My Travels

What I Wore on My Alaskan Cruise

2020-05-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

I like to pack carry-on only, but when packing for a cold weather cruise, I needed some extra suitcase space. I used a carry-on suitcase for me and shared some space in my husband's suitcase, which he checked.

I also used the Kipling Alvy 2-in-1 Convertible Tote Bag as my carry-on personal item. I like it because I can carry it by the handles as a tote bag or use the backpack straps and carry it on my back, leaving my hands free.

I packed 5 different colors of the LL Bean Pima Cotton Short-sleeve shirts.

They are dressier than a regular t-shirt, layers well with other clothes, and holds it shape after washing in a sink and hang drying. I used wrinkle release spray to remove the wrinkles. I wore each shirt 1-2 times during the cruise.

I wore a Downeast Essential tee as a warmth layer under my LL Bean shirts when I was on deck viewing glaciers and on shore excursions.

I also wore the black LL Bean Pima Cotton V-Neck as a less dressy option for layering:

I wore jeans on the ship during the day and on the shore excursions. The only time they weren't warm enough to wear alone was while viewing glaciers on the ship. I wore a pair of leggings under my jeans when I was on deck.

For evening dinners, I wore the Lands' End Starfish Mid Rise Straight Leg knit pants and the LL Bean Pima black knit cardigan.

I like to accessorize my evening outfits with simple, inexpensive jewelry. I found this black freshwater pearl necklace on Ebay for $5 and the earrings for $2. If they get lost, stolen, or broken, I'm not out a lot of money.

Comfortable walking shoes are very important, especially waterproof ones for Alaska! I have ones similar to these Skechers Go Walk Joy that are water repellent. Skechers no longer sells the shoe I wore.

On the cruise ship I wore Skechers Faithful Slip-on Sneakers:

For evening dinners I wore Crocs Sanrah Metal Slide sandals:

On the cruise there were two "dress-up" nights, so I wore a black LL Bean Pima Cotton short sleeve shirt with the Lands' End black knit maxi skirt and the Lularoe Black lace

I wear the Crocs Sanrah sandals pictured above and I accessorize the outfit with an inexpensive pearl necklace and earrings set like this one I found on Ebay for $5.

I don't believe in packing my expensive jewelry for a trip. Inexpensive pieces work just fine for me.

We went to Alaska at the beginning of June and it was either raining and/or cold. I wore a packable down jacket and a packable rain jacket, both from 32 Degrees.

If it was raining and cold, I wore the rain jacket over the down jacket.

To carry everything we needed for our shore excursions, we used the Oricsson 33L Lightweight Water Resistant Durable packable backpack. It was large enough that I could put my rain jacket and/or down jacket in it as well as water bottles, snacks, camera, etc.

Ketchikan, Alaska

2019-07-11T21:31:00.000-07:00

Tongass and Cape Fox Tlingits were some of the first settlers of Ketchikan. They named it "kitsch-khin" which means "thundering wings of an eagle." White settlers arrived in the 1880s and built a salmon saltery at the mouth of Ketchikan Creek. By 1936, Ketchikan was one of the largest exporters of salmon in the world.

Ketchikan is also famous for its totem poles, San Franciso-steep streets, and rain. The city put up a Liquid Sunshine Gauge to mark the rainfall day by day. The average annual rainfall is about 160 inches, often topping 200 inches in really rainy years.

Creek Street was once the red-light district. During Prohibition, there were many speakeasies and more than thirty houses of prostitution.

The buildings on Creek Street are built on pilings over the stream in which salmon swim up during spawning season.

At least one of the buildings is a residential home, one has been converted into a museum, and the rest have been restored as shops.

Totem Bight State Historical Park is located on the former site of a native campground called Mud Village or Mud Bight Village. In addition to fourteen totem poles on display, there is a replica of a traditional chieftain's house, or clan house, in the park.

Sitka, Alaska

2019-07-08T19:30:00.001-07:00

The Kiksadi clan of the Tlingit people lived in Shee-Atika for centuries before the arrival of the Russians. The Russians settled Old Sitka in 1799. Alexander Baranov, manager of the Russian-American Company, became governor of New Archangel, the Russian name for Sitka.

Mount Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano on Kruzof Island, seen in the background

In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia. The sale took place on Castle Hill on October 18, 1867. Panoramic views of Sitka and Sitka Sound are found at the top. The above photo was taken on Castle Hill.

In 1804, the Russians and Tlingits fought a battle at the site that is now Sitka National Historical Park. The totem pole in the above picture is the K'alyaan Pole, a memorial to the Kiksadi who lost their lives in the battle. The pole is named after K'alyaan, the Kiksadi leader.

The top figure on the totem pole is a raven, which represents the Raven clan. Below the raven are other clan figures: woodworm, sockeye salmon, dog salmon, beaver, and frog. The bottom figure represents the helmet worn by K'alyaan during the battle.

There is a totem-pole trail that you can follow in the park.

Between 1903 and 1904, Governor Brady was concerned that native traditional art was disappearing as Alaskan coastal villages were becoming sparsely populated due to disease.

He collected totem poles from around Alaska and brought them to a place where they could be preserved. Having the poles in one location would also allow them to be viewed.

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

2019-06-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

In 1794, Captain George Vancouver described the small five-mile inlet of Glacier Bay as "a sheet of ice as far as the eye could distinguish." The glacial wall of ice was more than 20 miles wide and in some places more than 4,000 feet deep.

John Muir visited Glacier Bay in 1879 with a group of the native Tglingit, the ice had retreated 40 miles up the bay.

Each ship that enters Glacier Bay takes aboard a park ranger. The ranger provides commentary throughout the day about glaciers, wildlife, and the bay's history.

Glacier Bay has 16 major tidewater glaciers and 30 valley or alpine glaciers.

Grand Pacific Glacier

Lamplugh Glacier

Margerie Glacier

Juneau, Alaska

2019-06-23T20:39:00.000-07:00

Juneau is the state capital, the third largest city, and cannot be accessed by road.

Mendenhall Glacier is the most visited glacier in the world and is the easiest glacier to get to. It is located twelve miles from downtown Juneau.

Like other glaciers in Alaska, it is retreating, losing more than 100 feet a year. Large chunks of ice calve into Mendenhall Lake.

Copenhagen, Denmark (Day 2)

2014-11-28T21:35:00.000-08:00

Today we took the local train to Hillerod to visit Frederiksborg Castle.

Frederiksborg Castle

Frederiksborg Castle was built as a royal residence for King Christian IV between 1602 to 1620. The current castle replaced another castle that was built by Frederick II. Frederiksborg Castle is the largest Renaissance palace in Scandinavia. It is located on three small islands in Slotsoen (Palace Lake).

Today the castle is the Museum of National History and houses a collection of historical paintings and portraits.

The King's Prayer Chamber or Oratory contains paintings of the life of Christ by Danish artist Carl Bloch.

Another view of Frederiksborg Castle

King Frederik VII was living in the palace when a fire broke out on December 16, 1859 and it destroyed a large part of the palace's interior. The interior of the castle was reconstructed after the fire.

We wanted to take the train to Helsingor to see Elsinore Castle. We missed the train by one minute. The next one wasn't until an hour later. We decided to go to Dragor instead.

Dragor is a quaint little fishing village just outside Copenhagen. After wandering around the town for a while, we got back on the bus to the train station, and headed back to Copenhagen.

Copenhagen, Denmark

2014-11-28T17:40:00.002-08:00

We arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark this morning.

We disembarked the ship and headed by taxi to our hotel. We're staying in the Hotel Bethel in the historic Nyhavn district.

Hotel Bethel

After checking in, we walked down the Stroget, a pedestrian lane. Then we visited the Cathedral of Our Lady. The nave is lined with statues of the Twelve Apostle (all clad in Roman togas). They were sculpted by Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsen. At the front of the church is the statue of Christ, also clad in a Roman toga and sculpted by Thorvaldsen.

We came across this statue of Hans Christian Anderson as we continued our walking tour...

Then we took a canal boat tour, which departed from Nyhavn.

Nyhavn (across the street from our hotel)

Taken on the canal cruise.

Also taken on the canal cruise. Notice the church steeple is made up of crocodile tales that have been twisted together.

Another view on the canal cruise...

Oslo, Norway (again)

2014-11-24T16:59:00.003-08:00

The ship docked in Oslo, Norway this morning.

View of Oslo

View of Oslo (you can see the Holmenkollen Ski Jump on the mountain)

My mother and I took a ferry to the Bygdoy Pennisula and visited the Viking Ship Museum. Not really something that excited me, but I went because Mom wanted to go.

We then rode the ferry back to Oslo City Hall and looked at the woodcuts in the arcade. Each showed a scene from Norwegian mythology.

Oslo City Hall

Our ship was docked near the Akershus Fortress. We walked to the fortress from city hall, but the castle and buildings were closed for the season.

Akershus Fortress (left foreground)

The ship sailed at 2:00pm. Luckily we had already spent a couple of days in and around Oslo at the beginning of the trip.

Oslofjord is beautiful. These are just some of the pictures I took as we departed Oslo.

Gdynia & Gdansk, Poland

2014-11-23T16:56:00.002-08:00

We arrived in Gdynia, Poland one hour late. The sea had seven to twelve foot waves and gale force winds during the night. Because we were late arriving, we didn't get to see everything that was on the schedule.

Our first stop was the Oliwa Cathedral, which was consecrated in 1594.

Gdańsk Oliwa Archcathedral

Part of our visit to the cathedral included an organ concert. The organ was designed and constructed from 1763-1788. At the time, it was the largest organ in Europe. When the organ is played, the trumpets on the angel statues move as well as spinning stars.

Our next stop was to Marlbork Castle. We had lunch at the castle and then had a tour.

Malbork Castle

The Teutonic Knights founded Malbork Castle at the end of the twelfth century in what was Prussia at the time. It was originally called Marienburg, or Mary's Castle. It was completed in 1406.

The Teutonic Knights were a German Roman Catholic religious order of crusaders. The castle had to be expanded many times to accommodate the growing number of Knights. It soon became the largest fortified Gothic building in Europe and is the biggest Teutonic order castle in Europe. The castle has also served as one of the Polish royal residences.

The castle has undergone major reconstruction and restoration. The main cathedral was restored just before World War II, was destroyed during the war, and is still in ruins today. Marlbork Castle is the largest brick building in Europe.

The drive back to Gdansk from Malbork Castle was about an hour, so we had a quick walking tour of old town before going back to the ship.

Old Town Gdansk

Tallin, Estonia

2014-11-17T14:20:00.001-08:00

We arrived in Tallin this morning. You can see our ship in the background to the left of the tallest steeple.

We started with a walking tour of Old Town.

View of Town Wall Towers

Old Town is a wonderful example of Gothic architecture. There is also a medieval market that has existed for over seven centuries.

Viru Gate entrance into Old Town

We walked through the upper section first. We saw the Toompea Castle, the Dome Church, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Town Hall.

Then we walked down to lower town. There we saw the Church of the Holy Ghost and the Great Guild Hall.

Some other photos taken of Tallin during our walking tour:

After the walking tour we attended an Estonian Folklore show.

The ship was in port only until 3:00pm. It was a fast-paced tour with lots to see and not enough time. I definitely want to come back to Tallin and spend more time in this city!

St. Petersburg, Russia Day 2

2014-11-16T16:33:00.003-08:00

This morning we drove to Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin). It was the official residence of the Russian Tsars.

We visited Catherine Palace. It was founded by Peter I for his wife Catherine I and was originally built in 1717.

Catherine Palace

It was rebuilt and enlarged in 1752 for her daughter Empress Elizabeth by Italian architect F.B. Rastrelli. The interior decoration was created by the best artists of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Nearby to Catherine Palace is the Cameron Gallery, designed by Charles Cameron.

Cameron Gallery

We then had lunch with a family in St. Petersburg. It consisted of a babushka (grandmother) and her daughter. The granddaughter was away at college.

They served us borscht, beef, potatoes, and vegetables. For dessert we had small pancakes served with blackberry jam and honey.

It was interesting to visit with the women and to see how three generations lived in a small apartment. The granddaughter was supposed to be our interpreter, but since she wasn't there, our tour guide stayed and ate lunch with us.

