I don’t think I am
alone – if I say
I am in great need of
that wonderful Light
and Colour
of Spring
Let us hope it will soon arrive. It is in the air. I feel it coming.
Thursday Thoughts
Thursday Thoughts – Capital Doubles
While in Stockholm for a couple of hours between trains, I had to make the most of it…merging some of the famous buildings together in one image .
Fotografiska is a great place to be – this time exhibiting my favorite Erik Johansson again! As you are not allowed to take any photos, or at least not sending them via internet…
I decided to have some fun outside while walking. How about two amusements parks instead of one? I guess Gröna Lund fans wouldn’t mind!
In ”Chaos” I used one of my best attempts from Stockholm railway station – here is another one. A multitasking transport system?
Anyway I had great fun…but I can assure you I went by a single, ordinary train home to Skåne again.
Thursday Thoughts – Pieces of Stockholm
On my way home from Umeå, I had a few hours of waiting in Stockholm. I seldom visit our beautiful capital, so I took a brisk walk through Old Town and visited Fotografiska – the museum of Photography. A treat of course.
I posted some photos from Old Town and Vasa Bridge for Wordless Wednesday. And the dog in the window of course… At Slussen, The Lock, they were waiting for the new bridge to arrive from China – ”Guldbron”, the Golden Bridge”. I heard it arrived yesterday.
Standing outside Fotografiska, this is the view of ”Gröna Lund” , the big amusement park.
And in the other direction – The City Hall and the two biggest churches, Riddarholmskyrkan and Storkyrkan.
I feel I really should visit more often…
Thursday Thoughts – Umeå Again!
Last weekend I went to Umeå with my son – to visit the daughter/sister. We all love this city, and its famous white birches. We hoped to have some fun in each other’s company, and to finally get some winter. As you can understand we got more winter than down in Skåne – but not much snow. Usually they have 75 – 100 cm. Too much jumping temperatures this winter, rain and snow taking turns. We did some tough walking!
We were lucky with the weather though – sun and temperatures between – 14C and – 3C.
Naturally we had to go to the big game shop with every game you can think of – we bought some new ones with us home. The evenings were filled with laughter and fun while playing – or trying to understand the new rules…
And, we went to the movies to see Parasite. All of us agreed it was worthy of every Oscar it got. I do recommend watching it – clever and entertaining, thrilling and fun. Really Something Else! Be prepared – the ending is a Tarantino one.
As always we visited the famous book cafe’ from where our most prestigious TV program on cultural events is sent. As we all love this place – I could not resist getting the most out of the visit by merging two of the rooms into one…
…and the bicycle, standing in another window in another room!
I hope you had some fun too, reading about our adventures. Just being together is a great joy, and playing board games is a wonderful way of using your spare time!
Thursday Thoughts – The Cats of Kotor
Kotor has got one of the best preserved medieval Old Towns in the Adriatic and is a double Unesco World Heritage Site. No sun when we visited, but still beautiful –
When you visit this old town, you will immediately notice how many cats there are… Lonely Planet even goes so far as featuring Kotor in their Top 10 destinations for cat lovers! So, the Venetian Lion, symbol of the city, has more or less been replaced by a smaller variety – a stray cat.
Today they have dedicated an open square to the cats, and made small houses for them to stay in the park. Even with free WiFi…
The attitude towards cats is said to have developed from folklore, with the Montenegrin people holding the belief that cats saved the town of Kotor. It is reported that in 1918, during the revolt from the Austro-Hungarian navy, the Slav sailors would bring their ships into The Bay of Kotor, and with them, also their cats.
Kotor in those days was plagued by lots of mice, rats and snakes, and the various diseases those animals brought. Thus it became a blessing to have the cats there, to protect the town. And that is why cats have become a symbol of good luck for Montenegro.
