Vilnius

Lithuania

September 14, 2014 

So here in Vilnius, after several weeks on the road, I decide finally to take pictures … at night.   I dig down in my luggage, remove the tripod, attach the remote shutter release to my camera, and head down to the nearby Cathedral and into the maze of streets of Old Town.  I hope I get a few decent shots.

Vilnius, the capital if Lithuania and its largest city, has a population of about 540,000.  History here dates back to 1243.   There is so much to see.  

Trakai

Lithuania

September 14, 2014

It’s a splendid Sunday.

Let’s get out of the house!

Short ride. (28km west of Vilnius)

Head for the lakes.

Sailing.  Rowing.  Paddling.

Visit the Castle. (1401 – Restored)

Just relax.

Have a coffee.

Enjoy the day.!!

Palanga

Lithuania

September 16, 2014

Chat

Several years ago, while on a trip to London to visit my English cousin Dorothy and her equally English husband Roger, I attended a theatre performance where, by chance, I met a lovely woman from South Africa whose name was Jocelyn.  Together we planned some sightseeing for the next day.

When I mentioned my encounter and my surprisingly unplanned plans, my somewhat astonished cousin Dorothy queried, “Jan, how did you meet her?”  (According to British polite society, Jocelyn and I weren’t “properly introduced.”)  Roger immediately intervened and responded, “Jan chatted her up!”

Kaunas

Lithuania

September 19, 2014

The Eyes Cannot Answer “Why?”

The eyes.  The eyes.  Always the eyes!

The eyes remember.  The eyes see.  Do the eyes foretell?

The eyes know.  The eyes teach.   

The eyes know what happened.

Do the eyes know why? 

Mutrah Souk

Muscat (pop 1.1 million)

Sultanate of Oman (pop 3.6 million)

January 12, 2015

Clear and Warm

So, what are those piles of round, tan-brown fruit I discover here in the market?   Larger than a walnut, but smooth.  Smaller than a tangerine.  The manager of the Ground Spices shop informs me, “Dried lemons.”

The manager senses my surprise and asks his helper to peel one for me.  Dried lemon tastes like a lemon yet not so sour, with a zesty flavor, chewy consistency and a delightful, palate-cleansing aftertaste.

Misfat al Abreyeen

Oman

January 16, 2015

An hour’s drive from Nizwa, the mountain-hugging village of Mifat (Misfah) is one of the oldest in Oman (pop 300).

Built in Yemeni style, the mud brick buildings and narrow rocky paths provide a glimpse of the traditional lifestyle of the region.

And the views are marvelous!

Back to The Golden Tulip Hotel in Nizwa, the Hajar Mountain Range renders a lovely sunset setting.

Trip Advisor Reviews of Misfat: