Brighton Pier, stretching 1,722 feet into the English Channel, is generally regarded as the most magnificent pier ever built. It began life in 1832, as the “Chain Pier,” used as a landing terminal for ships arriving from Dieppe, France. Over the next six decades, the Chain Pier suffered damage from storms that eventually resulted in … Read more
Two young boys standing in front of me at Helsinki Harbour fidgeted and poked furiously at their mobile phones. I couldn’t understand a word they were saying but their excitement was unmistakable. All up and down the line, kids and parents were waving phones around and gesturing excitedly. Suddenly, one child cried out and pointed … Read more
The view down Lai Street looks toward Saint Olaf’s Church in Tallinn, Estonia. Though it’s believed to have been built in the 12th century, it was not mentioned in written records until 1267. The church’s steeple has always been exceedingly high. Between 1549 and 1625, Saint Olaf claimed it was the highest building in the … Read more
Estonia, the northernmost of the Europe’s three Baltic States, shares a long land border with Russia. In fact, St. Petersburg, the cultural capital of Russia, is just a few hours away by bus from the Estonian capital of Tallinn. So, it was no surprise that I heard as much Russian being spoken during my visit … Read more
The fuzzy silhouette within the long rod of amber seemed familiar, yet I wasn’t quite sure what I was seeing. I turned my head sideways and squinted to better focus. With a start, I realized I was looking at the complete body of a lizard that had been trapped in amber. The specimen at the … Read more
