Barry Day – Page 8 – Barry's Adventures Following Retirement

Medieval Dragon Legend and Brno Tradition

obolysk — Snowy Christmas Day at the Napoleonic Wars Memorial

A few years ago I traveled to the Czech Republic city of Brno. Within a few blocks of my apartment the story of the past 900 years of this part of the world is preserved… not only in stone but also in legends and the cultural traditions of the people there.

Brno is located north of Vienna, Austria. It is a small city of about 500,000 people and is accessible by trains and busses that run between Vienna and Prague. Many tourists just see Brno as a waypoint between these more famous places. Little did I know when I initially arrived that I would find myself staying in Brno’s old town for seven months including a frigid, blustery winter. Living in Brno provided me with a different perspective than a tourist may get.

This blog story is based on a small geographic portion of the city… my neighborhood… and the legends, history and traditions that are preserved there.

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Adventure to Antarctica!

I knew that any exploration to Antarctica would be scenic. I also knew it would be more challenging than any other adventure that I have taken. The two-day voyage through the Drake Passage would be difficult, the weather would be harsh, and there would always be imminent danger on land as well as at sea. There would be no medical personnel with us and evacuation, if needed, would depend on helicopters and cooperation of the weather.

ushuaia-at-a-landing — The Tiny Boat Ushuaia Landing Near a Penguin Colony at Paradise Bay

The adventure began in Ushuaia, Argentina which bears the nickname “fin del mundo”… translated as the “end of the world!” Provision was made with an outfitter for renting rain pants and parkas there and off we went… 65 explorers from 14 nations on an adventure of a lifetime.

Weeks prior to leaving for South America there were petty serious videos on Facebook of boats being tossed around like toys in the violent Drake Passage. My experience in the Passage was no different from those videos. And once ashore, slippery rocks covered with ice, snow and penguin poop were everywhere making walking treacherous in the cold, wind-swept Antarctic continent.

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Bucket List – You Must Explore Dubrovnik!

I have traveled to many places in the world and have been delighted everywhere by the people, beauty, and culture. Croatia, however, has really been spectacular and picturesque! I lived in Zagreb for a month and a half and visited a beautiful country which most Americans have little knowledge of. While I have written about Plitvička National Park, and Zagreb, the Croatian Adriatic Seacoast has several awesome sites that are certain to be added to bucket lists for world explorers.

fullsizerender-34 — A view through a wall window on the Dubrovnik Old City

Croatia declared independence in 1991 during the break-up of Yugoslavia. After that the nation was forced to fight a war with neighbors Serbia and Montenegro which had other ideas to keep the nation together.

Most explorers coming to Croatia arrive from Eastern Europe and Mediterranean countries. They enjoy the beautiful seaside cities with unique, colorful names such as Pula, Dubrovnik and Split. The explorers know great places to visit and the history and beauty on the Croatian Adriatic coast are very inviting. I recommend that you put this country on your bucket list! This story is about my adventure to Dubrovnik and the nearby town of Korcula. This blog is about the enticing things I saw there as I was in awe of the beauty of these old cities and their stories.

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Discovering Treasures in Plitvička Jezera

My exploration adventures have taken me to many beautiful natural and man-made places on the planet. This week I found a gem in Croatia’s 295 square kilometer Plitvička National Park. This is my short story about my experiences enveloped by the deep forest and seeing beautiful lakes, cascades, waterfalls and wildlife there.

Moss covered rocks in the cascades next to the slippery wood walkway in Plitvicka National Park

The rain began early in the morning in Zagreb and continued all the way to Plitvička, an hour and a half away to the mountains. Once there, who cared that it was raining slightly as I discovered the grandeur of this magnificent park.

I went with a small group of like-minded adventurers with a Croatian guide. She said that the park had been cleared of land mines from the war between Croatia and next door neighbors Serbia and Montenegro in the early 1990’s.

“Wait a minute” I thought, as I said “Did you say land mines? Were all of them removed?” “Yes,” she replied. But she recommended we stay on the marked trails anyway and then the worst things that could happen would be to encounter a bear or slip and fall. This was an adventure like no other! I felt encouraged to stay on the trails and away from the cliff edges!

