KGB MUSEUM and RESTAURANT
The KGB Museum is not far from the Kremlin. We passed uniformed guards as we entered. A rather high-up member of the organization met us in the lobby. His English was good and he had a wonderful sense of humor.
He told us, “The KGB was started in 1917 and has changed its name 13 times. In fact it is in the Book of Guinness for that. The organization is presently known as FSB—Federal Security Bureau.
“KGB agents did not wear their rank when on a mission. The FSB reports directly to the President. Today our biggest problems are terrorism and drugs. We have lost 19 agents, ten in one day a while ago, in the fight on terrorism.”
Moving into one of the display rooms he continued, “The first director of the KGB used furniture in his office that was made in America.” In another room he continued, “The US counterfeited documents so perfectly that it was hard to distinguish them from the real thing. But what eventually gave them away was a high-tech secret. The US used stainless steel staples while the Russians still used a material that rusted and the deception was caught.”
Another room showed different secret devises for spying. One listening devise was discovered thousands of feet under the water. When Gary Powers’s plane was hit by a missile in 1960 his plane broke in two and Powers floated to earth. He had cyanide capsules but chose not to use them. Captured, he spent a year and a half in captivity and was eventually exchanged for some Russian the U.S. was holding.
The guide continued, “After Powers release the building was remodeled and his prison cell became my new office.”
It was an interesting tour and not being into that kind of stuff I cannot determine how good the museum was, but the men were well taken by all the spy stuff. I did enjoy the talk of the guide. Before heading to lunch we stopped briefly in a large, well-stocked KGB grocery/variety store.
We lunched at the Sword and Shield restaurant, which was the old KGB restaurant, located about a block down the street from the KGB museum. Pictures of KGB agents covered the walls. A great western-style salad started the meal, followed by a good borsch, pork and rice and finally topped off with ice cream and tea or coffee. We wondered if the chef was the same one who cooked for Brezhnev, Andropov, and Gorbachev. Probably not.
It was an interesting morning in Moscow, Russia.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
PART OF HISTORY
THE ANNE FRANK HOUSE
In Amsterdam we visited the Anne Frank huis (house) early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Our guide told us, “The Germans occupied the Netherlands in May 1940 which started five years of repression, slave labor, terror, hunger, and fear for the Dutch people. When it was all over only one Jew out of four had survived.”
The Anne Frank house was built in 1635 as a merchant’s house. The price of a house and its taxes in Amsterdam were determined by its width. So it was common for homes to be two to three stories high, but very narrow and long, extending to the back of the lot. Often an annex house was built behind the original house.
Otto Frank, a displaced German Jew, established a wholesale herb and spice business from his house. Early in 1942 Mr. Frank started converting the annex house into a hiding place by slowly taking items from the main house and placing them in the annex. A hinged bookcase at the base of the staircase concealed the upper two floors and the attic of the annex.
Our guide continued, “The Frank family went into hiding in July 1942. Anne, then thirteen years old, kept a diary of her life for the 23 months the family hid in the annex attic. Her last entry was August 1, 1944. The German police arrived on August 4 and the family was deported, eventually ending up in Auschwitz concentration camp. Anne died in March 1945 just shy of the war’s end. Mr. Frank was the only member of the family to survive.”
It was a bit unnerving to climb the stairs to see and stand in the rooms where this family had hidden safely for so long. The space was not large. It must have been so difficult to exercise and to be quiet day after day. The fear of discovery must have weighed heavy on the whole family.
One of Mr. Frank’s employees found Anne’s diary and kept it until Mr. Frank’s return to Amsterdam. Anne Frank’s Diary has been published in several languages and over 13 million copies have been printed.
This was a very moving visit and sobering experience.
In Amsterdam we visited the Anne Frank huis (house) early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Our guide told us, “The Germans occupied the Netherlands in May 1940 which started five years of repression, slave labor, terror, hunger, and fear for the Dutch people. When it was all over only one Jew out of four had survived.”
The Anne Frank house was built in 1635 as a merchant’s house. The price of a house and its taxes in Amsterdam were determined by its width. So it was common for homes to be two to three stories high, but very narrow and long, extending to the back of the lot. Often an annex house was built behind the original house.
