Old stone cottages sit side-by-side with new homes in the town of Kenmare on the Kerry Peninsula in Ireland. Kenmare is the southern entry to the famous Ring of Kerry drive, which follows the coastline around the Iveragh peninsula. Considered to be one of the most dramatic scenic drives in the country, it offers gorgeous … Read more
The winters are long, cold, and dark in Iceland. As such, I had expected Icelanders to be a somber lot, patiently awaiting their few brief weeks of summer each year. I found quite the opposite – they were happy, upbeat, and kept me laughing with their unique self-deprecating sense of humor. The following are some … Read more
With razor-sharp, tortured lava formations everywhere, the volcanic landscape of Iceland felt otherworldly to me. Iceland has the dubious honor of having more active volcanoes and volcanic activity than anywhere else on the planet. The mid-Atlantic ridge rises from the ocean floor to split the island in two. The eastern half of the country lies … Read more
Hallgrimskirkja Church in Reykjavik is the sixth tallest and most impressive man-made structure in Iceland. The 244-foot tall tower took more than 40 years to complete and the design reflects the geologic formations that result when basalt lava cools slowly. Since it is visible from almost anywhere within the capital city, I used it as … Read more
I wandered into the Reykjavik City Hall almost by mistake. I’d been walking along the shore of the Tjornin, a shallow body of water that everyone calls “The Pond,” when I came to a long bridge. On the other side sat a building that was the epitome of architectural minimalism, if not downright Brutalism. Curious, … Read more
