TLCOhio

Like Istanbul "eye-candy"? There is lots of great history, culture, architecture and character here in this famed Turkey city. Agree? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Early 2020, many visuals and details from New Zealand/South Pacific in going from Auckland to French Polynesia. This includes Bora Bora, Fiji, NZ experiences, etc: Live/blog; https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2735732-live-terryohio-“new”-regatta-south-pacificnz-pix’s/ Here is the view for one of the many Istanbul outdoor dining places in the historic area. This is Albura in the heart of Akbiyik Caddesi, a mostly-pedestrian street in Sultanahmet's prime boutique hotel, restaurant and cafe district.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) One of the dining delights that I super enjoyed while having dinner in Istanbul at a scenic location. Look good?: Pouring an Efes beer in Istanbul.: From from the water and then closer, here are two different views of the Galata Tower, a restored 14th-century tower and former prison overlooking the Bosphorus. It was originally built as a watchtower at the highest point of the Walls of Galata and now used as a museum.:

Very much appreciate the great details, interesting visual and follow-up by super expert cruisemom42. Excellent as always!! When we visited in June 2006, we had two full days and evening there in Istanbul as it was the finishing point of our cruise from Athens. Plus, having a very good private guide, we fortunately had the time and flexibility to see BOTH the old and newer. The major "down-side" with Istanbul is that the options and potential are many, many, many!! You need to research, plan and prepare ahead to have your priorities and logistics managed properly to maximize the experience in Istanbul. Below are a few more of my Istanbul visual from my digital travel files. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture. Now at 50,034 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008 Here are two different night views of Istanbul's two famed Mosques from one of our rooftop dining place. First is the Hagia Sophia, the former patriarchal basilica, later mosque, then a museum in Istanbul, but now back to being a mosque. Second is the Blue Mosque or Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built from 1609 to 1616. It is still used as a mosque and is one of Istanbul's most popular tourist attraction: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) Outside and inside the Spice Market in Istanbul. This fascinating area is much smaller and easier to see and experience than the massive Grand Bazaar. The structure was designed by a chief court architect and completed in 1660. The Spice Bazaar is an “L”-shaped building, consisting of 88 vaulted rooms. Monumental gateways are at the ends of both halls. The main entrance is in the southwest corner, facing the Yeni Mosque.: Here is a view of the New Mosque or Yeni that was completed between 1660 and 1665. It is situated overlooking the Golden Horn, a part of the primary inlet of the Bosphorus. In the foreground is the Spice Market with its distinctive striped design/style.: From where we dined outdoors at lunch during our private tour, here was the scenic view of two locals enjoying conversation and a view out to the Golden Horn, plus showing the nearby Galata Bridge. Farther in the background is 15th of July Martyrs Bridge that is connecting Europe & Asia. That long suspension bridge was completed in 1973.:

From the London/UK Telegraph last summer, they had this headline: “How to spend a weekend in Sydney" with this sub-headline: "Where to stay, drink and dine in Australia's dazzling harbour city.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Sydney has a reputation for being beautiful yet shallow, but scratch the surface a little and you'll see that Sydney has a lot more going for it than just the way it looks. Beaches that bedazzle, windswept coastal walks overlooking whale-dotted waters, hole-in-the-wall bars, weekend farmers' markets and a thriving food and wine scene are among the drawcards that keep the locals happy and the visitors flocking. For a beach-centric summer holiday, choose to stay in suburbs like Bondi or Coogee, where clothing is minimal and the water (and people) stay warm past sundown. Those more interested in nightlife, restaurants, bars and shopping will find inner-city hotspots like Potts Point and Surry Hills excellent bases.” As an example for their many interesting tip, here is one to consider: "Treat yourself to dinner at Café Sydney. The location, on the rooftop of Customs House, is spectacular. While the prices are on the steep side, you also get a front-row seat to the best show in town: the harbour, the house and the bridge. Share the seafood platter and enjoy prawns, marron, Moreton Bay bugs, crab and oysters." Full story at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/oceania/australia/new-south-wales/sydney/articles/sydney-travel-guide/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 21,553 views. Connect at: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

