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The term astronomical clock is one that is used fairly loosely.  Effectively any clock that shows astronomical information – as well as the time – can be so classified.  They can show the location of the sun in the sky, for example.  In addition to that they can show the position of the moon – and further information such as its phase and its age.  Others go further and show the current sign of the zodiac or even go as far as showing a rotating map of the stars.  We will begin with perhaps the most famous example, the Orloj of Prague.

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To say that this clock is astronomical is, perhaps, stating the obvious.  Another word that might describe the Prague Orloj is exquisite.  The first and perhaps most astonishing fact about this astronomical clock is that it was finished and in place in 1410, over eighty years before Columbus made his voyage of discovery to the Americas.  The first thing that draws the eye is the dial at the center of the clock which shows the positions of the moon and the sun.  What makes the Orloj a magnet for visitors to the Czech city is the clockwork show of the figures of the apostles, which on the hour parade themselves.  There are other moving sculptures too – plus a dial which pitted with medallions which represent the months of the years.

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It is said that unless the citizens of Prague look after their Orloj that evil will descend on their city, which may go some way to explain the superb condition of the clock.  There has of course been much restoration over the years.  During the Prague uprising against the Nazis in 1945, incendiary fire was directed at the town square and much of the clock was damaged.  It was only after years of painfully intricate restoration work that the clock came to be what we see today.  For example, the figures shown here of ‘death and the Turk’ were almost completely destroyed in the bombardment.

Lund, Sweden

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A slightly later example of the astronomical clock can be found in Lund Cathedral in Sweden.  It is generally thought that the clock here was completed and working by 1424, perhaps a little later than Prague but a significant achievement nonetheless.  Its full name is the Horologium mirabile Lundense and again major restoration work had to be done to get it fully functioning again.  It was put in to storage in 1827 and it took almost a century to get it back to its rightful place.  The clock plays music from the smallest organ in the church twice a day and when this happens the three wise men and their servants pass by the figures of Jesus and Mary. Below you can see them in action.  To think that this sort of mechanics was created in the fifteenth century is almost mind boggling.

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Two knights at the top of the clock mark the hours and the astronomical part of the clock show the phases of the moon – and where and when the sun will set – among other things.  The lower third is the calendar.  Our medieval ancestors could, with this, work out when religious holidays would fall.  It can still be done today as the board of the clock has to be replaced every one hundred years.  The present board, shown below, will run out in the year 2123.  Some calendars do not end in 2012, after all.

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Strasbourg, France

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Strasbourg Cathedral has, over the centuries, been home to no less than three astronomical clocks.  The first was erected in 1352 and worked for over two centuries when the second and more ambitious clock was installed in 1547.  That itself stopped working in 1788.  The third and present clock was installed in 1838 and was the culmination of a life’s ambition for its creator.  If only the average household had clocks that only had to be replaced twice in six hundred years.

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Jean-Baptiste Schwilgué started the build the current clock in 1838.  He himself was born in 1766 and had, since a child, wanted to build a new clock for the cathedral.  It was a dream that was to be realized fifty years in to his life – a life time, but that is what it took to familiarize himself with the mechanics, mathematics and clock making skills that were necessary to undertake the task.  Before starting work on the clock he and his team of thirty took a year in preparatory design.  It paid off because the new clock was completed in less than five years.  The clock itself was inaugurated in 1842.

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Olomouc, Czech Republic

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Back to the Czech Republic for the astronomical clock of Olomouc.  Of course, when the clock was first built in 1420 there was no republic.  The town was the ancient capital of the country called Moravia which sounds like somewhere characters from the TV series Dynasty might get married.  The main town square is home to this amazing exterior astronomical clock.  Again, as the centuries have progressed the clock has been remodeled and this has taken place in Olomouc about once a century. 

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The Czechs took a lot of serious damage from retreating Nazi troops in the final days of the Second World War and in 1945 they found themselves on the run from the Russians in Olomouc.  In a fit of desecratory petulance they opened fire on the clock and pretty much destroyed it – the remains can be seen in the local museum.  Czechoslovakia, as it was in the late 1940s, became a puppet of the former USSR.  When the clock was rebuilt it was done with the usual care and attention – of course.  However, the religious and royal figures that once adorned the clock were replaced.  In their stead came athletes and workers, representatives of the soviet ideals in place at the time.

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From a distance the clock looks as ancient as its history suggests.  It is only when you get up close that the realization dawns that the figures are representative of a regime that lasted only half as long as it usually took the good citizens of Olumouc to get around to a once a century restoration.  The irony is, of course, not lost on the locals.

Wells England

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So far we have looked at astronomical clocks that are either in or outside of buildings.  The good people of Wells in the West of England decided in the fourteenth century that they would build one that was both.  So the astrological clock is shown on the interior of the cathedral (above).  There is a model of the universe (or a least of proposal of one!) on the dial.  The sun moves in a full circle against a background of stars.  The twenty four hour analog dial goes from one to twelve and then the same again with noon at the top of the dial.  Superb design from centuries ago.

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However the same mechanism drives the clock which is on the outside of the cathedral, meaning that the people of the town did not have to enter the place of worship in order to ascertain the correct time of day. 

Berne, Switzerland

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Although the Swiss are more famous for clocks that contain a representation of a certain bird that lays its eggs in the nests of others, the most immediately recognizable landmark in Berne, Switzerland is the Zytglogge tower.  The tower itself was built in the thirteenth century with the astronomical clock joining it in the fifteenth.  The dial takes the form of an astrolabe which was an instrument used to locate the positions of celestial objects such as the sun, moon, planet and the stars.  Given the local latitude it can also work out local time – and vice versa.

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The dial itself is gorgeously colored and – as with all other clocks in this collection – has undergone significant restoration over the centuries.  Switzerland did not become involved in either of the major European conflicts of the twentieth century but time and entropy have their own rules and as such great care has been taken the keep the clock in pristine condition.  If you are not sure what each part does then perhaps the picture below will help explain it.

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Cremona, Italy

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It is a matter of opinion whether the best has been saved for last, but fact that it is the largest astronomical clock in the world rests in Cremona, Italy.  As well as being the largest astronomical clock on the planet it is situated in the second highest red brick bell tower in the world. The tower itself dates from the early thirteenth century but proud locals often boast that it was started in the eight.  It is certainly true that archaeologists have discovered older Roman remains at its base.

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The clock itself was built by a father and son team – Francesco and Giovan Battista Divizioli.  Typically of many astronomical clocks the exterior shows the zodiac constellations, with the sun making its way through them. 

So, there you have some of the most remarkable astronomical clocks in the world.  Apologies if your favorite has been omitted.  Please tell us if it has in the comments section below and we will endeavor to include them.

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What does Mr. Happy from the Mr. Men series have to do with Glasgow? Well in 1983 Glasgow City Council launched their ‘Glasgow’s Miles Better’ campaign to promote the city. They used the icon of Mr Happy because their campaign could also have been read as ‘Glasgow Smiles Better’. Clever advertising from the council. The Mr Happy drive had, by 1989 run its course and it was replaced by the ‘Glasgow’s Alive’ campaign. But due to public demand, Mr. Happy was brought back in 1994.

Re-winding a few years. The city of Glasgow was originally a makeshift hamlet of a number of huts built around a church in the 6th century. It was at the time referred to as ‘Glaschow’ which roughly translates as ‘the beloved green place’. The city was built on and around the river Clyde and became the greatest shipbuilding centre in the world by the 19th century. The patron saint of Glasgow is Saint Mungo (He was the one who built the church in the 6th century).

The coat of arms of Glasgow has a very interesting story behind it. It includes images of ‘the tree that never grew’, ‘the bird that never flew’, the fish that never swam’ and ‘the bell that never rang’. I was going to quickly explain what each of those actually meant but I thought if you were interested you can research it yourself. Underneath the coat of arms can be found the motto of Glasgow; ‘Let Glasgow Flourish’.

Glasgow is renowned throughout the world for having such a fine range of varying styles of architecture. There can be found in Glasgow examples of ‘Victorian’, ‘Greek Revival’, ‘Gothic Style’ and even ‘Venetian Style’ of building designs. Another famous style was made famous by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The Glasgow School of Art is probably his most famous building in Glasgow, it is a magnificent ‘Art Noveau’ building of taut stone and glass.

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As cities go, the centre of Glasgow is not actually that big but if you include greater Glasgow you will find that it has a population of over 1 million people. I know if you are reading this and come from one of the big cities in America you are probably thinking that 1 million people is not a lot. Well, let’s put it another way, roughly 20% of the people in Scotland live in Glasgow.So it is fortunate that Glasgow has a subway system. Interestingly although it is called ‘The Glasgow Subway’ most people refer to it as ‘The Underground’. It also has a famous nickname which comes about because of the colour of the trains that use the subway. It is nicknamed the ‘Clockwork Orange’.

There have been many famous people who have hailed from Glasgow. The list includes Sir Alex Ferguson (football manager), Charles Rennie Mackintosh (designer), Benny Lynch (champion boxer) and Liz Lochhead (poet). But one of the most famous people to have come from Glasgow is comedian Billy Connolly. The ‘Big Yin’, as he is affectionately known, once worked on the shipyards in Glasgow before embarking on world domination as a comedian. His iconic ‘Banana Boots’ can be found in the museum called ‘The People’s Palace’.

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The 1980s were a time for change in Glasgow. The shipyards had gone, the populations was declining, something had to be done. The council put in to action a plan that was to turn the cities fortunes round in a very short space of time. We have already mentioned the ‘Glasgow’s Miles Better’ campaign. Add to that the opening of the Burrell Collection in 1983, which is a museum that hosts over 9,000 artifacts donated by Sir William Burrell, and it was plain that Glasgow was on the up again. In 1985 the SECC (the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre) was opened and 3 years later Glasgow hosted their own Garden Festival. The festival was estimated to have produced a grand total of nearly 300 million pounds for Glasgow. The festival itself included many fairground attractions including the largest roller coaster in Britain at the time. The roller coaster was sponsored by Coca-Cola.

Glasgow became the ‘European City of Culture’ for 1990 which helped to transform the city’s image. The definition of culture covered not only music, drama and the arts but also other human endeavours such as architecture, design, engineering and education. In fact it all helped to show off how diverse the characteristics of Glasgow were. During that year many visitors from around the world descended on Glasgow to see for themselves how interesting the city was. Approximately 3,500 different public events were showcased during the year.

Glasgow is home to 4 major football clubs. 3 are professional and the other is an amateur team. Celtic are based in the East of Glasgow, Rangers are based in the West just South of the Clyde, Partick Thistle are based to the West just North of the river Clyde and the amateur team, Queen’s Park, are based in the southside. The football team Clyde used to be based in Glasgow but are now in Lanarkshire. Third Lanark were once a Glasgow club but they folded in 1967. Rangers and Celtic are the two ‘big fish’ of Scottish football and are collectively known as the ‘Old Firm’.

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On the subject of football. One of the biggest prizes that a European football club can win is the European cup (now known as the Champions League). In 1967 Glasgow Celtic became not only the first Scottish club to win it but they were the first British club to win the trophy. A replica of the famous trophy can be found in the stadium of Celtic. They beat the mighty Inter Milan 2-1 in Lisbon to take the trophy. The Celtic team that won the famous trophy have gone down in history as ‘the Lisbon Lions’.

Twice a year, for the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, crowds throng into the Strasbourg cathedral. A mysterious light phenomenon appears at 11:38 on March 20, and September 21, it lasts several days. The patriarch Judah, an ancestor of the Christ, is featured in one of the South triforium windows and will be our guide. He looks towards the sun above his right shoulder whilst his index shows his left foot, thus indicating the sun goes through his green foot at a determined moment and from a certain angle. This stained glass window dates back to 1876 and the sun crosses the nave of the cathedral via this beautiful window on every sunny day and particularly on these dates. The green beam reaching the pavement in the Spring creates an oval that moves with the sun, reaches the 15th century pulpit and lights the head of the Virgin, runs along the Christ’s right and left arm, then above his head and finally down to Saint-John’s head. The same phenomenon appears in Autumn, the beam is then white, from another part of the stained glass window, the sun being lower over the horizon.

