Reinicializar a pesquisa
Chris Dickson
Chris Dickson

Chris Dickson

viajou para 57 países Leia mais🇦🇺Sydney
SeguirMensagemEstatísticas
  • Chris DicksonIceland 2024Viajante
    Harpa
    The old harbour area"Pufa", or at least as close as we got to itSharon and another blockheadCity HallRainbow StreetRainbow Street leading to the cathedralThe magnificent HallgrimskirkjaLeif Erikson, having finished raping and pillaging, discovering America and designing mobile phones"Sun Voyager"

    Reykjavik

    14–15 de ago. 2024, Islândia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Our cruise, and all the decadence, luxury and excessive consumption that it entails, was coming to an end, sadly, but before our last night on board we got out to explore Reykjavik.

    The impression it gives is of a modern city - although small at a population of 240,000 - that is a happy blend of historic and new and where everything fits in.

    We started with Harpa, a modernistic performance space and conference centre, all angles and coloured glass and perched right on the water’s edge.

    Then we looked in at the historic port area, with lots of informative signage and a view of “Pufa”, an interesting installation consisting of a mound with a spiral path leading to its top. Must mean something.

    We set off to walk to Pufa, but took a wrong turn and ended up with about forty metres of water between us and it, so gave up on the idea.

    We had a look at the lake that occupies a few blocks in the centre of town, with the maligned but somehow appropriate City Hall building nestled alongside it.

    The Roman Catholic cathedral is nice in an Icelandic-austere sort of way, but pales into insignificance once you see its Lutheran counterpart standing on top of an even bigger hill and towering over the whole city.

    In Reykjavik it somehow seems appropriate that Rainbow Street, the city’s symbol of support for the Pride Movement, leads straight on and upward to Hallgrimskirkja, the aforementioned Lutheran Cathedral.

    It took forty years to build the church, completed in 1986, and if you like magnificent towering buildings with curves that are just right (think Eiffel Tower) it was time and money well spent.

    A quick look at “Sun Voyager”, a stainless steel boat statue on the waterfront, and were back on our own boat for our last night, one spent packing and having a last pleasant meal and too much to drink with our wonderful group of friends.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonIceland 2024Viajante
    Arriving
    Main Street, IsafjordurMemorial for Drowned Fishermen (1974)Back home again...

    Isafjordur

    13–14 de ago. 2024, Islândia ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Tucked up in the north-west corner of Iceland, at the head of the pretty Skutulsfjordur fjord, lies Isafjordur, population 3,230, or 230 once the ship sailed out.

    It’s a launching point for excursions to different places, and quite nice, with some pretty buildings - and some quite industrial and ugly - and a nice, neat little main street area.

    We walked downtown - about a hundred metres - then back around the waterfront and by a zig zag route to the ship.

    And that was it. It was very nice, though. And it barely rained at all.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonIceland 2024Viajante
    Even the garbage bins dress warm
    Akureyi Main StreetAkureyi botanical gardenPlant life in the gardenAkureyi architectureThe museumAntique MieleInside Nonni's house

    Akureyri

    12–13 de ago. 2024, Islândia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Overnight, we briefly sailed north of the Arctic Circle before arriving in Akureyi around seven o’clock on a calm, dry but rather cold morning.

    Iceland’s largest city outside the Capital Region, absolutely heaving with a population of about 20,000, it’s quite a pretty little town, once past the port area - this one with an interesting aroma about it, a heady mix of fertiliser, stale fish and varnish.

    We walked downtown to a very picturesque, pedestrianised main drag. Among its many attractive buildings was the perfect travellers’ facility - a combined hostel, laundromat and Irish Pub, with a kebab shop next door.

    A short walk further on was the immaculately maintained botanical garden, founded in 1910 to beautify the city and, at fifty kilometres below the Arctic Circle, one of the world’s most northerly.

    We walked on past houses of different styles and materials, corrugated iron, pressed tin and concrete among them.

    Finally we came to the Akureyi Museum. It was interesting, with lots of social features on entertainment, shopping and celebrations. Ash Wednesday was a big one; the children would tie ashes on to each other’s backs and “scare a cat out of a barrel”, whatever that entailed. Come to think of it, there were some rather traumatised-looking cats around, too.

    Jon Sveinsson, aka “Nonni”, was a Jesuit Priest and well-known children’s author. His home, one of the oldest in town and built around 1840, has been situated next to the museum and we poked our noses through his stuff on the way out. It was a good experience for us short-statured people, as his house was full of incredibly low doorways and beams.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonIceland 2024Viajante

    Alesund

    10–11 de ago. 2024, Noruega ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    We awoke to a view of beautiful pastel-coloured art nouveau buildings, a small port area and a lot of rain.

    A large part of Alesund was destroyed by fire in 1904, and was then rebuilt in a consistent and very attractive style, with the added benefit of sanitation. The town centre is pedestrian-friendly, if cobblestoned, with an irregular street pattern that lends even more interest to it.

    We made our way to Storhaugen, a viewpoint to the west of town looking down on the old harbour area, then clambered down an overgrown trail to the waterfront, with a breakwater and a small lighthouse which now serves as the honeymoon suite for a local hotel.

    Then it was time for some more ten dollar coffees - heaven only know what we’ll do when we have to start paying for food and alcohol on shore as well - before walking a few more blocks and making our way back to the ship. The rain had, of course, finished by the time we were heading back.

    Our departure was at five o’clock, by which time the wind had strengthened and it was not pleasant out on deck.

    As soon as we left the coast we turned north-west toward Iceland, a day and a half’s sailing away. The swell wasn’t very big, but with the strong winds buffeting the twelve storeys of Prima that are above the water there was quite a bit of lurching about going on, both by the ship and the passengers, even some of the sober ones.

    It was too much for Sharon, who sensibly turned in early, and through the night the weather improved so that our sea day was much more gentle.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonIceland 2024Viajante
    Sailing up the fjord, around six am, careful steering required
    First views of GeirangerThe ship and its motley crewCascading river and the steps to the Fjord CentreView from the Fjord CentreLast view - about nine pmReturning along Geirangerfjord

    Geiranger

    9–10 de ago. 2024, Noruega ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    It was an awesome sight, waking early, looking out the window and seeing the cliffs of the fjord towering over the ship as we sailed through the narrow and twisting passage. The weather was threatening, which gave the whole scene an atmosphere of remoteness and unspoilt beauty.

    This was the Geirangerfjord, and at its inner end was Geiranger, a small village of 250 people, about a hundred motor homes and, once we arrived, 3,000 day trippers.

    Naturally, it was raining as we climbed a steep metal staircase alongside a rushing river cascading down the hill. At the top was the Fjord Visitor Centre, with ten dollar coffees and an interesting museum showcasing the people, nature and geology of the remote, UNESCO World Heritage, area. An avalanche in 1934 caused a tsunami sixty metres high in the nearby Tafjord, so nature here is clearly a force to be reckoned with.

    The cliffs of the fjord rise 1,400 metres above the sea in places (and 500 metres below). Therefore we were looking forward to watching our progress back out of the fjord. We were a little disappointed, then, when a group of late returners delayed our nine pm departure. We were then a little more disappointed when the weather closed in and, before we had done our u-turn to get under way, it was pouring. The result was a whole bunch of dark photos and a return to the bar for some more imbibing.

    Our short overnight passage took us to the mouth of the fjord and Allesund, our next destination.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonIceland 2024Viajante
    2The walk from the port
    Fish delicacyBryggenBryggenA goat2MV Norwegian PrimaView from Mt FloyenBergen Opera

    Bergen

    8–9 de ago. 2024, Noruega ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Although it is the second city of Norway with a population of around 290,000, Bergen is a perfect destination for a cruise ship - very scenic and with all its main sights concentrated in quite a small area.

    Add to this World Heritage status for the Bryggen dock area and you have an excellent spot to wander around trying to keep dry in the sporadic rain showers.

    We wandered into town up and down narrow cobblestoned streets, lined with pastel-painted timber houses and looking very nice in the slightly misty atmosphere.

    Then, the Fish Market, or more appropriately, the Fish and Other Yucky Things Market, with whale salami and moose and reindeer meat on sale as well.

    Further around Byfjorden, the neat little inlet surrounded by the old town, was Bryggen, a row of old painted timber warehouses repurposed into tourist traps but picturesque nonetheless. Rebuilt in parts after regular fires, most recently in 1955, they were apparently hammered together by carpenters for whom the ninety-degree angle was a foreign concept.

    In increasingly dodgy weather, we then made our way to the Floibanen, a funicular railway which took us up 300 metres up Mt Floyen, something of an oasis in the city and made up of spectacular views, shops, walking tracks and goats.

    The modern city, a short walk from the old town, is also attractive, with broad streets and squares and some nice buildings.

    Tonight we sail north and enter Geraingerfjord, which should make for some spectacular views for a few days.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonIceland 2024Viajante
    Amsterdam Centraal Station
    Attractive building in Dam Square - now a wax museum!Attractive building near Dam Square - now a shopping centre!Salvaged and tastefully refurbished bicycleThe Flower MarketSomething interesting at the Flower Market - don't know whatSome but not all the Amsterdam visitors

    Amsterdam

    6–7 de ago. 2024, Países Baixos ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    We have to keep remembering that it’s summer, and the peak of the tourist season. Therefore, everything’s hot and crowded, the hot part being ironic on a cruise to Iceland.

    We kicked off Amsterdam with a cruise of the canals, stuffed into the boat like sardines and, in our case, in the unshaded, stiflingly hot part of the boat. Enough complaining, though, as the trip and the commentary were excellent.

    We sailed up the Prinsengracht Canal, heard about the millions of wooden piles that support the buildings of Amsterdam and admired the crooked buildings that result from holding a building up in soggy ground using wooden piles.

    Then, landed, we made our way up to Dam Square and a most imposing Royal Palace, or at least a Royal Palace covered in most imposing scaffolding. It probably was due for some TLC, mind you, having been built in 1655. The Dutch monarch is well catered for in the palace department, having this and two others to choose from for his digs.

    In order to give some purpose to our wanderings, we then headed to the Flower Market, or, in the season of our visit, the Bulb, Seed and Souvenir Market. Lining a whole block of the Singel Canal, It was crowded with tourists - and, no doubt, pickpockets - and a nice change from the usual canal-side scenery of parked cars and salvaged, muddy, rusty bicycles.

    On our way back, we saw more of the free and easy side of Amsterdam, passing dope shops, “cookie” shops and sex shops in plenty. And this right in the respectable middle of town.

     Before long, our sweaty bodies and aching feet were back on board the ship, ingesting fluids - mainly alcoholic - and getting ready for dinner.

    Our last treat for the day was the passage through the lock, out of the Ij and back into the North Sea. It was incredible to see a hundred thousand tons of steel, plastic and expanding waistlines squeeze into a lock only a few metres wider than the ship without the slightest scrape.

    The days are getting longer - sunrise is at ten to six tomorrow morning and sunset at quarter to nine at night.

    Tomorrow we are at sea, most likely overindulging; the next footprint will be Bergen.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonIceland 2024Viajante
    Norwegian Prima in Southampton
    1Bruges Markt SquareProvincial Hof, in the Markt SquareThe Church of Our Lady (13th-15th centuries)

    Bruges

    5–6 de ago. 2024, Bélgica ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    It was great to arrive yesterday in Southampton and get (a fair bit of) the band back together on board MS Norwegian Prima, the ugly, floating block of flats that is to take us to Iceland.

    Once we got our bearings, found our cabins and totally abused the free drinks packages, we had dinner, fell asleep and awoke ready to visit Bruges.

    Once we had caught the shuttle to town - about a thirty-minute trip - we joined about ten thousand (small exaggeration) other tourists on the well-trodden path around the town, over bridges, through squares and past chocolate shops.

    Even with all the people, it was a beautiful place to see, with its canals winding all around the centre of town. Every bridge, even every glimpse of a canal provides another opportunity for the ten thousand phones, cameras and selfie sticks.

    We walked to the Markt Square, with its Bell Tower dating from 1240 and rows of buildings looking typically Belgian in their stone work and decoration.

    Then, on to the Burg, an enclosed fortress in the tenth century and another attractive town square today before we made our way back past the Dijver, a strip of park alongside the canal, to the Church of Our Lady - with the third tallest brick tower in the world - and finally the the lovely Minniewater Park to our starting point.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonIceland 2024Viajante
    The Spinnaker Tower
    HovercraftRyde Pier, 681 metres long and the world's first pleasure pierIsle of Wight, looking back to PortsmouthHMS AllianceCompletely bizarre arcade game, the victim's head lights up when the switch is thrownOn board HMS VictoryHMS Victory gun deckRemaining half of the Mary RoseRemaining half of the Mary Rose's dog

    Portsmouth Hornpipe

    1–4 de ago. 2024, Inglaterra ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    We’ve just crammed quite a bit into two-and-a-half days in Portsmouth.

    It was hot for most of our visit, summer school holidays and accordingly crowded, both at the historic attractions and the modern-day parts of the waterfront area.