After lunch we visited the Peter and Paul Fortress. We went inside the Peter and Paul Cathedral, which is the burial place of the Romanovs.

Then it was on to the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. It was built as a memorial to honor Russian Emperor Alexander II, who was murdered on that spot by terrorists.

Khram Spasa na Krovi

The interior contains over 7,500 square meters of mosaics, supposedly more than any other church in the world. The walls and ceilings are completely covered in mosaic pictures depicting scenes from the Bible and figures.

St. Petersburg, Russia

2014-11-15T19:06:00.001-08:00

Docked in St. Petersburg this morning. We were divided into groups of 10-12 and assigned a tour guide.

View of St. Petersburg

Another view of St. Petersburg

And still another view of St. Petersburg...

Our first stop was to St. Nicholas' Church, also known as the Sailor's Cathedral locally. The area where the church is was originally settled by sailors during the time of Peter the Great. A wooden chapel was first built for them and named St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker.

The wooden church was replaced by a stone church in 1753. The interior walls are decorated with scenes from the history of the Russian navy. It also houses ten 18th century icons given to the church by Catherine the Great.

St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral

Bell Tower of St. Nicholas Cathedral

Our next stop was the Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum.

We then had lunch at a local restaurant. The menu was borscht and beef stroganoff.

After lunch we went to Peterhof Palace, the Russian Versailles. This was the official summer residence of the Russian Tsars.

After the interior tour, we walked through the Lower Park with its 150 fountains, cascades and pavilions.

The Grand Cascade is modeled after the one built by Louis XIV at the Chateau de Marly.

Above you can see the Sea Channel (Morskoi Kanal), which bisects the Lower Gardens. The Sea Channel is one of the most extensive waterworks from the Baroque period.

Other photos taken on the grounds of Peterhof Palace:

We then returned to the ship for dinner. Then afterwards we went back into St. Petersburg to watch a Cossack Dancers show.

Helsinki, Finland

2014-11-11T18:33:00.000-08:00

The first place we visited was Senate Square. Located on the edge of the square is Helsinki Cathedral.

Helsinki Cathedral

The cathedral is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral of the Diocese of Helsinki. It was originally built from 1830-1852. It was built as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. It was also known as St. Nicholas' Church until 1917 when Finland became independent.

Unfortunately, it rained most of the day that we were in Helsinki (note the dark and cloudy skies in the photo above). I didn't get very many pictures because of the weather.

We also saw the Sibelius Monument and the Temppeliaukio Church (the Rock Church).

Interior of the Temppeliaukio Church

The Temppeliaukio Church is a Lutheran church that was built in 1969. It is also known as the Church of the Rock. The church is built out of solid rock. The lighting is natural and comes from the skylight in the center copper dome.

Because of its excellent acoustics, the church is frequently used as a concert venue.

Then we drove to Espoo in the Finland countryside. We had an authentic Finnish lunch at the Oittaa Manor House situated by Lake Bodom.

After lunch we returned to the ship. I was disappointed in how little we saw on this tour and the weather. I hope to visit Helsinki again some day and spend more time in this beautiful city.

Stockholm, Sweden

2014-11-10T21:19:00.003-08:00

We took a flight from Oslo to Copenhagen in the morning. Then boarded our cruise ship and sailed towards Stockholm. The next day was a sea day.

We arrived in Stockholm the next day. There wasn't a port so we had to anchor in the sea and take tenders to shore. The water was really choppy and rough.

We boarded our tour bus and drove through the Sodermalm, Kungsholmen and Djurdorden city districts.

View of Stockholm

Another View of Stockholm

And another view of Stockholm...

Then we had a guided tour of City hall where the Nobel Prize banquet is held. I thought that the Gold Room, with 18 million mosaics, was very stunning. The mosiacs depict motifs from Swedish history. After the tour we had lunch at City Hall.

Stockholm City Hall

After lunch we had a walking tour in Gamla Stan. The Old Town dates back to the 13th century. It has medieval alleyways and cobbled streets. The buildings were influenced by the North German architectural style.

