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"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful we must carry it with us or we find it not."

R. W. Emerrson

Entries in Canals (3)

Saturday
Nov292014

Up in Smoke - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

We closed the door as we exited our rented houseboat and followed the canal-lined streets into the historic center of Amsterdam.  We reached the right neighborhood after a long walk and started looking around for the hard-to-find shop.

“Where is this place?  According to the directions, it should be right around the corner.”

A tiny sign suspended above the narrow store’s doorway announced that we had finally arrived at our destination.  We entered and were immediately met by the rich aroma of smoke accompanied by the sight of a wide variety of pipes on display.  We made our way to the salesman seated behind the counter, said hello, and commented on the wonderful scent that permeated his shop.  He looked pleased, “It’s my own special blend”.

We had finally arrived at the Pijpenkabinet Amsterdam Pipe Museum where we received a private tour from an extremely knowledgeable gentleman who had authored numerous books on the topic.  He walked with us, explaining each case and answering our questions.  The impressive collection, amassed over the past 40 years, includes thousands of pipes (and counting) from various parts of Africa, Europe and Asia.  These pieces of art are in all shapes, sizes and made of various materials.  And to top it off, this museum / shop is housed in a typical 17th century Dutch home with original wood floors and period-appropriate furnishings.

The Pijpenkabinet is just one of the many unique and quirky Amsterdam offerings and we couldn’t help smiling from the fun of it.  We both agreed that one visit wasn’t enough and we’ll be back to visit this very eclectic city again.

Saturday
Nov012014

La Dolce Vita! Northeastern Italy

We knew we needed a taste of la dolce vita for ourselves after hearing friends describe their recent trips to Italy.  They raved about the delicious food, rich wine, unforgettable attractions, and romantic ambiance.  We concentrated our sightseeing to northeastern Italy with visits to Trieste, Venice, and Milan, promising to return some day to explore southern Italy’s treasures.

Not long after crossing the Italian border from Slovenia we approached spectacular views of Trieste and our excitement increased.  For us, Trieste is the perfect size.  It displays wonderful character in its small winding streets, lovely squares, waterfront promenade, and impressively diverse houses of worship, each with its own unique architecture.  We enjoyed gelato in the Piazza dell’Unita d’Italia and paid a visit to the Miramare Castle on the Adriatic coast.  We could have lingered longer in this delightful city by the sea, but Venice beckoned.

Venice is one the most surreal places we have visited, possessing a beauty that is difficult to put into words – It is something that truly must be seen to be believed.  We stayed in a 15th century palace (which Jenn believes to be haunted), watched the sunset over the water, and explored the city on foot getting lost in the little nooks and crannies that don’t find their way onto a typical visitor’s itinerary.  We were traveling outside of the town’s traditional tourist zones and loving it.

Our final night in Italy was fashion-focused Milan.  With only one evening to spend in this influential metropolitan area, we hopped on the subway and headed to the historic center to see the Milan Cathedral (Duomo) and its impressive piazza.  We ventured away from the crowded square in search of quieter quarters and ended our evening with an indulgent multi-course meal.

As we boarded the train towards Switzerland and bid “arrivederci” to Italy we acknowledged that we had merely sampled what this impressive country has to offer.  Our return is certain, and it’s great to have something like that to look forward to.

Sunday
Jul202014

The John Muir Way - Strathblane to Falkirk

The third and fourth stage of the John Muir Way covers 26 miles which we hiked over three days, with nights spent in Milton of Campsie and Auchinstarry Marina, before reaching the sprawling city of Falkirk.

The well worn path highlights the evolution of transportation in this unique corner of the world. Signboards announce the route's extensive history and numerous uses as it passes along and over:

- The Antonine wall, an 1,800+ year old physical barrier demonstrating the northern-most reach of the Roman Empire.

- Canal towpaths, the primary mode of transportation for goods during the 18th and 19th century before the advent of railroads.

- Reclaimed railways, displaced by roads and freight trucking in the 1950s.

As we trod in the steps of soldiers, horses, and freight trains from centuries past, our thoughts turned to potential future developments in transportation. How long will it take for roads to become obsolete, devolving into casual hiking paths for future generations who zip from place to place in Jetsonian flying vehicles? Or, for DINKS' numerous Star Trek fans, when will teleportation become the mod method of conveyance?

As tempting as it may be to have Scotty beam us to our final destination on Scotland's eastern shores, we'll stick with our preferred mode of transit: Walking, an eye-level window seat view of the world.