Appreciate this great follow-up from iancal. Any more recent travel updates and insights? From the London/UK Telegraph last summer, they had this headline: “How to spend a weekend in Cape Town" with this sub-headline: "An insider guide to the South African city that excels in natural splendour.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “You really can’t overstate the case for visiting Cape Town. First, there’s the in-your-face beauty of a craggy mountain range that drops precipitously into a glittering sea, its flanks carpeted in greens and delicate florals. Then there’s the pristine white beaches lapped by a chilly Atlantic, their curves defined by giant granite boulders to bake on. And no visit is complete without at least one full day exploring some of the surrounding vine-carpeted valleys, their rich terroir spawning not only award-winning wines but superb produce. Yet Cape Town has a cool urban edge, too: excellent art galleries, hip bars, world-rated restaurants, and design-savvy shops.” As another example for the many tips in the profile, here is a tip for a location that I visited and enjoyed: "If you want to squeeze in a visit to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of the 27 years he was imprisoned, descend no later than 10am to be at Nelson Mandela Gateway, the ferry departure point." Plus another great location we visited: "There are more plant species on Table Mountain than the entire British Isles, and the best introduction to this rich floral kingdom is a visit to Kirstenbosch. With terraced lawns that blend seamlessly into the steep indigenous forests that pelt the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, it’s a spectacular botanical garden." Full story at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/africa/south-africa/cape-town/articles/cape-town-travel-guide/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 245,896 views. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

From the London/UK Daily Telegraph, they had this headline: “48 hours in . . . Bruges, an insider guide to Belgium's city on water” with these highlights: “Part history, part fairy tale: Little Bruges, the perfect pocket-sized medieval city, was a Sleeping Beauty. Laced with canals, it was one of the great North European trading ports in late medieval times. The magnificently detailed paintings of its artists, such as Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling, record its wealth in clothing, jewellery and ornament. Then it fell rapidly into decline and slept until rediscovered and restored to glory in the 19th century. Today its new riches are in tourism, so that it retains the dynamism of a living city. This is a place to walk and wonder, and there are still plenty of quiet corners to discover, where historic Bruges sleeps on.” Here is an interesting trip that we did not accomplish when visiting there. Up from this climb? "If you can face the 366-step climb, start with a 360-degree view from above the very centre of Bruges, standing next the carillon and clock bells at the top of the Belfort, the city belfry on the Markt (the central square)." Full story at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/belgium/bruges/articles/bruges-travel-guide/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 255,883 views. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

To provide "equal time", here from the London/UK Daily Telegraph last Spring, they had this headline: “48 hours in . . . Porto, an insider guide to Portugal's splendid second city.” Here are some of their top reporting highlights in this detailed profile: “Long regarded as Lisbon’s quieter sibling, Portugal’s second city is currently undergoing a magical moment of rejuvenation. Centuries ago, British merchant ships would cluster in Porto’s medieval harbour to ferry the region’s eponymous port wines back home. Now, the city’s river banks are crowded with hip new bars and cool pavement restaurants. Helping drive Porto’s transformation is its resurgent cultural scene, from world class concerts at Casa de Musica to exciting art exhibitions along Rua de Miguel Bombarda. But this ancient metropolis is not about to tart itself up and pimp itself out for the tourists like so many other popular European destinations. Portuenses love their old world ways too much to give them up. So staying put are the city’s cobbled streets and beautifully tiled churches, its lazy lunchtimes and touching friendliness. In short, what’s on offer is the best of both worlds.” For some added, keen insights, this guide offers: "Porto is a city best seen on foot. Not that walking is a breeze: steep slopes and stone cobbles proliferate in this hilly metropolis. If you’re after views, the climb up the steps of Torre dos Clérigos (Rua de São Filipe de Nery) is well worth the effort. From the top of Porto’s iconic tower, you’ll get an unparalleled view over the city." Full story at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/portugal/porto/articles/porto-travel-guide/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights. On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings. Now at 241,143 views. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