Stortorget, the large square in the center of Gamla Stan.

"Norway in a Nutshell" Tour

2014-11-09T15:13:00.000-08:00

We boarded the train at 6:30am in Oslo for the "Norway in a Nutshell" tour. It was a beautiful 5 hour train ride to Myrdal.

At Myrdal we boarded the Flamsbana. This train ride was about an hour, with a short stop at a waterfall to take pictures.

It's a 12-mile journey that drops 2,841 feet in elevation to Flam.

At Flam, we boarded a boat for the fjord cruise to Gudvangen.

Aurland, Norway

The fjord cruise was 2 hours, taking us from the Aurlandsfjord to the Naeroyfjord.

When we arrived in Gudvangen, we boarded a bus to Voss. The driver stopped at the Stalheim Hotel where we could get out and have one last view of the fjord.

View from the Stalheim Hotel

At Voss we boarded a train that took us back to Oslo.

Oslo, Norway

2014-11-08T18:44:00.002-08:00

Arrived in Oslo in the morning. We took the airport train to Oslo and from there walked to our hotel. Our room wasn't ready so we checked our luggage at the front desk and went for a walk.

We walked down Karl Johans Gate to the National Museum of Art. There were several paintings by Edvard Munch, including The Scream. There were also some Picassos, Monets, Gaugins and Cezannes. It was a very small, but interesting museum.

We returned to our hotel to check into our room and take a nap. After the nap and dinner, we took the tram to Frogner Park. Inside the park is Vieglandsparken. Gustav Vigeland, a sculptor, worked on the sculpture park from 1924 until he died, in 1943. The park contains 200 fountains and sculptures.

Monolith, Gustav Vigeland

This sculpture was carved from one single granite block and includes 121 figures. The figures are struggling to reach the top and the theme is man's longing and yearning for the spiritual and divine. The figures are draw towards heaven. Some are sad and full of despair. Others show hope and delight. They are holding tight to each other and working together to achieve salvation.

We took the tram back to our hotel and went to bed early, due to jet lag and having to get up early the next morning for the "Norway in a Nutshell" tour.

How I Pack for a Trip

2014-03-29T13:14:00.001-07:00

Whether the trip is for a week or longer, I pack the same. I use the Rick Steves rolling carry-on:

It is 13½" x 20" x 9" and weighs only 6 pounds!

I pick a neutral color for my wardrobe, usually black.

I bring 3-5 different colors of the LL Bean Pima Cotton Short-sleeve shirt.

They are dressier than a regular t-shirt, layers well with other clothes, and holds it shape after washing in a sink and hang drying. Sometimes I have to iron it before I wear it. I plan on wearing each shirt at least 2-3 times during the trip. The only person that's going to see you in the same clothes is your traveling companion(s).

The LL Bean Pima Cotton Button-Front shirt is great to dress up an outfit and to add a layer of warmth. I will also bring a black LL Bean Pima Cotton V-Neck as a less dressy option for layering:

I wear black jeans or black knit pants, depending on the weather where I will be visiting.

I like to accessorize my outfits with scarves such as these from Banana Republic:

I keep my jewelry simple. I don't want to attract attention to myself. I like to wear gold or silver hoop earrings like these from Kohls:

Comfortable walking shoes are very important! I like these Clark shoes for sightseeing:

I like to bring an extra pair of shoes or sandals that I can wear at night that will give my feet a break from walking all day. These Naturalizer sandals are great for doing just that:

Depending on the weather, I will also bring a jacket like these from Magellan's:

The Cafe Coat, which is lighter weight and great for warmer climates.

Or the Ponte Knit Field Jacket, which is medium-weight.

The Adventure and Travel Convertible Jacket is lightweight. The sleeves are detachable and it can be worn as a vest.

If I am going on a cruise and there's going to be a "dress-up" night, I wear a black LL Bean Pima Cotton short sleeve shirt

and a black skirt like this one from Old Navy:

I will also wear this burnout cardi from Downeast Basics over the t-shirt:

I bring a pair of dressy sandals to wear with the outfit like these Dyeables Penelope:

I accessorize it with an inexpensive pearl necklace and earrings like these from Kohl's:

I don't believe in packing my expensive jewelry for a trip. Inexpensive pieces work just fine for me.