    These are interspersed, so it was interesting to walk along, one minute passing the futuristic, touristy Spinnaker Tower, the next passing by the Camber, now a small fishing port but originally the site of the first Norman settlement in the area.

    Our walk continued south, past the historic fortifications of Portsmouth Harbour, the occupants being somewhat paranoid about the French. We passed the Round Tower (1426) and the Square Tower (1494) and associated fortifications, then the ruined Domus Dei Royal Garrison Church - founded as a hospice for pilgrims in 1212 - came into very photogenic sight, and from there we walked on to Clarence Pier.

    The pier was first-rate tacky, crowded with tattooed people eating chips and hotdogs between amusement rides.

    Just past the pier was the hovercraft landing stage. The world’s only commercial operating hovercraft service, and the only seagoing craft that requires a pilot’s licence to operate, we saw them come and go frequently as they shuttled back and forth to the Isle of Wight.

    Speaking of which, we took a ferry across to the island for a day of riding around on the bus. It was a pleasant day; we sailed across to Ryde, walked to the shore via its 681-metre pier and did a quick tour of the north-east part of the island. From the slightly elevated interior the views back across to Portsmouth were magnificent; on the island there was some nice coastline and plenty of elegant-if-faded lodges.

    Finally, we spent a day at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

    We took a water bus across to Gosport and toured the WW2 submarine HMS Alliance, for which Sharon, claustrophobic, probably set the record internal bow-to-stern submarine sprint.

    Climbing through the innards of HMS Victory was fascinating, listening to the story of the Battle of Trafalgar as we went. Not listening too intently, though, as there was a constant chance you might bump you head or trip over something.

    Finally, we looked at the Mary Rose, or at least the half a Mary Rose they dug out of The Solent in the 1970’s. It looks all majestic in its dimly lighted, humidity-controlled environment, and each level of the sip is related to artefacts recovered at the same time, including the skeleton of the ship’s dog.

    All in all, we had quite a busy but enjoyable few days before setting sail on our cruise.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonIceland 2024Viajante
    "The Arch", Henry Moore, 1979, in Kensington Gardens
    Potter, H, on the Nimbus 5000"The Flooded Garden", Oscar Murillo, 2024, in the Tate ModernDulux, in the Tate ModernThe atmospheric Leadenhall MarketHampton Court Palace and gardensHampton Court interiorHampton Court interiorHampton Court Palace gardens1The former Battersea Power Station, from the boat back to London

    London Calling

    29 de jul.–1 de ago. 2024, Inglaterra ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    After almost fifteen hours on a plane, we hadn’t planned to sit down and relax for over an hour waiting for our bags to appear. However, after a couple of drinks in the fabulous beer garden at our hotel all was forgiven and we were ready to explore.

    Having already seen most of the A-list London attractions on previous visits, we spent the next day walking and looking at things we hadn’t seen before.

    It was a hot day as we walked through Kensington Gardens and down to Leicester Square, complete with statues of Paddington Bear, Harry Potter, Mary Poppins and sundry other stars of stage and screen.

    Then came Trafalgar Square (the first time we had seen it in fine weather, actually) and, across the Jubilee Bridge and along the Thames riverbank, the Tate Modern, in the cleverly repurposed Bankside Power Station.

    We took in the varied art, from the weirdly interesting to what seemed like the template for a Dulux colour card, before a walk up to Leadenhall Market and our return to West Ealing, and our new favourite beer garden.

    Our final London activity was a trip to Hampton Court Palace, dating from 1529 in Henry VIII’s reign, and then hugely extended and modified by William III in the 1690’s.

    Informative audio guides in our ears, we enjoyed the whole experience, from Henry VIII’s bedrooms to his kitchen (complete with fake legs of mutton and a real cooking fire) and from William III’s apartments to the magnificent gardens.

    We then made our way home by way of the River Thames, an interesting few hours cruising down the river through the locks.

    Truth be told, interesting or not, the Thames isn’t exactly the most scenic of rivers. We alternately passed terribly expensive houses and apartments, beached vessels in various stages of disrepair on the muddy riverbank and kids swimming and cavorting in the heat of the afternoon.

    So ended our short London stay. Next stop, Portsmouth.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonIceland 2024Viajante
    Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
    Meiji Jingu - the Meiji Shrine1Saki Barrels - only decorative, no actual sakiAnamori Inari - our local area

    Hello Tokyo

    27–29 de jul. 2024, Japão ⋅ ☁️ 35 °C

    Our stopover on this trip was Tokyo, where we had a relaxing day amongst the trees and gardens of the city.

    From Shinjuku Station - the world’s busiest, with around four million people passing through a day - it was an easy walk to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, or at least it would have been, had it not been over thirty degrees and steamy.

    We enjoyed the garden, though, especially the beautifully groomed Japanese section, and after a light lunch we sweated our way over to the Meiji Shrine.

    Located in 170 acres of parkland with about 120,000 trees, it was awash with people there either to worship or to have a day out.

    The shrine dates back to 1921, and commemorates the rule of Emperor Meiji who died in 1912. The allies bombed it to bits in the war and it was rebuilt in 1956.

    We took a few pics of the shrine and the barrels of French wine and saki on display - saki barrels are a common shrine decoration but the wine casks symbolise Emperor Meiji’s innovative embracing of foreign concepts and influences - before walking down to the station to get the train back to our hotel. Well, actually, we caught the train back to the airport, because we got on the wrong one. Otherwise, though, we had a great - if stifling - day in Tokyo.

    Our local area was quite picturesque, too.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonBorneo 2024Viajante
    1Hornbill
    Pointless bird hide sittingBad pic of bird taking fishFishing village near TabinIntrepid mariner 1En route back to KKFinal wildlife sightingR and R at KKHappy travellers and friends

    Kota Kinabalu (2) and recap

    16 de abril de 2024, Malásia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    After the early starts and sticky rainforest and bouncy, hard boat seats it was great to arrive back in KK, still sticky, of course, but looking forward to a few days of idleness.

    We stayed on the waterfront, with the islands of the Turku Abdul Raman Marine Park just offshore, and the most incredible sunsets, although it took a few days before we got out of the bar in time to see one.

    With Grab (the Malaysian Uber) cheap and efficient, it was a simple matter to venture downtown for shopping or dinner.

    After we had been here for three days, we got news of the eruption of Mt Ruang, a volcano on an island to the east of Sabah. Winds sent the ash our way, causing flights from KK to Kuala Lumpur to be cancelled. The hotel filled up as people had to extend their stays; some people were advised that the next available flight for re-booking was not for a week.

    As it turned out, we weren’t affected, and all too soon we were heading for home, with some great memories in tow.

