunny deck, trying to frame interesting effects of light and shadow with the lens of my camera.
Later, as I walked through the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s other vessels, I halted inside the Compass Gallery of the steam ferry Berkeley. My eyes were held fast by an exhibition of paintings titled Sea and Shore. Many of the canvases, painted by the hands of local artists, all members of the Plein Air Painters Association of San Diego, depict the Star of India.
I thought that contrasting a few of my photos with some of the dreamlike artwork might be fun.
Dozens of pieces in the Compass Gallery are available for purchase! If you’d like to sail through an ocean of beautiful nautical paintings, and perhaps take one home, head downtown to the Maritime Museum of San Diego!
Bert and Wes Working on the STAR, by artist Jeffrey Remmer.
She Rests, by artist Pamela Ingwers.
Aloft on STAR of INDIA, by artist Norm Daniels.
The STAR of INDIA at Sunset, by artist Pamela Ingwers.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Huge banner on sail of Star of India celebrates the 250th Anniversary of San Diego!
The City of San Diego has placed an enormous banner on a sail of the historic tall ship Star of India. Its bold message can be seen from many spots downtown. The banner celebrates San Diego’s 250th Anniversary!
In 1769, on the hill that overlooks what would eventually become Old Town, Spain began its settlement of the region by building El Presidio Reál de San Diego. Attached to the fort, the original Mission San Diego de Alcalá was established by Junípero Serra in the same year.
Back then the land was wide open and mostly wilderness. The mountains, hills, rivers and coast were home to the Native American Kumeyaay. European settlement brought about an abrupt change in the region’s history. For better or worse, 250 years later San Diego is quite a bit different!
What will San Diego look like in another 250 years? As our civilization evolves, and as technological breakthroughs accelerate, can anyone possibly imagine?
Together we sail into the future!
SAN DIEGO 250 – EST. 1769 – WHERE CALIFORNIA BEGAN
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Another perfect day for a walk, ride or four-legged run by San Diego Bay!
Favorite sights (plus a few surprises) greeted my eyes as I enjoyed a slow walk along San Diego Bay this afternoon!
Many others were out and about. The breeze was pleasantly cool. Blue sky and sunshine peeked through dramatic clouds.
I walked from the Maritime Museum of San Diego down to the Hilton San Diego Bayside, before turning for home.
Guys at the Maritime Museum of San Diego were busy cutting a chain on the barge.A museum volunteer cleans the top of Steam Ferry Berkeley. Good progress is being made on this historic ship’s exterior restoration!Cool guy Gary Reid provides soulful music by the USS Midway.Visitors to San Diego move along the Greatest Generation Walk toward the Embracing Peace statue.Bright flowers in the garden by The Fish Market restaurant.A couple pauses to gaze at fishing boats in Tuna Harbor.I aim my camera through stacked lobster traps. I believe the fuzzy white stuff is dead, sun-bleached algae.I think I recognize that pedicab driver.A bright sailboat on San Diego Bay, with Coronado in the background.I knew I recognized her! It’s Diane!Kyler MacKenzie plays gypsy music on his guitar near Seaport Village.A balloon twister guy heads off on his bike.Kids examine a kite near a tree at Embarcadero Marina Park North.Almost like a dream. Perhaps you can tell why I love San Diego.People with dogs on the grass, the Coronado Bay Bridge in the distance.A crow on some roots.The silvery Marriott Marquis and Marina. No rain in the afternoon, but dramatic clouds linger.Back near Seaport Village, I spotted this cool Popcorn Bar!Today is the second day of Seaport Village’s annual busker festival. George Gilbert from Fort Myers Beach, Florida entertains a good crowd.I always seem to see a snowy egret at this same spot in the Marriott Marina.Workers string some lights near the Marina Terrace.A pinwheel and a smile! You can’t go wrong with that combination!It’s a Wonderful Life.But getting old does present difficulties.The Flame of Friendship sculpture gleams up on the San Diego Convention Center.Walking along.Trees and clouds seen from Embarcadero Marina Park South.A large gull near diners at Burgers, Bait and Beer.Here come Spirit of San Diego and Admiral Hornblower. Both are coming from the South Bay on a harbor tour.A water taxi comes in from Coronado. That huge yellow Dole Atlantic ship is loading containers at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.Those empty containers being loaded by the ship’s crane will fill up with bananas eventually and come on back to San Diego.A look up at the Hilton San Diego Bayside from its side that faces away from downtown.Near the bayside entrance to the Hilton there’s a place to take photos. Greetings from San Diego.Another perfect early March day on San Diego Bay.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
I walked slowly along the Embarcadero this morning. As I started along San Diego Bay, the February sky was gray and occasionally drizzly.
For a Saturday relatively few people were about. The popular Tuna Harbor Dockside Market was busy, of course, but the first part of my walk was rather quiet. A couple firefighters were jogging on the grass near their fire engine at Seaport Village. I saw some birds, including a beautiful snowy egret. A few fisherman were trying their luck on the pier at Embarcadero Marina Park South.
I said hello to some familiar people.
As I turned back north, I noted a bit more activity. Guys in scuba gear were at work cleaning the hulls of boats in the Marriott Marina. Workers were getting tables ready at various waterside restaurants. Vendors were setting up booths at Ruocco Park’s new Saturday farmers market. Tourists were gathering at the foot of the Embracing Peace statue (originally called Unconditional Surrender) and atop the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum.
And, best of all, the street performers were out and smiling.
As usual the sun came out.
San Diego is magical.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Flags whip about in the wind at the stern of the USS Midway. Signs of a coming storm on San Diego’s Embarcadero.
A big winter storm is set to dump a lot of rain on San Diego this afternoon. So I figured I’d get my walk in this morning.
All along the Embarcadero the wind had already picked up, as you can see in these photographs!
If you’re in San Diego, be safe!
Swirly clouds above downtown precede a severe winter storm.Paul my painter friend was beginning to have a bit of trouble with the increasing wind!Gulls circle beyond boats tied up to the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market pier.What’s a little wind and chilly weather when there’s freshly caught fish waiting!Some light in the distance beyond the Coronado Bay Bridge as clouds deepen.The wind on San Diego Bay was really picking up by mid-morning.A saw few people about during my morning walk. Everyone must be hunkering down safely inside.A Seaport Village banner twists in a gust.These colors were really whirling and flying outside the Kite Flite shop!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
The following series of photos represents a span of time from about 45 minutes before sunset to about 10 minutes after sunset. I took these shots this evening.
I lifted my camera periodically as I sat on a bench beside Tuna Harbor, on San Diego’s beautiful Embarcadero.
It was interesting to watch how the light would subtly change.
Our world’s inexorable journey through space and time gradually transformed Tuna Harbor’s fishing boats, the water and the sky, and various downtown buildings.
I took these photos as I sat working on a new short story. I’m pretty sure it will be titled Light at the Edges.
I hope the story will be finished to my satisfaction in the near future. When the words feel right, I’ll publish them here.
Cool San Diego Sights! 