Otto Frank, a displaced German Jew, established a wholesale herb and spice business from his house. Early in 1942 Mr. Frank started converting the annex house into a hiding place by slowly taking items from the main house and placing them in the annex. A hinged bookcase at the base of the staircase concealed the upper two floors and the attic of the annex.
Our guide continued, “The Frank family went into hiding in July 1942. Anne, then thirteen years old, kept a diary of her life for the 23 months the family hid in the annex attic. Her last entry was August 1, 1944. The German police arrived on August 4 and the family was deported, eventually ending up in Auschwitz concentration camp. Anne died in March 1945 just shy of the war’s end. Mr. Frank was the only member of the family to survive.”
It was a bit unnerving to climb the stairs to see and stand in the rooms where this family had hidden safely for so long. The space was not large. It must have been so difficult to exercise and to be quiet day after day. The fear of discovery must have weighed heavy on the whole family.
One of Mr. Frank’s employees found Anne’s diary and kept it until Mr. Frank’s return to Amsterdam. Anne Frank’s Diary has been published in several languages and over 13 million copies have been printed.
This was a very moving visit and sobering experience.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
HAPPY TO LEARN
TRAIN ETIQUETTE
On one trip to France I took the TGV train from Paris to Avignon, the capital of Provence. Our seats were upstairs. We were instructed about the specific protocol for riding the train. First, one is very quiet; any talking is done at whisper level. Talking on a cell phone is considered rude---yea! If a phone did vibrate, the person immediately got up and hurried out of the car before answering it. I like how the French think regarding cell phone use!
There were many business men on the train. Some were reading, some working at a table and some just resting. No matter what they were doing it was quiet so they could carry on without interruptions or annoyances.
The doors were not automatic; one had to push a button to open them.
The seats were comfortable for the smooth two and a half-hour ride to Avignon. We were given a 10 minute warning so we could be ready to disembark in a timely manner as European trains do not stay in the station long.
The train transfer was quick and easy and in less than 15 minutes all the luggage had been transferred from the train to our van
On one trip to France I took the TGV train from Paris to Avignon, the capital of Provence. Our seats were upstairs. We were instructed about the specific protocol for riding the train. First, one is very quiet; any talking is done at whisper level. Talking on a cell phone is considered rude---yea! If a phone did vibrate, the person immediately got up and hurried out of the car before answering it. I like how the French think regarding cell phone use!
There were many business men on the train. Some were reading, some working at a table and some just resting. No matter what they were doing it was quiet so they could carry on without interruptions or annoyances.
The doors were not automatic; one had to push a button to open them.
The seats were comfortable for the smooth two and a half-hour ride to Avignon. We were given a 10 minute warning so we could be ready to disembark in a timely manner as European trains do not stay in the station long.
The train transfer was quick and easy and in less than 15 minutes all the luggage had been transferred from the train to our van
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
LOTS OF CONFUSION
KIEV AIRPORT
We arrived in Kiev, Ukraine at Zhulyany Airport after a transfer from Frankfurt, Germany. In Kiev there was little instruction as we worked our way through the chaos. We were a bit nervous as we reluctantly surrendered our passports, as instructed, at immigration before passing on to claim our baggage. Luggage arrived in a timely fashion, but ours was close to the end and just about the time I was beginning to think we’d be doing without it, down the ramp it came! I always assume whenever I check a bag that that is the last time I’ll ever see it.
After getting out luggage we found all our passports thrown in a heap on a table. However, we were glad to see them again and to know that they were all there. En masse, full speed ahead we followed some fellow outside the airport. We never did hand in immigration forms and were told to hold on to them as we’d need them to exit the country. We never did hand in the forms! What a mess! I’m sure getting through this airport could be a real nightmare on your own. Even with help as a group it was a hassle.
When leaving Kiev for Moscow we again experienced total chaos. Luggage was scanned three times before we could even check it. We left our Kiev hotel at 9:30 AM for an hour and a half flight to Moscow. But it was 5:00 PM before we checked into our Moscow hotel. We lost one hour enroute, but still, follow that time line.
The plane actually landed about 3 o’clock. We were shuttled into the terminal where Russian immigration forms awaited. After getting through the long line we made our way to the baggage claim area where we encountered a long wait for the baggage to arrive. Travel hassles are getting worse all the time, and this was in 2005.
