FZ200 - More exposure questions

I'm on my trip and trying to find time to post a few of my efforts but I continue have trouble with my exposure.

1. I frequently have to drop exposure 2.5 - 3 to get rid of blinkies. Is this normal?
   
2. When I try to "expose for the highlights" by for instance half clicking the shutter while pointing at the sky I get really black other parts. Is this the recommended thing to do?
3. Most of my landscape shots seem to require the Auto Bracket treatment. Is this expected?
4. When I spot focus on a white building against a landscape I get blinkies on the white building anyway. Why?
   

Any guidelines so I can do better the rest of my trip would be appreciated.

Picture will follow eventually.

--
Florida