This week, PR is closing out July with the challenge theme, “Balconies.” Thanks to our guest hosts for giving the Lens-Artists team a bit of a summer hiatus. In the challenge post here, PR writes, “What do you think about balconies? Do you have one of your own or are thinking of some that impressed you? I look forward to seeing your photos and reading your thoughts.“
My first photo for this post came to mind as I read PR’s challenge. In 2013, we visited Cartagena, Colombia, on a cruise through the Panama Canal. Our excursion in Cartagena found us riding a horse-drawn carriage through some of the city’s most beautiful parts. In those days, my lens choices were limited by my first DSLR camera and kit lens. As we rode down the street, I couldn’t get a more expansive view of this beautiful floral-covered balcony.
Large balconies are a fixture of many hotels and restaurants. One of the grandest balconies I’ve seen in the United States is above the main entrance to the Stanley Hotel. In addition to being spectacular for many reasons besides the beautiful balcony, the Stanley Hotel has a place in contemporary horror literature. A stay there inspired Stephen King to write “The Shining.”
Porters Western Saloon reserves its balcony space for a horse statue in Scottsdale, Arizona, where most bars and restaurants provide seating and service to their customers.
Arizona is replete with old and reconstructed buildings reflecting the architecture of the Old West. Above the Crystal Palace Saloon in Tombstone, Arizona, the balcony is access to four attorney offices that might have existed in the town’s heyday. Today, of course, those signs are just for show.
The building was built in 1879 and rebuilt in 1882 after a fire destroyed the original construction. It’s rumored that Wyatt Earp ran the gaming here, and Doc Holliday dealt poker. Of course, while that’s certainly a possibility, it’s also good advertising for a historic building featuring a bar and restaurant.
I’ve shared this image before under Challenges for Urban Environments and Assemetry, but it’s the only image I have of a modern building with residential balconies in the United States. This luxury condo building, constructed in 1988, has a contemporary design and appears to have outdoor space for every unit.
One of the more popular places for a balcony is a cabin on a cruise ship. As we went through the Panama Canal on the Norwegian Pearl, in the parallel lock, the cruise ship Norwegian Sun transited at the same time as the Pearl. At that time, we were in a cabin that didn’t include a balcony, and I was standing on the Promenade Deck as we went through the locks. That deck is the same level as the open area underneath the lifeboats on the ship in the adjacent lock. That deck seems lower only because their lock is at a lower water level than our lock at that moment. Seeing all the cabins with people standing on their balconies, I suddenly saw the value in having a room with a balcony. Since then, we’ve made it a point to spend the upcharge for that little extra “private” outdoor space.
On our transatlantic cruise in April 2023, leaving the Atlantic Ocean, we transited the Straits of Gibraltar and arrived on the Spanish coast at Malaga, Spain. Our excursion that day took us to Nerja, where we stood on the site of an old fort that had been lost to history. King Alfonso XII once stood at this high point along the coast and marveled at the view. He named the location “The Balcony of Europe.” A statue in his honor marks the occasion.
Yes, that’s me exercising on the hotel balcony. One has to keep fit, you know. Well, maybe not. I was at the Museum of Illusions and couldn’t resist having my photo taken on the illusional balcony.
Thanks to PR for this week’s “Balconies” challenge and to all our guest hosts in July. Leanne’s challenge got us thinking about traveling and enjoying “Tourist Attractions.” Elizabeth for her challenge in thinking double, “Pairs.” On Saturday, the Lens-Artists team returns with Patti hosting. If you’d like to participate in the challenge responses each week but are unsure how to get started, check here for details.
John Steiner
Some fine balconies here. I like the Porters Western Saloon one!
That horse has been on the balcony for many years. On our first visit to Scottsdale’s old town in 2012, it was there then.
Love the first one.
Their floral decorations are beautiful. I’d love to sit on the balcony and watch the world go by.
Wonderful bunch of balconies John
Thanks, Brian!
Great choices! Love the horse!
Thanks, Beth!
great choices John, I like your new Scarlett Place Condos balconies. A rather nice new built. the last one is great 😀
I’d love a unit in Scarlett Place, it’s such an inviting design… but then, I’d have to live in Baltimore, Maryland. No shade, but I’m not the big city type. >grin<
Cartagena was one of my first thoughts for this challenge too – I reckon I could have easily filled a post with photos taken just there! I love your Porters Western Saloon example, and the last shot made me laugh 🤣
Thanks, Sarah! Cartagena has some beautiful neighborhoods in the old city. Ever since seeing Romancing the Stone, I’ve wanted to visit there.
Yes, I loved the old town and also Gethsemane – did you get to that part?
We didn’t. That is near Boca Grande? We visited the fort and the convent on the hill. We also spent some time in the downtown area.
In that direction but not as far – just a short walk across the Parque Centenario
What a great collection, John! I especially liked the Stanley Hotel and Baltimore condos. Your photo at the illusion museum looked like fun, too.
Thanks, Egidio. I was so impressed with the design of that condo building and how they provided such large outdoor spaces.
That condo from Baltimore looks like it has more than enough, balconywise. But it is Porters which is the most fun
Porters is a fun place to enjoy a drink or a meal.
Fabulous balconies, John 😀! Love them! That apartment complex from Baltimore – never seen anything like that before..it’s amazing! And you’re the first one to show the balconies from the cruise 😀. Thanks for sharing!
I had to look for a bit to try to find some unusual balconies. Great challenge, PR!
An interesting and varied collection of balconies – love the horse!
Thanks, Nora!
Never seen a horse on a balcony before – thank you for that one! And for a gulp when seeing your “excercise”…
That horse attracts a lot of attention!
It should!
Good ones John! 👏
Thanks, John!
Hi John. Lovely collection! Wonderful variety and experiences.
Thanks, Patti!
Cartagena is a good place to illustrate the beauty of balconies; Scarlett Place is rather strange.
It is an unusual design for a condo complex.
Your opener is beautiful, John. And your last one had me giggling 🙂 Great finds too!
Thanks, Sofia!
Great post for this challenge John. You showed us an abundance of balconies through your travels. I liked the Scarlett Place Condos architecture.
Thanks. Anne! It is a beautiful place.
😊
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Great set of balconies John, nothing like a ship balcony. We loved having a small balcony when we went cruising.
We don’t even look at the pricing at the cabins without a balcony now.
Well-done John! Loved the horse on the balcony – great find! And of course the illusion of you upside down is fabulous!! Terrific set of balconies.
I have so few balcony shots, I was surprised to find as many as I did. >grin<