We arrived in Kiev, Ukraine at Zhulyany Airport after a transfer from Frankfurt, Germany. In Kiev there was little instruction as we worked our way through the chaos. We were a bit nervous as we reluctantly surrendered our passports, as instructed, at immigration before passing on to claim our baggage. Luggage arrived in a timely fashion, but ours was close to the end and just about the time I was beginning to think we’d be doing without it, down the ramp it came! I always assume whenever I check a bag that that is the last time I’ll ever see it.
After getting out luggage we found all our passports thrown in a heap on a table. However, we were glad to see them again and to know that they were all there. En masse, full speed ahead we followed some fellow outside the airport. We never did hand in immigration forms and were told to hold on to them as we’d need them to exit the country. We never did hand in the forms! What a mess! I’m sure getting through this airport could be a real nightmare on your own. Even with help as a group it was a hassle.
When leaving Kiev for Moscow we again experienced total chaos. Luggage was scanned three times before we could even check it. We left our Kiev hotel at 9:30 AM for an hour and a half flight to Moscow. But it was 5:00 PM before we checked into our Moscow hotel. We lost one hour enroute, but still, follow that time line.
The plane actually landed about 3 o’clock. We were shuttled into the terminal where Russian immigration forms awaited. After getting through the long line we made our way to the baggage claim area where we encountered a long wait for the baggage to arrive. Travel hassles are getting worse all the time, and this was in 2005.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
MARKING THE ROAD
Inukshuk is an Inuit word referring to a stone image meaning resembling man. Some are thousands of years old. Traditionally one arm is longer than the other as it points the way. For hundreds of years, inukshuks have marked a safe passage, or pointed the way to a specific place such as an important caribou crossing or seabird colony, to a place where food or where a safe refuge could be found. Often surplus food of travelers would be stored in these stone images for hungry travelers to take.
They also held a spiritual purpose for a safe journey and return. The tundra, especially when covered in snow, can be like the desert, and one can easily lose his direction. The Celts did the same thing on the moors using Celtic crosses, which could be seen from long distances. Often coins were left on the cross arms of the cross for a needy traveler.
Some inukshuks are made from large boulders and one has to wonder how man managed such large objects. We saw a large one in Churchill and a couple more on the tundra. I am fascinated by them and actually came home and built one in my backyard.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
SALT POND
UNBELIEABLE FLOAT
One warm sunny morning during our week in the Sea of Cortez in Mexico we motored our panga over to Isla Partida. A narrow isthmus allows small boat passage only at high tide. With a little people-shifting in the boat and the guide walking the panga through parts of the channel where the water was really shallow we made it safely with no problem. Our destination was a small salt pond on the opposite side of the island.
After walking overland to the pond we all headed for the water which was warm and probably only 7-8 feet deep. Once your feet left the bottom it took a fair amount of energy and effort to stand up again. It was kind of weird to be suspended in the water with absolutely no effort. I sat suspended looking at my toes peeking through the water surface for a good while keeping my balance with a slight sculling motion. Talk about relaxing!
If I’d had a book I could have read while floating. There was no tide or current so one just stayed in the same place where he let his feet float to the top. We chit-chatted and visited with each other, but after awhile we’d had enough and one by one we started to stand and wade out of the pool.
Back on dry land, we watched lots of funny little fiddler crabs run around the marsh surrounding the salt pond. They are always a lot of fun to watch and they put on quite a performance for us. We were almost dry when we walked back to the ocean to rinse all that salt off both our bodies and out of our swim suits.
More than one of us remarked, “This was better than the Great Salt Lake.” It certainly was fun.
One warm sunny morning during our week in the Sea of Cortez in Mexico we motored our panga over to Isla Partida. A narrow isthmus allows small boat passage only at high tide. With a little people-shifting in the boat and the guide walking the panga through parts of the channel where the water was really shallow we made it safely with no problem. Our destination was a small salt pond on the opposite side of the island.
After walking overland to the pond we all headed for the water which was warm and probably only 7-8 feet deep. Once your feet left the bottom it took a fair amount of energy and effort to stand up again. It was kind of weird to be suspended in the water with absolutely no effort. I sat suspended looking at my toes peeking through the water surface for a good while keeping my balance with a slight sculling motion. Talk about relaxing!
If I’d had a book I could have read while floating. There was no tide or current so one just stayed in the same place where he let his feet float to the top. We chit-chatted and visited with each other, but after awhile we’d had enough and one by one we started to stand and wade out of the pool.
