Search…

THE JOURNEY TO PORTUGUESE CITIZENSHIP

Whether you’re enjoying a sunset in the Douro Valley or exploring the vibrant streets of Porto, there’s a whole new world waiting for you in Portugal. Embrace the journey, and soon you could call this beautiful country home… CONTINUE READING >>

If you’ve ever dreamed of soaking up the sun on the stunning beaches of the Algarve or wandering the historic streets of Lisbon, you’re not alone! More and more wanderers are choosing Portugal as their new home. With its vibrant culture, delectable cuisine, stunning coastline, rich history and a lifestyle that perfectly balances relaxation and adventure, it’s no wonder many are eager to apply for Portugal citizenship. Let’s dive into how to make this dream a reality!

Why Portugal is the Perfect Place to Live

Portugal is consistently ranked among the best places to live, and for good reason. With its mild climate, friendly locals, and affordable cost of living, it’s a heaven for expats and digital nomads. Picture yourself exploring quaint villages or enjoying fresh seafood by the seaside—life in Portugal is all about savoring the moment.

The country boasts a rich tapestry of history and culture, along with beautiful landscapes that range from golden beaches to lush mountains. Plus, with excellent healthcare and a laid-back lifestyle, it’s a safe and welcoming environment for families, retirees, and adventurers alike.

The Benefits of Portuguese Citizenship

Thinking about making the move permanent? Here’s why becoming a Portuguese citizen is a smart choice:

    1. Freedom of Movement in the EU: With a Portuguese passport, you can live, work, and travel freely across the entire European Union. This opens doors to countless opportunities, whether you want to start a new career or explore new cities.
    2. Access to Quality Healthcare and Education: Enjoy high-quality healthcare and education systems that are often free or subsidized for citizens. This means you can focus on building your life in Portugal without worrying about hefty bills.
    3. Visa-Free Travel to Over 180 Countries: A Portuguese passport allows for hassle-free travel to over 180 countries, giving you the freedom to explore the globe with ease.
    4. Tax Benefits for New Residents: Portugal offers attractive tax regimes, especially for retirees and remote workers, which can help you save more money to fund your adventures.
    5. A Warm Community: Portugal is known for its friendly and welcoming locals. Once you settle in, you’ll find that the community is eager to share its culture and traditions with newcomers.
    6. High quality of life and affordable living: Portugal offers a high quality of life characterized by it’s friendly climate, rich cuisine and cultural heritage. It is also relatively lower cost of living than EU countries, making it an appealing choice for many.

Also, let’s not forget the fact that you will be eliminating the long customs queues at airports and ports when traveling to another continent. Additionally, passing your Portuguese citizenship to your descendants.

Therefore, from the freedom to live and work in Portugal to the opportunity to travel freely inside the European Union, obtaining Portuguese citizenship has several advantages.

For a more detailed look at the perks of Portuguese citizenship, check out this (NOVO ARTIGO).

Pathways to Portugal Citizenship

So, how do you apply for Portugal citizenship?
The attribution of Portuguese nationality may depend on the person’s place of birth, how many years they have lived in Portugal and the nationality of their family members or spouse, among other factors.

Here’s a rundown of the main pathways to consider:

1. Citizenship by Descent or Birth

If you were born in Portugal to a Portuguese parent or foreign parents who have been residents in Portugal for at least a year or have Portuguese ancestors, you might be eligible for citizenship by birth or descent. This could be a fantastic option if you’ve got a grandparent or even a great-grandparent who was a citizen.

2. Citizenship by Naturalization/ Residence

If you’re planning to live in Portugal, the naturalization route is your best bet. Generally, you’ll need to reside in Portugal for five years. This involves getting a visa—such as a work or student visa—and showing your integration into Portuguese society, which includes learning the language and culture.

3. Golden Visa

If you’re an investor, consider the Golden Visa program. This residency-by-investment option allows you to gain legal residency by making specific investments in Portugal, such as real estate. After five years, you can apply for citizenship.

4. Citizenship by Marriage

Are you married to a Portuguese citizen? You can apply for citizenship after three years of marriage. This route is a bit faster, but you still need to prove your connection to Portugal.

Unsure which visa suits you best? Check out this page for the ultimate guide to moving to Portugal.

Navigating the process can be complex and involve extensive documentation, seeking the help of an immigration lawyer can save you time and headaches by minimizing the risk of errors or omissions.