    With an amazing and unique set of wild animals, and beautiful places and settings from which to see them, culture and history ranging from head hunters through to the Second World War, and mostly very friendly and helpful people, Sabah proved to be a great destination. Plus it’s reasonably cheap!

    Of course, the trip wouldn’t have been anywhere as good without Steve and Kim, travel companions par excellence! Great experiences are always better when shared with good friends and loved ones!    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonBorneo 2024Viajante
    Nipah palms along the river
    Nipah - palm cousin to tje mangroveAnother Borneo sunsetBornean brown cuckooTwo Bornean brown cuckoosBornean shrewSabah partridgeYearning Sabah partridge, doomed to disappointmentFlying foxes taking a napOn a rainforest walk

    Tabin

    14 de abril de 2024, Malásia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    It took a long morning’s bouncy travel to reach Tabin Rainforest Lodge, nestled on the edge of the Tabin Wildlife Reserve and close to the coast.

    Where our Sukau lodge was quite large and full, with numerous helpful and friendly staff and excellent service, our Tabin digs had only six rooms, a few staff and NO WHITE WINE.

    We decided to stay anyway, and late on our first afternoon cruised down the river, past kilometres of nipah palms, to the coast.

    The atmosphere was fabulous as we made our way slowly back in the encroaching darkness, then, near to home, we came to the fireflies. What a sight! Hundreds of tiny, flickering pinpoints of light in the trees; they were quite captivating, especially from our peacefully floating viewpoint on the boat.

    Then, our eyes becoming more and more attuned to the darkness, we looked to the sky, and had another wonderful moment under the canopy of stars that we city people don’t often get to see.

    The following morning we visited two bird hides.

    Firstly, the Bornean brown cuckoo, a very obliging bird who turned up with his mate and alternately pecked and looked around until we had taken our fill of photos.

    The second hide was that for the Sabah partridge. Here is an excerpt from the diary:

    7:30 - arrive at bird hide
    7:35 - leaf drops from tree
    7:40 - start playing female Sabah partridge sounds over loudspeaker
    7:41 - male Sabah partridge shows up, starts calling out expectantly
    7:50 - tourists go off to have hot breakfast, Sabah partridge still calling out expectantly
    7:55 - Sabah partridge shakes head, looks around and goes home alone and disappointed.

    We also took another spin on the river and down to the sea and saw some Irrawaddy Dolphins, then drove up a narrow twisting tributary - think “The African Queen” - to see the flying foxes roosting.

    In the late afternoon we took a hot, sweaty walk through the jungle, not seeing a lot but kind of enjoying tripping over tree roots and dodging vines as we stumbled along.

    On the morning we left Tabin, we visited one more bird hide, deep into the forest. We clambered through a muddy gully and slipped and stumbled up and down hill until we reached the hide, whereupon they played the female call over and over for forty minutes. Then we all gave up and sweated and puffed our way back to the vehicle. Just goes to show that the twitchers of the world have more patience than we do.

    And that was the end of the rainforest adventure. We are now en route back to Kota Kinabalu for some (we think) well-deserved R and R.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonBorneo 2024Viajante
    2Sukau Rainforest Lodge
    Proboscis monkeyHornbillBig angry crocodileSmaller irate crocodileSmall, no-doubt-angry snakeKingfisherCute young jungle inhabitantSenior citizens

    Sukau

    11 de abril de 2024, Malásia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    It was a two-and-a-half hour ride by speedboat up the Kinabatangan River to Sukau Rainforest Lodge, where have spent the past three nights.

    On the trip up our guide told us he would stop to show us any significant wildlife sightings, but we didn’t need to stop, mainly because he was asleep for most of it.

    We arrived around four in the afternoon, and soon boarded a small boat to look for wildlife. It was oppressively hot and sticky, but peaceful yet fun buzzing around from one side of the river to the other as the guide pursued possible wildlife.

    Africa has its “big five” - the lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe and elephant, and Australia its “big four” - the kangaroo, emu, platypus and tall poppy. In Borneo there is the orang utan, proboscis monkey, hornbill, crocodile and pygmy elephant.

    We saw our first orang utan in the wild very quickly, shortly followed by a host of proboscis monkeys. The monkeys are apparently quite easy going and will happily help to groom members of other monkey species - this is not surprising, as anyone lumbered with a nose the size of that on the male proboscis monkey would have to be pretty easy going.

    From the right angle the males look like a chubby Mr Magoo without his glasses.

    Hornbills were also plentiful, although a little harder to see in the tree tops. Of the rhinoceros hornbill variety, however, there was only the briefest of sightings.

    Then there was the crocodile, which was also plentiful, both large - very large, in fact - and small.

    Of the pygmy elephant, though, there was no sign whatsoever. Our guide kept promising that there were elephants in the area, and each boat excursion included the enticement that they were “waiting for the word” that the elephants were down by the river. What rot.

    In all, we spent eight hours numbing our bottoms on the slightly padded seats of the boat, and came away very happy with the animal sightings and the experience. Especially in the early mornings, the air was cool, the mist was rising from the still river and there was a sense of anticipation about the day - and the big breakfast awaiting our return.

    One of our boat trips was at night. No pygmy elephants, funnily enough, but we saw lots of small crocodiles, (luckily) small snakes and some incredibly colourful kingfishers and other birds of different varieties. It was a bit surreal zooming across the blackness of the river, with the guide using the only light on the boat to scan the bank for animals, rather than watch where he was going.

    And it was peaceful. We stopped the engine (deliberately, I hope) and drifted for some time under a canopy of stars and in the enveloping silence. The waxing moon, in its last nights, shed a tiny reflection on the otherwise dark river.

    With this peace and tranquility in mind (and the multitude of animals out there waiting to poison and/or eat us), we move on to the Tabin Conservation Area, and… the leeches.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonBorneo 2024Viajante
    Juvenile orang utan
    Short-tailed macaque stealing orang utan foodUnusual table manners1Other rehabilitation centre inmatesBornean sun bearCanopy walkwayRocky the Flying Squirrel prepares for takeoff.

    Sepilok

    9 de abril de 2024, Malásia ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Sepilok is about half an hour from Sandakan and was a great start to the jungle part of our trip.

    First up was the Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, where orphaned young and otherwise deserted animals are nurtured and prepared for life in the wild.

    They are the most amazing animals (mum rears her baby for up to nine years before they go out on their own) and we spent some time watching the juveniles and then the older animals feeding. They are fed only a small amount so that they will go and forage for more by themselves, and possibly become completely independent.

     Next stop was the Bornean Sun Bear Centre.

