Reasons Why I Travel

One might think that a main reason for my desire to travel is for the wonderful crap I can buy – with the picture below as a perfect example – but to be honest I buy that more for other people (my very lucky family and friends) and the conversations that happen just as they open them…

Lucky Gift Recipient:  Wow! You shouldn’t have. (always said in a very understated way)

Me:  I know, but I saw it & knew you just had to have it. (always said in a very excited & genuine way)

Wow!  Could these shirts I buy get any punnier?

No, the reason I travel is because I like to see and explore new things (taking summer camp goals a little far, maybe?) and then, of course, to experience things that I cannot do at home in my usual life.  A couple of days ago was such a great reminder of that.  Where did I go? Where else, but a church… or a chapel to be precise.. Here are a couple of pictures:

Seems innocent enough, yes?

And then you walk in...

IHE - Jesus, The Savior of Humanity (Loose translation)

 If you’re thinking, “WTF?”  I can assure you and say, you aren’t seeing things… they really are bones.  Human bones.   (Does my comment on Facebook about ‘no body’ to spend the day with make a little more sense now?  Yes, it was hilarious and witty, wasn’t it?)  I know you’re all just dying to hear the story.  Well, in 1278 a monk left Sedlec (the town where this chapel is – about an hour out of Prague) to go to Jerusalem.  While he was there he supposedly took some soil from the spot where Jesus was crucified and brought it back to Sedlec.  He then sprinkled that dirt around the cemetery that’s attached to the chapel.  This then became the place of choice to be buried for not only the wealthy folk of the time, but regular folk too.  Almost like prime real estate for the dead… Pretty clever way to drum up some business, yeah?

A chalice as you enter (there are two)

A close up shot of the pyramid below

These pyramids of bones are not tied together.  The bones just are sitting on each other in a nice pile.

 Now in 1318, there was a really bad flu that went around and it killed a load of people.  30,000 of them from the area were then buried here…  (That bad flu, by the way, is known today as ‘the plague’… you may have heard about it) Combine that with a ton of victims from the Hussite war in the 1400s and you are a little overloaded. Bones started piling up... So, a half blind monk just started putting them next to the chapel itself.  Um, I really don’t know what to say to that…

It's not a place I felt comfortable doing the cheesy grin

This chandelier uses EVERY bone in the body

 So, it’s now the 1700s and this little town that only has a population of about 300* (I don’t know the actual population, but it’s quite small) is overloaded with bones that have continued to pile up next to the chapel and they’re wondering what to do with them… I would have loved to be a part of that conversation…

Church Dude (CD) 1:  What should we do with all these bones? 

Church Dude (CD) 2:  Maybe we should expand the cemetery and rebury them?

CD 1:  Hmm, that is one option…

CD 2: Well, how about we burn them and then spread the ashes around the graves so they are still with the sacred ground?

CD 1:  Yes, that could work too… but it would be hell on my sinuses…

CD 2:  Right.  Well how about this? Considering they’re already in a pile… why don’t we make them a little more decorative and start charging people to come and have a look?

CD 1:  That’s it! 

A shield made of human bones... definitely would scare the opposition

 So, approximately 40,000 bodies later, we have this unusual chapel.  Just an fyi, those church dudes weren’t all that bad… the bones they had left over after the 40,000 that are in use, were reburied… so that was nice of them…  So, it’s up to you to decide if they were being creative or if they were a little bit psycho.  Just so you know, the official line about the choice to have the bones there is as follows:

“Death doesn’t make any difference.  Redemption – the work of Christ’s salvation has been started by his incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection.  It will be completed by resurrection of all who died.  Everyone will be called to a new life.  Everyone who is good will thus gain the heavenly kingdom”

I think it’s trying to say we’re all equal before God, and that death on earth doesn’t matter as it’s the afterlife that we should be concerned with…  Well, that’s what the guy who worked there said anyway.

That snake makes it a little bit creepy - - not that a room full of bones doesn't do that in of itself

Lastly, I kept thinking about what the little kids used to think when they would be dragged to church by their parents?  I’m sure it was a good motivator for the parents to ensure the children sat still and behaved. 

Parent: You better behave or I’ll make sure the church get you and you end up as decoration at the church!

It probably worked all week, actually.  Then the service would just be the reminder to them as to the consequences for stepping out of line.  : )

A quick little video tour of the place - yes, I know... I'll never chew gum on camera again....Awful!

So, that was Kostnice.. also known as the Bone Chapel.  Definitely not something you would see in regular day to day life… and days like this, where I see something so unreal, is why I have such an avid interest in traveling the world…

Dubrovnik - And the European Adventure Begins...

So, after a change of plans as to when my arrival in Europe would be, I finally arrived in Dubrovnik, Croatia.  It was an early morning flight from London and I arrived to clear blue skies, and a warm 29ºC. (about 84ºF for those of you not jiggy with the metric system...)  My first thoughts were along the lines of... NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE!!

I got picked up my hotel and found out there had been a double booking... so their neighbour's friend was out of town for the week and they were going to have me stay in the one bedroom apartment instead, "Would you be okay with that?"  My first thoughts were its location and if it would be clean, but then I thought this is what adventures are about.  So I just said, "Yes".

The balcony up was my crib for Dubrovnik

And from that balcony as the sun was setting...

I ventured into "Old Town" and checked out the streets that are inside the city walls.  It wasn't fairly crowded, but I was told the place gets emptier as low season approaches... I'd hate to see it in July...  Some highlights for me in the old town was mainly just the architecture... Here were a couple of my fave scenes...

Little side streets... and all made from marble stone

I can't remember the name or significance, but I liked it.

The bell tower... very clever how it looks like the people are ringing the bells..

The absolute best part for me though, was walking the City Walls...  It was later afternoon and wasn't too hot, and my imagination was running wild with what life must have been like in the 13th Century when the city was pretty much as it is today...  It's pretty cool...

The walls overlooking the Adriatic Sea (about 25m high)

The walls don't need to be too high when they are that far from the water...
But you'd still have to be an idiot to fall as they aren't really that low either...

Overlooking the wall to the city and seeing steps to the Franciscan Monastery

The highest point overlooking Old Town.  All that you can see (except the island, obviously) is within the city walls.
The different colour roof tiles are to show what had to be rebuilt after the 1991-1995 war... It was fairly devastated, but quickly rebuilt.

All this and it was still not the best thing about Dubrovnik... for me, anyway. The next day I went on an Elaphite Island Cruise.  There are many islands in this archipelago, but only three that are permanently inhabited, and these are the ones I visited.  Kolocep, Sipan and Lopud.  In all honesty, there wasn't much on these islands, but I had made some friends on the boat and we kept each other company during the day.  It definitely made the day that much more enjoyable.  

Here are a couple of pics from Kolocep:

I managed to get up close and personal with some butterflies 

This church dates back to 925AD

And from Sipon:

We think this old building looks quite authentic with the motorbike out front

The view from the harbour - The water was so fantastically clear

As part of the cruise we had a "fish picnic" - ie. a meal on board the boat.  I went for the fish... and as you can see they brought out the whole fish... I managed to eat it quite easily through all the bones... as the photos tell... there is an art to it, but I seem to have it down..

The fish was delicious

As you can tell by my clean demolition of it

Our last stop was to Lopud... we had a couple of hours here and were able to get to the Monastery and Botanic Gardens before hitting the beach... I wouldn't say it was a waste of time, as I had some great company, but I'm not sure if they were quite up to par.

A cute little cherub in the gardens

One of the funky trees from the Botanic Garden

A view of the monastery - we weren't allowed to take photos inside... bummer.

We then hiked to the other side of the island - and I do mean hike - to get to the infamous sandy beach.  Upon our arrival we got straight into the water... one word... AMAZING!  It was just what we all needed after the supposed "20 minutes" to get there...  and it was sooooo nice to get the golf buggy back afterwards.... :)

A view of the sandy beach 

As we headed back to Dubrovnik we started to see the beginnings of a beautiful sunset.  I have been amazed each day at the vibrant colours that have come out...

