I wonder what it would be like to live in a town where the sun never sets in the summer and never rises in the winter? A town whose population of 2,400 residents hail from almost 53 different countries? And whose residents stay only for an average of seven years? And how would it feel to have to carry a rifle every time you stepped beyond the town’s limits and to know how to use it against a possible polar bear attack? The post Exploring Longyearbyen, the northernmost town on the planet app...| Travel with me
When we decided on August for our Svalbard visit I wasn’t sure whether we would see any pack ice. As the summer progresses the ice retreats northwards, beyond the area our itinerary was scheduled to cover. But on an expedition cruise the planned itinerary can often be abandoned because of weather conditions, wildlife viewing opportunities or other factors. The post Arctic diary six: sea ice and polar bear appeared first on Travel with me.| Travel with me
Are you a town mouse or a country mouse? Personally I choose the bustle and activity of city life over that in the country, although I can see the benefits that the latter offers. A bit of peace and quiet would be welcome sometimes, I admit. The post Gallery: town versus country appeared first on Travel with me.| Travel with me
It’s hard to say why a symmetrical image is so pleasing to the eye. It seems that our brains are naturally drawn to symmetry, finding it aesthetically pleasing and visually satisfying. Symmetry induces a sense of order, harmony, and perfection. The post Gallery: seeing symmetry in black and white appeared first on Travel with me.| Travel with me
Anyone who thinks of the Arctic as a bleak and desolate place, devoid of life, needs only to visit the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet to dispel that illusion. I have never seen so much activity, so much life, concentrated in one small area. The post Arctic diary five: Alkefjellet and the Hinolpen Strait appeared first on Travel with me.| Travel with me
There are some places that stay with you forever, whether you spend just a few hours there or many days. Places that almost haunt you. Places you long to return to some day. Sometimes you fulfil that longing and return, maybe often. And sometimes you never go back, but never forget. The post Gallery: Paris stays with me appeared first on Travel with me.| Travel with me
We were to see Svalbard at its most dramatic and bleak today. Yesterday’s weather had been surprisingly (unnaturally) warm, but today, though still milder than we had anticipated, was much more mixed. But rain or shine, this landscape is unrivalled in its beauty. The post Arctic diary four: Leifdefjorden, Monacobreen and Texas Bar appeared first on Travel with me.| Travel with me
Christiane Ritter spent a winter in the harshest conditions that Svalbard can offer. Living in a tiny hut with her husband and another trapper, but sometimes left alone there for many days. Constant darkness, cut off from the world by snow and ice; her Arctic was not my Arctic. But I think editing some of my photos in black and white has helped to emphasise what sense of bleakness I did find in this stunning environment. The post Gallery: seeing Svalbard in black and white (part two) appeared...| Travel with me
Two very different walks in Sagada describes a visit to the hanging coffins and burial caves as well as a walk around the town| Travel with me
We were only in Paris for a few days and I hadn't planned to send any virtual postcards. But on our last evening we had an after dinner stroll along the Seine and were treated to an amazing sunset. I just had to share it! The post A postcard from Paris: Seine sunset appeared first on Travel with me.| Travel with me
I don’t own a cat and never have; not because I don’t like them but because I like them too much to subject one to the trials of our frequent absences from home. So instead I enjoy meeting cats when out walking in my neighbourhood, or anywhere else come to that! And I don’t believe I can walk past a cat without stopping to say hello and take a photo. The post Gallery: seeing cats in black and white appeared first on Travel with me.| Travel with me
A short walk in the City of London describes visits to the Guildhall, three Wren churches and the Goldsmiths Hall| Travel with me
Exploring Oaxaca’s food markets describes a food tour in that city, sampling local delicacies such as fried grasshoppers and tamales| Travel with me
Wanderings in Vigan describes some of the highlights of a brief visit to the city including its plazas, cathedral and traditional houses| Travel with me
The charm of Mdina describes a brief visit to this historic Maltese city with photos of its buildings and architectural details| Travel with me
The colours and street art of Oaxaca focuses on the streets of the colonial heart of this Mexican city, with vibrant colours and street art| Travel with me
Simply red is a gallery of photos of a variety of red subjects including flowers, autumn leaves, architecture and of course tomatoes!| Travel with me
Exploring within the walls describes some of the sights of Intramuros, the walled historic district of Manila in the Philippines| Travel with me
A short walk in Paris describes a walk across the Pont Alexandre III to the area around the Eiffel Tower, with photos of the bridge and tower| Travel with me
Driving and walking the Tioga Pass describes a drive through the pass from east to west stopping at Tuolumne Meadows and Olmstead Point| Travel with me