Leaving Zagreb I snapped a couple shots of mundane parts of the city and surrounding area on our way to Opatija. Located at the very north end of the Adriatic Sea, just south of Trieste, Italy, lies the small resort town of Opatija. Because of its mild Mediterranean climate, it has long been a… Continue reading Opatija: Historic resort town
Zagreb, Croatia
From the bus on our way to Zagreb in the upper north part of Croatia. Zagreb is the capital and largest city in Croatia. Over a million people live in the metropolitan area, a quarter of the population in Croatia. The city is known for its diverse economy, high quality of life, museums, sporting, and… Continue reading Zagreb, Croatia
Sarajevo
Sarajevo’s history…The short version: Ruled at various periods, first by the Roman Empire and with its fall, the area became autonomous until 1463 when the Ottomans took over. When that empire fell, the region was given to Austria/Hungary which angered the Serbs. In 1914 it came to a climax when a young Serb, Gavrilo Princip,… Continue reading Sarajevo
Onward to Bosnia/Herzegovina
Leaving Dubrovnik, on the way to Mostar, in less than an hour we cross the tiny access to the sea for Bosnia/Herzegovina (B/H) with the two border crossings. The Croatians figured out how to avoid this by contracting a Chinese firm to build a one-and-a-half-mile bridge from a small Croatian peninsula to the other side… Continue reading Onward to Bosnia/Herzegovina
Yugoslavia 2025
Of course, there is no Yugoslavia today. The red scare and communist president Josip Broz Tito (1892–1980) were big news in the 50’s and 60’s. But what happened to it? Curious, I went online to find some options. I discovered the Overseas Adventure Travel company had a discounted summer tour of several Adriatic countries that… Continue reading Yugoslavia 2025
Dental Holiday in Mexico
August in Cancun may not be the best vacation option. Yes, it’s hotter than blazes, and the humidity is sky high, but when you need a few tooth crowns, well, it’s worth it. The plus is: very few tourists in town.
Nebraska Sandhills: cont’d
There are so many little roadside potholes filled with ducks, waders, dippers and shorebirds, you’ll spend most of your time stopped with your binoculars at the ready.
Nebraska Sand Hills: Crescent Lake
Spring and fall are the best times to visit the Nebraska Sand Hills. Summer temperatures can get quite hot and winter is too blustery and cold. Bird migration times are best.
Leaving British Columbia
At the turnoff from the Nass one finds the remains of a huge, recent volcanic eruption from around 1700. It’s now known as the Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park. The park is sacred ground protected by the local indigenous population. Approximately 2000 people were buried in their villages as lava flowed down the Nass River valley. In places the lava is 40 feet thick.
Destination: Salmon Glacier, BC
The first town one comes to after last chapter’s shrinking Bear glacier, is Stewart, BC. It lies at the end of the 71-mile Portland Canal (really a fjord) starting in the Pacific Ocean. The canal marks the border between Canada and the US. It was used to ship ore from the local mines long before… Continue reading Destination: Salmon Glacier, BC