Appreciate these links and follow-ups from Solent Richard in the UK. Lots of interesting details, visuals, options to consider for these two Portugal locations, plus many more great locations in the world that this busy couple have visited on many cruises, etc. From the London/UK Telegraph last August, they had this headline: “How to spend a weekend in Lisbon” with these highlights: “Lisbon is having a moment. It is the place on everyone’s lips and its breezy sea views, glossy tiled facades and red roofs feature on many an Instagram feed. The food surprises, with a depth far beyond the famous pastéis de nata (custard tarts) that are so known and loved. There is history; from the 12th-century Moorish castle that dominates the skyline to the magnificent 16th-century Manueline monastery of Jerónimos, and the bombastic 18th-century heart of Lisbon, built after so much of the city was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. There is authentic, genuine and welcoming hospitality; and a wave of new and affordable hotels along cobbled streets and flanking bougainvillea-clad squares, all of which brim with a sense of place. For Lisbon, unlike so much of the world, has not gone global: it remains resolutely Portuguese, looking out to sea, with its back to the rest of Europe and its identity intact.” This profile offers many different options to considering including for: "Lisbon’s domed 19th-century market hall, the Mercado de Ribeira, was converted in 2014 into the Time Out Market, a buzzy food hall, which remains a huge draw." Full story at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/portugal/lisbon/articles/lisbon-travel-guide/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 245,896 views. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

In re-checking through my photo files from 2008, I found a few more visuals that might be of interest for the Oslo City Hall (Rådhuset), its design and art, etc. Do these bring back any memories for those who have visited Oslo? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio From a different direction, here is another view of the Oslo City Hall featuring some of its exterior art and design touches.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) There are 16 wooden friezes in the City Hall’s courtyard made by Dagfin Werenskiold (1892-1977), painter and sculptor. Showing motifs from Norse mythology, including the life of gods and the stories of wisdom and love, war and hate and visions of the future.: Here is a wider sampling of Oslo City Hall interior murals, including decorations by artist Henrik Sørensen who studied with Henri Matisse in Paris. Second is a mural depicting the three pillars of Norwegian industry.:

Below is some additional Oslo "eye-candy". As illustrated, we were fortunate to have a wonderfully sunny day during our one-day cruise visit to the Norway Capital City. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture. Now at 50,034 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008 At the City Hall, here is a close-up look at the details of the Astronomical Clock on the North side of this civic building.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) Called the Munch Room with his painting of ‘Life’ featured on this wall provides another reason to visit this popular Oslo attraction/site.: Interesting Oslo park, water feature in the heart of the shopping area you will see. Lots of outdoor art around in Oslo.: Here is a view for some of the downtown Oslo architecture, plus second is another visual of the historic Akershus Fortress/Castle.:

From Yahoo News earlier this month, they had this headline: “23 of the best places to travel to around the world in 2023” with these highlights: “San Francisco just got its own equivalent of NYC's High Line. In 2023, the city will mark a few milestones and celebrations that will be especially good reasons to plan a visit. Key city landmarks will celebrate anniversaries, including the San Francisco Opera at 100 years, and the Ferry Building, which will mark 125 years. Visitors can also expect special programming and events throughout the year, such as the opera's grand finale concert and centennial anniversary dinner. Presidio Tunnel Tops recently opened, comprising 14 acres of new national parkland. Designed by the same firm behind NYC's High Line, I think it's an ideal spot to take in views of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge.” Full story at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/23-best-places-travel-around-110100429.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Summer 2019 Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska on Silver Muse, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc. Many visuals and details from our first in these scenic areas! Live/blog: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

From Yahoo News earlier this month, they had this headline: “23 of the best places to travel to around the world in 2023” with these highlights: “In 2023 Turkey celebrates a major milestone. I'm a fan of the heavily-spiced vegetarian food, and as a shopper, I've spent hours browsing the markets and shops. Turkey saw record tourism in 2022, and 2023 is gearing up to be even bigger as the country will celebrate its 100th anniversary of becoming a republic. Istanbul is also the only city to span two continents, and the monthlong Istanbul Tulip Festival will take place in April across parks, events, and exhibitions. Just in time for the country's centennial, Istanbul's Maiden Tower — once a watchtower on a tiny Bosphorous island on the Asian side — is undergoing renovation and conversion as a museum with a 2023 opening.” Full story at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/23-best-places-travel-around-110100429.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 53,573 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

