Wordless Wednesday
Travel
Thursday Thoughts – The Harvest is In
We happened to land in Tbilisi the day before the annual October festival – two days of celebrating the grape harvest of the year. What luck! Follow me to the market!
The whole city on its feet, night and day. The first thing we noticed was the many ”braids” of candy called Churchkhela. Delicious! (Recipe in the link.)
They make long threads of mostly walnuts or hazelnuts, then dip them in boiled/cooked grape juice. A long process for several layers, but oh…the taste! We bough many with us home – all colours.
Everybody was out in the streets, and everywhere barbeques and makings of churchkhela!
The old Silk Road – the market kind…
You could buy almost anything…
Young and old alike
Flowers in their hair
Cheese for making the famous cheese bread: Kachapouri
The lovely ”Tree of Life”, by sculptor David Monavarlisashvili, offers so much to discover for children – and grown-ups… It greatly reminded me of one of my children’s favorite authors, Shaun Tan, his books and movies.
And the nights were warm, slowly walking the Rike Park and Peace Bridge. The bridge stretches 150 metres (490 ft) over the Kura River to create a contemporary design feature connecting Old Tbilisi with the new district. The official opening took place on May 6, 2010. Architect, Italian Michele De Lucchi.
Thursday Thoughts – Tbilisi, A Feast for the Eye
Because of its location on the crossroads between Europe and Asia, and its proximity to the Silk Road, Tbilisi has kept its interest to various global powers. Tbilisi’s diverse history is reflected in its architecture, which is a mix of medieval, neoclassical, Beaux Arts, Art Nouveau, Stalinist and the Modern structures. Only one visit will not be enough to seek out all its secrets.
Historically, Tbilisi has been home to people of multiple cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. You will find Mosques, Churches and Cathedrals side by side, and the people live in peace together.
Walking in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, is a walk filled with wonders and harmony. At least if you love architecture, open minded and smiling people, and gentle cats and dogs.
The first thing to learn, is never to pass a gate or a narrow passage without having a look inside. Just quietly walk in, the laundry lady will just smile and give you a nod.
You will always be greatly rewarded. Colours and harmony rules.
And the doors…I know of many who would swoon at the very sight of only one street…
Old iron gates and wooden balconies are characteristic of Tbilisi. I think I have hundreds of balcony images – maybe I will post some more …I cannot get enough of them.
Our first day in the city, we wanted to climb to the medieval Narikala Fortress, to get the best view of the city and the Kura river.
The city’s 1.5 million inhabitants were seeking the shades this hot day, and it really took some effort to walk all those steps. But every minute was a joy, stopping now and then to admire the view and for talking to all the lovely people.
Everywhere being inspected by the friendly cats and dogs of course…
On reaching a bench in the shadow, we had a Swedish ”fika”, admiring the view of the newer part of Tbilisi, the Sioni Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
In the header is the view of Old Tiflis (Old Tbilisi) and the new Peace Bridge reaching over the river Kura.
From the fortress and the slopes of the Botanical Gardens, we finished our first views of this charming and enigmatic city. Hopefully you will want to walk with me again – this is a city filled with art, gentle inhabitants and gorgeous food and wine. A Pearl of cities.
Wordless Wednesday
Lens-Artists Challenge #65 – Pick a Place and Catch its Spirit
Last week Amy challenged us to share images of the countryside and/or a small town. This week Tina is hosting, and she is ”…asking you to look a bit farther afield. Each of us at some point has visited a place that holds special memories. It may have been a small town, a big city, or even better, an entire country. We’d like you to capture the spirit of a place that is vivid in your memory. What was it that drew you in and why did it capture YOUR heart?”
I guess many of you already know where my heart lies – Iceland. I have been returning to this country again and again, for more than 30 years now. There is no end to the fascination. This is my attempt to find out Why.
The vast, open landscapes
The mountains and glaciers
The fresh air
The volcanoes and geology
The flora
And maybe most of all – the Light
– morning
– evening
– and night
There is so much more of Iceland to love – horses, waterfalls, lava landscapes, hot springs… and beautiful Reykjavik with Hallgrímskirkja of course.
Hopefully you are all inspired by now – Patti, Tina, Amy and I are looking forward to seeing your special places!