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My Return for More Croatian Adventures

In May I visited Zagreb, Croatia. In a short span of twelve days I knew that I wanted to return to this ancient, small city, the capital of Croatia, and explore it and the country as part of my travel adventures.

Ban Jalecic — Ban Josip Jelacic in the Square Named for Him

When I was in Zagreb, I blogged about “Slaying Dragons in Zagreb” and I have several unpublished photos. This blog entry is a photo collage of my best unpublished photos of Zagreb. It not only is a record of my initial visit but also sets the stage for what is to come.

This week I returned to Zagreb after two very enjoyable months exploring Romania; I have high expectations about my adventures in Croatia. There are traditional foods that I intend to sample and there are ample opportunities to visit places near the Adriatic Sea and the mountains between Zagreb and the seacoast.

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Farewell to My Typical Days in Romania

It is 5:00 AM and the neighborhood rooster noticed that the sky is brightening and he begins to crow. Moments later he is joined by another and the chorus is aggravating the dogs and they begin to bark. I am uncertain if the barking is at the roosters or the townspeople who are making their way into Cluj-Napoca. Such has been the typical start of everyday in my exploration in Transylvania.

Soon the sun is completely visible and the roosters return to their “more calm” state! But the construction crews on the sides of my apartment now begin their day’s labor as the edges to Cluj expand further into the countryside.

With the seven hour time difference between the Eastern Europe Time Zone and the Eastern Time Zone in the USA, it is not uncommon that I am awake and going before my friends and family in the USA have gone to sleep! While I have often written about Cluj and my journeys, this entry is about my typical daily routine in Transylvania.

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Burned at the Stake in Transylvania

vlad-tepes-impaler-dracula — Dracula is based on Vlad III. Credit: Public domain

Dark and highly intense tales of mystery, superstition, and legend are passed from generation-to-generation in Transylvania. I am fascinated with Dracula and his blood-sucking legend which permeates our thoughts of this Romanian region. Transylvania is synonymous with Dracula and to this day there are also many additional local legends involving torture, coercion, punishment, death, magic, beasts, and alliances with the devil that have become common parts of the exciting local culture. Continue reading “Burned at the Stake in Transylvania”

Through My Sensual Sibiu Eyes

You have seen my sensual “girl’s eyes.” You are taken aback by them as you stop and stare. You are oblivious that I am staring back at you. In fact, I see and know more about you than you can ever imagine. I have watched patiently through the centuries as you and those before you are unaware of my silent, piercing gaze. You see me on the surface, through your imagination, as you stare at my deep, dark mysterious eyes. But there is so much more.

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Slaying Dragons in Zagreb

I am fascinated when people incorporate legends and mythology into culture. I know it happens all the time and the myth becomes “normal” and is accepted without further contemplation of it. So it is in Zagreb, Croatia, with fierce dragons. In Zagreb there exists a fixation with these mythological flying, flame blowing monsters!

Dragons have always been popular with children. With adults they are very popular today throughout the world where people watch the TV series Game of Thrones. Last month I lived in and explored Zagreb and learned about their dragons and observed how they are incorporated into the residents’ lives. This is my story about my adventure with the dragons of Zagreb!

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Eccentric Bavarian King Ludwig II

Perched in the Bavarian Alps, a short train ride from Munich, is the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. Known as the inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella Castle, the unfinished Neuschwanstein is the fairytale passion of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Among his accomplishments as monarch, Ludwig is remembered for building castles. They were so lavish and costly, he brought his family fortune to its knees and construction had to stop, leaving two of the castles unfinished.

Last month on my exploration in Bavaria I visited two of Ludwig’s castles… Neuschwanstein, the fairytale castle, and Herrenchiemsee, the Bavarian copy of Versailles. I have learned a great deal about Ludwig’s life. In each castle you can sense his eccentricities and his passion for the grand and spectacular. There is much more to his story and in this blog I tell stories about the castles and recall the intrigue of his life and death. Continue reading “Eccentric Bavarian King Ludwig II”