From Yahoo News earlier this month, they had this headline: “23 of the best places to travel to around the world in 2023” with these highlights: “Dubai is hardly under the radar. In 2022 it was the most-viewed destination on TikTok, with 82 billion views. In 2023, I think it will only earn more interest as Emirates invests more than $2 billion to enhance its air service there. Additionally, the ultra-luxury resort Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is planned to open in 2023, and comes from the same brand behind the world-famous sailboat-inspired Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. The new hotel will take inspiration from a futuristic superyacht. The five-star luxury hotel brand One&Only will also open a new property in Dubai with One Za'abeel that will have the world's longest cantilever building, a panoramic sky concourse that connects two towers floating 100 meters above the ground. The new year will also bring the full opening of Atlantis, The Royal, a 43-story luxury resort spread across six towers with 17 on-site restaurants curated by celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs including three-Michelin-starred Björn Frantzén, and more than 90 swimming pools, including one on the 22nd floor with views of the Palm crescent.” More "over-the-top" hotels in Dubai? Surprised?? Full story at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/23-best-places-travel-around-110100429.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture. Now at 50,034 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

Appreciate these great comments and helpful follow-ups from janetcbl in Iowa and kaisatsu in Oslo. Keep up the great sharing. From doing art museums in all parts of the world, clearly such institutions vary much in size and depth/quality of collections, etc. I doubt that this new Oslo museum, however is so large with its offerings that it cannot be reasonably sampled in just an hour or two or three. Having done a few major art museums such as the Met in NYC, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Louvre in Paris, etc., those "biggies" cannot be done FULLY and totally in just one day. But, most of these large and other museums can easily offering a very good sample of their "Best of the Best" in a fairly manageable period of time. Below are a few of the art items that we sampled in 2008 at the two major Oslo museums. To see more on the new Munch Museum, here is their website: https://www.munchmuseet.no/en/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Inside what was their National Gallery in 2008, here is one of Munch's famed "Scream" pictures and other art.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) Edvard Munch (1863-1944) was probably the most famous Norwegian painter. Known best is his work, The Scream (1893). There are four different versions, two of them in Oslo that we saw. It has become one of Western art's most iconic images.: As we toured at the then Munich Museum, here was a small sampling of this gallery dedicated to this artist. The middle picture below is somewhat controversial as to whether it is his view of the Virgin Mary/Madonna . . . or, more simply titled as only "Loving Woman".:

From the Wall Street Journal late this afternoon, below are their charts for the three major cruise lines. Unlike in most weeks, the patterns for these three companies did not all move in the same patterns during the past five trading days. Then, at the bottom, is the WSJ chart for this past week on the S&P 500 that represents the overall market movements. Lots of variations!!?? These four charts were not all "zigging and zagging" to the same musical tunes and patterns. Right? Hard to figure out what this past week previews/predicts for the month of February and beyond? Then, also, the Wall Street Journal today had this major headline: "Consumer Spending Fell 0.2% in December as Inflation Cooled" with this sub-head: "Underlying inflation slowed to its slowest pace since October 2021." Here were some of their reporting analysis: "U.S. households turned cautious at the end of last year, cutting spending during the holiday shopping season and increasing savings, adding to signs of an economic slowdown. The pullback in spending came as inflation cooled, giving consumers some relief from rapidly rising prices. Households cut spending on goods as prices fell for gasoline and other energy products, the department said. They increased spending on services, where prices climbed." Good news for future cruise line spending? Maybe the coming recession will not be as deep and/or as bad as has been speculated and predicted? Full story at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/consumer-spending-personal-income-inflation-december-2022-11674779291?mod=hp_lead_pos2 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 255,883 views. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

