Author Archives: zinredhead

We began our driving trip in Iceland with Valdimar traveling around the Golden Circle. He came to pick us up in new black Chevy suburban, plenty of room for us and the luggage and very comfortable. Valdimar is in his 60’s and has spent time in the USA in Los Angeles and in the ScreenContinue reading “THE GOLDEN CIRCLE”

Reykjavik – Reykr = smoke and Vik = bay so it means – “BAY OF SMOKES” We sailed into Reykjavik in the early morning and were going to have to take a bus to a Hilton Hotel. Of course we couldn’t check in at that time of the day so all of us trudged ourContinue reading “REYJKAVIK”

The Silversea Wind had one sailing day between Jan Mayen and Breidafjordur a bay that includes both Stykkisholmur and Flatey Island. Stykkisholmur is located at the northern end of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. (try pronouncing Icelandic place names…lol!) Stykkisholmur has a natural harbor that helped the town become an important trading center established in the 1550’sContinue reading “STYKKISHHOLMUR AND FLATEY ISLAND, ICELAND”

Jan Mayen Island is in a triangle between Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland. The entire island is a nature reserve. The Beerenberg Volcano is the most active volcano in the North Atlantic and tops out at 7,470′. We were unable to zodia to the meteorological station but were able to take photos of the volcano asContinue reading “JAN MAYEN ISLAND”

Our lecturer at the abandoned marble quarry…and his traveling troll…and abandoned buildings. This was the furthest North we sailed reaching 79 degrees North. In contrast I imagined we had gone further south in the Antarctic but found we had only gone to 65 degrees 15 minutes through pack ice on New Year’s Eve 2018. LotsContinue reading “NY London quarry and walrus’ at Poolepynten across from Sankt Jonsfjorden”

Or is it? “People probably have revered bears for as long as we have interacted with them. And while bear worship is not a part of most modern religions, it is natural for us — even those of us who have never seen a bear– to be awed by such magnificent and formidable creatures.” CharlesContinue reading “BEAR IS A BEAR”

We stood in an incredible line at the Oslo Airport as the Silversea Wind and Silversea Cloud had to check in and load in the Titan charter plane. The line snaked around on itself and we realized they wouldn’t leave until we all were checked in and through security which of course was also aContinue reading “SILVERSEA WIND OUT OF TROMSO, NORWAY”

In order to start our Arctic cruise we had to fly…oh the joys of summer flying after Covid! Michael and I travelled from SFO and Larkin from Dulles. We all transfered through Frankfurt, Germany. We were glad we were all on Lufthansa and not SAS. Covid hasn’t just hit American workers but airport workers acrossContinue reading “OUR ARCTIC CRUISE ADVENTURE BEGAN IN OSLO, NORWAY”

We flew out very early the next morning and Ron and Sergio met us at the airport without the issues of a strike! WOO HOO! Sergio took us up over the hills and into the Sacred Valley. We stopped at a location near the top that had various camelids and beautiful handmade items. We wereContinue reading “CUSCO AND THE SACRED VALLEY”

BEFORE AND AFTER! When we arrived in this high plateau area, viewing volcano after volcano, I took a photo of Sabancaya…within minutes Gaudy said, “look it’s going up!” So I guess Larkin keeps being lucky with volcanoes! Eventually I will post our Galapagos trip and the Wolf Volcano which started its eruptions the night weContinue reading “TO AREQUIPA”