Black Sand Beach, Iceland

Posted June 13, 2015 by Jan
Iceland

Black Sand Beach

South Coast

Iceland

September 12, 2015

 

Hello,

I visited Black Sand Beach twice.  Once with my tour group on a blustery, foggy, nasty day.  And once again on my own on a clear, sunny, albeit windy day.

And since it was a pleasant day I first stopped at the Dyrhólaey Peninsula.

The Iceland Guide describes Black Sand Beach:

The world-famous Reynisfjara shore, on Iceland's South Coast, is widely regarded as the most impressive black-and beach in Iceland.

Geyser, Haukadalur, Iceland

Posted June 9, 2015 by Jan
Iceland

Haukadalur,

Southwest Iceland

September 11, 2015

 

“Fire and Ice”

“Fire” refers to hot geothermal streams and the Geysir (Geyser) that erupts frequently sending boiling water up to about 70 meters into the cool air. (230ft)

“Ice” refers to glacial remains and an ice-clogged river at Hjallanes. 

Iceland is a country of extremes –  boiling rivers to frozen rivers ….

Dubrovnik: My Favorites

Posted June 9, 2015 by twj
Croatia

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.”

Snaefells Peninsula, Iceland

Posted June 5, 2015 by Jan
Iceland

Snaefells Peninsula

Western Iceland

September 8, 2015

Hello,

I choose the road less travelled. 

Before driving the popular route that heads east along the south coast of Iceland, I decide to drive north from Reykjavik to the Snaefells Peninsula – a road less traveled.

Snaefells is a long, narrow peninsula that pokes out into the Atlantic Ocean.  I encounter misty rain, ubiquitous fog, incessant,  overpowering wind, and a raucous surf that seems determined to smash (and has already smashed) the jagged, black volcanic cliffs that disappear below the waves.  What can I expect out in the middle of the ocean? 

Escape to Hvar

Posted June 2, 2015 by twj
Croatia

Hvar Island

(pop 11,200)

Adriatic Sea

Republic of Croatia

June 2, 2015

 

Hello,

On Hvar, the hills are alive with the sound of motor scooters.  Automobiles are impractical given the steep and narrow cobbled lanes,

I stroll down the floral-forested path from my hilltop guest house to the shoreline and the pebbled beach.

Luxury hotels replete with lagoon-sized swimming pools and spas face west to the gleaming sea.  (Thai Massage anyone?)

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