Skopje

North Macedonia

May 20, 2015

Lake Matka lies only about a forty minute drive outside Skopje. 

Formed by a hydroelectric dam, the lake sits below the steep sides of the Treska Canyon.  It’s an idyllic spot for a moderate hike along a narrow path above the tranquil lake.

After my hike, I returned to the outdoor restaurant that overlooks the lake.  I lingered over a lunch of delicious fish soup with salmon and vegetables, and a green salad with sautéed mushrooms and grated cheese. 

Is there a better way to spend a day?

Trebinje

(Pop 36,000)

Semi-Autonomous Republika Srpske

 Bosnia-Herzegovina

June 8, 2015

My kinda town, Trebinje is ...

Quiet off-the-tourist-track …

Shady town square …

Café to read a book...

Attractive lived-in Old Town …

Path along the Trebišnjica River… go fishing … row a boat …

16^th Century Arslanagić Bridge …

Pizza … pastry … café … to read a book …

My kinda town, Trebinje is …

Zagreb   (pop 790,000)

Republic of Croatia

May 25, 2015

Rain!

Every  day.  Day after day.   Hour after hour.  

Raining! Hard!

Will I ever see this city?

I do manage a slightly damp early morning stroll and find impressive Austro-Hungarian architecture.

When the sun makes a brief appearance, I venture up to the Antiques Market where I dig up some piano music.  I pause at a café and nurse a cappuccino while taking candid shots.

Šibenik 

Dalmatia

Croatia

May 28, 2015

Hello,

Driving south, between Zadar and Split, I stop for a coffee in the small coastal city of Šibenik.

Despite the fact that Šibenik is not even mentioned in my guidebook, I decide to take a stroll.  No matter where, there is always something of interest to discover.

Šibenik will be no exception.

On Board 

MS Nordstjernen

The Greenland Sea

Svalbard

August 9, 2015

Hello,

Even the experienced guides had never seen such a sight!

A dead walrus?  Sure.  They had seen one before.  They had seen a polar bear feasting on the carcass.  They had seen a polar bear and her cub feasting at the scene.

But never before had they seen such a sight!