Thursday Thoughts – The Whaling Station
Hvalfjörður is situated in the west of Iceland, and the fjord is approximately 30 km long and 5 km wide. The place has an interesting history.
During WWII, a naval base of the British and American navies could be found in this fjord. One of the piers built by the United States Navy is today used by the Hvalur whaling company for the processing of fin whales, partially for the domestic market, and mostly for export to Japan. None of this in 2019 though.
The origin of the name Hvalfjörður is uncertain. Certainly today there is no presence of whales in the fjord; while the only whaling station in Iceland is still located here. In the past the fjord also contained many herring fisheries.
Today the old buildings, and some newer ones, are still standing for the workers at the station, even if there were no workers this year. Only goats…
Outside the main building, we came across this lovely man and could ask him about old times, the navy men, the whales and the Japanese workers. In fact, as a young man he had worked as a whaler here himself. Now he was just trying to repair and maintain the houses.
Some of the small houses looked inhabited and we could see through the windows how cosy they were inside. A bit small, but much better than a tent. They could maybe be rented by tourists? I asked – but no, the government did not allow that. The huts were deemed too simple. We learned that they had no toilet and no kitchen. There was this main building for that purpose.
Tuesday Photo Challenge – Stone
Tuesday Photo Challenge – Stone
Frank, of dutchgoesthephoto, challenges us to bring him stones this week – here are mine! Also from Ireland, and I think one of the broadest stone fences/walls I have ever seen.
Thursday Thoughts – Centre of the Earth
In Jules Verne’s A Journey to the Center of the Earth, Stapi is the last stop on the route the protagonists take before they climb Snæfellsjökull and enter the interior of the planet through a tunnel in the crater.
We didn’t intend to try any of these possibilities, but to hike along the coast line of the peninsula from Arnarstapi to Hellnar.
We encountered (I think you could say that…) spectacular landscapes this morning – the likes of nothing I had seen before.
Steep cliffs and birds, birds, birds…on this ca 4 km hike.
Amazing colours everywhere, almost no fellow hikers, sun, blue skies and no wind. Who could ask for more?
The further we went, the more the landscape opened up and the magnificent coastline became visible – with all its small rocks and islets –
– a spectacular archipelago.
Struggling through some rugged lava formations, I suddenly spotted three killer whales, orcas, in the blue waters ahead of us. I only got one shot working…then they were gone. But wow, how happy I was! I had never seen them live, in their natural habitat.
Gatklettur Arch
Gatklettur Arch – after some searching, we finally found it on our way back to Arnarstapi.
And the soft evening light kissed the earth. I sat down among the flowers, and listened to the strong feeling of Love for this Country, the stillness in the air, the beauty of this place. I watched the young girl, lying there, contemplating – and wondered if she too had seen the orcas…. To me, they were the icing on the cake this Icelandic summer’s day.
We returned to the two villages, Arnarstapi and Hellnar, the next day – just to savour their beauty once more before heading north… There just might be another post.
Thursday Thoughts – Hidden Hot Spring
Hunting hot springs in Autumn would have been great – but left them in Iceland. In Sweden it is getting colder now, and there is no more bathing in the sea…so, back to Iceland memories!
We had read about a very little hot pool, hidden in Landbrotalaug not far from the volcano Eldborg on the south coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. We decided to go for it.
The weather was splendid and the beautiful white cottongrass grew here abundantly…
Just when we thought we were lost, the hot water tap finally revealed the place.
With Snaefellsnes in the fond, we spotted the little pool – right out in the wild landscape. Two tents and a couple of people were there already. The bath can only take 1-2 persons at a time, so, Patience – and you will be greatly rewarded!
Wish I were there again!
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #62 Silhouettes
This week Patti is our host, and she challenges us to find silhouettes. If you look for them – they are there, everywhere!
My recent visit to Szczecin, Poland, brought some really good opportunities for silhouettes as well. The harbour trip was one of them. I also fell in love with an Angel…
Finally, we had to say goodbye to Swedish summer last week – until next year!
Thank you, Tina, for the lovely Precious Pets challenge. And thank you all participants for gorgeous – and sometimes quite hilarious – entries!
As always, Tina, Patti, Amy, and I hope you will join us.
Leya 
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