Friday, April 24, 2015

Hurtigruten from Tromsø to Svolvær


Pictures from my trip on Hurtigruten from Tromsø to Svolvær.

Hurtigruten ("the Express Route") is a daily passenger and freight shipping service along Norway's western and northern coast between Bergen and Kirkenes. Sometimes referred to as Norwegian Coastal Express, Hurtigruten ships sail almost the entire length of the country, completing the round-trip journey in 11 days. The trip has been described as the "World's Most Beautiful Sea Voyage," with highlights including the Hanseatic League city of Bergen, the Geiranger fjord (summer only), and the Lofoten Islands.

The coastline between Bergen and Kirkenes is over 2,400km long, and in the 19th Century almost all of it was home to rich fishing grounds. The maritime maps were unreliable and there were only a few lighthouses, especially in the north. This important seaway was lined with perilous reefs, small islands and narrow inlets, and it was essential that a safe trade route be established to link the southern and northern regions of Norway.

http://www.hurtigruten.com/en/

















 






 Stockfish (unsalted cod) drying in Svolvær.


 Stockfish (unsalted cod) drying in Svolvær.





Saturday, April 4, 2015

Chelsea - London

Chelsea - London


Chelsea Bridge

Chelsea Bridge is a bridge over the River Thames in west London, connecting Chelsea on the north bank to Battersea on the south bank.













The Albert Bridge

The Albert Bridge is a road bridge over the River Thames in West London, connecting Chelsea on the north bank to Battersea on the south bank.






















London Peace Pagoda

At a time when the Cold War and the fear of a nuclear attack were escalating the offer of a Peace Pagoda to promote world harmony seemed appropriate.
It was offered to the people of London by the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order as part of the 1984 Greater London Council (GLC) Peace Year.
Nipponzan Myohoji is a religious movement that emerged from the Nichiren sect of Japanese Buddhism.


They have been constructing Peace Pagodas, as the spiritual focus to unify the movement for peace, since 1947 and they exist all around the world including Europe, Asia and the United States.
The pagoda in Battersea was built by monks, nuns and followers of Nipponzan Myohoji at the behest of The Venerable Nichidatsu Fujii (1885-1985), founder of the organisation.
The double-roofed structure, which is 33.5 m high and made of concrete and wood, is one of around 80 around the world and the second to be put up in a Western capital city.


Friday, April 3, 2015

Grenwich Park - Canary Warf London

Grenwich Park - Canary Warf London


















Chinese New Year - Soho, London.

Chinese New Year  - Soho, London




























Hammersmith - London


Hammersmith - London



Hammersmith Bridge.




Riverboat on the Thames River by Hammersmith.




Thames River by Hammersmith.










9 men in a boat











Sunset over Hammersmith Bridge


Sunset over Hammersmith Bridge



Sunset over Hammersmith Bridge