Portugal is Calling

Portugal offers a beautiful and fulfilling lifestyle that many dream of experiencing, it’s no surprise why many people are drawn to making Portugal their home. If you’re ready to take the plunge and apply for Portugal citizenship, consider your options and don’t hesitate to reach out for help along the way. With its breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and welcoming atmosphere, your adventure in Portugal is just beginning!

Whether you’re enjoying a sunset in the Douro Valley or exploring the vibrant streets of Porto, there’s a whole new world waiting for you in Portugal. Embrace the journey, and soon you could call this beautiful country home!

Talkin’ Turkey: What Travel Taught Us About the First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is upon us. Cue the pictures of cheery Pilgrims supping with the friendly natives and images of The Mayflower triumphantly landing at Plymouth Rock.
Ah yes, all of that happy history we were taught as baby boomer children… and almost none of it is true….
CONTINUE READING >> 

The Mayflower replica in Plymouth, Massachusetts
The Mayflower replica in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Thanksgiving is upon us again. Cue the pictures of cheery Pilgrims supping with the friendly natives and images of The Mayflower triumphantly landing at Plymouth Rock.

Ah yes, all of that happy history we were taught as baby boomer children… and almost none of it is true.

We were not on a quest for truth when we made our pilgrimage to Plymouth, Massachusetts, just taking in a little history, but once we were there, a little digging certainly opened our eyes.

The first hint that our 1960s grade school instruction may have been a tad embellished came when we hit the visitor center to ask for directions to Plymouth Rock. “Hope you guys brought a magnifying glass,” snarked the lady behind the desk as she pointed down the road.

The Plymouth Rock monument

Without fully grasping the gist of her statement, we headed across the road toward the monument that houses the famous rock where America’s first colonists landed.

Giddy with the exhilaration that can only come from setting one’s eyes on a truly epic piece of history, we leaned over the rail and peered down into the hole where Plymouth Rock is displayed.

Plymouth Rock - it's TINY!
The thing is tiny. At best one pilgrim could “land” on this pebble.

On closer inspection, turns out almost everything we were taught while we were drawing turkeys using the outlines of our hands was a complete fairy tale. The actual first Americans, the”friendly Indians” from those stories, were simply so emaciated and weak from the smallpox they had contracted from previous European visitors that they had no strength to fight off the invaders who were busy digging up their graves, raiding their food supplies, and commandeering their fishing and hunting grounds.

Wait a minute, previous visitors? Yup, the Pilgrims were no where near the first settlers in America. The Spanish arrived in the South and West over one hundred years earlier, and other Europeans had been tromping around New England stealing food and spreading disease for decades, centuries if you count the Vikings.

So at Plymouth a few leaders of the depleted remnants of the local tribe of Wampanoag people decided to employ the old “if we can’t beat them, join them” strategy in the hopes of surviving. Not quite the gracious “hey, welcome to America, here let us show you how to grow corn and eat turkey” that we were fed as youngsters.

Plaque commemorating the National Day of Mourning
Plaque commemorating the National Day of Mourning in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Furthermore, this was the Mayflower Pilgrims’ second encounter with natives. The first time around wasn’t even remotely friendly. The Mayflower first landed on the tip of Cape Cod, where Provincetown is today.

There’s even a huge monument marking the landing.

Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown, Massachusetts
Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown, Massachusetts

However, these indigenous inhabitants had not been nearly wiped out by viral onslaughts from previous pioneers and were not real big on having their buried food stores dug up and stolen, so they were decidedly unfriendly and sent the Pilgrims packing.

Hold on just a dad-blame second there, what do you mean first landed? Everyone knows the Pilgrims first set foot on North America at Plymouth! We’ve seen the pictures.

There they are, stepping out of the boat right onto Plymouth Rock.

Wrong, fact is there wasn’t even such a thing as Plymouth Rock until over a century after the Mayflower’s landing. It wasn’t until 1741, 121 years after the Mayflower, that 94-year-old Thomas Faunce claimed he knew the exact rock that the Pilgrims first trod upon.

A few years later, in 1774, the townsfolk decided that the rock should be moved to the town meeting hall.

But for some reason the good people of Plymouth decided that only half of the rock needed to be relocated, so they split it in two. Over the next century, the rock was moved hither and yon, and chunks were hacked off of it for shows and souvenirs. Ultimately in 1880, with only about 1/3 of it remaining, the famous stone was returned to its original spot on the waterfront in Plymouth and the number 1620 carved into it.