Back on dry land, we watched lots of funny little fiddler crabs run around the marsh surrounding the salt pond. They are always a lot of fun to watch and they put on quite a performance for us. We were almost dry when we walked back to the ocean to rinse all that salt off both our bodies and out of our swim suits.
More than one of us remarked, “This was better than the Great Salt Lake.” It certainly was fun.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
THE AMAZING COCONUT
Having lived in Hawaii for years and eaten many a coconut, I learned a lot more about the ‘nut of life’ in Raratonga, Cook Islands.
The saying goes, if one takes care of a coconut tree for 6-7 years it will take care of you for the rest of your life. Island inhabitants waste nothing. The tree trunk, the coconut, fiber, leaves, nut shell, meat and milk are all used.
There are six stages of life for a coconut. The milk is sweetest in the third stage. The coconut fiber is easiest to remove in the fourth stage, when it can be pulled and twisted into rope. The coconut falls from the tree during the fourth stage. The nuts ripen at different times, so they don’t all fall at once. Natives know better than to sit under a coconut tree!
The nut sprouts sending out roots to grow another tree in the sixth and final stage. This is when the meat turns mushy becoming a treat for island youngsters who liken it to marshmallow. Coconut trees require little care to grow, but take 6-7 years to produce fruit.
The tree trunk is used for posts, stools, drums, storage containers, and even dugout canoes. The bark provides firewood. Small chunks of bark are dried and when burned act as nature’s natural mosquito repellent.
The fiber growing at the base of the leaves is used for clothing, loin cloths, and decoration on dancing skirts. When painted with various designs it becomes a wall decoration or hanging. The fiber is also used to strain coconut milk from the meat. Tree roots are used to make fish traps, usually for eels.
Palm fronds are woven into dishes, platters, sleeping mats, window coverings, fans, hats, and decorations. Polished coconut shells become bowls. Dancers use polished half shells as bras when dancing. Until the late 1950s many buttons were made from coconut shells. Jewelry, earrings, and toys are fashioned from the shell.
Coconut milk is used in cooking, cosmetics, and lotions. It is truly a tree of life for islanders!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
A LOVELY CITY
Glasgow is known both as the Victorian City and the Merchant City. The literal translation from the Gaelic glas cu means dear green place and thus the name Glasgow. Natives of the city are called Glaswegians. The once industrial city that was covered with a layer of coal dust is no more. The lovely Victorian city now shimmers and sparkles. It is one of my favorite cities and if I had to choose between it and Edinburgh I’m afraid I’d chose the less popular Glasgow.
Museums are free and some cultural event takes place every day. Buildings are made of either red or yellow sandstone with slate or red tile roofs. New buildings will lack chimneys, as after the Clean Air Act passed in 1967, there is no deed for them.
The city grew twenty miles from the River Clyde in the 17th century engulfing several smaller medieval settlements. During the Industrial Revolution it was the fastest growing region in Britain. Although only 40 miles from Edinburgh, there is an amazing contrast between the two cities. Glasgow is Britain’s third largest city but Scotland’s largest. The city is also the commercial capital, and the birthplace of both Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.
Big Bertha, a huge crane, is now a monument to the vast and prosperous ship-building industry that the city of Glasgow was famous for. The last ship built on the Clyde was the QE2 in 1962. During WW II a warship a day rolled off the rails into the River Clyde. The 24-hour a day operation was incredible when 2000 ships hit the seas in a six year period. Before the war most of the ships built were passenger liners including all of the Cunard Line ships. At one point the shipbuilding industry employed over 200,000 people. The ships were not only built here, but fully outfitted here as well. To say something is Clyde built means that it is quality and built to last. The River Clyde is but 78 miles long and can have a 20-foot tide in the city.
Both the ship building industry and the BBC headquarters accounted for the heavy bombing during WWII.
I’ll talk more about this wonderful city another day. Three weeks in the country has left me with lots of information plus an interest in the food and language.
Glasgow is known both as the Victorian City and the Merchant City. The literal translation from the Gaelic glas cu means dear green place and thus the name Glasgow. Natives of the city are called Glaswegians. The once industrial city that was covered with a layer of coal dust is no more. The lovely Victorian city now shimmers and sparkles. It is one of my favorite cities and if I had to choose between it and Edinburgh I’m afraid I’d chose the less popular Glasgow.
