Category Archives: PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTO GALLERY

NORWAY: LOFOTEN to BERGEN and back to OSLO

February 21, 2018 startsolo Leave a comment

MS Nordlys: Ship I took from Svolvær to Bergen for three nights

Unmanned small lighthouses guide the way

Å at sunset. A town in the Lofoten Islands

Trolls loom large in Scandinavian culture from Norse mythology.

Passing fjords and small communities from Svolvær to Bergen aboard the MS Nordlys

Marble mines in Eide producing the purest marble in the world according to guide/employee. Too hard to sculpt it is mostly pulverized and used to produce glossy paper and face creams.

Gamle Bybro (Old Bridge) seen from the neighborhood Bakklandet in Trondheim near dawn (9am).

Roughly thirty accordions waiting to be played in Greig Hall, Bergen ala Lawrence Welk until a harmonica player with verve and nerve showed up.

Bergen from above with a rare view without rain and fog. Shortly after I arrived this view disappeared.

Train from Bergen to Oslo was inland with heavy snow. Skiing understandably begins early.

Train view of snow covered landscape and virtual blizzard did not hamper travel.

PHOTO GALLERY

NORWAY: KVITAVATN, OSLO, TROMSØ, LOFOTEN

January 30, 2018 startsolo Leave a comment

Kvitavatn, Norway
Despite perfect conditions, my attempt to learn cross-country skiing had less than perfect results.

One of many stunning views and frozen lakes in Kvitavatn

Vigeland Park showcases the work of Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland in Oslo

“Spalt” by Franz West at dusk-Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park in Oslo

“Eyes” by Louise Bourgeois at the Astrup Fearnley Museum’s outdoor “Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park”

Cultural differences: Norwegian mom leaves baby in carriage outside in below freezing temperatures while she has a snack and coffee inside the Edvard Munch museum. The baby was bundled and sleeping soundly when I passed by.

Tromsø: Icy roads are common in Norway. Gravel is placed on the roads-sometimes. I bought cleats for my shoes after one day in Oslo.

One of many Hurtigruten ships that offer transport/cruises along the Norwegian coast and elsewhere. I took a similar ship from Tromsø to Svolvær.

View of Tromsø from aerial tramway station around 3:30pm

Scandinavian bed making: two single quilts on a double bed

Even a work site is picturesque at twilight (2:30pm) in Svolvær

Hjell: wooden racks for drying stockfish stand vacant

Ephemeral, eerie, magical Northern Lights

Yoko Ono’s love message is sent from Henningsvær lighthouse

PHOTO GALLERY

ANDALUSIA, SPAIN

January 7, 2018 startsolo Leave a comment

The pueblos blancos intrigued me so I took a train to Cadiz from Zaragoza and rented a car to explore them. These stunning white towns, going back centuries, dot an area of the Andalusian countryside. They’ve retained their beauty and charm. I finished my five months traveling through Spain in Malaga–with so much left to see.

Casa Manteca: Cadiz
Bullfighting and tapas are taken seriously

Water reservoir outside the stunning town of Zahara de la Sierra

A glimpse of Zahara de la Sierra in the distance.

Setenil de las Bodegas: Homes built into stone

Train station along the Via Verde that never saw a train.

Olvera’s Vía Verde: 36 kms of bike trails originally designed for a train track was never completed due to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.

Ronda’s gorge The site of its iconic bridge

Ronda: Hemingway was understandably drawn to this enchanting town.
This picture of the bridge does not do it justice

My tab drawn in chalk for a glass of sherry at La Cava

La Cava: Tiny beloved venue for nightly flamenco in Jerez de la Frontera

The catamaran I took a tour on of Malaga’s harbor

PHOTO GALLERY

ARAGON, SPAIN

January 6, 2018 startsolo Leave a comment

I arrived in Zaragoza the capital of Aragon the 20th of October and stayed in the region for a month. Traveling through towns and hamlets, serpentine mountain passages, grasslands, and deserts in the rain, snow, and sun I discovered on foot and wheels varied landscapes, majestic vistas, friendly locals, and a breathtaking beautiful region of Spain.

Zaragoza: Capital of Aragon. An impressive range of museums, Roman ruins, walking paths, tapas bars, and sights.

Zaragoza’s pedestrian bridge across the Rio Ebro

What’s not to love about these extraordinary creatures (Acuario de Zaragoza)

Zaragoza Water Park: Site of 2008 World Expo

Alquézar: A mecca for canyoning in the warmer months. An Arab fortress from the 9th c. converted to a Christian domain in the 11th c.

Silent, empty medieval streets of Alquézar except for the resident cats.

Wind erosion in the eerie arid landscape of Bardenas Reales

Moorish influence is prevalent in Teruel.

PHOTO GALLERY

MINDO: Natural Wonders

May 25, 2017 startsolo Leave a comment

Mariposas de Mindo housed hundreds of butterflies to admire, feed, sit by, and photograph. The colors and sizes varied, but my awe of their beauty did not.

The 2 km walk from the road to Las Tangaras Reserve was a small adventure.

Las Tangaras Reserve attracts dozens of hummingbirds and exotic species in a secluded forest with a roaring river meters away. I spent three wonderful days there with John and Jaclyn, the extraordinary managers, who insured my stay was perfect. Hours passed quickly as we shared our tales of travel, buried treasure, and our lives. It was thanks to them that I took the picture of the cocks-of-the-rocks in a previous post. We even saw parrots and an armadillo.

Mindo offered many opportunities to engage with nature: birds, butterflies, orchids, singing frogs, and ravenous noseeums dining on my flesh.
Fortunately the pesky insects did not damper my spirits-too much-and the beauty more than compensated for the discomfort.

This photo does not do Ruina a.k.a. Milou any justice.

PHOTO GALLERY

LOS GALAPAGOS: Images

May 12, 2017 startsolo Leave a comment

It was remarkably easy to take nearly two thousand photographs while in the Galapagos. Beauty abounded at every turn. However slow internet connections make the taking of a photo with my camera, sending it to my phone, then uploading each one to this site extremely time consuming. I hope in the future I will share more and correct some glitches. In the meantime I welcome you to share these moments with me.

Continue reading LOS GALAPAGOS: Images →

PHOTO GALLERY

CONEY ISLAND NEW YEAR’S DAY 2016

January 3, 2016 startsolo Leave a comment

P1060634 — The Wonder Wheel is open on new year’s day for the first time in ninety-five years. There was no line, free hot chocolate was offered to ease the chill, and of course the bird’s eye view was sublime.

P1060647 — Many seemed unfazed by the cold weather.

P1060652 — A few allowed events from beyond to seep in.

P1060653 — After our hug, she thanked me.

P1060654 — Alas, I did not hear him sing.

P1060659 — The warmth of their smiles was all they really needed.

P1060680 — Interesting sights could be found in all directions.

P1060684 — The “Polar Bears” head in for a dip.

PHOTO GALLERY

TRICK OR TREAT

October 31, 2014 startsolo Leave a comment

Be sure to watch out for the ghosts and the goblins and the creatures who go bump in the night.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! Welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new. I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement

PHOTO GALLERY