The show is lovely and attracts many enthusiasts each year. According to the Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory, this occurred accidentally following the restoration of the window in the ’70s. If there is an intention, the tradition was then respected. The Strasbourg green flash symbolically is a tribute to the Sun, to the solar Christian religion. The green color is linked to Nature and Hope and white to Pureness.  Various similar phenomena do exist in other sanctuaries in France and other countries. The Strasbourg cathedral is also famous for its astronomical clock.

Strasbourg, façade of the Gothic cathedral.

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The Judah stained glass window on the right. This is where the phenomenon comes from. 

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The green flash lighting the pulpit in the Spring.

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Astronomical clock in the Strasbourg cathedral. 

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West façade main portal at Strasbourg cathedral.

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General Santos City, a relatively small metropolis sitting on the coast of Sarangani Bay, 600 miles south of Manila, in the back-end of the Mindanao region, is called by many as the Tuna Capital of Asia.

The lively, throbbing environment of General Santos has tuna as its main product.  It accounts for a big chunk in the global tuna market.  From its single airport, huge amounts of processed Yellowfin, Bigeye, and Skipjack tuna are sent to markets worldwide.

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The story of this city began in 1939, when General Paulino Santos, along with a small group of people, settled on these shores.  Reminiscent of the American old Western pioneering spirit, he tamed the land and established the district of Buayan.  It was renamed the municipality of General Santos nine years later.

“GenSan,” as locals and Filipinos may call it, became a city in 1968.  It was frequently attacked by terrorists.  Mindanao, the region where GenSan is located, was called the “Marlboro Country” of the Philippines for its rugged terrain and chaotic nature.  The 70’s and the 80’s saw the height of Islamic separatist movements making this a frequent battleground for government and rebel soldiers. 

 Times have changed.  Now, the region of Mindanao generally basks in a peaceful atmosphere.  In GenSan, success usually comes with the smell of fish—tons of fresh fish.  From sunup to sundown, the fishport hums with activity. Basket and tubs of five-foot long specimens of marlin and tuna are hauled from the pump boats into the nearby selling areas by porters.  Some fishermen who own vessels operate independently.  Others work for a number of big fishing companies who have set up shops in the city.

Inspectors representing different companies go around the wharf looking for prospective buys.  The tuna is then checked for its meat quality: Grade A, B, and C. Grade A being the most tender. 

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After transactions are done, the fishes are then delivered to the respective clients.  Some of the fish are cut into pieces then vacuum packed, or blast-frozen for the Japanese, American, and European sashimi markets.  Others are sliced into chunks and canned. 

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Everything about the tuna is edible.  Nothing goes to waste.  The fins and the bones are ground into fishmeal.  The heads can be cooked grilled or as a soup dish – a unique Filipino delicacy.

The locals are proud of their tuna. Most diners boast of their own tuna specialties.  The words “fish” or “tuna” are prominently displayed outside most food shops.  It would be ludicrous to visit General Santos without sampling their local pride. 

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The buildings themselves are striking because they are both narrow and tall, stacked next to each other along the canals.  They lean out of necessity, since they tend to sink in the soft, soggy soil and a building standing by itself is like a man in quicksand.

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They tend to be skinny since a tax law based the amount of property tax on how wide a building was, not how big.  In the spirit of avoiding taxes that is the lowest common denominator among all cultures, people began building thin homes, but going all out as far as height, and length, going as far back as space will allow.

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The canals are as much a part of the city as the unique buildings, and boats are a common mode of transportation.

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Bikes, however, are the most popular way of getting around.  The flat streets make it easy and the narrow roads make it practical.

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Since buildings are tall and narrow, so are other things such as staircases.  These are typical of what you’ll find in Amsterdam.

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If you need to get out of the buildings because you’re feeling a little claustrophobic, you won’t get much relief in the lanes and allies outside.

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The inner city sits on 1729 acres.  The majority was built in the 17th century when Amsterdam was the center of economics and learning in Europe.

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Below are modern pilings keeping up housing buildings.

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Although houses are packed together and all have the same tall, thin style, most have unique facades, roofs, and windows to keep them individual.

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I invite you to explore and enjoy the many unique and interesting locations of our fair city.  We are home to Rob Feenie, world class chef who was not only invited onto the prestigious show “Iron Chef America,” but even won the challenge!  We have nearly unlimited parklands, and has become a Mecca for skiers, hikers and nature enthusiasts from around the world.  Whistler BC is famous for its gorgeous ski resort and fine dining.  The famous Araxi Restaurant was the last season’s prize for frazzled chefs from Gordon Ramsay’s “Hell’s Kitchen” which was won by the talented young chef Dave. 

Of course, many of my favorite places are in the Downtown Core.  For shopaholics, I strongly encourage you to visit “Robson Strasse” which is home to quaint little cafes, exclusive boutiques and wonderful restaurants.  The European concept of Robson Strasse is beautiful and is definitely worth a visit during your travels.

Another wonderful place for shoppers to visit would be the Pacific Centre Mall, situated at 700 West Georgia, the heart of our city’s core. This huge mall has shopping to suit every budget, and is a fashionista’s dream come true.

If historical landmarks are your thing, you must come to our Water Street strip known as “Gastown”.  Named after Gassy Jack, a prospector and founder of the town, this small portion of the city was all that remained after the great fire in 1886.  Over 400 buildings burned to the ground that year, and many people died in the fire.  This part of town is a fun and exciting place for tourists to visit.  It has been preserved to look almost exactly as it did during the turn of the century.  There is everything from kitschy little souvenir shops to elegant, pricey boutiques and much, much more.  The huge steam clock located on the Water Street has drawn people from all around the world.

 From Gastown, you may visit our Waterfront Station which is the main destination for buses, the West Coast Express, and the Sea Bus.  The Sea Bus is a small ferry which transports foot passengers from Downtown to the Lonsdale Quay for the price of regular bus fare.  Lonsdale Quay bears a striking resemblance to some areas in San Francisco and boasts a fantastic view of the city and park from across Burrard Inlet. 

You can’t visit Vancouver without paying our jewel, Stanley Park, a visit.  The Sea Wall, which surrounds the perimeter of the 400 hectare park, is visited by thousands of people every year.  The walk is 8.8 Kilometers of pure natural glory.  As you walk along side of the Pacific Ocean, you can peer over to the inlet where huge freighter ships are docked waiting to be loaded with cargo to be shipped around the world.  When the sea is misty and there is a chill in the air, these massive ships are almost hauntingly beautiful.  Stanley Park is also home to the Vancouver Aquarium.  Fun for children and adults alike, the dolphins, otters and beluga whales are definitely worth a visit.  The Aquarium is instrumental in protecting endangered sea life.  It is a full day’s worth of fun, so come early and take your time. 

Granville Island is home to one of the greatest outdoor food markets around, as well as a hub for countless artists.  There are fun little theatres there as well as pubs and cool little eateries.  I have gone to some of the quirky little theatre productions and had an awesome time with friends.  It is only minutes away from Downtown, and if you love theatre or improve, I strongly recommend it as a great place to go.

If culture and class is your thing, don’t miss our gorgeous “Vancouver Art Gallery” which houses beautiful and valuable works of art from many famous artists throughout the ages, including works from “The Group of Seven” and Emily Carr.  It is located at 750 Hornby Street downtown Vancouver, and I’m sure you will find something there that will inspire you and touch your heart. 

If a gorgeous view with dinner is something that strikes your fancy, please come to our famous landmark The Harbor Centre”.  Its profile is what makes our Vancouver Skyline unique and different, and houses a fine revolving restaurant on top.  As you go up the side of the building in the glass elevator, you are transported to one of the loveliest bird’s eye views our city can have.  I had the privilege of dining there, and the food is divine.  If you are looking for a romantic, beautiful place to take your sweetheart, I strongly recommend the Harbor Centre Tower. 

I hope that while you are here, that you take full advantage of everything our city has to offer.  I suggest that before you travel here for the Winter Games, to check out some of our tourist attraction sites online to get a sense of where you would really like to go.  There are so many wonderful and exciting things to see and do, that I can only mention a couple of them in this article.  The Gateway to the Pacific welcomes all of our Olympic hopefuls, and we wish for all of our visitors to come and enjoy the amenities and have a fabulous time!

So until then, see you at the 2010!

“You WEREN’T wasted! My husband scolded.  “You (expletive) fainted!”

Getting the Party Started

It was New Year’s Eve day.  12 hours to go before the party started in downtown Santiago, Chile.  We have been in the country for almost one hour and our hotel room for 10 minutes.  It was a trip of a lifetime and I got things started on a low, but ramming my bum knee on a desk and passing out cold.  James always said I know how to kick things off.  Here we are,  in a foreign city, I am the one in the couple that can speak the language and truly we have no sense of where we are since our short arrival.  I don’t blame him for being upset and ultimately pissed that I am laid out unresponsive on the hotel floor.

I am relieved (as his he) that I came too quickly.  It was obvious that in my unconscious state, I was thinking of the evening and the party ahead.  Now the pressure is on to convince him that I really am fine and we can start our vacation.

“I am fine,” I plea “and I am so, so, sorry.”  We have been traveling for 20 hours straight, surely suffer from a bit of dehydration and we’re both hungry.  I convince him I am back to my normal self and we should good find some lunch.  Being the constant cheerleader and cruise director, this seems to convince James that I will not pass out again and now, we can start our vacation.

Seeing a Bit of Santiago

Santiago houses a terrific and active pedestrian mall that travels for about a mile.  The street is lined with retail and few push cart vendors selling beverages and snacks.  We make our way to the produce/food market and can’t help but notice the huge sale of party hats and noise makers.  Our trip to Chile was to fly-fish, bird watch and mountain climb.  Santiago was a stop over for one evening as we planned on going south to Patagonia.  We were not aware of Santiago’s reputation for a fantastic New Year’s Eve Party.  The prolific sale of hats and party supplies was our first indication that this town really lived it up on this evening.

The market is a must do in this town.  It welcomed us with open arms and endless options of fish, produce, baked goods and snacks.  Rows and rows of ice showcasing the prizes of the sea.  The center of the market houses a couple restaurants/bistros that serve the freshest offerings from the neighboring vendors.  We had a nourishing lunch of grilled sausage, muscles, warm bread and our first local beers, Escudo, which we were never short on the rest of the trip.  As we watched the merchants around us, we also saw the merchants sell crates of champagne…Everyone in the market had at least two bottles of bubbly.  This only surprises us because sure, we see champagne enjoyed during new years eve, but not at this volume.

Our typical dinning conversation includes planning our next meal.  Since it is a well exercised holiday in Chile dinner reservations are a must.  We managed to squeeze a seating in at the hotel to sample our first South American dinner.  The tables were decorated with party hats and noise makers.  Again, we certainly have seen such party swag, but never used them.  The patrons were dressed fine and even in their dapper threads, were sporting the paper party hats.  Wanting to be part of the crowd, we proudly put on our hats and enjoyed our fine cuts of beef and washed it down with a pisco sour.  Pisco is a Chilean liquor that mixes well with a sweet and sour mixer and an egg white.  Not terribly potent, but addictively delicious.  After this fine meal we headed to the town center about 11:00 PM.

Party in the Plaza

The street is buzzing.  Music in all directions, champagne bottles popping every 30 seconds.  We walked to towards the crowd that was facing a giant state with super sized projection screens.  Salsa dancers, singers, bands. Pure entertainment.  When I think of Urban street parties, I get nervous.  I would never think of it as a family event.  In Santiago, everyone is with their family.  Every other shoulder has a child sitting atop for a better view of the action.   Balloons, more party hats, and beer vendors abound.

We found a place to loiter.  We look North American, mostly due to our coloring and were not advertising with Nike shoes. Plus, we just came down during our winter and were pasty white.  We were constantly approached by neighboring bystanders asking us about us.  Where we were from?  What our plans were?  How did we like Chile?  There was an overwhelming sense of welcoming and national pride.  It was such a lively and friendly scene.  I think back to watching the fire works in Detroit and more concerned about getting tangled in a nearby brawl than ever considering chatting it up with the stranger next to me.  The bottles of champagne were passed around and everyone’s cup was full.  The music was loud and you had to be lame to not move to it.  It was vibrant, safe, and a really a great party.

Almost Midnight

The hour was coming to a close and the count down began.  As the new year arrived the expected cheers and noise started as every child let a balloon go.  The sky was filled.  This was followed by hugs, kisses and pictures. Every one hugged and kissed…we were certainly included.  We were asked to take pictures of others, than asked to join them in their family photo.  They asked us where are children were for our picture.  When we admitted that we were a dog family only, 3 babies came pushed our way, “Here hold mine for your picture!” 