Museums are free and some cultural event takes place every day. Buildings are made of either red or yellow sandstone with slate or red tile roofs. New buildings will lack chimneys, as after the Clean Air Act passed in 1967, there is no deed for them.
The city grew twenty miles from the River Clyde in the 17th century engulfing several smaller medieval settlements. During the Industrial Revolution it was the fastest growing region in Britain. Although only 40 miles from Edinburgh, there is an amazing contrast between the two cities. Glasgow is Britain’s third largest city but Scotland’s largest. The city is also the commercial capital, and the birthplace of both Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.
Big Bertha, a huge crane, is now a monument to the vast and prosperous ship-building industry that the city of Glasgow was famous for. The last ship built on the Clyde was the QE2 in 1962. During WW II a warship a day rolled off the rails into the River Clyde. The 24-hour a day operation was incredible when 2000 ships hit the seas in a six year period. Before the war most of the ships built were passenger liners including all of the Cunard Line ships. At one point the shipbuilding industry employed over 200,000 people. The ships were not only built here, but fully outfitted here as well. To say something is Clyde built means that it is quality and built to last. The River Clyde is but 78 miles long and can have a 20-foot tide in the city.
Both the ship building industry and the BBC headquarters accounted for the heavy bombing during WWII.
I’ll talk more about this wonderful city another day. Three weeks in the country has left me with lots of information plus an interest in the food and language.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
INFLUENCES ON CUBAN MUSIC
LOVE MUCH OF IT
Music was everywhere, all the time, when I visited Cuba in late 2003. Cultural differences have provided a wide range to their music. Some of it I liked a lot, some of it I thought was noisy with a sameness in tone and a very repetitious rhythm. We had a fantastic lecture on Cuban music and I’d like to share some of the things I learned.
The biggest influences on music, by far, are Spanish and African. When the Africans were kidnapped and taken to Cuba they arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Arriving as individuals, the slaves left behind all family, community and culture. The many cultures and languages were only carried in their memories, and for these people the first culture that surfaced occurred on the plantations.
On holidays the slaves were allowed to celebrate. Doque means to perform or to play. And slowly songs, style, and instruments emerged. Nothing was written . Each person sang the songs and rhythms they remembered from back home.
Because plantations were located away from urban areas, the new culture and songs emerged with no outside influences. Slaves taken from the same area were split among different plantations, which prohibited any congregating or uprising.
Female slaves were taken to urban areas for use as domestic help. Living in the mansions they were free to wander about the city. These areas were located near the seaports and those blacks were exposed to the Spanish influence.
After abolition, blacks from the plantations moved to the cities and formed their own neighborhoods and the Spanish and African cultures started to mix and blend.
During the big band era (1940-1960s), such American bands were brought to Cuba to play in the hotels/casinos. But American visitors didn’t want to hear big band sounds in Cuba; they could hear that at home. So local musicians were hired who put their own ‘big band’ spin on the local music. I found this music most pleasing to listen to.
All these influences have produced a wide range of sounds in Cuban music, but they are all Cuban.
The Buena Vista Social Club puts on one performance a month at the Hotel Nacional and we happened to be in Havana for the November show. How lucky can you get!
Music was everywhere, all the time, when I visited Cuba in late 2003. Cultural differences have provided a wide range to their music. Some of it I liked a lot, some of it I thought was noisy with a sameness in tone and a very repetitious rhythm. We had a fantastic lecture on Cuban music and I’d like to share some of the things I learned.
The biggest influences on music, by far, are Spanish and African. When the Africans were kidnapped and taken to Cuba they arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Arriving as individuals, the slaves left behind all family, community and culture. The many cultures and languages were only carried in their memories, and for these people the first culture that surfaced occurred on the plantations.
On holidays the slaves were allowed to celebrate. Doque means to perform or to play. And slowly songs, style, and instruments emerged. Nothing was written . Each person sang the songs and rhythms they remembered from back home.
Because plantations were located away from urban areas, the new culture and songs emerged with no outside influences. Slaves taken from the same area were split among different plantations, which prohibited any congregating or uprising.
Female slaves were taken to urban areas for use as domestic help. Living in the mansions they were free to wander about the city. These areas were located near the seaports and those blacks were exposed to the Spanish influence.
