Jumping horse statues, gaudy fountains

Hearst Castle - the spiritual home of neoclassicism - was the inspiration behind  Orson Well's Citizen Kane, and could well be the inspiration for pretty much every Hong Kong property developer. If this name has not been used in HK yet, it will be in the future.

Jumping horse statues, gaudy fountains, Roman and Greek pillars, tapestries, heated swimming pools (indoor and outdoor) - fit perfectly with the aspirations of any would-be tycoon. The only difference is that at Hearst Castle all the art and statues are real, purchased at unimaginable cost. And no HK development is yet to offer a private landing strip with a DC-3.

From here we passed up to Paso Robles - California wine country - where we enjoyed some wonderful Zinfandels. If only they also had 0% tax. Strangely, I noticed that the football team of the local adult shop played in Newcastle United colours...