Kiev or Kyiv

Київ - Ukrainian

Киев - Russian

pop 2,900,000

Ukraine - Україна

June 2, 2018

Kiev is a big city.  Come stroll with me.  Hike, actually.

On my first day, from the Gallery Gintama Hotel, I climb up the steep hill towards the enormous, gold-domed, blue St. Michael’s Monastery.

In St. Sophia Square I spot a monument to Princess Olga, a demure wife and mother who became a vicious and vengeful ruler.  Nearby, a monument to Bohdan Khmelinytsky dominates the square - a hero to many and a prejudiced and bloody villian to others. 

In the square, I chance upon a large demonstration.  Many children are in attendance along with their parents, grandparents and clergy.   What is the occasion?

Palanga

Lithuania

September 16, 2014

My guidebook says it’s “Worth a Trip.” 

So from this coastal city of Palanga I drove east towards the town of Kretinga and then northeast towards the village of Salantai to see Orvydas Garden, “…one of the most unusual sights in all of Lithuania.” *

The Orvydas Garden was the work of stonemason Kazys Orvydas (1905-89) and his oldest son turned Franciscan monk Vilius (1952-92).  The carvings were originally created for the village cemetery in nearby Salantai but were brought here to the Orvydas homestead after then Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev turned his wrath on religious objects in the 1960’s.  The Soviets later blocked access to the house to prevent visitors getting to the persecuted Orvydas family.”*

Paramaribo

Suriname

February 4, 2018

Why did the United States and her allies defeat Germany and her allies in World War Two?  Was it superior leadership or manpower or strategy or materiel?  Or all of the above?

Certainly, the country of Suriname does not come to mind as a significant factor in the War.

And yet, the mineral resources of Suriname, a small country in South America, played an important role in the eventual victory of the Allies.

Bauxite was a key to success.

In Suriname I visited the closed bauxite processing plant.  You can learn a lot of history from “skeletons.”

Paramaribo

Suriname

February 2, 2018

I met Lucy on my flight from Georgetown, Guyana to Paramaribo.

I invited her to join me on my Dolphin Tour.

We did see a few dolphins and several elegant birds that nest along the shore or in the waters in the bay.

The Atlantic Coast here is “wild.”

And tell me, who can resist a photo shoot with a young Brazilian woman in her “bee-kee-nee”?

Paramaribo

Suriname

February 3, 2018

In Paramaribo I visited the downtown area.  Known for the Dutch colonial structures, the inner city of Paramaribo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site,  Some of the structures reminded me not of Amsterdam but of New Orleans. 

I also visited the Zeeland Fort and Museum.

The Chinese community here supports several Asia style markets that certainly draw my attention: green vegetables, Chinese buns, roast duck, even sushi. And "Kaaiman Saté."

When I posted a photo of the capture of a huge Black Caiman (Alligator) in Guyana, a friend asked, "Did you release it or cook it?" 

In Guyana, the researchers released the Black Caiman.  But here in Suriname, the Asian market has "Kaaiman Saté" on sale.  I couldn't resist.

I stayed at the Eco Resort Inn Paramaribo and used that as a base for my travels.

Read all about the capital city of Suriname: