Quote from: MaryT on February 25, 2025, 09:28:06 PMI went to Iceland many years ago with my mother.  We visited the Blue Lagoon spa and had a tour of Reykjavik and the surrounding country.  It was June but there was still snow on the hills. 

There were few, if any, trees, although I read that when the Vikings arrived, one third of the island was covered by ice, one third by lava and the rest was covered by forest.  Sheep prevented any seedlings from growing.   Where were the Wyoming cattlemen when they were needed? 

We also had a cruise during which we saw orcas and seabirds such as puffins.  I would really like to get a closer view of puffins.

In Reykjavik, we saw a rocky park that was supposed to be a reserve for fairies.  Many Icelanders claim to believe in them. 

Our guide told us that one night when her car broke down, some men that she had never seen before (perhaps that is unusual in a population as small as Iceland's) fixed her car for her and she never saw them again.  She believed that they may have been hulduvolk (hidden people) who are usually invisible and sometimes mess with people but occasionally help them. 

I read somewhere that there is, or was, in Europe, a widespread belief in hidden people who were said to be descendants of the unwashed children of Eve.  According to the story, God visited Eve and asked to see her children.  However, Eve only presented the ones who had had their baths.  God was so angry that he decreed that if he couldn't see her unwashed children, neither would anyone else, nor would their descendants be seen.

If that story is true, God, maybe you could consider lightening up a bit.

Scandinavian countries always have a lot of folklore. It's rooted in their identity. I have been to Norway, Sweden and  Denmark, during my time in the navy. They all have their own myths. Admittedly way cooler than the whole burning bush Christianity myths. Who doesn't want a literal race of giants? Or trolls that don't revolve around the artist formally known as Twitter, and internet chatrooms?

Iceland is the northern hemisphere version of New Zealand. A place so achingly beautiful that you can't help but wonder at the majesty of this planet we live on.

Those giants found their way to North America. There have been numerous skeletons found in Michigan and Minnesota of humans from 8 to 12 feet tall.

There was a TV show a while ago where a guy investigated these finds. He was interested in their culture, origin, and eventual demise.

We could add this to Chrissy's Unusual but True Thread!

Quote from: Lori Dee on February 28, 2025, 11:06:44 PMThose giants found their way to North America. There have been numerous skeletons found in Michigan and Minnesota of humans from 8 to 12 feet tall.

There was a TV show a while ago where a guy investigated these finds. He was interested in their culture, origin, and eventual demise.

We could add this to Chrissy's Unusual but True Thread!

Yes, you could!

Chrissy

LOL! I like that idea. Chrissy... you would be going head to head with William Shatner.

Chrissy's Believe it or not.

Belgium is a most interesting country to visit.

There are numerous WW I sites of interest too.

Hill 60 in the Flanders area has a lot of historical significance.

There was a movie made about Hill 60.

"Beneath Hill 60" (A 2010 Australian film) is based on the true story of the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company's efforts during World War I.

In 1917, the British laid 19 mines packed with 454 tons of explosives in tunnels under the German trenches at the Messines ridge in West Flanders, Belgium during World War I. However, two of these mines were left abandoned and unexploded because the Germans had moved their lines. One of these abandoned mines was detonated by lightning in 1955, leaving a crater 20 meters deep and 40 meters wide. The location of the other abandoned mine remains unknown.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on March 02, 2025, 10:58:13 AMBelgium is a most interesting country to visit.

There are numerous WW I sites of interest too.

Lots of other battle sites too, including Waterloo.  Nobody has any particular interest in conquering Belgium but it so conveniently placed and laid out that it is the perfect battlefield for France, Germany and their allies.

This may have made some Belgians somewhat bitter.  In Goldmember, Dr Evil reveals that he became evil because he was raised by Belgians.  According to Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker novels, "Belgium" is the rudest word in the galaxy.  I suspect that some of the unfortunate perception of Belgium may be due to the relentless campaign waged against the Singing Nun by Belgian bureaucrats seeking the money that she donated to her Church, which eventually resulted in her suicide.

