Iceland 2022 Part 1

Kerid Volcanic Crater Lake is a 3000 year old volcanic crater lake that is part of the Golden Circle

After France we stopped in Iceland for a short visit.  We were fortunate to connect with a wonderful guide Erla Ruth. She showed us amazing parts of her country and gave us an increased appreciation for what Iceland has to offer.

Tom, Erla and myself in Reykjanesbaer-Rjarovik

Homes in this area traditionally had walls of straw.  This was part of an exhibit

Another example of the old style homes from this area

The Saga Museum gave us an overview of the Viking history.

Driving along in Hafnarfjordur

The sights were breathtaking

This picture was taken in Garoabaer

We spent one evening hoping to see the aurora borealis.  My camera did a better job than my eyes in picking up this faint line.  I'll need to return for another try.

Hraunfossar waterfalls consist of countless springs of clear water that emerge from under the edge of the lava field Hallmundarhraun and flow into a river.

The views were captivating and diverse

We drove through Reykholt

Snow, glaciers and plenty of flowing rivers

Reykholt has a small scale geothermal plant..  The steam and heat coming out of the ground is intense.

In spite of my troubling knee, we managed to walk or hike to a variety of rivers.  This was in Borgarnes.

River in Borgarnes

I was overwhelmed by scenery unlike anything I'd ever seen before.

Thingvellir National Park

We did some hiking in Thingvellir National Park

Waterfalll at Blaskogabyggo

Another view of Blaskogabyggo waterfalls and river

Avignon, France: Olive Oil Tasting, Wine Tasting, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gourmet Food Tour, and Pont du Gard

 

A special occasion called for a special dinner.

We had such a fabulous time exploring Provence.  Olive oil tour and tasting was on my list.  We were incredibly fortunate that we arrived in time to watch olives being harvested at Mas des Bories. We had a tour of the property, saw how olives are "picked." and finished up with a tasting.  We brought bottles of olive oil back to the boat and managed to bring one tin home to California.

Olives being sorted. 

Wonderful stone structure used in the olden days.

We timed it perfectly to see how grapes are harvested.  Huge nets are placed under the olive trees.  Then a long armed vibrator is used to shake loose the olives.

We got to see so many ripe olive trees as we walked around the property.

A little orchard art

For years I've dreamed of wine tasting at Chateauneuf-du-Pape.  Our first tasting was at Caveau Xavier Vignon-Domaine de Beaumatric

We did the wine tasting with platters of food which rounded out the experience

The remains of Chateauneuf-du-Pape at night

Another wine tasting at Domaine de Marcoux

The beauty of wine tasting (or olive oil tasting) for us, is that we can buy what we like and take it back to Rabelo.  Our memories will carry us beyond the immediate experience.

Pont d'Avignon was a medieval bridge across the Rhone.  Only 4 arches survive.  In the 17th century it was decided to stop repairing the bridge because of the costs.  

We did a walking gourmet food tour of Avignon with "Julian".  It gave us the opportunity to see the city and sample various foods along the way.  

Beautiful cheeses

Great display of vegetables

Part of our food tour was tasting chocolates.  Oh my, they were delicious.  Of course we had to buy some

Avignon turned out to be a charming city.

Delightful sights to see wherever you looked

Popes Palace, Avignon

Pont du Gard is a perfectly preserved Roman aqueduct built in about 19 BC.  It is considered one of the most remarkable surviving Roman ruins anywhere.  

Pont du Gard spans the Gardon River

Pictures don't do justice to the magnitude of this aqueduct.

Kaysersberg, Auxonne, and Historic Arles, France 2022 (Still catching up)

We enjoy all the sights we see while on board Rabelo.  It's also it's nice to spend time touring other parts of France.  Our friends Scott and Lovita came for a visit.  

We went to the charming historic town of Kaysersberg which dates back to 1227.  They have a variety of preserved architectural monuments.  The area around Kaysersberg is one of the finest wine-growing areas in Alsace.

The Kaysersberg Castle is up on the hill.

The town is charming.

Being in Alsace meant at least one wine tasting experience.  We had enjoyed the wine and tasting at Domaine Paul Blanck Winery so much we returned for a second visit.  We also needed more of their wine as somehow everything purchased was gone.  Philippe again made our visit an exceptional experience.  

Rabelo's pilot house is getting a facelift.  We stopped in Auxonne to pick new fabric.  What we chose is far different from the red cushions we enjoyed for so many years.

We were greeted by women's bras strung above the streets.  Itr must have been women's health awareness week.

Tom didn't mind the view.

Historic Arles is a great place to spend a day.  The amphitheatre was impressive and worth spending time exploring.

The remains of the Arles Roman Coliseum in the background

The magnitude of the coliseum takes your breath away. 

Everywhere we walked, every corredor we explored was more impressive than the next.

Carrieres de Lumieres in Arles (Provence) is in an incredible venue.  Using over 100 projectors and a spatial sound system provides a sound and light show covering the high walls, ceilings and floors of this abandoned limestone quarry.  The moving and changing works of art are synchronized and choreographed with music.

We didn't want to miss the Arles Open Air Market.