Walking through the narrow lanes, I did try to find a dog or two…but the only sign (!) of one was – MILO. My own dog – it’s just that this Milo was a restaurant…
Thursday Thoughts – Off – season
There are many advantages to go on vacation off – season, and we often do. If you do a bit of research on the regional climate before you go, you might have a quiet, beautiful and less stressful visit than during the tourist season. If you are like me – one who doesn’t need to lie on the beach, but prefer quiet walks in beautiful and interesting surroundings – this is a good way to go. And of course, the price-tag is more favourable. Naturally, it is also easier if you are retired, and don’t have to rely on special vacation weeks.
Three weeks before Christmas, we went to the Balkans – and had a great week in one of the otherwise most tourist swarmed places in Europe. We were lucky with the weather, and enjoyed our trip immensely. Good food and many historic places – and peacefulness.
Taking a boat trip is almost always a good thing, to get special views of the city or country you are visiting. In the off – season there are always free seats…
No elbows on deck and no lost photos – or cameras…You feel like you are the only person there. And the boat was even made just for you…to relax and enjoy your stay.
This little islet, Sveti Stefan, is a world famous place – a place for movie stars and celebrities, all nationalities. Many famous people stay at this 5-star hotel resort for a while, to enjoy the company of other stars and the exclusiveness of living away from Hollywood or wherever you belong. It is situated on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro.
Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, Ingemar Stenmark, and Kirk Douglas are some of the well known people who have visited the islet. As you can see, the windows are closed, and there is nobody there this time of the year.
So, if you love solitude more than elbowing, don’t need hot beaches and want a neat price tag, you might give it a try!
Off – season is the way to go – at least for me.
Thursday Thoughts – Glimpses of Modern Tbilisi
More of Tbilisi, Georgia – there is, of course, a modern part of it as well…even if that was not the main reason for my visit!
Strolling the busy streets, I looked through the windows of different restaurants and shops – and saw this fantastic wallpaper, with lamps in an oval shape.
The overall photo sits last in this gallery – there you will find the first three of these architectural wonders – more facts in the pictures.
A would be Concert hall – empty interior, all the money spent on the exterior. See the header!
Peace Bridge – or ”Always ultra”, beacause of its likeness to a sanitary towel…see the overall, last photo in this gallery.
This passage was filled with murals and graffiti – too narrow to get a good shot though…
Out in the street again
I just had to go back for a closer look at the wallpaper – fascinating history become art? Anyway – I just loved it. It covered the whole interior, quite a large room. I would love to have a piece of it framed on my wall. So many different faces – Please click to enlarge – and you get the feeling!
Thursday Thoughts – Strolling in Gdansk
I will always love Poland, and Gdansk is one of my favorite cities in the world.
Strolling along the water and the beautiful Mariacka street is a feast for all your senses.
I keep returning…about every second year. This year, the Sharpei beauty was sitting on his steps the whole day. Posted this one before, I am sure…
We came for the WWII museum this time, very well organized, but so depressing that I returned to Mariacka afterwards, to heal.
Details that intrigue me – the Gargoyles, the steps and stairs – and the beautiful doors.
Guess who was waiting there?
Until next time! ♥
Thursday Thoughts – A Cheering Up Gallery
For One single day this”winter”, we had a frosty delight (yesterday’s post) – all the others are grey. Here’s to cheer myself up – and you too I hope! From Croatia with love.
And the goat? He was the biggest goat I have ever seen, I would guess a mix with Alpine breed. Weight at least 75-100 kilos. Glad he was on the other side of that fence…
Cheers!
Thursday Thoughts – A Day in Dubrovnik
I guess Dubrovnik does not need any presentation to most of you – renowned for its beauty and millions of visitors every year. Dubrovnik, Croatia, is one of the most prominent tourist attractions here. First built in the 7th century, now with a population of about 43,000. In 1979, the city joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites.
Personally I think I enjoyed the views from a gull’s perspective even more! But the steps were numerous…,I would never have tried this in the summer heat…
You can still see traces of the war – not everything has been rebuilt yet.
I was so fascinated by that little house on top – overlooking both the sea and the old city. This lovely, early morning I could imagine sipping my coffee up there… (and the beauty of a sunset as well…)…my feet dangling from the wall. Maybe you would care to join me?
Leya 
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