The Art of Conversation: Travel

Hi folks, for something different I picked up a package of cards which promotes chat about travel. Questions to ask, ponder, and exchange answers. Perhaps it is good fodder for the travel blog?

In order to further women holding hands around the world, I am hopeful that the readers of this blog will take some of these discussions to their own community of folks and further deepen travel talk.

Some of the goals would include sharing travel tips, stimulating discussions with multi perspectives, explore thoughts, views, hopes, dreams, feelings and knowledge. Perhaps to learn more about ourselves and certainly to deepen our understanding of others. When we play this game at the meetups, perhaps we can time each other’s answers so that there is plenty of free exchange and everyone’s voice is heard. This deck could also be used in interview style, one person asking and the other answering and then switch roles. Topics investigated may touch on history, geography, politics, attitudes, areas of interest, environmental awareness and expanding vocabulary.

A few examples:
“Tourists don’t know where they have been and travellers don’t know where they are going”. Comment on this.

What country, other than your own do you identify with most strongly?

What has been your experience of revisiting the same place, a place you love?

If you were to dress in a costume of your favorite place, so far, how would you dress?

Tell me about your exploration of the artistic expression of another culture.

Where did your family originate and what do you know about that place?

What is your philosophy of travel? How has it changed over time?

If you could travel back in time, where and when would you journey?

How have you made your budget cost trip in to a first class holiday?

Take a photo in your mind of a moment past without camera, describe it.

Describe the rhythm of a mode of transport that most aids in you being mindful.

Name a value, spiritual or philosophical, that you feel your own culture could benefit from being more like.

Describe a time when you most enjoyed the sounds around you as you slept.

What has travel helped you appreciate about your own country?

What arises your curiosity and in what way does travel contribute to this?

Name a favorite hiding spot for valuables when you travel (safes don’t count).

“People travel to faraway places to watch in fascination the kind of people they ignore at home.” Comment.

Where and what does exotic mean to you?

Where and when had you taken the road less traveled?

Where do you dream of going and yet doubt you will ever get to visit?

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I look forward to you sharing you reaction to these questions and any answers you want to tell me about in return email.

Ciao for now my friends and family, a presto

Pamela

(Today I took a minute of silence to remember the events in years past on Sept 11th and the event that rocked our world)

Copenhagen

I had a great sleep last night and woke up early to watch us sail in to Copenhagen, Denmark. This being our second last port of call on the Baltic cruise. Tomorrow is Skagen and the first time this ship will have stopped there, ever. I am hopeful it is like Warnemunde a bit. After that one more sea day and formal night … Then off to London to explore there!

Copenhagen is a large city, one and half million inhabitants. Famed for the bronze statue of the Little Mermaid sitting, waiting, on a rock in the harbour built in 1913. People have been photographing for years this small but significant statue as a symbol of Copenhagen. Much like Christ the Redeemer in Rio and leaning tower in Pisa, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Great Wall in China. Hans Christian Anderson wrote about this tragic little heroine and other children’s stories.

There are royal palaces a plenty to check out. We plan to catch the green Hop On bus and ride the route with Glen and Maggie. We are told it is a clean and neat city and the center of political and economic life for this country. It was a Viking settlement in 1100’s, and is the largest of 474 Danish islands and is located on the east coast of Zealand. Apparently many pedestrian only areas in the city to be explored.

A mile long stretch of city between the Town Hall Square and the Royal Theatre invites shoppers as well as those, like us, looking to have a bevy and maybe even a rest between pub stops as we watch and spend time with the local people we encounter. Many restored 18th century buildings can be seen and enjoyed in this city area. There is a National Museum and a Planetarium, various cathedrals and churches dating way back.

Tivoli Gardens are world famous 22 square block and opened in 1843. Boasting also of an amusement park and various shows and rides every day.

Home of Carlsburg and Tuborg beers is here in Copenhagen and their regional drink includes Schnapps aka Aquavit, and Cherry Heering, a rich liquor.

Time to head out for the day, I hope to have wifi on the bus, to send warm wishes to you all from Denmark.

I trust your days are filled with joy.

Wish you were here, with love,

Pamela
Xoxo

Blog in a blur … It’s the schnapps!

Highlight of the trip! Quaint little beach town of Warnemunde, Germany. Wow … We walked through the cobblestones to the gorgeous vast sandy beach and watched ocean waves. Lighthouses marking the way, the town pension, small hotel type places… Wow, the style of homes in Germany does not disappoint here.

Walked sandy beach, enjoyed sea birds and feel of sand in my toes, and the sweet sound of waes coming and going. We walked a sea wall out to a lighthouse where the waves crash on the sharp rocks. It seems that not long ago the water left behind sea weed evidence of a windy storm. Perhaps last evening?

Kites dancing in the wind high above the beach and small one person sail boats daring to frolic in the sea swells. Larger sail boat heads out with aid of motor and incoming ferry boats. Busy port

So picturesque. I am in love with this place.

And now for some shopping along the boardwalk. Old ships converted to restaurant and cafes on the water side, clothes and other type shops on the other .. Yeah!

Stopped for Prosecco for me mixed with a local not sweet orange liquor, as a frizzy drink, cocktail, Aperol, and beer for my travel companions. First one of the day …. We plan to taste beer and Prosecco all day as I shop. Ha ha …. Glen and Maggie join us and the four sisters drop by as well …. So fun.

And now to stop number two, again we have seen most of the gals and Glen from our table on the ship. Dark beer, local light beer and I have a similar drink, Aperol and Prosecco. Sea gulls, shops on ships, cruisers everywhere, and other tourists. Joanne and I order some pommes frites, French fries … And they are very good, extra ketchup. We have schnapps at this stop … Shared :).

Oh my, this is a favorite stop so far… I could come back here.

Third stop … We have walked the town, purchased schnapps and Prosecco at grocery store and Jan is going to walk up the lighthouse for the view from there. I have a piccolo bottle of medium dry Prosecco, called Momentum by Trocken. Very pleasant. And we are waiting for Jan, she won’t be long.

This has been my favorite port of call this far, small ocean town with large sandy beach, great shopping and many little pubs dotting the boardwalk. I would like to return here and to any place similar.

Jan returns…. We prepare to return to the ship.

Wish you were here ….. Signing out from Warnemunde Germany.

Pamela
Xoxoxox

Warnemunde is the next port of call. Today the sun is bright with some clouds. A bit cool to lay out by the pool unless hot tubbing is more the goal.

Breakfast, rest and relax, walk around, exploring the library, and enjoying the beautiful lounges. There was a Russian Bazarre today in the Queens Room and I stayed on the next floor and looked down watching the shopping activity as people were picking through the stacking dolls, decorated intricate eggs shaped into earrings, pendants and even ornaments, fabric items for the household, t shirts, and vodka! And of course finger foods for people to enjoy as they shop!

And then time for lunch … Time always to eat again. Lol. Seafood extravaganza at lunch today, with some salad.

Tonight is another formal night, Victorian theme. And tomorrow some quiet strolling through the beach coastal town of Warnemunde Germany.

Ciao for now.

Pamela

And today we are starting with a Hop On bus right from the port. So exciting! Beautiful! Tree lined streets. Sunshine and blue skies.

Major department store Stokmann, it takes up a full city block and up, as well as several layers below the street. They say if you can’t get it there, you don’t need it! Lol

We did a hop on hop off bus around the route and then back to the Rock Church. It is a very unusual structure built deep in stone, however is very bright from natural light. Very peaceful and lovely.

Then walked downtown and through the streets. Stopped for an iced decaf coffee with sugar free vanilla and soy at the local Starbucks in the base of Stockmanns. Onward to look in windows of high fashion shops. One window all decked in black and white, lines and dots dresses and tights. Very fun, and fine style. International European fashions … People sitting round small tables at pubs and cafes on the street, sipping wine and or coffee in the heat of the sun on this warm afternoon in the capital of Finland.

We walked to the large outdoor market … Fish for sale, raw and freshly cooked with side plates of veggies, fries and little round potatoes. Trinkets, silver crafted into lovely jewelry, knitted warm winter sock slippers, mitts and hats …. Leather and fur. Fun to walk and look through the fares.

Back to the bus after picking up some Prosecco and red wine, as well as local peppermint schnapps from the lower floor of the Stockmanns …. And then to the ship. Souvenir and local fabric designers set up outside the ship in the covered area. I stop to check out the wares and then boarding for a day at sea.

Another very find day in port, with our new friends. Jan and Joanne from the Womens Travel Club … And Maggie and Glen from Liverpool who also sit at our table each evening. The six of us hung out together all day.

We enjoy a lovely dinner with them as well in addition to the four sisters from London who also sit at our table for ten. Lovely stories of the last few days of touring.

Good night, my friends

Pamela

Sunny again! We are told by our tour guide that this is very unusual for this warm sun this time of year. 98% humidity. I find it very pleasant here and very much enjoy the sunshine. We are in tour group 10 today, St Petersburg Explorer. A map, an interactive pen, and an hour for the first stop.

St Isaacs Cathedral, Hotel Astoria, monument to Nicholas 1, blue bridge, the Bronze Horseman monument to Peter 1 and the Alexandrovsky building. Total walk 1.8 km in one hour. All accounted for. Sunny and still cool in the morning. Our tour guide gave brief information of the area.

Stop two. 3.3 km, 2 hours to explore on our own. Field of Mars, Marble Palace, and several lovely gardens. Highlights included Spilled Blood Cathedral, museum of fine arts, St Michael castle and gardens. What it must have been like to be a girl and to frolic and play also to be courted in these gardens?

Stop 3′ 4.6 km… Nevsky Prospect includes Alexandrinsky Theater (UNESCO site), monument to Catherine, bridges, Russian museum, Church of Spilled Blood, winter canal. National Library, Catholic Church of St Catherine, chocolate museum …. The Metro, familiar Subway, Burger King, McDonalds, and Starbucks. Instead of crossing some roads there are underground sub bridges through busy corners. Even stores under ground. Big malls in very old buildings.

Presently walking Nevsky Prospect … Large shopping street. Posting from Starbucks in St Petersburg Russia, Love my life!

A one hour water canal boat trip up to and including the major canal, River Neva. This water all freezes in November for winter. We see ice breakers and bridges that draw up during high flood times.

Back to the coach and back to ship. We leave tonight for Helsinki Finland. Will have a great chat with our table mates tonight and compare stories. It was good to see this amazing and beautiful city, full of stories of the past.

Wish you were here,
love Pamela

Day two St Petersburg

Sunny again! We are told by our tour guide that this is very unusual for this warm sun this time of year. 98% humidity. I find it very pleasant here and very much enjoy the sunshine. We are in tour group 10 today, St Petersburg Explorer. A map, an interactive pen, and an hour for the first stop.

St Isaacs Cathedral, Hotel Astoria, monument to Nicholas 1, blue bridge, the Bronze Horseman monument to Peter 1 and the Alexandrovsky building. Total walk 1.8 km in one hour. All accounted for. Sunny and still cool in the morning. Our tour guide gave brief information of the area.

Stop two. 4.6 km, 2 hours to explore on our own. Highlights included Spilled Blood Cathedral, museum of fine arts, St Michael castle and gardens. What it must have been like to be a girl and to frolic and play also to be courted in these gardens?

Third stop, 3 hours to walk along Nevsky Prospect, a long shopping Street.

Alexandrinsky Theater, monument to Catherine, bridges, Russian museum,

Presently walking Nevisky Prospect … Large shopping street. Posting from Starbucks in St Petersburg Russia, Love my life!

Day two St Peteersburg

Sunny again! We are told by our tour guide that this is very unusual for this warm sun this time of year. 98% humidity. I find it very pleasant here and very much enjoy the sunshine. We are in tour group 10 today, St Petersburg Explorer. A map, an interactive pen, and an hour for the first stop.

St Isaacs Cathedral, Hotel Astoria, monument to Nicholas 1, blue bridge, the Bronze Horseman monument to Peter 1 and the Alexandrovsky building. Total walk 1.8 km in one hour. All accounted for. Sunny and still cool in the morning. Our tour guide gave brief information of the area.

