Music in the air and a New Year Since you have traveled with us you know we are morning people but I like your phrase of "unspoken reflections". Some mornings you just need to look around and appreciate all the splendor. I've shared your early mornings and late nights, all night. You really are making me want to book our trip to Russia! We must go soon. I love the descriptions of all the people you've met along the way and yes Denise is a "connector".... "a gem". Our hearts are broken for all impacted by the fires.
Beautiful blog and beautiful photos to accompany Emma and I saw 2020 in free camping near Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park on NZ's South Island. Picture perfect next to the glacier waters of the lake crowned at the top by NZ's largest mountain with a line of supporting mountains as the backdrop to the other side of the lake. Sunset was stunning, there was not of wind rippling the lake, topping off a bright blue hot sunny day which had caught us out on our earlier walks and given us our own heating system for the night. In the dark wee hours of the morning the wind picked up, the contrast with the previous silence woke us a few times as we adjusted to the change. Slow to rise the next morning when we ventured a peak out of the curtains, the outside world looked sepia. We rubbed our eyes, nope still there. The only thing we have experienced similar was a partial eclipse. It was eerie. Our plans for the national park already complete we packed up and headed north on the gravel backs (because that is just how we roll, why take a highway when there is a perfectly good gravel road). We didn't see another soul until we finally hit the next town, but it felt like day hadn't broken. The news told us this was smoke from Australia's bushfires. All day it was eerie. On the plains it was like fog had gathered, obscuring the mountain backdrop. Emma kept muttering that it felt like Armageddon. As we headed up into the mountains it looked like it was raining on the tops. It wasn't, it was where the smoke was coming over the top of the Southern Alps. It gave NZers a very small but powerful insight into what Australia is going through and is likely no coincidence just 2 days later our PM announced we were sending further firefighting support. No doubt there will be more to come before the fire season is over and we can only hope your and Denise's house continues to be lucky. The destruction will continue long after beyond the loss of life, property, infrastructure, landscape and wildlife. The agriculture and tourism industries will be hit and no doubt in some areas and communities will never recover, and it is difficult to image how mother earth is going to recover such horrific ecological loss. We can only hope that the world is paying attention to Australia's tragic warning and finally make tackling climate change a priority.
Beautiful pictures And the strange similarities in pictures between the red hazy sun caused by the bush fires and those caused by early morning mists on the Russian rivers are well done. Two different worlds, two different causes, but the same sun.
I am a morning person, or rather an any time person, at least as far as behaviour is concerned. You can wake me up in the middle of the night for no good reason and you will still find it hard to find me in a bad mood. But as far as my biological clock is concerned I sleep early and get up early-ish. Certainly when travelling. I find sunrise or dawn the most peaceful time of the day and the best time of the day to be honest, though I mostly don't have a camera on hand to capture the moment. So you probably would have found me on deck looking at the river and the landscapes, in my own thoughts, just dreaming away, with a smile on my face. Afterwards I would ask you for your pictures, as I would have forgotten my camera in my cabin ;)
Beautiful pictures I thank Travelblog that I have the medium to relive our journey over and over, record my thoughts and present my photos so my memories are preserved...'cos not being a morning person they would otherwise meld and blend into the hermitagesque repository that is my brain.,i. e they would largely be forgotten. And if you were with me on the deck, Ralf, you would run, no, sprint to get your camera so the incredible beauty of the Russian rivers in the early morning light did not fade into your dreams with only a smile on your face. Yet you are a morning person and I have met others whose camera was their brain...and great cameras they were too! I look forward to meeting you one day to test the water. I however admit, that as the ship was moving the sunrises were constantly evolving and as we were blessed with beautiful weather twas not hard to catch the dance of light at every turn.
Your dance moves are as graceful and smooth as your words Hi Dancer, I'm sure your dance moves are as graceful and smooth as your words. Thank you for your blog....
.you make me envious of your way with words and storytelling. On another note I pray that you, Denise and your home stay safe from the fires... remember a friend in need is a friend indeed..... just shout. Until we meet again or your next blog stay safe both of you...from both of us...Simon & Liz.
Your dance moves are as graceful and smooth as your words Simon, I might have the dance moves but you had the camera. Your 40x zoom in your Sony video camera that could also take incredible stills. I hope they came out as well as expected. I look forward to seeing some of your pics. I rate my Panorama Slideshow as one of my best but twas hard to take a bad pic with such incredible backdrops. Denise and I had such a good time with Liz and you but I've gotta say our "Liar Liar" night was our greatest triumph.
I am also not a morning person... and have been known to pour orange juice into my cereal instead of milk. However, the picture you have painted of sunrises on the Neva with the early morning mist and the quiet contemplation of the other early morning risers would tempt me to rise early for this experience...but only if the result of jet lag! Back in 1998, when I was Program Manager of a joint environmental cleanup program with Norway and Russia I had the chance to take this cruise, but let my assistant go instead as a reward for his hard work. Perhaps I was too generous...