Below is round three of visuals from Oslo to offer ideas on the many options for this interesting, historic and evolving Capital of Norway. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 53,573 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337 Here are longer and closer views of Oslo’s City Hall exterior. Plus, below is one of its large interior spaces where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually on December 10 each year. This structure houses the city council and city administration, plus art studios and galleries. The construction started in 1931 with the main structure completed in 1936. The German invasion of Norway in 1940 caused construction to stop, and it was not resumed until 1947. This City Hall was official opened in 1950. Its characteristic architecture, artworks and the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony makes it one of Oslo's most famous buildings. The roof of the eastern tower has a 49-bell carillon which plays every hour. This City Hall is situated in central downtown Oslo dramatically overlooking the scenic harbor area.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) Oslo's National Theater in the heart of its downtown. Norway has had many famed authors and their statues are in front of this theater.: Here is just one example of the many outdoor art works in Oslo's charming and interesting downtown.: Here is a closer look at that unique and cute Oslo harbor island with its special structure. Doesn't look exactly like a lighthouse, but it is very interesting!! Second is a sail-away view with the main Oslo, City Hall, etc., showing the background.:

Here is part two for some of what we loved and experienced fro Oslo in 2008. I assume this key park and its amazing art is still a "super star" attraction in Oslo. Right? Frogner Park is the largest park in the city and covers over 110 acres and the sculpture installation is the world's largest sculpture park made by a single artist. Frogner Park is the most popular tourist attraction of Norway, with between one to two million visitors each year. Hours? It is open to the public at all times. 24/7!! Free!! Can't beat those hours and the price. It is priceless!! More on Vigeland/Oslo art: Gustav Vigeland's astonishing figures show the whole range of human life presented in stone and metal. There are nearly 200 sculptures, comprising 600 granite or bronze figures, in the park's large landscapes. All were designed by the Norwegian artist, whose museum, with over 1600 more statues (and his ashes) is just five minutes' walk away. Vigeland also designed the park's layout and setting. He was described as versatile, obsessive and abrasive. It took years of debate before Oslo Municipal Council, in 1922, approved plans for a sculpture park which would express the struggles and aspirations of humanity from birth to death as the artist desired. The result is astonishing in concept, amazing in execution and setting. Walk through the big iron gates and you're on a broad avenue leading to a bridge on whose parapets are mounted. The children shown are more conventional and appealing. Across the bridge rises a big fountain, in the middle of which a ring of giants supports a huge bronze bowl. Like everything else in the park, it's large in scale. From its center soars the monolith, a nearly 40'-high slab of Norwegian granite weighing 180 tons. The 121 writhing, creeping, struggling figures on its surface took three carvers 15 years to complete. There's no denying the drama here. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.). Now at 70,807 views: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696 Vigeland Park has a wide variety of outdoor sculptures in a super, wonderful setting that is a highlight for Oslo. There is a wide variety of art, water features, spectacular settings, etc. Its admission is free and the views and art are "priceless". My visuals below hopefully provide "evidence" as to why we enjoyed this popular Oslo setting.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