Stop two. 4.6 km, 2 hours to explore on our own. Highlights included Spilled Blood Cathedral, museum of fine arts, St Michael castle and gardens. What it must have been like to be a girl and to frolic and play also to be courted in these gardens?

Alexandrinsky Theater, monument to Catherine, bridges, Russian museum, Church of Spilled Blood

Presently walking Nevisky Prospect … Large shopping street. Posting from Starbucks in St Petersburg Russia, Love my life!

On the Bus, in Russia

We are on the same coach as our British dinner mates, the other couple. He is a police person and she a social worker. They are truly beautiful people you would notice if they walked by. They have adult children and still are very much a romantic and affectionate couple. Handsome, fashionably dressed, very polite and great conversation folks for Steve as they are well read and know lots of trivia too! And I recognize several other people that I have seen around the ship. Three busses loaded with us, leaving 15 minutes late. We are off ……. Daria is our tour guide.

We already passed McDonalds and a Wine Store! Not so different from us! Hot sunny day and all local people wearing down jackets and long pants, hats even some of them and hoodies. All in sweaters and or jackets. Not like in Victoria! Daria explained that fall has come here, mornings and evenings have changed to cool and yet they are having Indian Summer.

Neva River is the reason for the city. Along the roadway, horse riding classes for nobility and aristocracy and also Vodka Museum.

3 million pieces of art. We saw so many originals…. Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cezanne, Claude Monet, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffael, Rembrandt, Michelangelo and so many more. What an amazing day!

And we are about to be called for our coach ride to the Hermitage. The tour is from 2 pm through to 545 pm today. We could end up back here for our 6 pm dining time ….. Or not. Most of our table mates are on longer full day tours so won’t be joining us for dinner either.

We are milling around in the Queens Room with brown stickers on our clothes indicating the tour bus we will be attached to, once the guides and buses arrive for us.

I am loving the art around the ship. Paintings of days gone by, very large photographs of very famous people adorn the walls. The colours of carpet include very rich reds, navies and golds. Romantic paintings of couples and of course a few of women traveling around the world together … Reminders of this fabulous Womens Travel Club Meetup group that I am part of.

The buzz can be overheard, mostly in British accents and people talk about what they anticipate from the afternoon. Some people have saved a lifetime and had this as their bucket list .. Some, like me, had an opportunity to go on this cruise and then have done research of the pending ports of call. This cruise is rich in cultural history. Several countries invite our ship to stop in at their port, St Petersburg today.

It is kind of exciting really, preparing to see such an historic place and very foreign country. This city that was once also known as Petrograd and Leningrad. Today it is famed all over the world for palaces and riches, history and conflict. It is a huge port city, in the top four largest cities in the world. I expected something different from here …. We see a very large industrial port.

I am open and flexible, anticipation of the cultural explosion before us. Greeting this day with a bit of excitement really, and now it has arrived. Having time to draft a blog entry is an added bonus.

The Hermitage has over a thousand rooms and hallways filled with art and history. What will we see, I wonder? What will attract my attention? What of the journey from here to there? It promises to be busy with all the other cruise ships in port as well! I can see why an overnight in this port is so popular, so there is more opportunity to see many more historic sites.

I am also enjoying the brilliant sunshine and bright blue sky above. The tone is that of happy travellers, optimism and excitement to see what few on our planet get to experience, aside of course from the millions who live here.

There is some kind of sailing ship regatta going on outside. A cluster of white sails in one general area gathering and a few scattered around. So beautiful between the brilliant sea and sky.

Some passengers are just getting back on the ship after taking advantage of the early morning excursions to see the city. And there are a few laying around the ship writing for their evening excursions and or who are not planning to get off the ship today at all. I enjoyed chatting with a a few of my fellow passengers while I laid out by the pool for an hour between meals.

They are calling Brown ten now, and eleven. We are brown 12 …… Soon to be called.

Ciao for now, I will try to keep up
On the bus, wish you were here!

Love Pamela