One of the more unusual designs among the 25,000 or so burial sites in the Cementerio General of Merida, Mexico, on the Yucatan peninsula.

The 16th century Cathedral of Merida, viewed from across Merida's grand central plaza, is said to be the oldest cathedral in the Americas.

A sculpture fronting the Atlas restaurant at Parkview Square, Singapore, an art deco-styled office building with an extensive collection of contemporary art.

Mid-afternoon Thursday in the historic district of Mexico City as pedestrians cross the street en masse in front of the impressive Palace of Fine Arts.

The Lighthouse of Chania, one of the world’s oldest lighthouses, was built during the Venetian era in the 16th century at the mouth of the Old Venetian Harbor in Chania, in the western part of Crete, the largest island in Greece. The lighthouse was modified during the Egyptian period in 1839, and again during the Turkish occupation of Crete in 1864. The 21-meter landmark (69 feet) is no longer operational and not open to visitors. Below are a couple more examples of Crete's rich history, both also located in the Apokoronas region of the island where I've been housesitting a villa since November.

One of 24 Venetian wells dating to the 11th century located about a kilometer above the village of Gavalochori. Peasant villagers traditionally watered their animals and socialized in the bucolic setting during the Venetian period of Crete occupation (13th to 17th century). More recently, some of the operating wells were closed to provide water for the village and are still in use.

This bridge over the Vrissianos River, near the rural village of Vrises, dates from the Roman era of Crete (approx. 300 BC to 300 AD) and is one of the island's oldest. Originally its arch was constructed precisely without mortar, and it is still a functional foot bridge while motor traffic moves along a modern highway bridge that is elevated and located just behind this one.

St. George's Monastery at Karydi, Crete, Greece, was an important olive oil producer in the region dating back to the 17th century.

Look! The Parthenon -- no, wait, the Parthenon's in Athens. This is a somewhat non-descript old building decaying in the village of Vamos, Island of Crete.

That's Tav the dog, whose daily delight is setting a brisk pace for our morning walk-and-run on the hilly roads where we live.

The morning sun climbs over the mountains to warm the valley.

Not much land is left where you can still plant a few olive or fruit trees.

A few row houses on a busy turn of the road.

From the Grapes of Heaven, comes wine.

A typically handsome stone house.

A weathered door in an old stone wall.

Looking over the valley toward the White Mountains.

A local Greek Orthodox Church.

A stand of flowers over a low stone wall.