At Sea
Aboard the MS Nordstjernen
Svalbard
August 8, 2015
My friends,
Here are a few facts about Svalbard:
Svalbard formerly known by its Dutch name Spitsbergen is a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. Situated north of mainland Europe, it is about midway between continental Norway and the North Pole.
Svalbard is the northernmost settlement in the world with a permanent civilian population.
At Sea
MV Nordstjernen
August 9, 2015
“Logodile”
I first heard the word logodile on a motorboat trip on the New River in Belize. Our destination was Lamanai, the archeological site of an ancient Mayan city deep in the jungle. Along the jungle river route we encountered what you might expect at 17 degrees north latitude in Central America: a thick green canopy of variegated flora and several species of birds.
One bird in particular remains vividly in my memory: a slight creature that gingerly scampers across the water atop the lily pads. Who can remember the proper name of this species? But the nickname is unforgettable: the Jesus Bird!
Plants and birds are fine, but somewhere out there lies an ancient, yet elusive reptile species. We search and search and search. Suddenly a passenger excitedly shouts, “I see one! I see one just over there!” The passengers scamper over to see. The tour guide takes a look and calmly responds in his oft repeated nonplussed manner, “Sorry folks, it’s only a logodile.” (A portmanteau word if there ever was one!)
There are no reptiles and nothing green here in the Arctic Ocean, at 78 degrees north latitude. There’s plenty of black and white and blue - a very special beauty. Plenty of sea birds too who make a living in the frigid north and surely some of the passengers aboard ship are counting and cataloging them.
Binoculars, however, are mostly focused on the surface of the sea and on the distant shorelines. We search and search and search.
Searchin' The Coasters. 1957.
July 21, 2015
The Kingdom of Denmark
Copenhagen, the capital city
A lovely city …
A bright city …
A colorful city …
A walkable city …
A modern city …
A traditional city …
And yet, a city where anything goes?
Dubrovnik (pop 42,615)
Croatia
June 9, 2015
Hello,
The crowds in Dubrovnik are overwhelming.
(If you’ve been here, you know what I’m talking about.)
Wikipedia says, “Dubrovnik is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic Sea.”
The Old Town is swarming with tourists and passengers on an excursion from their cruise ships. (Yes, ships! Every day, ships!)
Once again I employ my “Split Strategy.”
Butrint
Albania
May 15, 2015
A Fascinating Day
Butrint is surely the quintessential archeological site of Southeastern Europe.
Butrint became an urban center in the 4th Century BCE and was settled for several centuries before that. And even before that, this whole area was settled in prehistoric times.
The ancient Greek tribe Chaonians, the Romans, Byzantines, Ostrogoths, Bulgarians, Venetians, and Ottomans all occupied Butrint over the centuries. Even the French were here for a couple of years. Finally, Albania gained its independence in 1912 and rightfully took possession of this ancient city.
Saranda
Albania
May 16, 2015
My Driver and Me
So here’s what happens:
Sometimes I ask my driver to stop at what I consider to be a particularly lovely spot. For example, we find a quiet agricultural scene in the mountains and a lakeside retreat.
Occasionally my driver will insist on taking me to an important site. The ancient city of Apollonia is his choice today. The Greek columns are grand, of course, but I continue to be enthralled by the sculptures. How is it possible to convert a hunk of solid marble into a costume of diaphanous gauze?
