Mallorca Spain

#Mallorca_Majorca_Spain

Mallorca (Latin for larger island) is one of Spain Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea
 Interesting Fact
 Why the waters here are so clear, the seabed are rich in sea grass which oxygenate plus clarifies the water.

This stop brings me to the Capital City of Palma (430,000 citizens) 
 
KeyTip;
The City Council has worked out a deal with local business owners to create Free Tour Palma
It gets you access for either a one or two hour free tours that all visiting tourists can take advantage of
this great idea by the local government

 

Santa Maria Cathedral (groundbreaking was in 1229 and completed in 1601) is one of the largest Gothic Churches in Spain

 Some Fun Facts;
  The rosette has over 1200 pieces of colored glass plus you will see many gargoyles and grotesques on the churches exterior, which is decorative but also it channels away the rainwater

KeyTip
On Fridays there is free admission for the local residents so i bigger crowd.
 So keep that in mind if you so decide to buy a entrance fee, plus please remember there is a dress code 

Palma has over 300 days of sunshine per year with the average temperature of 21C (72F) hence why millions of tourists visit here each year

I am sure something profound was written on this wall but it is to weather-beaten to read, but knowing that the Romans founded this area in 2nd Century BC i am certain of that

Most of the cities architecture is of the Modernista and Art Nouveau that was created in the early 20th century 

As i look for a Bike Rental Shop
Mallorca welcomes tens of thousands of cyclists each year for both professional training and like myself (after retirement of competitions) leisurely biking

Because of the challenging terrain its a favorite area for the both, with the most feared route
 is called Sa Calobra 
 Its a 10km (6 miles) ride that takes you down the side of a mountain,  has 26 hair pin turns plus the final 2km (1.2 miles) becomes very steep climb, just to keep things interesting 😉

KeyTip
There is generally a professional photographer on the route to capture those images for you, which can be purchased online

As like many older religious buildings across Spain they hold their "secrets"
 Such as the claim of an authentic Holy Grail, Architectural Oddities and Priest Holes; which were old houses connected to the Church to hide them during times of persecution

One of 2,500+ restaurants serving fresh seafood, rice dishes and tapas

 With a Foodie Fact;
 That the famous spicy sausage sobrasada and sweet pastry ensaimada are not made outside the island of Mallorca but here, so better get your hunger ready 

Spanish and Catalan are the co-official languages here, but what i noticed in the high tourist traffic areas there is a lot of English spoken 

Palma de Mallorca has earned the title......The Worlds Best Place to Live

Making my way to the Dragon Caves

Cuevas del Drach

From the Latin word "draco" meaning dragon
According to local legend, the fierce dragon was to guard the hidden treasures that belonged to the pirates
The complex is actually made up of four main interconnected caves which then runs out to the sea

Fun Facts
A) A tradition that started in 1935 that has a live musical quartet (two violins, cello and harmonium) that play on a small illuminated boat
B) Jules Verne was in awe of the caves and mentioned them in his novel Clovis Dardentor
C) Special electric lighting system was installed here by the same Catalan engineer (Carles Buigas) who also designed the magical fountains of Montjuic in Barcelona

Halifax Nova Scotia Canada

#Halifax_NS_Canada

Halifax is the largest city (500,000 citizens) east of Montreal and it is the economic engine that drives this part of Canada with its transportation hub, many IT companies, head offices of large corporations, banking sector, shipyards, east coast Canadian Navy based here, tourism, etc
With six universities within the city center plus being one of the oldest areas in North America you have a great mix of youthful energy / history 

KeyTip;
Many things to see in this beautiful and very walkable city are for free;
 The Boardwalk on the Waterfront, Central Library, Point Pleasant Park, Public Gardens, Art Gallery, Historic Properties, Old Town Clock and so on

Halifax Historic Properties (also known as Privateers Wharf) were constructed during the late 1700s during the Napoleonic Wars and were used by local merchants / privateers

 The most famous shipowner was Enos Collins (for one business venture, he started the Halifax Banking Company with Samuel Cunard which in time became Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce or CIBC) but also had dealings in many grey areas jajajaja

For one, he defied the blockade to bring American supplies to the British, bought captured vessels from the courts to sell their cargoes plus he purchased many buildings on the Halifax waterfront through foreclosures

This area helped made Halifax very prosperous.... but not all the trading with these ships were legal, but also for smuggling and privateering
But this just adds to the rich history (for its stories) as a seaport 😄

 

You need to remember the government was new and so basically did not have much in the way of tax dollars to build a naval fleet. 

So they gave permission to these pirates ( thus called Privateers) to legally attack enemy ships during wartime under the letter of marque.
 Then they were allowed to seize anything of value for themselves plus the shareholders like Enos Collins who owned many of the ships

In Halifax today there has been many a construction site stopped after finding parts of these scuttled ships from those times
That brings in the maritime archaeologists and eventually anything found is usually displayed at the new building

Our Historic Properties was rescued from demolition by the Nova Scotia Heritage Trust in the 1970s and today is the "jewel section" of the award winning Halifax Boardwalk

Some of the beautiful Victorian Homes located on Halifax peninsula

Yes beautiful, but the structures being 100+ years old do have some issues

Many reports of finding old seaweed or newspapers in the walls for insulation purposes which was standard back in those times
Plus your wiring will need to be upgraded, kitchens and bathrooms as the list grows 

So add those upgrades into the average asking price of over 1.5 million  

You got to love what i call the "Bermuda" colors that highlights the architecture of Halifax

Located in the heart of the city is The Public Gardens that opened in 1867 with 15 acres of beauty
 ( read my blog on this amazing place)
Opens daily 8.00am / closes 30 minutes before sunset and is free to enjoy 

Free one hour horticultural and historical tours during the summer season at The Public Gardens

The area does get busy with Weddings, High School Proms or University Graduations who are all looking for their perfect photo background which is here in abundance

Look for the Titanic replica in the Public Gardens
It is a summer tradition and displayed on Griffins Pond

Located at the south end of Halifax is Point Pleasant Park (190 acres) 

When the British left our area they sold the land to the Government of Canada who now leases it to our city for a ceremonial 1 Shilling ( less than one cent )

Today us locals use it for long nature walks, watching live theatre (Shakespeare by the Sea)
 our Bluenose Marathon runs some of its course through here, watching the mighty ships we receive enter our port (one of the largest natural harbors in the World) 

Military History is vast in the park as it was once part of the Halifax Defense Complex
which included Georges Island, Citadel Fort and York Redoubt 
Some of the key structures located here are the Prince of Wales Tower, Point Pleasant Battery, Fort Ogilvie, Chain Battery and Northwest Arm Battery

Finally the British military would use the area as i training ground to simulate an attack by America 

You cannot miss on top of our city the Halifax Citadel Fort (4th version was completed in 1856) 
It was occupied by British forces until 1906 (who built all their forts same way) in a star shape so the soldiers would have angles for shooting their muskets plus cannons.
So because of its defense setup the Citadel was never attacked but in present times it is now worth visiting the inside grounds and the Army Museum 

Also every summer the 78th Highland Regiment and Royal Artillery do reenactments of their drills, marching, plus also the noon day gun which is a tradition for over 200 years (it is loud)
 The are all dressed in the period correct uniforms, so you are reliving history  

Opened in 1899 the Saint Marys Cathedral Basilica is a Gothic Revival design located on Spring Garden Road

KeyTip; 

Free Guided Tours (Monday to Friday either 10.00am, 1.00pm or 2.30pm)

 after you fill out a form off their website

Three city blocks of Barrington Street has now been designated a Historic Area preserving buildings like these.
With the demolition of the Cogswell Interchange it will allow the rejoining of the area and bring it back to its architectural significance 

A great mixture of old and new in Halifax
What is allowed is any new development has to keep the facade of the historical building, but can add new sections to the top

Alexander Keiths Brewery is one of the oldest in North America (200+ years) 

This is a MUST tour, besides going through tunnels and having samples in a underground pub 😀
You will learn the history of Mr Keith as a Mayor of Halifax, Businessman plus Freemason

We do get Tall Ship Festivals occasionally, so what better way for me to take a picture but in their elements.....Fog and Mist