    Bornean Sun Bears have a few natural disadvantages, chiefly of which is a gall bladder that secretes bile that in some cultures is regarded as a powerful aid for libido/period pain/household cleaning.

    Then they may be captured as pets and have their claws removed, which (as the claws are bone) is excruciatingly painful and (as they rely on their claws to climb trees and dig for food) means they cannot survive in the wild.

    As sun bears eat termites, they also play an important role in keeping the trees healthy.

    In the afternoon we braved the hot sun and humidity and visited the Rainforest Discovery Centre.

    We walked high into the trees on the three hundred metre canopy walkway, constantly on the lookout for animals. For this part of the visit, though, the pickings were slim, with some distant bird sightings, two squirrels and a lizard.

    Then we waited in a large group for dusk, enjoying the slightly cooler air and the peaceful atmosphere high above the ground.

    Everyone was waiting for the red giant flying squirrels to perform their tricks. All eyes were focused on a box fastened to a tree, from where two little eyes peered out.

    Finally, he made his move, climbing out and up the tree before gliding gracefully down about thirty metres to his destination. All eyes were on him, but they had to be assisted by torches, as by this time it was quite dark. Steve was brilliant, his torch tracking the entire flight like a pro.

    Then we were taken along a series of bush tracks in search of night animals. Again, though, animals were scarce. We saw an incredibly vivid blue kingfisher, a scorpion, and a small pit viper that could easily have been stomped on; other than that it was down to lizards and stick insects for our entertainment.

    We’re now heading up the Kinabantangan River to Sukau Rainforest Lodge, for the part of our adventure.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonBorneo 2024Viajante
    Kota Kinabalu fishing fleet
    Aromatic dried fish on saleThe fishing boat danceSunset over the fleetRubber pancake-making demonstrationTreatment for badly-dressed touristsCultural showPlants in Sandakan

    Kota Kinabalu and Sepilok

    7 de abril de 2024, Malásia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Our Borneo trip started in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah’s largest city and seemingly home to the most gridlocked traffic to be found anywhere.

    It was coming up to Hari Raya, the Malaysian holiday marking the end of Ramadan, and people were out buying in preparation for a two-day public holiday later in the week. We walked to the Sunday Market for a look around and were enveloped in the heat and crowds. It was even worse in the local shopping centre.

    We stayed on the waterfront overlooking the fishing fleet, a bunch of somewhat tired-looking boats that never seemed to leave port, although occasionally a couple would do a kind of dance around each other and the the other moored vessels before pulling up somewhere else in the fleet.

    Our proximity to the fishing port also meant that going outside meant not only hitting the heat and humidity after our over-chilled hotel, but also the smell - a mixture of the odours of fish both fresh and dried.

    We went out to the Mari Mari Cultural Village for some insights into the ethnic tribes of Borneo and came back having tasted rice wine and rubbery pancakes and seen fire-making, cooking, blow pipe dart firing, tribal chief meeting and a cultural dance show that was pleasurably brief. It was a good afternoon; the large numbers of visitors were shuffled through with the precision of a Swiss Watch and the female guide was energetic and personable.

    A flight with Firefly to Sandakan - $A35 each, 40 minutes flying, 1 hour 10 minutes queueing - brought us to our next destination.

    We stopped at the War Memorial Park, commemorating the death marches that started in Sandakan and ended with the deaths of 2,434 prisoners of war. Only six survived. There isn’t much there other than a nice walk, a plinth and a few bits of ruined machinery, but it was a very poignant reminder of the human capacity for cruelty.

    We reflected on the death march as we drove out to Sepilok, where tomorrow we will investigate the orang utan. In the meantime, we have enjoyed some lizard spotting and a pleasant dinner overlooking the lagoon.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonEurope 2023Viajante
    Staithes
    StaithesRielvaulx AbbeyRievaulx AbbeyKnaresboroughCountryside near the abbeyKnaresboroughBourton-on-the-Water, the River WindrushBourton-on-the-WaterBourton-on-the-Water

    Oxford

    9 de outubro de 2023, Inglaterra ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    This will be the last footprint for this trip; we are heading home due to the sad passing of Chris Andrews, our dear brother-in-law and friend.

    With two days to get to London to catch a plane, we had very much a flying tour of some of the sights from North Yorkshire down to Oxford, where we had to return our car and hop on a train to Heathrow.

    We left lively Whitby and followed the coast north to Staithes , another picturesque fishing village with connections to Captain James Cook, RN, white person discoverer of Australia (although the Dutch beat him to it on the west coast).

    From Staithes , we headed inland to Rievaulx Abbey, travelling over fog-covered hills and through numerous tiny villages with twisting, narrow streets.

    Rievaulx was interesting, a ruin that would put many others to shame, and looking extremely handsome under the grey skies. The monks slept 140 to a dorm, ate mainly vegetables (and didn’t talk as they did so) and attended eight church services a day, so perhaps the grey skies were looked upon as a plus.

    We also popped in to Knaresbrough, which has a wonderfully picturesque bridge carrying the railway over the River Nidd, with great views, boats on the river and families strolling about everywhere. It was more than nice enough for us to spend a couple of hours wandering down to the river and, with an ice cream, back up again.

    We stayed a night in Harrogate, then headed down to Oxford, from the outskirts of which this footprint originates.

    With time of the essence, we had one place to see in the Cotswolds, so we chose - unsurprisingly - Bourton- on-the- Water.

    On a Monday afternoon in October it was crowded, so on Saturdays in June must be impossible. It was also incredibly photogenic, a warm, sunny day for a change, and the trees beginning to change colour. Naturally, there were also huge numbers of local people with their dogs in tow. Whether on a bus or train, or in a pram or carry bag, a cafe or a museum - the canines of Britain are well looked after!    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonEurope 2023Viajante
    View down to Robin Hoods Bay
    Essential provisions for the walk up the hillWhitby AbbeyWhitby harbourWhitbyWhitbyView to Grosmont Station from the walkThe walk from Grosmont to GoathlandThe Goathland HotelGoathland Station

    Whitby

    6 de outubro de 2023, Inglaterra ⋅ 🌬 19 °C

    We hired a car in York and made our way to the coast, emerging, via some incredibly narrow roads, at Robin Hoods Bay (or, at least, at the Pay-and-Display car park at the top of the hill).

    Today, it takes five hours to travel from Sherwood Forest to Robin Hoods Bay by public transport, and presumably it took quite a bit longer in the 14th century, when Robin Hood was actually (or, maybe not actually) alive. So it’s probably safe to assume the place doesn’t have much to do with him or his merry band of outlaws, other than a name.

    It was, though, a picturesque tangle of narrow streets leading down to a small cove with a few fishing boats, a couple of pubs and a heap of shops selling all manner of twee nick-nacks.

    Whitby, just up the coast, was different. Bigger than we expected, and a bit brasher - it has Pleasureland, Funland and Fun City all in a row on the waterfront - it was good fun.

    We walked up the hill to Whitby Abbey, part inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula tale, and window-shopped for Whitby Jet. Jet is a black gemstone, apparently now largely forgotten beyond Whitby, related to coal and made popular by the original influencer, Queen Victoria. It’s not every gemstone that will burn if you set fire to it.

    Friday evening in Whitby was pretty hectic, and we enjoyed a few drinks watching the sun go down over the beautiful and historic - yet bustling - old port.

    Our last Whitby experience was a day out on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

    We travelled from Whitby to Grosmont, where we had a look around, then walked about six kilometres to Goathland on a track following a previous railway alignment. It was incredibly peaceful walking through some wonderful scenery for a few hours.

    With moorland topping the hills above us, black-headed sheep dotting the lush fields, a multitude of small bubbling creeks all around, and the occasional walkers with their dogs, it was all rather quintessentially English.

    Goathland was the fictional town of Aidensfield in the television series “Heartbeat”, and the magnificent Goathland Railway Station has featured in the Harry Potter movies and a host of other productions.

    We continued our train experience on to Pickering, enjoying the varied countryside all the way, then returned to Whitby.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonEurope 2023Viajante
    York Minster
    Inside York Minster - the famous "Heart of Yorkshire" windowThe ShamblesRiver Ouse waterfrontBy the River OuseThe Hospitium (1300's) in the Museum GardensRuins of St Mary's Abbey, in the Museum GardensClifford's TowerBradford Industrial Museum spinning machine - imagine the noise!The Scott Sociable - another car/bike mongrel with a tendency to tip over.

    York

    3 de outubro de 2023, Inglaterra ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    Our first stop after the boating adventure was York, just a few hours away by train.

    York has a fair bit going for it - Viking heritage, city walls, narrow winding streets and a magnificent cathedral - York Minster - where we kicked off our exploration.

    Most likely, this will be the only church we will visit on this holiday, but it was well worth it. Completed a mere 551 years ago, it is a massive stone structure plonked in the middle of otherwise low-rise York. We spent a bit of time admiring the interior, particularly the windows, as well as wandering around the outside.

    We also enjoyed The Shambles, the nearby cluster of medieval narrow, twisting streets abounding in retail opportunities for every manner of souvenir.

    An unexpected surprise (for us, at least) was the beauty of the River Ouse and the Museum Gardens, complete with some medieval ruins, that lie close by.

    Somewhat to the south was the remains of York Castle, and Clifford’s Tower, named after Roger de Clifford, who gained immortality-of-name when he was executed for treason and hanged in chains from the tower walls.

    We largely skipped the walls, the Viking stuff and the justifiably renowned Railway Museum, as we had visited them previously. Actually, Chris did go to the the railway museum, but it had closed early due to a private function. Waited 23 years and travelled 20,000 kilometres to go there again, but no bitterness here!

    We also took a short train ride to Bradford, and visited the Bradford Industrial Museum, built in 1875 as a worsted mill, and now housing all manner of engines, looms, spinning machines and other assorted gear. The machines were interesting, but the human and social impact of the inventions was what we went for.

    It was, in fact, reassuring to know that children under nine have been prohibited from working in factories since 1819, and that the same, enlightened, legislation prevented children from 9 to 16 from being forced to work more than a 12-hour day.

    We are heading next to Whitby, on the North Yorkshire coast, and hoping that the rain takes a break.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonEurope 2023Viajante
    2Intrepid mariners at the helm
    Finally, at the water pointCurious wildlifeOpeing bridgeThe Clarence MillThe Macclesfield CanalPlenty of narrow sectionsThe good ship MollieWaiting to go through the Harecastle TunnelExiting the tunnel on the final leg of our voyage

    Stoke-on-Trent

    2 de outubro de 2023, Inglaterra ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Well, it was all a bit strange. The water situation, mainly because the toilets wouldn’t work without it, was a bit dire. Ironically, though, it was pouring with rain.

    We drove through the rain for two hours until we found a water point. Don and Chris filled the water tank, standing in the rain, quite cold, drinking a beer. At the same time, Sharon and Kim had hot showers (while still at the water point, so as not to deplete the supply) and warmed the boat to dry the clothes out.

    We chose a good canal - the Macclesfield - to cruise along. It was quiet, although there were quite a few boats moored along the banks (some a bit derelict, it appeared). The rural scenery - green pastures, sheep, farm buildings, even the occasional re-purposed mill - was beautiful on the sunny days (that is, once), and wonderfully atmospheric on the wet ones, even when your socks were wringing wet from the rain.

    We did have quite a lot of rain on our way back to Stoke-on-Trent, and another toilet situation (collectively, that is, not personally).

    Being extravagant with our water, and - truth be told - our alcohol consumption, it soon became odorously apparent that we urgently needed a pump out. More rain-soaked driving ensued, before we reached the nirvana of the pump-out station, where a friendly, apparently olfactorily challenged, man removed the offensive material from the boat.

    Armed with beers purchased from the boat yard, we tackled the Bosley Locks with gusto, pleased to se the rain subsiding and that there were people on the canals even more inept than we. The rain was easing, but the ground remained saturated as we made our way down from locks one to twelve.

    The following day (after another stylish celebration, this time at the Church House Hotel in Congleton) we strolled through the final lock and, after another half-hour of exhaust fumes in the Harecastle Tunnel, made our way back to the marina and returned the boat.

    Wet weather notwithstanding, the whole narrowboat experience was great. By the end of the trip we were steering the boat like pros, barely hitting anything (not too hard, at least) and giving other people tips on operating the locks and good pubs to visit.

    We have now said our fond goodbyes to Don and Kim after a great few weeks, and are en route to York to start the next stage of our trip.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonEurope 2023Viajante
    Carlisle Castle
    The good ship MollieAbout to exit the Harecastle Tunnel, after 35 minutes of bad steeringHarecastle Tunnel exitEntering the lockInside the lockCruising confidently - but not alwaysOpening a swing bridgeMacclesfield canal sceneAs seen on a nice day, of which we have had one so far!

    Macclesfield

    26 de setembro de 2023, Inglaterra ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    This is the first of two posts from our time on the narrowboat cruising up the Macclesfield Canal. Apologies - it’s a bit long.

    We left Inverness and, after three hours in the car, two in the train and a short walk, we checked in to a quite fancy guest house in Carlisle. We had a quick look at the castle and the cathedral, but to be honest Carlisle and its people seemed a little down-at-heel and one afternoon was enough for us.

    It took a good part of the following day to get to Stoke-on-Trent and the marina at Etruria, where we got our orientation and set off on the good, if narrow, ship, Mollie.

    We cruised off confidently, and didn’t bump into a single thing during the few hours of our first day’s sailing. We also, though, completely failed in the find-a-pub stakes, and had to eat on the boat for our first night.

    The following day we faced our first nautical challenge - the 2.6 kilometre Harecastle Tunnel. We went through in a convoy of about five boats, and spent just over half an hour seeing nothing but the lights on our boat and the ones immediately ahead or behind.

    It was cold and wet - the tunnel roof was frequently dripping - and steering straight enough to avoid the tunnel walls was near impossible. Hopefully, the boat company have plenty of spare paint.

    We spent that night in Congleton, a short climb up some stairs from the Queen’s Head pub, and celebrated the tunnel in style. Actually, we seem to be celebrating everything in style on this trip!

    The Bosley Locks were next on our route.

    The narrowboat guidebook described the Bosley Locks as like waiting for a bus - you see none for hours, and then a whole lot turn up at once - and this was the case for us. We had only done one lock before the Bosley flight, then suddenly we were faced with twelve in a row.

    Fortunately, there were Canal and River Trust volunteers on hand to help with the gates and paddles, and we were through mostly without incident, other than a few more scratches to Mollie’s sides.

    Except, that is, for the very first lock. Chris at the helm cruised confidently out of the lock, only to meet a boat going in. Steering to the right, it passed safely, but the narrow canal pound, coupled with the sharpness of the entry turn to the following lock, meant he suffered the indignity of having to push the boat back on course with the pole.

    We also had a couple of opening bridges to contend with before yet another stylish celebration, this time at the Old King’s Head pub at Gurnett Aquaduct.

    Day three on the boat was much less eventful, cruising through attractive rural countryside, and in sunshine. This was exactly the sort of canal trip we had thought about.

    We cruised on past all shapes and sizes of narrowboat, old mills and farms, up as far as High Lane, where, after another stylish dinner, we went back to the boat to think about the consequences of running out of water and therefore not being able to flush the toilet - something we perhaps should have thought of earlier.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonEurope 2023Viajante
    At the summit of Bealach na Ba
    Bealach na Ba - a wider section of road1Coffee at ApplecrossPart of the North Coast 500InvernessBridge over the River NessLoch Ness Monster exhibit in the former Drumnadochit HotelCruising Loch NessLoch NessUrquhart Castle

    Inverness

    23 de setembro de 2023, Escócia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    The weather was clear for the first time as we left Skye, casting a completely different light on the scenery, with the grass and heather gleaming with dew in the early morning sun.

    Not to worry, though, it soon got grey and windy, although the rain stayed away for our drive to Inverness.

    And what a drive! We decided to go the long way, via Applecross and Torridon, part of the heavily promoted North Coast 500 drive around the north of the country.

    Soon after we turned off the main road we encountered Bealach na Ba - the Pass of the Cattle - and, according to the sign, not recommended for learner drivers, trucks, caravans or slightly nervous people.

    The pass took the Skye concept of the single-lane road to a new level, with even narrower roads, steep climbs, hairpins and quite a few unfenced vertical drops. It was an astounding piece of road.

    Arriving in Inverness, along what was, by comparison, an airport runway, we took ourselves for a walk through the islands on the River Ness, the body of water through which Loch Ness drains into Moray Firth.

    Then, in the morning, we went monster hunting. Well, not exactly. We drove down to Drumnadrochit, where the Loch Ness Centre is located, in the former hotel where Mrs Aldie Mackay , the manager, reported seeing the monster when driving back from Inverness with her husband.

    The Loch Ness Centre is obviously keen to perpetuate the mystery of the monster, but does present some factual debunking as well, all done in quite an entertaining way.

    Then we took a cruise on Loch Ness, which is a quite amazing body of water with or without its rumoured giant, slimy inhabitant. We didn’t see a monster, but we did enjoy an hour or so cruising on the lake, down past the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle.

    Inverness itself is a very attractive town, and was buzzing on the Saturday night we were there, so much so that we had trouble finding somewhere to eat. It all worked out, though, but no one thought we would end up doing shots with four rather drunk thirty-something women. All part of the fun of travel, I guess.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonEurope 2023Viajante
    Mallaig Harbour
    The Fairy PoolsThe Old Man of StorrSyke hillsideMealt Falls2Near The QuirangThe Fairy GlenThe Fairy GlenDunvegan Castle

    The Isle of Skye

    22 de setembro de 2023, Escócia ⋅ 🌬 12 °C

    We travelled north from Glasgow and stopped for a look at Balloch, and the southern tip of Loch Lomond.

    Even in cold and rather threatening weather, it was still very attractive, with the imposing Ben Lomond rising into the most in the distance. There were very few people around, but, judging by the acres of car parking, it must be packed in summer.

    Then we spent the night just south of Fort William before catching the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale, on the south of the island.

    Actually, this glosses over an episode of incompetence by the boys in the party, who between them couldn’t get the **$$@&!! car into reverse gear! Calls to the rental company and a wait for roadside assistance - who then kindly showed us what to do and, more kindly, didn’t laugh out loud - meant our drinks at the local pub were well-earned.

    We arrived on Skye in the rain, and made our way to the Fairy Pools. Cascading blue and green pools, they say. Gushing, grey-brown water oozing out of every pore of the countryside is what we found, so damp was everything. It was still rather special, although the cold wind and sporadic showers of rain made it a bit uncomfortable.

    The following day we drove north-east to a series of fascinating landmarks, the countryside largely treeless and covered in heather and other low, hardy plants. Hills are steep, with numerous watercourses tumbling down their slopes. Each glimpse of the sea is another beautiful vista, even in the grey rain and mist.

    In between sojourns in the car, we piled out, rugged up, paid handsomely for parking and walked up to another landmark.

    The Old Man of Storr and The Quirang are basalt pinnacles towering over the surrounding area. Kilt Rock is a 105-metre ocean cliff and Mealt Falls drop straight off the edge of the island into the ocean.

    Then there’s Lealt Falls and the Fairy Glen, which was very picturesque, although there were no fairies about. There was quite an amount of fairy droppings on the ground, though, so we could tell they had been there.

    The driving between many of these locations was on single-lane roads, with passing places every fifty or hundred metres apart. It was a little nerve wracking, with oncoming traffic emerging from blind crests and curves, a little too much speed and plenty of oversized camper vans taking up space.

    Our final stop on Skye was Dunvegan Castle, quite nicely preserved and filled with stories of the local Lairds and assorted tenuous connections to royalty.

    That concluded a busy few days. We stayed in a very remote bed and breakfast, with wonderful sea views but certainly not walkable to anything except more hills, so are looking forward to finding a pub in Inverness in the next chapter.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonEurope 2023Viajante
    George Square
    The jaunty Duke of WellingtonThe River ClydeThe. Riverside MuseumTall Ship GlenleeOn board the GlenleeKelvingrove Art Gallery and MuseumInstallation in the museum4Some old pop starModern-day hunting technique

    Glasgow

    19 de setembro de 2023, Escócia ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    We had a quick visit to Glasgow on the way north, and found some really good things to see.

    We walked the attractive Kelvingrove Park (admittedly in the rain), then caught the cute little Glasgow Subway - with carriages so small you wonder how all the people will fit - to the city centre.

    George Square, with statues of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert mounted in twin equestrian poses at one end, and a pantheon of famous Scots at the other, is a magnificent civic space.

    Just down the street was the Gallery of Modern Art, mostly famous because the Glasgwegians insist on keeping a traffic cone on the head of the statue of the Duke of Wellington that sits outside, a long-standing tradition.

    From there we went to the Clyde River, where we visited the Riverside Museum, full of interesting things (from locomotives to fashions and a lot in between) and interesting stories of the social impact of many of them.

    Outside the museum is the tall ship Glenlee, steel hulled and built on the Clyde in 1896.

    Our final stop - other than a few pints and a curry for dinner - was the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

    Housed in a stunning building dating from 1900, we barely skimmed the collection. There were paintings by Rembrandt and Monet, to name just two diverse geniuses, along with Scottish masterpieces and installations galore.

    That was just the top floor. The eclectic collection on the ground floor included a hall full of life-sized stuffed animals apparently being strafed by a Spitfire hung from the ceiling.

    We felt like we packed a lot into our single day in Glasgow; after a well-earned rest we are now getting lost on the motorway system en route to the Isle of Skye.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonEurope 2023Viajante
    The River Wensum, Norwich
    The Green Dragon, Weymondham. Nice beer, too.The Belles of the Broads, WroxhamWroxhamWroxham BroadBlickling HallThe Long Room, Blickling HallCromerWells-next-the-SeaWells-next-the-Sea

    Norwich

    15 de setembro de 2023, Inglaterra ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    The good ship Stena Brittanica took us from Rotterdam to Harwich, and the train to Norwich, where we met up with the Brickwoods and spent three pleasant days.

    More specifically, we have been at Costessey (pronounced “Cossie”, naturally, just as Wymondham is pronounced “Wyndham”) at the home of Kim’s Aunt Sally - a lovely lady and a veritable octogenarian Energiser Bunny!

    We took a turn around the pleasant city of Norwich, through the fancy area around Elm Street, alongside the River Wensum, then back up past the 13th-century cathedral and the 11th-century castle.

    The following day we drove out to Wroxham and took a boat cruise onto the Norfolk Broads. This was a great day out!

    We cruised past the exclusive multi-million pound houses in the town, then down the River Bure to Wroxham Broad, and thence to Salhouse Broad, both of which are extensive lakes formed when the land flooded into areas from which peat had been dug. The bird life was plentiful and the broads a tranquil place but for the five hundred or so boats on the river that day.

    From Wroxham we drove out to Greater Yarmouth, and found a cold, windy, faded seaside destination with lots of children (and adults) high on junk food and not much parking (and, from what we saw, not much else).

    We also drove up and along the north coast, stopping first at Blickling Hall, a National Trust property.

    The current Jacobean building and its formal gardens were constructed in 1616 by Henry Hobart, an ancestor of the fellow for whom Hobart, Tasmania is named. The previous Tudor house was the birthplace of Anne Boleyn. Kim Brickwood’s dad worked on part of the restoration of the building before coming to Australia.

    But enough name dropping.

    The Long Room (37.5 metres, in fact) was a highlight, an indoor sports room in 1616 and a library of over 10,000 books by 1745.

    Cromer, on the north coast of Norfolk, was crowded even on a miserable, windy, rainy Sunday afternoon, with queues outside the fish-and-chip shops and even some intrepid souls playing mini-golf on the wind-swept cliftop.

    Finally, we popped into Wells-next-the-Sea, another picturesque coastal town. Much of the fleet was high and dry when we visited, though, so it probably should be called Wells-next-the-Mud-and-Sand.

    Next stop, Glasgow.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução
  • Chris DicksonEurope 2023Viajante
    The Binnenhof
    The MauritshuisMauritshuis interiorThe Peace PalaceMarkthallMarkthall interiorCube HousesRotterdam old portThe Erasmus BridgeDelfshaven

    Rotterdam

    11 de setembro de 2023, Países Baixos ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Our two days in Rotterdam were spent seeing some marvellous, different sights and architecture.

    We travelled thirty minutes or so to The Hague, with its imposing Binnenhof (parliament) and streets of most elegant buildings.

    We also took a look into the Mauritshuis, the 17th-century home of the art-loving (and slave-trading) Prince John Maurice. Filled with Rembrandts, Vermeers, Reubens and the like, it was an impressive collection in a wonderful building. Still, you can only see so many “still life with banana” or “portrait of a nobleman” or “collection of nymphs and slightly chubby bare-breasted ladies” before it’s time to move on.

    The Peace Palace, built in 1913 and housing the International Court of Justice, was funded by the master-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to the tune of $US50 million in today’s money.

    Back on the train, passing through typical green, canal-crossed, sheep- and cow-studded Dutch countryside, we returned to modern, quirky Rotterdam.

    We went to the Markthall, a futuristic giant blimp of a building, with market stalls inside and expensive apartments inside the walls.

    Then we walked down to the Cube Houses, a collection of strange-looking apartments, with hexagonal interior rooms that simply can’t fit regular furniture. Designed in 1977 by architect Piet Blom, they very much invite the question: why?

    This led us to the old port, a canal basin filled with old barges and ships that have mostly been converted to residences and was a pleasant and interesting contrast from the ultra-modern design of most of the city.

    For another change we ventured over to Delfshaven, another historic canal area that has retained some of its charm, and is reached by walking down a street containing kilometres of exactly identical apartments.

    In all, we had a great time in Rotterdam and surrounds. An easy ride on the Metro took us to Hoek van Holland and the ferry to Harwich and the next stage of our journey.    Leia mais

    Ver tradução

Tenha seu próprio perfil de viagens

Gratuito

QR code

FindPenguins para iOSFindPenguins para Android