Lawrence and the Pirates
December 12, 2013
Hopping a freighter isn’t what it used to be. Which is to say it takes a great deal more planning and bother than the adventure of my imagination.
Hopping a freighter isn’t what it used to be. Which is to say it takes a great deal more planning and bother than the adventure of my imagination.
There are few things that liven up a hiking day more than stumbling on a shipwreck!
The earthquake should have been a clue. But having rather enjoyed the ride, as I have since childhood in an earthquake-prone part of the world, it didn’t occur to me that it might be a warning. I should have listened.
From time to time a single photograph of a striking place or building will be the irresistible impetus for a trip to see the thing in person.
I enjoy watching sunsets and sunrises whenever I can, mostly because of their beautiful light. This particular sunset (above) was partially blocked by a thick convoluted mass of clouds below us, but the diffused and changing light were really magical, especially when reflected by the snow and a glacier.
An opportunity to see grey whales (and their calves) was one of the finest experiences of my life.
South Iceland is remarkable for pretty farms in its western portion, rugged mountains, beautiful waterfalls, and the close proximity of several large glaciers (and a memorable glacial lagoon) in its eastern portion, all of which are easily accessible. Like the entire island, South Iceland offers a dramatic representation of the island’s volcanic history.
We had spent the past week slowly working our way up the slopes of Kilimanjaro via the Shira route. Today was the day we would summit the mountain, before beginning our descent.
We had ascended the western base of the volcano this past half week, had hiked through jungle and moorland, and were now entering Kilimanjaro’s alpine desert region.
Mt. Kilimanjaro has fascinated me ever since I read Ernest Hemingway’s classic novella, “The Snows of Kilimanjaro“. Little did I know as a schoolboy that I would one day walk its slopes. As it turned out my journey to the Roof of Africa was one of my greatest travel experiences.
Hopping a freighter isn’t what it used to be. Which is to say it takes a great deal more planning and bother than the adventure of my imagination.
There are few things that liven up a hiking day more than stumbling on a shipwreck!
The earthquake should have been a clue. But having rather enjoyed the ride, as I have since childhood in an earthquake-prone part of the world, it didn’t occur to me that it might be a warning. I should have listened.
From time to time a single photograph of a striking place or building will be the irresistible impetus for a trip to see the thing in person.
I enjoy watching sunsets and sunrises whenever I can, mostly because of their beautiful light. This particular sunset (above) was partially blocked by a thick convoluted mass of clouds below us, but the diffused and changing light were really magical, especially when reflected by the snow and a glacier.
An opportunity to see grey whales (and their calves) was one of the finest experiences of my life.
South Iceland is remarkable for pretty farms in its western portion, rugged mountains, beautiful waterfalls, and the close proximity of several large glaciers (and a memorable glacial lagoon) in its eastern portion, all of which are easily accessible. Like the entire island, South Iceland offers a dramatic representation of the island’s volcanic history.
We had spent the past week slowly working our way up the slopes of Kilimanjaro via the Shira route. Today was the day we would summit the mountain, before beginning our descent.
We had ascended the western base of the volcano this past half week, had hiked through jungle and moorland, and were now entering Kilimanjaro’s alpine desert region.
Mt. Kilimanjaro has fascinated me ever since I read Ernest Hemingway’s classic novella, “The Snows of Kilimanjaro“. Little did I know as a schoolboy that I would one day walk its slopes. As it turned out my journey to the Roof of Africa was one of my greatest travel experiences.