All of these items fit in the carry-on suitcase. I also add 5 pairs of underwear and socks.

I also pack the Rick Steves Civita Day Pack into my luggage to use as I'm sightseeing:

I wear the Rick Steves Civita Pouch as a purse on the plane, and when I'm out sightseeing:

For my "under the seat" bag, I bring the Rick Steve Euro Shoulder Tote:

In this bag I bring a change of clothes and underwear (in case my luggage gets lost), toiletries, makeup, reading book, snacks, camera, a guidebook for my first destination, and anything else I might need on the airplane.

Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana

2012-07-03T14:44:00.004-07:00

Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana is a Spanish mission in Mission Hills, California. It was founded on September 8, 1797 by Father Fermin Lasuen. He was a native of Vitoria, Spain and served as Presidente of the California Missions for eighteen years. It is the seventeenth of twenty-one missions established in California. It is named for Saint Ferdinand, King of Spain in 13th century.

The Old Mission Church is the fourth church to be built here and is an exact replica of the one built between 1804 and 1806. The walls are seven feet thick at the base and taper to five feet at the top. Pope John Paull II visited the church in September of 1987.

The elaborate altar, gold-leafed reredos and pulpit are carved from walnut and date to 1687. They were originally installed in the chapel of St. Philip Neri at Ezcaray, Spain. They were then removed and reassembled in part at San Fernando. The altar depicts its patron saint being welcomed into heaven by the Holy Trinity. Father Junipero Serra stands on his left and the figure of St. Mary Magdalene stands on his right. The only piece that did not come from the original church is the statue of St. Ferdinand, which was added to reflect the history of the California missions. The statue was carved for the mission when it was built in 1797, but had to be restored after an earthquake in 1971.

The East Garden features a flower shaped fountain that was copied from one in Cordova (Cordoba), Spain. The garden also contains an assortment of rare trees, cacti and seasonal flowers.

Moorish-style arches in the Convento. The adobe walls are four feet wide and the windows stills have their original iron grilles.

Mission San Gabriel Archangel

2012-07-03T12:32:00.002-07:00

Mission San Gabriel Archangel was founded on September 8, 1771. It is the fourth of twenty-one missions founded in California.

The mission was founded two years after the discovery of the San Gabriel Valley. The founding missionaries came from San Diego to determine the exact site for the mission. They were met by a group of Tongva Indians, who seemed determined to drive them away. One of the priests brought out the three hundred year old painting of "Our Lady of Sorrows" and spread it on the ground for the Indians to see. The Indians were so impressed with the beauty of the painting that they offered signs of friendship.

Father Antonio Cruzado was the church building designer. He was born and raised in Cordova (Cordoba), Spain. The design may have been based on the Cathedral of Cordova in Spain, which was once a Moorish mosque.

The buttressed walls, vaulted roof and fortress-like appearance of the church was influenced by Moorish architecture.

The walls of the building are original and are more than four feet thick. The sections throughout the buttresses are up to seven feet thick.

An earthquake in 1804 damaged the original vaulted roof and ceiling. The roof was replaced by a flat roof made of brick and mortar. That roof was damaged in the 1812 earthquake. The current roof is made of cedar shingles installed in 1993.

The church was built between 1791-1805 using cut stone, brick and mortar which is unusual. The other missions are built from adobe. It is the oldest structure of its kind south of Monterey, California.

The ruins of the original bell tower are to the right in the above photo.

In the 1790's, the main altar was made in Mexico City and brought to the church. The retablo is Churrigueresque-style with wooden polychrome statues that were hand-carved in Spain. On the left side is San Francisco de Asis. San Joaquin is below him. On the right side is San Antonio de Padua. Santo Domingo is below him. Archangel Gabriel is in the center. The Purissima Concepcion is over the Tabernacle. Buried beneath the floor of the Sanctuary, in front of the altar, are eight Franciscan friars.

The altar and the crucifix were damaged during the 1812 earthquake. The statues fell and were broken into pieces. Repairs were completed in 1813. They were also restored again in 1993.