The Halifax Boardwalk (4km /2.5 miles) has everything you could ask for
 Museums;
  Pier 21 Immigration, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Discovery Centre and Museum of Natural History 
 Then pubs, restaurants, historic buildings, local artisans, buskers or just strolling the harbor plus smelling the salty Atlantic Ocean air

Part old Old Dalhousie ( one of six universities in Halifax) 
The city is certainly known as a University Town with students coming from around the world which just adds to areas culture

One of our newer buildings (2014 ) Halifax Central Library which won a Lieutenant Governors Design Award

KeyTip;
 Head to the rooftop outdoor patio for great views of the city

Government House 

It is the oldest official residence in Canada and is the home of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia which is the representative of the Crown (England)

Another day gone overlooking Historic Properties
Thanks Halifax!

Stockholm Sweden

#Stockholm_Sweden_Venice_North

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and is built on 14 islands that are connected by 50 bridges which gives it a very unique archipelago setting on the Baltic Sea
So with its location plus the water component it is often referred to as the "Venice of the North"

KeyTip;
 Stockholm is one of the more expensive cities in the world to visit, but well worth it as you will see with my pictures and text
 To save money it is a very walkable city to see Old Town, Street Markets, History and Art Museums, Rosendals Gardens, Kungstradgarden Park, Parliament Building, Churches /Cathedrals etc which are all free to enter 

Finally you will need to know most businesses do not accept cash so bring that plastic

 

Gamia Stan (Old Town)

Founded in 1252 it is one of the largest and best preserved medieval areas of Europe which encompasses the main island of  Stadsholmen which maybe 1km (.5 miles) across, so small but densely packed  (it has a population today of 3000 citizens)
It is also the home of the Nobelmuseet ( Noble Museum), Stockholm Royal Palace, Riddarholmen Church, Stortorget (main public square) and The Great Church

  Fun Fact;
 It has the narrowest street in the city called the Alley of Marten Trotzig who was a local merchant that became wealthy then bought properties in the area

After June 11th its daylight almost the entire 24 hours due to the midnight sun.
 But during the dark period of the year a lot of locals take a vitamin D supplement and use therapy lamps to cope with life minus the sun

KeyTip;
So because the summer season is short most of bars / restaurants are closed for vacation during this time  

Arte et Marte (Art & War)
 Its a Members Magazine business which unfortunately the building was closed for renovations as it looked very interesting for my imagination with camera

Speaking of war; did you know that the only Nobel Prize awarded outside Stockholm is the Peace Prize that is presented in Oslo Norway
 Alfred Noble wrote in his will he believed the parliament of Norway had become a leader in resolving conflicts through arbitration and mediation

Using reflection to tell many stories as i walk the streets

 Here in Sweden everyone gets a five week paid holiday, free health care and university (but not for International Students who still pay tuition fees)  
That explains why most i talk too were in a great mood 

People of Sweden like to stay in shape as exercise is a big part of their daily routine, so when walking the streets yourself you will notice a larger number of people in all areas
But then its "fika" time.....a break from activity to have a coffee with light snacks and to relax with others

Walking to Norrmalmstorg Square where back in 1973 during a bank robbery the hostages started to like the criminals hence the phrase "Stockholm Syndrome" was born

 

No bicycles yet, but 70,000 cyclists use these streets daily within the city limits of Stockholm

Because of their concerns for the environment  the Swedish are great at recycling so buying secondhand is encouraged.
So look for the local flea markets (loppisar) if your interested

Did you know; in the Mayan Culture the number 20 was significant because a person would have 10 toes plus 10 fingers for counting
Now that has nothing to do with Swedish history, but you travel enough your mind wanders jajajjaja
 

Next time you see Roman Numerals on a clock (like this one in Stockholm) look at the number 4 slot.
Here is is 1111, Big Ben in London is 1V.
Some theories suggest a mixture of aesthetics or historical reasons, or its just one of those mysteries in life

Notice the number 4........Mobel Hansson antique store knows something 😊

Many of these ornate characters on these doors were to ward of evil spirits and with this symbolic protection to plea with the universe for good fortune and prosperity

On my way to the Metro (Tunnelbana) is see the artwork
It is known as the worlds longest art gallery with 90 of 100 stations featuring unique pieces from 150 artists which started in the 1950s to bring a smile to the daily commuters