Over time, one key question often comes up: how does Oslo compares to Stockholm and Copenhagen? Much of the difference is about the contrast of Oslo's more contemporary great art/design . . . versus . . . the more significant depth of history/design and royal backgrounds associated with both Copenhagen and Stockholm. Both of these capitals of Sweden and Denmark have had much longer recent histories of power and wealth, while Oslo is "newer" in many ways. More Norway History??: Two centuries of Viking raids/advances/power went to the southern and western areas of Europe. But that tapered off following the adoption of Christianity in AD 994. At one point, Norway expanded its control to parts of Britain, Ireland, Iceland and Greenland. Per Wikipedia, Norwegian power peaked in 1265, but competition from the Hanseatic League and the spread of the "Black Death" weakened the country. In 1380, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden went to war with Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Later Norway demanded independence, which it gained in a referendum in 1905. That brought back a King for this country. Norway remained neutral in World War I. Despite its declaration of neutrality in World War II, Norway was occupied for five years by forces of Germany. In 1949, it abandoned neutrality, becoming a founding member of NATO. Discovery of oil in adjacent waters in the late 1960's boosted Norway's economic fortunes. This "weave of history" gives a better perspective for why and how things evolved from the Viking days down to be controlled by its neighbors back to the recently-gained big oil wealth in the past few decades. Before visiting Norway in both 2008 and 2010, I had the good fortune to hook up with gain briefing from an Ohio resident who was the U.S. Ambassador to Norway 2002-2005. Given his personal interests in history and Europe, his insights were very, very beneficial, including background about the powers and involvement of the Kings in Norway. A recent PBS TV series gave added information about the current King's father and his role during World War II to battle the invaders, etc. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights. On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings. Now at 241,143 views. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139 This picture shows the main, historic Akershus Fortress/Castle next to where some cruise ships dock in Oslo. The fortress construction started around the late 1290’s. It successfully survived all sieges, primarily by Swedish forces. It surrendered without combat to Germans in 1940 when the Norwegian government evacuated the capital in the face of the German invasions of Denmark and Norway. The very interesting and moving Norwegian Resistance museum can be visited there. Norwegian Royalty have been buried in the Royal Mausoleum in the castle. A portion of this fortress was replicated at the Norway pavilion at Disney’s Epcot Center.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) Here is a view of the Norway Parliament Building in Oslo or the “Storting” (meaning "the great assembly"). It is a unicameral parliament with 169 members, elected every four years. Parliament was established by their Constitution of Norway in 1814 and has since 1866 met in this building with its unique curved front section. Once the bill has reached the King in Council, the bill must be signed by the monarch and countersigned by the prime minister. It then becomes Norwegian law. The King has the right to withhold Royal Assent from any bill passed, but this has never been done since the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905 that restored Norway to full independence.: Oslo’s new Opera House opened in 2008 right on the waterfront at the top or head of the Oslofjord. Home of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, it cost over $700 million to build. The main auditorium seats 1,364 seats and has two other performance spaces seating 200 and 400. The main stage is 52 feet wide and 130 feet deep. The angled exterior surfaces of the building are covered with Italian marble and white granite to make it appear to be rising from the water. At the time, it was the largest cultural building constructed in Norway since Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim was completed around 1300.: Norway’s Royal Palace and a main Oslo shopping area. This 173-room palace was built in the first half of the 19th century as the Norwegian residence of the King of Sweden (when they ruled Norway) and is now the official residence of the present Norwegian monarch. It was in 1905 when Norway became completely independent from Sweden.: This is the museum for the Nobel Peace Prize that is located on the harbor near City Hall:

YES!! Agree and appreciate these comments and follow-ups by experienced and savvy kaisatsu in Oslo. The New York Times Travel Section has been catching up from nearly three years of Covid shut-downs and slow-ups. Many of their profiles had been written earlier and they held up publishing a number of them till travel opened up more. Now, fortunately, things are getting back to "normal". Please post more of your smart "thoughts". As I recall from many previous posts, you are a skilled observer and sharing expert for Oslo, etc. Let's hear it!! Don't be shy! Clearly many things have changed in Oslo since we visited in July 2008. Lots of new museums and buildings. But, I assume many other "stars" in Oslo have not changed. I might post a few visuals from what we loved and enjoyed from visiting back then. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Venice: Loving It & Why??!! Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 100,294 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

From MSN News yesterday, they had this headline: “Hidden Gem Caribbean Islands Not To Overlook” with these highlights for Curaçao: “Long a favorite cruise port in the southern Caribbean, the island of Curaçao is a trending and versatile Caribbean destination that requires more than just a day at port to explore properly. Curaçao's iconic and colorful Dutch Caribbean architecture sits alongside the island's white sand beaches, while the island's burgeoning food scene and updated boutique hotels and resorts welcome guests to an unforgettable experience for all the senses. Snorkeling and diving in Curaçao are legendary, as the island boasts one-of-a-kind walls and reefs with colorful corals and fish, plus a handful of easily-accessible shipwrecks that will have you feeling like a true explorer under the waves. Dive shops around the island offer PADI courses and certifications to help you make the most of one of the Caribbean's best destinations for diving.” Full story at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/11-hidden-gem-caribbean-islands-not-to-overlook/ar-AA16HWCn THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast on the Silver Spirit. Now at 32,985 views. Many pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

