Labor Day marks the end of lazy summer days. The video below is a visual love letter from two cottages that were our home during our stay in Nova Scotia…..enjoy!
Halifax and Peggy’s Point Lighthouse
We were here in 2017 and enjoyed being surrounded by the sea and rugged coastline. This year we are back for almost 3 months to explore more of the southern coast of the Maritime Provinces. Continue reading Halifax and Peggy’s Point Lighthouse
Iceland Workshop
Being here is a study of sharp contrasts. All four basic elements – earth, air, fire and water – are demonstrated by this land in extreme ways. Steam escapes the earth’s crust between lava rocks in barren fields; active and inactive volcanoes rise from empty, treeless horizons; towering waterfalls indiscriminately punch their way through moss green rock walls in glacier-cut fjords; icy roaring rivers race to the sea while white ocean waves lap lazily against black sand beaches. Continue reading Iceland Workshop
Ah…..The Blue Lagoon
We landed in Reykjavik, Iceland two days before our workshop and booked a stay at The Silica Hotel adjacent to The Blue Lagoon. We sat transfixed looking out the window at an endless black lava field covered with sage green moss. No trees, no bushes, nothing but a barren landscape reminding us we were in the land of volcanoes. Continue reading Ah…..The Blue Lagoon
Copenhagen, Denmark
I pulled a fast one. Generally I follow the rules, this morning I decided to break a big one.
There are over two thousand guests disembarking from two ships this morning Copenhagen. From our balcony I see there are a limited number of taxis to the city and airport. We were told we may have to wait up to two hours for transportation after our cabin number was called to disembark. Continue reading Copenhagen, Denmark
Gdansk, Poland
This turned out to be one of my favorite cities of the cruise. The original buildings of Old Town were reconstructed after suffering major damage in the second world war. The old and new contemporary buildings which mimic the Dutch Style sit smartly across the Motlawa River from each other. Continue reading Gdansk, Poland
Riga, Latvia
Magic is practiced by our butler Sonu and cabin master Janille. I’m not sure how they do it. All I have to do is think of something and Walla! It appears. I wonder if they can teach Terry how to do that??? Continue reading Riga, Latvia
Helsinki, Finland
This capital of Finland is a vibrant seaside city comprised of islands and green areas. It will be easy to explore on foot and we hope to capture the culture of their street life, architecture, forest and lakes. We’ve been told the Finns are quiet and reserved and only reveal their “party side” at night in local pubs and bars. Continue reading Helsinki, Finland
St. Petersburg and Peterhof Palace
We open the drapery in our cabin. Just across the bay is the Lakhta Center, an 87-story skyscraper, the tallest building in Russia. The locals call it the “Corn” building because of its shape. The skyline of St. Petersburg is protected from the construction of modern buildings and the Lakhta Center is just outside the buffer zone. Continue reading St. Petersburg and Peterhof Palace
Tallinn, Estonia
Our first port is Tallinn, Estonia.
Leave it to me to forget to mention the most brilliant and amazing thing to happen to us. We were offered an upgrade to a penthouse suite and we took it….wouldn’t you? When we were shown to our suite, we met Sonu, our very own butler. He told us his goal was to make us happy and our wish was his command….no kidding….just like the movie “Arthur”. Wow…..this should be good. Continue reading Tallinn, Estonia