I have met some very nice Belgians, including one who is still the most gallant person I have ever known, even though he was a high school boy.  Gerard, God bless you wherever you are.

It is interesting that many cities in Europe have canals with buildings right along the water.

Amsterdam is one such city.

Buildings next to the canal allows easy loading and unloading of cargo.
Similarly you see the backs of buildings designed for the loading and unloading of goods.

If you are concerned about having enough space in your luggage at the departing or returning leg of your flights or cruise, or perhaps travel via another method, consider this:

Do not forget that you can get laundry service on cruises, albeit at high prices.  On select days, a discount may be offered for laundry service.  So if you are fretting over squeezing in the last one or two outfits, you may wish to use laundry service.  For a short cruise you would not need as much clothing of course and may not need to wash your clothing.

Yes, you can wash your under clothing perhaps in your cruise cabin's bathroom but blouses, skirts, dresses, and so on may be better washed by the laundry staff.  You can buy expandable hanging cords with clips to hang your clothing onto for drying.

Some people save up and bring some clean "worn out" under clothing that you would not want to donate and simply discard them after wearing during the cruise, freeing up space for the return trip.  That may sound ridiculous but it is a tip shared among cruise travelers.  This can free up space for souvenirs, gifts, or other purchases you wish to bring home.

As always, try to bring the basics, with multiple outfits that could be selected by using different combinations of items.

If you need to fly by commercial air, be sure to check out the cost and the amenities that come with each class of ticket.  Sometimes upgrading effectively costs less than you may think because you receive additional amenities that may be of value to you.  If you were going to pay for those extra amenities in a lower class seat, the upgrade charge may effectively be less than the ticket price difference.

As an example, premium economy seats may give you additional legroom and cheaper baggage fees.

As another example, first class perhaps may waive your baggage fees and provide an upgraded meal on some flights, bottomless beverages, WiFi, and maybe the use of the airport lounge with a reduced fee if you do not qualify somehow for free lounge access.  The seating is nice.  Note that I personally do not travel first class much, it would be rare.  I do like premium economy.  On a longer flight the extra comfort is nice to have.

Sometimes you can get upgrades to the higher seat class at no cost, if you travel a lot. 

There are so many ways to save money on travel.  Look for the many, many tips on this that you can find online.

What are some interesting places to visit in the southern United States (coast to coast), and why?

Pensacola, Florida, or any of the panhandle coast. White sand beaches with clear blue water.

Quote from: Lori Dee on March 08, 2025, 05:07:45 PMPensacola, Florida, or any of the panhandle coast. White sand beaches with clear blue water.

Lori,


Do they do gold panning in this panhandle area?
You have to hold the pan.

Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on March 08, 2025, 05:15:18 PMLori,


Do they do gold panning in this panhandle area?
You have to hold the pan.

Chrissy

I am not aware of any gold panning there. I have a gold pan that sort of has a handle, called a Banjo Pan. Fits in a backpack nicely and works okay-ish for doing quick samples in a remote area.

It was invented by my friend, Mike Pung, the inventor of the Gold Cube.
https://goldcube.net/product/banjo-pan-worlds-fastest-gold-pan/

Have you visited or lived in Australia?

What would you recommend doing and seeing in Australia?

Have you been to the Space Needle?

(Seattle)

Have you been to the Grand Canyon?

Have you been to San Francisco?

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on March 16, 2025, 11:35:52 AMHave you been to San Francisco?

I have visited a few times. I went and saw a show at Finocchio's Club when it was still open. Some of the best female impersonators, not just make-up and costumes but singing and dancing by very talented performers. It was very fun to see, like being at a live concert with Cher and Dolly Parton, with comedy by Joan Rivers thrown in.

Also had lunch on Fisherman's Wharf. And, of course, the Golden Gate and Oakland Bay bridges.