Month: January 2019

Three-Years Ago (26-January-2016) — Japan

Gone to See the World. Semester at Sea Spring 2016 Voyage on the MV World Odyssey. Day 21: Hiroshima.

Our local guide in Hiroshima recommended that we try “Okonomiyaki“, a traditional Japanese savory pancake for dinner. We found a restaurant/grill that had room for a dozen of us to sit on stools facing the grill. With a bit of translation, we selected the toppings for each of our creations (pork, beef, chicken, fish, shrimp, oysters, octopus, or vegetarian). The very efficient cook turned preparation of the okonomiyaki into a performance. It started with the pancake, followed by chopped cabbage, sprouts, cheese, the selected meat or tofu, noodles, another pancake with fried egg on the top. Finally, some chopped green onions. Everyone’s eyes were wide-open realizing how big a meal each one of the creations had become. While enjoying the meal, the cook picked up a guitar and did a Elvis serenade for the students at the far end of the grill.



Individual images from the slide show can be viewed here.

Twelve-Years Ago (26-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 6: Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage Traveling North.

On the third full day of the northbound Hurtigruten voyage, the ship stopped in seven ports: Brønnøysund (00:30-01:00); Sandnessjøen (03:45-04:15); Nesna (05:25-05:30); Ørnes (09:00-09:30); Bodø (12:30-15:00); Stamsund (19:00-19:30); and Svolvær (21:00-22:00). We were in Bodø long enough to visit the Norwegian Aviation Museum. Later in the evening, we stopped in Svolvær and went to the world-famous Magic Ice bar. We entered what looked like a warehouse and were provided with warm coats. Inside the building are ice sculptures reflecting the life of the region and fishermen. Before leaving we were provided a drink in a shot glass made of ice.

Ørnes Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 28 mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Ørnes Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 28 mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Unmanned Lighthouse between Ørnes and Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Unmanned Lighthouse between Ørnes and Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Unmanned Lighthouse between Ørnes and Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Unmanned Lighthouse between Ørnes and Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Færøy - a Fish Carrier between Ørnes and Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Færøy – a Fish Carrier between Ørnes and Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Mountains, Snow, and Glaciers between Ørnes and Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Mountains, Snow, and Glaciers between Ørnes and Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Belltower in Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 360 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Belltower in Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 360 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Picasso Frykt For Bombing. Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/30 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Picasso Frykt For Bombing. Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/30 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/45 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/45 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/100 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/100 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/80 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/80 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/50 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/50 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/60 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/60 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Røst Ferry Unloading in Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/125 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Røst Ferry Unloading in Bodø Norway. Image taken from the M/V Kong Harald on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/125 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/10 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/10 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/8 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/8 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/10 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/10 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/6 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/6 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/5 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2, 1/5 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/90 sec).. (David J. Mathre)
Magic Ice Bar and Ice Sculptures in Svolvær, Norway. Image taken on Day 3 of the Northbound Hurtigruten Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/90 sec). (David J. Mathre)

Three-Years Ago (25-January-2016) — Japan

Gone to See the World. Semester at Sea Spring 2016 Voyage on the MV World Odyssey. Day 20:  Yokohama.

It was clear, but cold when I woke up. The full moon was setting over Yokohama. What I didn’t notice the day before was Mount Fuji. I could see and take pictures of the mountain right out my cabin window. Before the sun rose, the sky above the mountain was lit up with the unique blue colors of the earth shadow, and pinks of the “Belt of Venus”.  Shortly after breakfast I was part of a  group that departed for the Hakone, Hiroshima, and Kobe Overland Field Trip. We would rejoin the ship in three days in Kobe.



Larger individual images in this slideshow can be viewed here.

Three-Years Ago (25-January-2016) — Japan

Gone to See the World. Semester at Sea Spring 2016 Voyage on the MV World Odyssey. Day 20: Hakone.

Our group departed Yokohama for an overland bus and high-speed train tour of Hakone, Hiroshima, and Kobe. The first stop on the bus was at Fuji Hakone Izu National Park where we rode a gondola up Mount Komagatake. A short hike on an icy trail brought us to the peak (1327m). I could have used crampons on my boots, and was glad I had a walking stick. It was very, very cold, but we had a perfectly clear view of Mount Fuji covered with snow and Lake Ashi below.



Individual images in this slide show can be viewed here.

We then visited a Shinto Temple in Hakone. I focused on the “water purification” process before entering the temple. One or two other tour buses with students from the ship happened to be there at the same time so we had to be careful which bus we got back on.



Individual images in this slide show can be viewed here.

We were dropped off on in Hakone on the shore of Lake Ashi with free time to get lunch. Several of us stopped at a local noodle restaurant for lunch. We were given menus with pictures of the different meals. I selected the  “Smelts and Buckwheat Noodle Soup”. The waitress kept asking if I knew what “smelts” were. They looked like the fresh water smelts my grandfather would bring home from Lake Superior.



Individual images in this slide show can be viewed here.

After lunch we waited at the Pier for our “Pirate Ship” ride on Lake Ashi. That was hokey. The tourist pirate ship looked exactly like the one I rode in Gdansk, Poland — except with Japanese pirates.



Individual images in this slide show can be viewed here.

The tour bus picked us up at the other end of the lake and brought us to the Hakone Open-Air Museum.



Individual images in this slide show can be viewed here.

The final stop for the day was at Tenseien Yumoto Spring, a traditional Japanese hotel/spa in Hakone. When we checked in, we were given traditional Japanese Kimo’s that we were to wear during our stay. The room I was in was traditional Japanese style — minimal with a low table and pot of green tea. Later on the room was rearranged with a futon on the floor. Our group had its own room to sit for dinner, but we selected our food in a traditional Japanese buffet along with the other hotel guests.



Individual images in this slide show can be viewed here.
Color versions of the images can be viewed here.

Twelve-Years Ago (25-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 5: Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage Traveling North.

On the second full day of the northbound Hurtigruten voyage, the ship only stops in two ports: Trondheim (06:00-12:00) and Rørvik (20:30-21:15). Having six hours in Trondheim allowed us to spend some time to see the city. Our first stop was at Nidaros Cathedral. The exterior of the cathedral is a target rich environment for religious statues and gargoyles. But it was cold outside. I would love to go back with a perspective control lens to record all sides of the exterior of the cathedral. After leaving Trondheim, we stopped at Rørvik. The ship only stopped for 45 minutes, so we only had a short time to visit the Rørvik Coastal Museum.

Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/80 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/80 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/40 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/40 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 250 mm, f/5.6, 1/30 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 250 mm, f/5.6, 1/30 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/160 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/160 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 250 mm, f/5.6, 1/45 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 250 mm, f/5.6, 1/45 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/160 sec) (David J Mathre)
Gargoyles Outside Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/160 sec) (David J Mathre)
Troll in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 52 mm, f/3, 1/40 sec) (David J Mathre)
Troll in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 52 mm, f/3, 1/40 sec) (David J Mathre)
Rørvik Coastal Museum at Night. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/30 sec) (David J Mathre)
Rørvik Coastal Museum at Night. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/30 sec) (David J Mathre)