Tag Archives: video

October 28, 2019 · 5:35 am

Transatlantic — Cape Spear, Newfoundland


1836 Lighthouse

Our transatlantic voyage was coming rapidly to an end when Vision of the Seas made port in St. John’s, Newfoundland. From here we jumped aboard our latest tour with Ann’s Tours, whereupon we headed out into the countryside. One of our stops this morning was Cape Spear and the Cape Spear National Lighthouse Historic Park.

Cape Spear National Historic Park

At this park are two lighthouses. The one you see pictured in today’s article is the 1836 lighthouse. The other lighthouse of a more traditional design was built nearby in 1955, and you’ll see that one in this week’s Fun Photo Friday.

Cape Spear National Historic Park

The views from up here of the rugged, rocky coast are quite impressive:

Cape Spear

And if you time your shot you may capture a crashing wave:

Cape Spear

Yet some scenes from here can be almost serene, such as this image of a fishing boat:

Cape Spear

You’ll see more of Cape Spear and week after next, as we actually made two stops here this day. The pictures shown in this article were taken at about 10:00 a.m., whereas our next visit here came a little after 3:00 p.m.

Fresnel Lens

While we’re here, did you ever wonder what makes the beacon from a lighthouse built hundreds of years ago so bright and focused? It was a marvelous invention known as the Fresnel lens, invented by Frenchman Augustin-Jean Fresnel in the early 19th century. You can see one such example in the image above. The 1836 lighthouse didn’t originally use the Fresnel lens. When first operational it used Argand lamps focused by curved reflectors. Only later would this system be upgraded to the Frensel.

Now for one last morning look of the 1836 lighthouse at Cape Spear:

1836 Lighthouse

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October 25, 2019 · 5:35 am

Fun Photo Friday — Iceland; Akureyri Favorites 5


Cruising Eyjafjörður

A last look at Iceland before Vision of the Seas continues on our transatlantic crossing. Next stop: St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Eyjafjörður Calm

Photo-Bombing Trolls

Reindeer Hotdogs — Hotreins?

Vision and Sculpture

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October 23, 2019 · 5:35 am

Transatlantic — Iceland; Walking Akureyri


Vision of the Seas in Eyjafjörður (Island Fjord)

Well, so far, I’ve shown you pretty much everything within a couple hours of Akureyri except for Akureyri itself. That changes today. Most of the photographs you’ll see on our walking tour of Akureyri were taken on Hafnarstræti, which is were most the action seemed to be.

Akureyrarkirkja

Starting at the corner of Kaupvangsstræti (Shopping Street), near the Akureyrarkirkja, we’ll work our way northward along Hafnarstræti (Port Street) starting with this striking blue building topped with red spires:

Akureyri, Iceland

Next up was this olive green building housing the Geysir clothing store and the Illy Café:

Akureyri, Iceland

There are several bars, restaurants, and cafés located on this pedestrian street. One bright example is the charming Indian Curry Hut:

Indian Curry Hut

Ursula made sure we stopped at least once at an Icelandic clothing store, and Icewear got the nod:

Coats for sale at Icewear, Akureyri

Another nearby Akureyri street scene:

Akureyri, Iceland

Notice the trolls to the left of the photo above? Here they are close up and personal:

Akureyri Trolls

Across the street from the trolls, beyond a stand selling reindeer hotdogs (yes we tried them; overrated and not appreciably different in taste from regular hotdogs) and sitting on a hill is the Kaffi Ilmur coffee shop, which looked to be pretty popular with the locals:

Kaffi Ilmur coffee house

Just a little beyond that is the Ráðhústorg, or Town Square, which is round rather than square:

Ráðhústorg (Town Square) Akureyri, Iceland

Hanging a right at the Ráðhústorg, and another right onto Skipagata, we quickly came upon a place where we decided to break for lunch. This was Akureyri Fish & Chips. Alas, I didn’t take photos here, but both Ursula and I agree that it was quite good. After a late lunch we started back toward Vision of the Seas, coming across this interesting sign with highlights of Iceland:

Map of Iceland features

After which we were back alongside the port for Akureyri in Eyjafjörður (Island Fjord):

Akureyri boats on Eyjafjörður

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