From MSN News yesterday, they had this headline: “Hidden Gem Caribbean Islands Not To Overlook” with these highlights for Bonaire: “A year-round hidden gem in the southern Caribbean, Bonaire is the colorful "B" of the ABC islands. With less than 25,000 permanent residents, Bonaire is a tiny jewel offering huge travel experiences. Start your trip in Bonaire at the island's picture-perfect salt pyramids. Pastel pink salt ponds where flamingo wade meet pure white pyramids against the blue sky and sea for an other-worldly landscape you need to see to believe. 100% of Bonaire's pristine coast is a protected marine park. This tiny island boasts 86 incredible dive spots where tropical fish swarm among corals. Bonaire takes its marine conservation seriously as one of the first Caribbean islands to join the Reef Renewal Foundation to offer travelers a way to learn about and participate in coral gardening firsthand.” Full story at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/11-hidden-gem-caribbean-islands-not-to-overlook/ar-AA16HWCn THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Early 2020, many visuals and details from New Zealand/South Pacific in going from Auckland to French Polynesia. This includes Bora Bora, Fiji, NZ experiences, etc: Live/blog; https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2735732-live-terryohio-“new”-regatta-south-pacificnz-pix’s/

From MSN News yesterday, they had this headline: “Hidden Gem Caribbean Islands Not To Overlook” with these highlights for Dominica: “It looks like 2023 is Dominica's moment with a coveted spot on Lonely Planet's prestigious list of Best in Travel 2023. Dominica is finally starting to get its time in the sun. Known as the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica is a true tropical paradise. Mountainous terrain reveals rainforests covering almost two-thirds of the island, home to hundreds of species of colorful birds and misty, plunging waterfalls. Dominica has a number of beautiful beaches to choose from, even of the unique black sand variety. Snorkeling and diving opportunities abound, with excellent options for beginners and experienced divers alike. Dominica is also known as the whale-watching capital of the Caribbean, and the only country in the world where sperm whales reside year-round.” Full story at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/11-hidden-gem-caribbean-islands-not-to-overlook/ar-AA16HWCn THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 21,553 views. Connect at: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

From the New York Times Travel Section for this coming weekend, they have this headline: “36 HOURS Oslo” with these highlights: “Has a city ever remade itself so quickly? The Norwegian capital had embarked on a plan to refashion itself as a major cultural destination. Oslo has opened two major museums and a stunning public library. Striking neighborhoods have sprung up along the city’s iconic fjord, united by a harborside promenade and dotted with new restaurants and bars. Yet for all the transformation, Oslo retains its most distinguishing feature: its celebration of the outdoors. This is a city that incorporates the natural world into urban life.” Many various options and changes are detailed in this profile for the Norway capital. This includes: "A walk west along the harbor brings you to a massive gray box, one of those love/hate buildings whose June 2022 opening makes it Oslo’s newest major cultural institution. You’ll never get through the National Museum in one go — with some 6,500 objects. The same fjord figures in “The Scream,” by Edvard Munch, and there’s no better place to see it (or, rather, one version of it; Munch made several) than the towering — and architecturally controversial — Munch Museum, which opened in its new location in the revitalized Bjorvika area in 2021." Need a Edvard Munch fix?? A large number of dining, drinking, shopping, cultural, etc., potentials are outlined, plus various visuals, especially for some of their new museums. Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/01/26/travel/things-to-do-oslo.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 245,865 views. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Below are four more visuals from our November 2018 Cyprus visit giving a sampling for the various mosaics, historic sites and finally that large Greco-Roman theater. Like the location facing the sea? From the New York Times at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/04/06/travel/what-to-do-36-hours-in-cyprus.html?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2F36-hours&action=click&contentCollection=travel&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=42&pgtype=collection this major publication offered in 2017, a detailed summary for Cyprus titled: "36 Hours in Cyprus" by Seth Sherwood that has this sub-headline: "Recovered from its economic woes, the mythological birthplace of Aphrodite is solvent again and undergoing a rebirth of its own." This NYT travel section profile also shared: "In the coastal city of Limassol, a vast new waterfront gleams with boutiques, art galleries and glassy modernist buildings full of stylish seafood emporiums. In the nation’s capital city, Nicosia — divided by barbed wire and sandbags since a 1974 Turkish invasion that seized the northern part of Cyprus — skyscrapers and squares by celebrity architects are sprouting alongside a new world-class museum, upstart restaurants and buzzing night life. All the while, the sun-soaked island’s ancient ruins, medieval fortresses, powerful wines and clear waters remain as alluring as ever." There are a number options and tips contained in this summary, plus pictures, etc. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 245,865 views. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

