Longyearbyen
Svalbard (Spitsbergen)
August 7, 2015
Sawatdee krop,
I arrive at the airport in Longyearbyen.
It’s 10:00pm.
The evening sky is overcast. The clouds are bright.
A young guide greets me at the airport.
“When does it get dark?” I ask him.
He smiles and responds, “This is as dark as it gets.”
“Wow! I know my geography. I am above the Arctic Circle!”
Split
Croatia
May 30 2015
I adopt three distinct strategies to avoid the teeming hordes streaming through the streets of the Old City of Split.
The first strategy is to avoid them altogether by wandering towards the port and then up the cobbled streets and stairways to the hills above the city. Great scenery…well worth the climb....
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Zadar Region
Croatia
May 27, 2015
Plitvice Lakes lies midway between Zagreb and Zadar.
A pocket guide published by the Zagreb Tourist Board, Zagreb and Surroundings posts this description of the Park:
The Plitvice Lakes National Park, a magical world of lakes, forests, waterfalls, moss, water and sunlight is a true natural monument, a unique phenomenon under the protection of UNESCO.
My guidebook has more detail:
Zadar
(pop 78,200)
Dalmatia
Republic of Croatia
May 28, 2015
Zadar attracts a vibrant mixture of local residents and international tourists.
No cruise ship passengers here. Just a lively assemblage of individual travelers, local teenagers, and moms and dads out with the kids on an ordinary yet sparkling Thursday afternoon.
In the bright afternoon sun, everyone enjoys the sights and sounds of this historic city by the sea:
Shkodra (pop 135,612)
Republic of Albania
Republika e Shqipërisë
May 11, 2015
Buongiorno,
Pizza. Pizza. Pizza!
Isn't there anything else to eat here in Northern Albania?
Apparently not.
My driver, Mr. Edmond * and I search and search and search for some local or traditional Albanian fare along the main pedestrian promenade here in Shkodra (Shkodër). Finally we find an outdoor café and order, you guessed it, pizza. We also order a salad and a meatball dish that passes for “local” food.
Berat
Republic of Albania
May 12, 2015
Mirëmëngjesi – Good morning,
“I wish I had planned to stay here longer.”
Haven’t we all have expressed that sentiment at one time or another?
That’s exactly how I feel in Berati. I’m here on a day trip from Tirana, but I wish I can stay longer.