Then the fire works.  It would be hard to find a longer fireworks display than this one.  The Beijing Olympics might be a runner up.  A pure 30-45 minutes of tantalizing fire visuals keep our attention as we finished off the thousands of bottles of champagne bottles sold.

Country with Open Arms

Hugging strangers, holding their children, and feeling completly comfortable in a crowded scene was just a small taste of this welcoming nation.  Starting a trip with such a festive new year’s eve party is a great way to kick of your Chile vacation.

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In a record two years, the bishop had built not only a complete cathedral, but also a complete town centre with houses for the advisors and the administration of the See. Compared to today’s technological standards, this would mean building the Petronas Towers in three months while filling them with a lifetime of art work by Andy Warhol at the same time.

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In the total refurbishment and enlargement of the cathedral in 1759, an organ built by Johann Andreas Silbermann was added. Silbermann organs (built by one of the brothers Gottfried and Andreas or the latter’s son Johann Andreas) are known for their superior sound. As Silbermann was included in the planning of the rebuild from the start, the cathedral’s architecture was done with view to acoustics. It is for its acoustic value that the cathedral’s organ often used for recordings of classical organ works.

In 1785, Balbina of Andlau, a friend of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, started building the Eremitage, a large English garden inspired by the new interest in nature as proposed by Rousseau. Inspired by local legends of hermits living in the hills of Arlesheim in historical times she included lakes, follies, and a hermitage in her design. During the French revolution, the garden was completely destroyed but rebuilt during the Restoration by her son. What may be seen today is exclusively the rebuild of 1812.

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One of the mythical hermits that inspired Balbina was Saint Odilia, Princess of Burgundy, who is said to have lived her life in the hills of Arlesheim. She is still the patron saint of the village, you may see a statue dating from the 12th century in the video link said to be from the first church dedicated to the saint. The Andlau family had a manor house in the village which is still a private residence and not open to the public.

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Above the village and the Eremitage, the remains of Birseck Castle can be seen. This castle had been part of the defences of Basel and one of the residences of the bishop. It was largely destroyed in the earthquake of 1356 but was rebuilt shortly later. During the French Revolution, the castle was again destroyed. With the Eremitage, Conrad of Andlau also rebuilt the castle on a romantic scale with no historical connection to previous builds.

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On another hill, the castle of Reichenstein can be seen. This castle was completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1356, too, and fancifully rebuilt in 1933 by a local merchant. Arlesheim has become a suburb of the City of Basel during the 20th century and is linked to the city centre by tram and rail services. Useful links for visitors include arlesheim.ch and arlesheim-dom.org.

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Since 1921, Arlesheim has the world’s first clinic for anthroposophist medicine. You might know the village already without knowing it, if you ever noticed products by Weleda in your local pharmacy of drug store. Weleda products are produced on anthroposophist principles and are therefore completely natural and contain no artificial components either for treatment or for conservation.

 All-inclusive places are wonderful for a ton of reasons. The price includes everything, your meals, airfare so budgeting is very simple. You have a variety of activities to choose from and if you don’t enjoy a certain one then you don’t have to do it. In all areas of the world these types of vacations are found. If you have in mind a particular are that you would like to visit there no doubt is an all inclusive resort there.

Another very popular vacation choice for seniors is what’s called a volunteer vacation. With a vacation like this you can visit a totally different part of the world, be able to assist others, learn fabulous things about their way of life and culture but still have plenty of time or relaxation. Volunteer assignment may be things such as teaching reading skills or cataloguing nature. Even if you may feel that you don’t have the right skills this is not a problem. Many are untrained volunteers and are taught.

Learning vacations are a great idea for seniors who would like to get their brain going intellectually. A lot miss out on this after retiring from work. During a learning vacation you will devote one to two hours a day to getting better and improving at a specific skill of your choice. During the rest of your vacation time you can decide for yourself what you would like to do. Things such as checking out the countryside, visiting a local sap or restaurant, or enjoying some relaxation on your own. The many different things that you can choose to learn on these vacations are limitless; you can enjoy learning to cook in France, take horseback riding lessons, or learn a new language. There are lessons available for all experience levels, from the beginner to the advanced.