For Cyprus, there seems some confusion as to whether it fits most on Cruise Critic boards for here under "other Med" locations. Or, on the Greek CC board. This nation's connections are somewhat split and divided. For our first visit to Cyprus in 2018, we traveled through the foothills where most of the country's vineyards and the orchards of the Phassouri citrus groves exist. Our first destination was Petra tou Romiou, the symbol of the city of Paphos. Legend tells us that it is here, the goddess of Cyprus, Aphrodite, was born from the foam of the sea and carried by the sea's waves to the coast of Cyprus. She is the embodiment of the fertilizing dynamism of Love, believed to fertilize the whole of nature and spread happiness. Archaeological evidence and inscriptions bear witness of the existence of numerous sanctuaries and temples dedicated to Aphrodite throughout Cyprus. Next we went to Pafos, now a small harbor town and popular holiday resort. In Hellenistic and Roman times Pafos served as the capital of Cyprus. It remains the home of colorful Dionysos mosaics, knowned throughout the Mediterranean. The entire town of Pafos is included in the official UNESCO list of culture and natural treasures of the world heritage. We visited the House of Dionysos, famous for the mosaics unearthed during the excavation of a Roman nobleman's villa from the 3rd century AD. There is an extensive complex of buildings here that are fitted with \mosaic floors showing Roman legends and characters, but mostly representing scenes from Greek mythology. We also visited a large Greco-Roman theater built in the 2nd century BC which is still used today for many performances, including ancient dramas. Perched high on a cliff, this location offers great views of the ruins and the sapphire sea. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 255,755 views. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474 In departing our ship, we were greeted by local dancers to sample a little of their culture and welcoming.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) These two visuals offer a sample of the waters and coastline areas in Cyprus.: Here is a small sampling of the Dionysos mosaics and other related historic areas.:

What does a cruise staff wearing masks mean? Or not?? From the Miami Herald two days ago, they had this headline: “Carnival Cruise Line Responds to Covid Mask Concerns ” with these highlights: “As cruise lines have returned to normal operations, every health and safety decision faces intense scrutiny. In some ways, the cruise lines had it easier when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dictated their health and safety procedures. In July 2022, the CDC stopped regulating the cruise industry. That allowed every company to make its own decisions. The last of those rules to go involved crew members wearing masks. Many people welcome the relaxed rules, others have reactions that you may not expect. With masks being optional on ships, some crew members opt to wear them, and others choose not to. Most staff were not masked but one wait team did and made some guests at the table feel very uneasy like they were hiding something. The implication here is that the crew members were wearing masks because they were sick.” Twisted and tangled? Damned if a staff member wears a mask as being unfriendly and/or harder to understand for lip readers? Damned if you do not as hiding something? Who is right and wrong? Here is more from this article: "The reality is that health concerns aside, crew members -- especially those in positions that get tipped -- take a financial risk if they opt to not wear a mask. When a crew member gets covid, they're quarantined for a minimum of five days (pending negative tests)." Full story at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article271515572.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Early 2020, many visuals and details from New Zealand/South Pacific in going from Auckland to French Polynesia. This includes Bora Bora, Fiji, NZ experiences, etc: Live/blog; https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2735732-live-terryohio-“new”-regatta-south-pacificnz-pix’s/