The mission is one of the best preserved, with many of its original features still intact, including the baptistry domed ceiling, floor and walls.

The Camp Santo Cemetery was first consecrated in 1778. It is the oldest cemetery in Los Angeles County. The foundations are original, but the surrounding walls were rebuilt in 1940.

The Peace Garden includes a hand-made tile picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Granada, Spain

2012-01-02T16:08:00.000-08:00

Andalusian poet Manuel Machado described Granada in four words--"Secret water which cries."

The Alhambra is the last and greatest Moorish palace. Granada was held by the Nazarids, an ethnic group of Spanish Muslims, until 1492.

In Tales from the Alhambra, Washington Irving writes: "Such is the Alhambra. A Moslem pile, in the midst of a Christian land; and Oriental palace amidst Gothic edifices of the West; an elegant memento of a brave, intelligent, and graceful people, who conquered, ruled, and passed away."

Water was rare and precious in most of the Islamic world. It was the purest symbol of life to the Moors. The Alhambra is decorated with water--standing still, cascading, drip dropping, and masking secret conversations.

Gibraltar

2012-01-02T15:54:00.000-08:00

Gibraltar is a British colony on the Iberian Pennisula. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the area.

The King Fahd Mosque was a $20 million gift from the Saudi sultan. It was finished in 1997. Gibraltar has over 900 Muslims that worship here every Friday, five times a day.

The Rock of Gibraltar is home to over 200 "apes." They are actually Barbary macaques, a type of tail-less monkey. Legend has it that the apes are a symbol of British sovereignty and if they go the British will leave Gibraltar, "That's why we have to feed them". When their numbers diminished during WWII, Sir Winston Churchill gave strict orders that a minimum of 24 should be maintained.

Be careful. They will come after you if they see you carrying food or plastic bags.

Gibraltar is a narrow peninsula. It is only three miles long and one mile wide. To enter Gibraltar from Spain, you will need to cross the airfield.

Cabo da Roca, Portugal

2012-01-02T15:33:00.000-08:00

"Onde a tera se acaba e o mar comeca"

"Where land ends and the sea begins."

Luis de Camoes

Cabo da Roca was known to the Romans as Promontorium Magnum and during the Age of Sail as the Rock of Lisbon.

Monument declaring Cabo da Roca as the westernmost extent of continental Europe. Its location (38°47′N 9°30′W / 38.783°N 9.5°W) is inscribed on the monument.

Sintra, Portugal

2012-01-02T15:22:00.000-08:00

Sintra is just 15 miles northwest of Lisbon. Portugal's kings would often come to Sintra for the summer. Palacio Nacional housed royalty for 5oo years up until 1910. Today it is still used for official receptions.

Sintra is a small town. It is situated at the foot of a hill.

Obidos, Portugal

2012-01-02T10:24:00.000-08:00

Obidos was founded by the Celts around 300 BC. It was later ruled by Romans, Visigoths, and Moors. The city name comes from the ancient Roman times and means "walled town." The aqueduct was built in the 16th century and connects Obidos to a nearby spring.

Obidos is protected by the government from modern development.

The main gate in Obidos has blue and white tiles that depict battles and religious scenes. Tiles similar to these once covered the walls until an earthquake in 1755 shook them off.

Other tiles found throughout the city...

Obidos wall

Obidos Castle

Lisbon, Portugal

2011-12-30T12:26:00.000-08:00

The Belem District is 3 miles from downtown Lisbon. Belem was the starting point for voyages during the Age of Discovery.

Belem Tower was built between 1515-1520 to protect Lisbon's harbor. This tower was the last site that sailors saw as they left Lisbon. When the tower was built, it stood in the middle of the river. The river nearly touched the walls of the Monastery of Jeronimos.

This marble map lies in the pavement in front of the Monument to the Discoveries. It was a gift from South Africa.

Padrao dos Descobrimentos, "The Monument to the Discoveries" was rebuilt in 1960 for the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator. The monument was originally constructed for the 1940 Expo.

The monument shows the explorers of the world, standing on a raised prow of a caravel on the shore of the Tejo River. Prince Henry the Navigator is holding a model of a caravel and a map.