TRIVIA---5

Beehive Huts

On the Dingle peninsula in Ireland we stopped to visit some beehive huts. Made of stone in the shape of a beehive they date back to the 5-6^th centuries. They were in remarkably good condition and amazingly large inside.

Ice Breaker

Although we were in Russia in June, the ship ran into ice. The captain 


had to lay anchor while we waited for an ice breaker to arrive. We stood 


on deck watching huge chunks of ice float by as the ship followed the 


ice breaker to an alternate route and clear water. We missed a couple 


of scheduled ports of call, but the captain added a couple of different ones.

Foot Binding

In China we had a pleasant visit with a 90-year-old woman who had had her feet bound when she was five years old. The 1000-year-old custom of foot binding was outlawed in 1911, but was practiced in rural areas for some time longer. Foot binding started with concubines in the imperial court and spread to the city, then to rural areas. Tiny feet showed high class. The thinking was that wealthy women would have servants to address their needs. Bound feet made a woman less mobile and therefore under control of the male. Able to walk only short distances, she was unlikely to get into trouble. Curling the toes under, they eventually grew into the foot and were quite painful.

A Small House

Probably the biggest attraction in Ambleside, England is the bridge house, the country’s smallest house. The stone structure spans the river and is only a few feet wide. Originally built to store apples, the water running in the river below kept the structure cool.

Bridges

The 101 islands making up St. Petersburg, Russia, are connected by 380 bridges. Each bridge is different and range from a footbridge to the high palace draw bridge Many display a variety of statuary, towers, obelisks and grilled fences. The wrought iron designs and work are beautiful, and the variety is amazing. They are art themselves. The bridges are as interesting as the well known sites.

 Camel Train

It is a long overnight train ride from Adelaide to Alice Springs in the Australian outback. Once upon a time, camels made the 980 mile run so it acquired the nickname, camel train.

With modern technology, the camels have been replaced with a train called the Ghan train, after the original Afghanistan camels.

Much of the ride is over boring flat and desolate terrain, so it was good to make the trip at night. The train was comfortable. Each of us had a cabin to our self, so we enjoyed a bottom bunk, a real plus for seniors!

It was a smooth train ride and sure beat a long bus ride. The train left after the dinner hour and arrived early morning, so meals were before and after the trip.

Trolls

Trolls are to Norway what leprechauns are to Ireland. Norwegian trolls live in the mountains, and stories about them abound. Children grow up hearing troll stories, many of which teach a lesson.

Trolls are popular items in gift shops. Some are pretty ugly and others are rather cute. I couldn’t resist photographing several three-foot high ones outside of various establishments.