“Passing Storm, Split, Croatia” — A summer storm passes over Split, Croatia.
While staying in Trogir, Croatia, a ways up the coast from Split, we went for a long, looping drive into the mountains and to some rural, agricultural country. Our main objective was an olive-growing area where we stopped in the middle of the day. After that we continued on a route that would take us closer to Split on our return to Trogir.
As we topped the ridge to the east of the town we came to the Klis Fortress — as I understand it, historically this remarkable ridge-top structure guarded the pass that provided access to Split. As we explored the place the weather began to deteriorate, and before long we were running for cover as strong rain showers passed over. This view looks out over Split towards the passing storm.
“Pena Palace” — The Pena Palace, on the summt of a mountain near Sintra, Portugal.
We missed the Pena Palace when we visited Lisbon a few years ago, so this time we made sure to set aside a day for the train ride to Sintra to see it. (It isn’t the only thing there — a remarkable “Moorish castle” is nearby.) The weather was… interesting. We had rain and wind and fog, to the point that it was difficult to be outside on the castle grounds. However, these conditions also made the scene more dramatic than it would have been on another pleasant, blue sky day.
Later I’ll share photographs made on the palace grounds. I made this one while traversing the old walls of the Moorish Castle. It also lies on a ridge, but a lower one than the palace. From there I had a dramatic view looking up to the summit of the ridge where the wildly colorful Pena Palace sits, complete with dark clouds moving past.
“Kosovo Mountains” — Mountains haze in Kosovo— the “Accursed Mountains.”
This photograph comes from a wonderful day in the “Accursed Mountains” of Kosovo west of Pec. It is full of great memories, though short on specific location details. We headed into the mountains from Pec, following a narrow and rugged river valley. Eventually we passed through a mountain town and continued to ascend. We took a narrow side road and eventually got out and walked… right to the Montenegro border. From there we somehow ended up at a remarkable “lodge” where we had a stupendous lunch on a grand outdoor covered deck.
I made the photograph at the lodge, looking back up towards the summit of these beautiful mountains and directly in to the haze- and sun-filled atmosphere. Side note: I read that there is some difference of opinion regarding how these beautiful mountains came to be known as the “Accursed Mountains.” From what I saw and from some subsequent reading, it would not surprise me if this area becomes a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts.
“Marché de Noël, Paris” — Crowds at the Paris Christmas Market in the Tuileries Garden.
Last year’s late-fall and early-winter travel that took us to Germany, France, and Spain. We were in Paris for a few days about a week into December, and holiday festivities were in full swing. Stores had their decorations up, some streets had overhead holiday lights, and the Christmas markets were open. We briefly walked through this one at the Tuileries Garden near the Louvre.
Although the German markets seem to be the most famous — or at least the best-known in the United States — Christmas markets are all over Europe. Here it Paris it is the “Marché de Noël.” The basic idea is similar everywhere we went, from Germany to Spain. Vendor booths are set up in a public place, often a town square. They sell seasonal items, gifts, and local food and drinks. Mulled wine is the popular drink — vin chaud in France and gluhwein in Germany.
Photographer and visual opportunist. Daily photos since 2005, plus articles, reviews, news, and ideas.
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