I am also not a morning person... You are one of the most travelled persons in the World, Bob and in 1998, when you were Program Manager of a joint environmental cleanup program with Norway and Russia and had the chance to take this cruise, but let your assistant go instead. Bob, you may be generous but in hindsight you must have had rocks in your head! I can only imagine how different it would have been in 1998 when Russia was in less prosperous times. Would certainly have been a revelation.
Sharing sunrises..... Firstly, our hearts go out to the people of Australia at this sad time. So sorry for the loss of human life as well as for wildlife there. Someone very close to me is from just south of Sydney and no fires there yet, but smokey skies prevail. As far as sharing sunrises, I always find it interesting to see who's up in very early morning. In October we sharing a perfect sunrise on the Erg Chebbi dunes of Morocco with fellow travelers -- beautiful, but no one really spoke to each other as I recall. A bit sad.
Sharing sunrises..... I am so pleased I was addicted to sunrises in Russia, Syl. My Panorama Slideshow and photos testify to the staggering beauty of the NW Russian rivers much of which I would have missed if I had not risen early. I may not be a morning person but wow...one does not need to speak to see!
Sharing sunrises...and Oz bushfires. Thank you for your thoughts for those in Oz affected by bushfires, Syl. It is unprecedented and horrific and these areas will take years to recover. There is now the risk of extensive erosion in prime agricultural areas that are affected as the humus has been burnt leaving topsoil exposed. Fortunately the State and Federal Governments are throwing everything to fight the fires and provide logistic and extensive financial support. Even overseas firefighters have joined the fight. Unfortunately media often prefers negative soundbites to increase ratings which create false impressions of apathy which is false and galling. However, the destruction and loss of human and animal life and homes and property is frightening and real. Whole communities have been wiped out in a number of States and no end is in sight. While it is a direct result of extensive drought it is forcing issues of climate change to be addressed rather than be avoided, so that is a good thing. But it highlights a global issue of the consequences of climate change that Australia cannot tackle alone.
Egg History Dear David & Denise,
A very happy New Year to you also. Let’s call them the “ Roaring 20’s!”
Thanks for the great pics. as well as all the “egg” history - the mind just boggles with all that glitzy beauty.
I also trust your “DOLL” takes pride of place in your home, so visitors can gasp at its beauty! A fantastic buy David - just too many “noughts “ on the amount perhaps??
A souvenir to remember always.
Cheers
Mary
Egg History Thank you so much for taking the time to comment Mary. I feel we were honoured to have met the eggs and can share their story. A real testament to the Russians who in times of turmoil knew that it was imperative that their treasures in artworks were part of the heart and soul of their history and needed to be preserved. I had a panda as my doll in my childhood and now it is a noughty Matryoshka Doll in my adulthood. She smiles and tells me this was meant to be!!!
Quite a story! No, correction of the title: "Quite a history". Where on earth did you dig so much of Eggnog history of Russia? Hats off to you. Oh yes, I know the Russian Nesting Doll...my uncle who did his PH.D In Russia, brought one for me...I was a kid. Great blog David....I told you before, compile...compile...publish!!!
Quite a story! Glad you took the time to embrace the story and thus enjoy the ride, Tab. I recall the blog you gave me advice on publishing and I know you are right as that blog still captures reasonable attention and its subject matter and perspective are significant. Your books show the way for sure. One of our fellow mariners on this Russian trip has prepared a 200 page book of the trip that is fantastic, so that has me tempted also. Food for thought as always, Tab.
Russian History I knew so little of Russian history before this trip. When visiting Russia it is so much part of the ethos, I find it fascinating and a delight to research and tell. It is displayed in paintings, frescoes, architecture...in fact everywhere you look.
Russia Thank you for taking us along and showing us all of this amazing art. And and adventure in spending. Yikes! These items are unique and priceless...
Russia If this comment is from you MJ, I have experienced your prolonged ponderings when buying gems in Honduras and Armenia that make my rushed extravagance somewhat ill advised. But when the result is unique and priceless, like yours and mine, who am I to complain? I gotta say the adventure in spending for my enormous doll is a story I will retain forever, and that of itself makes her priceless. Beats Dave's fridge magnets! Thanks for joining the ride.
$$$ Amazing artistry. I dare not divulge the actual price but I have given enough clues it was not insignificant and blew both Denise and I away! The photo though amazing artistry, does not do it justice. As it is so shiny, I had to photograph it in a covered area to avoid reflections and have not shown the exquisite detail on the back which is different for each of them. I have shown a taste of some of the paintings in the book which are superb...definitely ten bucks well spent. My favourite pics are of Denise's eggs at the end of the blog which capture them nicely, and of her purchase she is rightly pleased.
Delicate & Amazing I have added some descriptions of the eggs, MJ, as the Faberge Eggs are not colourful cardboard cutouts but works of art lavished with exquisite finishes including myriads of diamonds and other gems. I would love to know the Invoice costs to the Tsars. To us mere mortals a fortune no doubt...but to the Tsars...small change maybe!!!
My wife Denise & I like to travel "on paths less travelled" that capture our imagination, inspire my photography & where we mix with locals & remain safe.
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Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Morning has broken!
Absolutely stunning. You have captured another serene setting.