The start of the sunset

The colours were stunning

 It was a great day... made that much more enjoyable by making new friends in Geri, Kim and Tim.  I'm pretty sure I'm not alone when I say it could have turned out so differently if we had not hung out with each other.  Thank you, guys!

My three new friends - Kim, Geri & Tim

 Lastly, you know when you meet some people and they seem a little like your crazy old neighbour, or crazy old grandma??  Well, I was fortunate enough to sit next to one on the boat ride back to Dubrovnik.  Her name was Madge... "well, I was born Margaret, but everyone calls me Madge.. and always has, so you better call me Madge"  - my response... "Um... ok... Hi, Madge."  Her random commentary (like telling Tim his accent sounded like a "delusional American"- whatever that means) was quite hysterical and I feel a little bad that she didn't seem to realize the laughter around her was sometimes at her expense.  She meant well though...  And I'll be honest when I say I have a little soft spot for her after that last hour together...

This crazy lady with a good heart was Madge

Overall, I had a fab time in Dubrovnik and would definitely come back.. my recommendation is that you come here too if and when you can.

The Last Of The UK - Scenery & Whatever Else

I'm pretty certain after this bombardment, that I won't leave it a month to write my stories ever again... :)

So, I've updated on the catching up of friends, and my growing fascination with churches... what's left?  Well, I spent a month there and went all over the place... I had lived in London for a total of a year, but never got to Wales or Scotland... shocking, I know...

So without just bombarding you with pictures and an assortment of trials and tribulations... Here is a summary of the month... (there's about 30 or so pics here... for the whole album go to my Facebook page in the next day or so for the 300+ shots... I'm not sure if that number will entice you... maybe the promise of some great commentary??? {I can't actually promise that it will be great... I can promise there will be an eyeroll or two at my commentary though...})

This would be the dead centre of Christchurch... get it?

Remains of the fort that surrounded Christchurch

The view from the top of Bath Abbey

The Crescent in Bath.  We just hung out on the hill for a while enjoying the sun and people watching.

The Roman Baths in Bath - They were constructed about 2000 years ago!!

This is the Great Bath... It's the first thing you see but only represents about 25% of the site... the whole complex goes about 4 storeys underground... those Roman's were pretty amazing...

The city walls in Canterbury...

And a closer up version... the condition of the walls was soooooooooo good..

The Royal Pavilion in Brighton.  King Henry IV lived here... It's definitely an unusual design.. the inside even moreso..

Brighton Beach - the weather was beautiful, but the beach was not sandy... it's pebbles. ie. Not the most comfortable.

Part of the fort inside Cardiff Castle

The walls surrounding Cardiff Castle - the red line shows part of the original Roman walls (ie. 2000 years old)

Brecon N.P. The weather unfortunately turned and the photo doesn't do it justice.

The streets of Chester

The Peak District

A fountain at Chatsworth House.  This place was UNBELIEVABLE!!!  It deserves its own post...

Part of the garden overlooking part of the house...

Another fountain

The Lake District

Edinburgh Castle

One of the many views of Edinburgh from the castle

Holyroodhouse - The official residence of the Queen when in Scotland

More Edinburgh - this time from Calton Hill

Pretty scenery as I crossed Scotland - I believe this is between Stirling and Balmoral

Oh my god, a rainbow...!! It was a double (not that you can really tell, and I found myself asking... "what does it mean?"

I get all the way to Balmoral and it's closed because the Queen is home and she doesn't like people walking through her garden... Well, that's a bit rude, isn't it?  I guess I should've called first and made arrangements...

A monster sighting at Loch Ness

Cruising the Loch Ness

Mandatory picture with Loch Ness

An amazing beach on the very far north coast of Scotland

I loved how I was in the middle of nowhere - no signs of life - and there is a telephone booth.

As you drive through the passes, there are these lakes on top of the mountains

Back in England, this is near Durdle

The sunsetting over Durdle

So, a little glimpse at my adventures... As I said, all the photos will be on Facebook, and I will not let it go so long without updating... that way it will be a bit more interesting...