What should senior citizens look for in a learning vacation?  Talk to those who have used the company you are looking into. If they only have good things to say and would take another vacation with this company, then you should be pretty safe. Take a look at what will be offered recreation on the trip. You will not be so involved with learning that you won’t have time for sightseeing. Make a plan about how to use your day, thinking about what your interests are and your energy level, take a ton of pictures, and enjoy your vacation.

It is hard to imagine the exuberant Grand Hotel cast in dreary winter silence with only a small crew roaming her massive passages to attend to emergency maintenance and security. During the coldest months, temperatures inside the hotel can dip to ten degrees below zero – the very thought provokes images of gripping winter scenes from Doctor Zhivago – or the far less romantic The Shining.

Ah, but in the spring

The Grand Hotel comes to life every April. The crown jewel of Mackinac Island awakens to present her waiting public with expansive lawns, and 50 acres of greenery and flowers.

She is the world’s largest seasonal hotel, with 385 individually and beautifully decorated guestrooms and suites. Because she opened in 1887, there is an ever-present aura of elegant Victorian charm in her rooms, corridors, and public places. The pleasure of her afternoon teas and dining room chamber music is world-renowned.

More resort than hotel

The Grand is more than a hotel. She is really a destination resort complete with tennis courts, golf courses, restaurants, a theatre, convention facilities, spas, retail shops, and boutiques – all with impeccable standards of taste and service. Her 220-foot long Ester Williams swimming pool was featured in the 1947 movie This Time for Keeps starring Esther Williams and Jimmy Durante.

The Grand veranda

The world famous and frequently photographed Grand veranda is 650 feet long, and provides rocking chairs for scores of visitors. They idle away sunny days listening to the sounds of horse-drawn carriages, and the remotely audible laughter of guests engaged in a relaxing game of croquet on the seemingly endless front lawn.

The Grand Hotel is a beacon to all island visitors. To insure guest privacy, there is a ten-dollar walk-around charge to all non-registered guests.

About the island

Mackinac Island has been a popular resort destination since the end of the Civil War. Mackinac Island National Park (80 percent of the 3.8 square mile island) was the second National Park established by Congress after Yellowstone.

Because of the local community’s extensive and ongoing preservation and restoration efforts, the entire island has been listed as a National Historic Landmark. This is indeed an unusual place.

No public motorized vehicles have been permitted on the island since 1898, as nothing is allowed to intrude on the tranquility and quietude of the surroundings.

Covered in boreal forest, the island is abundant in natural scenic beauty. There are pathways and trails for those who enjoy walking, horseback riding, and bicycling. A picturesque walk or ride around the island’s perimeter on Lakeshore Drive, a.k.a. state route M-185 is 8.2 miles, of mostly flat terrain. M-185 is a circular road that never ends and is the only US state highway that does not allow motor driven vehicles.

Old Fort Mackinac

There were two battles during the War of 1812 fought at historic Fort Mackinac. Today, the fort is open to the public – as is the Civil War Cemetery that is a short walk inland.

Several geological formations are also within easy walking distance of town. The most popular is Arch Rock, a natural limestone arch formation 146 feet above the perimeter road. 

Getting there

In preparation for the Somewhere in Time Weekend, we drove from Niagara Falls to Mackinaw City along Lake Erie and Huron. We stopped at delightful and romantic inns all along the way. It was a joy to drive beside the lakes and meet the people in rural New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. The innkeepers were extraordinary, and the lodgings were pure Americana at its finest. In future articles, we will review the best of our experiences.

If you don’t drive, there are several commercial air services and airports servicing Mackinac Island. There is also a small airport on the island that accepts charter and private planes.

The Arnold Transit Company is the oldest and most modern of three boat services that comfortably ferry visitors and vacationers to the island from the Michigan ports in Mackinaw City, and St. Ignace.

A visit to Mackinac (pronounced Mac-in-aw) Island should be on everyone’s Places to Visit in My Lifetime List – or your Bucket List if you like.

One last thing, be sure to try the Mackinac Fudge and Ice Cream. No one is ever disappointed.

Happy travels.

Photos © Wayne and Judy Bayliff