After abolition, blacks from the plantations moved to the cities and formed their own neighborhoods and the Spanish and African cultures started to mix and blend.
During the big band era (1940-1960s), such American bands were brought to Cuba to play in the hotels/casinos. But American visitors didn’t want to hear big band sounds in Cuba; they could hear that at home. So local musicians were hired who put their own ‘big band’ spin on the local music. I found this music most pleasing to listen to.
All these influences have produced a wide range of sounds in Cuban music, but they are all Cuban.
The Buena Vista Social Club puts on one performance a month at the Hotel Nacional and we happened to be in Havana for the November show. How lucky can you get!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
AN EARLY ZIPLINE
THE FLYING FOX
In New Zealand we drove to a experimental forestry station, located in a redwood forest. Walking through the lovely cool redwood forest, we were told, “Redwoods grow so fast here that the wood is too soft and porous for any useful purpose. These trees are only a few years old but are the normal size of a century old tree.” Who would guess!
After a delightful easy walk through the forest we came upon a fairly large meadow. In the clearing was a zip-line called the flying fox. We stopped so anyone who wanted to could ride it. We were lectured, “This zip-line is perfectly safe, but do understand that you ride it at your own risk. There are no frivolous law suits in this country and such a lawsuit would be laughed at and never make it to court. The ride is a bit strenuous, but also is a lot of fun”
Several men and a couple of us women walked down to a rather tall tower and climbed up it to wait our turn to ride. One at a time, we stepped into a sling and adjusted it before stepping off the platform. The ride on the 300-400 meter cable zipped by quickly before coming to a sudden jolting halt. The hardest part was climbing out of the sling while hanging suspended in the air at the end of the cable. I suspect a young person could release himself quite easily.
The fellows who chose not to ride volunteered to run the sling back up to the platform for the next brave soul. It actually was my first zip-line ride and it was a lot of fun, albeit too short.
The station had a small museum and a small but nice gift shop.
In New Zealand we drove to a experimental forestry station, located in a redwood forest. Walking through the lovely cool redwood forest, we were told, “Redwoods grow so fast here that the wood is too soft and porous for any useful purpose. These trees are only a few years old but are the normal size of a century old tree.” Who would guess!
After a delightful easy walk through the forest we came upon a fairly large meadow. In the clearing was a zip-line called the flying fox. We stopped so anyone who wanted to could ride it. We were lectured, “This zip-line is perfectly safe, but do understand that you ride it at your own risk. There are no frivolous law suits in this country and such a lawsuit would be laughed at and never make it to court. The ride is a bit strenuous, but also is a lot of fun”
Several men and a couple of us women walked down to a rather tall tower and climbed up it to wait our turn to ride. One at a time, we stepped into a sling and adjusted it before stepping off the platform. The ride on the 300-400 meter cable zipped by quickly before coming to a sudden jolting halt. The hardest part was climbing out of the sling while hanging suspended in the air at the end of the cable. I suspect a young person could release himself quite easily.
The fellows who chose not to ride volunteered to run the sling back up to the platform for the next brave soul. It actually was my first zip-line ride and it was a lot of fun, albeit too short.
The station had a small museum and a small but nice gift shop.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
NATURAL HOT SPRINGS
THE BLUE LAGOON
In Reykjavik, Iceland of course we had to visit the Blue Lagoon which lies in the middle of a lava field. The resort offers a geothermally heated pool with blue-tinged mineral water. The geothermal spa's state-of-the-art facilities included the Blue Lagoon pool, a geothermal beach, lava caves and silica mud.
In addition to bathing in the lagoon, guests can enjoy relaxing in a lava cave and a unique geothermal steam bath. The Blue Lagoon's warm water and natural active ingredients: salts, silica and blue green algae are relaxing and a good escape from the stress and strain of daily life. The Blue Lagoon's white Silica mud gently cleanses and exfoliates the skin and has revitalizing effects on the skin while the blue green algae nourishes and softens the skin.
Our wrist bracelets locked and unlocked the lockers by touching the display strip with the bracelet. The shower rooms had 6-8 shower heads and were well stocked with soap/shampoo and lotion. We showered before entering the pool and after getting out. After a long and full day of sightseeing and a light dinner we relaxed and visited while floating in the pool. At the hour of our visit the pool was not very crowded.
We stayed in the warm mineral water about 45 minutes. I did not take advantage of the silica face mask or the sauna. A visit to the Blue Lagoon was an invigorating and exciting experience as well as fun, especially after our long day. I was so relaxed that I slept like a baby that night.
In Reykjavik, Iceland of course we had to visit the Blue Lagoon which lies in the middle of a lava field. The resort offers a geothermally heated pool with blue-tinged mineral water. The geothermal spa's state-of-the-art facilities included the Blue Lagoon pool, a geothermal beach, lava caves and silica mud.
In addition to bathing in the lagoon, guests can enjoy relaxing in a lava cave and a unique geothermal steam bath. The Blue Lagoon's warm water and natural active ingredients: salts, silica and blue green algae are relaxing and a good escape from the stress and strain of daily life. The Blue Lagoon's white Silica mud gently cleanses and exfoliates the skin and has revitalizing effects on the skin while the blue green algae nourishes and softens the skin.
Our wrist bracelets locked and unlocked the lockers by touching the display strip with the bracelet. The shower rooms had 6-8 shower heads and were well stocked with soap/shampoo and lotion. We showered before entering the pool and after getting out. After a long and full day of sightseeing and a light dinner we relaxed and visited while floating in the pool. At the hour of our visit the pool was not very crowded.
We stayed in the warm mineral water about 45 minutes. I did not take advantage of the silica face mask or the sauna. A visit to the Blue Lagoon was an invigorating and exciting experience as well as fun, especially after our long day. I was so relaxed that I slept like a baby that night.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
WET TEE SHIRT
WOW DID IT FEEL GOOD!
When I went to Denmark to bike that island country I unfortunately took the Texas heat with me. For the first four days rivulets of water ran down every crevice of my body, and under my helmet my head took on the appearance of having just stepped out of the shower. The steep hill climbs didn’t help much either.
After lunch one day we stopped to visit a Viking outdoor museum-site. It was a beastly hot day and the tour of the museum was all out in the unrelenting sun. Close to the end, I snuck away to return to the museum building where I went into the restroom. I was alone, but at that point that was immaterial—I was hot and nothing was going to stop me from stripping off my tee shirt! I filled the sink with water and submerged my shirt. I only slightly squeezed the water out of the shirt before putting it back on. Wow, did that feel good!
I was just about to walk out the door when the rest of the group arrived. My roommate took one look at me but before she could say anything I muttered, “I don’t care what this wet tee shirt looks like, it feels cool and may even save me from having a heat stroke,”
“Hey, it works for me. Good idea. I think I’m going to do the same thing, maybe we can start a wet tee shirt contest. It is so darn hot. I keep drinking lots of water, but I just can’t seem to get enough and I’m still tired,” she responded.
By the time we left the museum several others had followed my lead. Just shy of dripping wet, we mounted our bikes to pedal to our hotel. We cooled rapidly once we were biking, and we spent the remainder of the day in comfort.
When I went to Denmark to bike that island country I unfortunately took the Texas heat with me. For the first four days rivulets of water ran down every crevice of my body, and under my helmet my head took on the appearance of having just stepped out of the shower. The steep hill climbs didn’t help much either.
After lunch one day we stopped to visit a Viking outdoor museum-site. It was a beastly hot day and the tour of the museum was all out in the unrelenting sun. Close to the end, I snuck away to return to the museum building where I went into the restroom. I was alone, but at that point that was immaterial—I was hot and nothing was going to stop me from stripping off my tee shirt! I filled the sink with water and submerged my shirt. I only slightly squeezed the water out of the shirt before putting it back on. Wow, did that feel good!
I was just about to walk out the door when the rest of the group arrived. My roommate took one look at me but before she could say anything I muttered, “I don’t care what this wet tee shirt looks like, it feels cool and may even save me from having a heat stroke,”
“Hey, it works for me. Good idea. I think I’m going to do the same thing, maybe we can start a wet tee shirt contest. It is so darn hot. I keep drinking lots of water, but I just can’t seem to get enough and I’m still tired,” she responded.
By the time we left the museum several others had followed my lead. Just shy of dripping wet, we mounted our bikes to pedal to our hotel. We cooled rapidly once we were biking, and we spent the remainder of the day in comfort.
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