Over the years the lore has been woven into the Thanksgiving story until it became more legend than history. But feel free to share this real tale around the holiday table, it’s got to be better than talking about politics.

Bon appétit!

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Can You Finance Eco-Friendly Engagement Rings?

By exploring sustainable options and utilizing engagement ring financing, you’re not just planning for a wedding; you’re investing in a lifetime of love and responsibility…
CONTINUE READING >>

When it comes to making one of the most significant decisions of your life—popping the question—it’s not just about choosing a partner; it’s also about choosing a ring that reflects your values. If you’re passionate about protecting the environment, you might be considering an eco-friendly engagement ring. But here’s a question that might be on your mind: can you finance eco-friendly engagement rings?

Understanding Engagement Ring Financing Options

Engagement ring financing is a common practice that allows you to pay for a ring over time rather than making a full payment upfront. This can be especially helpful if you’ve set your heart on a beautiful, sustainable ring that might be slightly above your current budget. Many jewelers understand that buying an engagement ring is a significant investment and offer financing plans to make the purchase more manageable.

Exploring Eco-Friendly Rings: A Responsible Choice

Eco-friendly engagement rings are crafted to minimize their impact on the planet. These rings often utilize recycled materials, ethically sourced diamonds, or alternative gemstones that are less harmful to the environment. Choosing such a ring not only reflects a commitment to your partner but also a commitment to the earth.

Why Consider Engagement Ring Financing for Eco-Friendly Rings?

Engagement ring financing can make eco-friendly rings accessible to more people. By spreading the cost over time, you can invest in a higher-quality, more sustainable ring than you might otherwise afford. It’s a way to ensure that your values don’t have to be compromised due to budget constraints.

An Emotional Connection to Sustainability

Let’s share a quick story to illustrate why choosing eco-friendly might resonate on a deeper level. Imagine a couple, deeply in love, walking through a lush, vibrant forest—the air fresh, the ground alive beneath their feet. Every step reminds them of the first time they met, outdoors, surrounded by nature. For them, choosing an eco-friendly ring is more than a purchase—it’s a symbol of their love, thriving and alive, just like the forest that witnessed the beginning of their journey together.

Financing Options: What You Need to Know

When considering financing an engagement ring, it’s crucial to understand the terms offered. Interest rates, payment periods, and down payments can vary significantly between jewelers. Some might offer zero-interest plans if you pay off the ring within a specific timeframe, while others might require a percentage of the ring’s price as a down payment.

Remember the story of a wise old man who offered gnomic advice to a young person worried about affording a ring: “Find a way that doesn’t overburden your present but promises a brighter future.” This cryptic guidance underscores the importance of choosing a financing option that doesn’t undermine your financial health.

Choosing the Right Jeweler

Not all jewelers offer engagement ring financing for eco-friendly rings, so it’s important to do your research. Look for jewelers who specialize in sustainable practices and ask them directly about financing options. It’s also beneficial to read reviews and possibly reach out to past customers to understand their experiences with the jeweler’s financing options.

A Quick Anecdote About Undermining Efforts

Here’s a thought to keep in mind: once, a person aimed to surprise their partner with an eco-friendly ring. In their haste, they chose a financing option without reading the fine print, which unfortunately undermined their financial stability. The moral? Always read the terms carefully to ensure that your noble intentions don’t lead to stressful consequences.

The Future of Sustainability and Jewelry

As more people become aware of the environmental impacts of mining and production, the demand for eco-friendly jewelry is likely to increase. This shift could encourage more jewelers to offer engagement ring financing for sustainable options, making it easier for everyone to make choices that align with their values.

Your Ring, Your Values

Choosing an eco-friendly engagement ring and opting for engagement ring financing are decisions that reflect deep care—for your partner, for the world, and for the future you want to build together. As you embark on this journey, remember that every choice you make is a testament to your values and vision.

By exploring sustainable options and utilizing engagement ring financing, you’re not just planning for a wedding; you’re investing in a lifetime of love and responsibility. So, take the time to find the right ring and the right financing plan. After all, this ring is not just a piece of jewelry; it’s a symbol of your commitment to each other and to the world around you.

We Had Our Minds Blown at Chichén-Itzá in Mexico

Continuing with Native American Heritage Month, and as a reminder that Native American doesn’t only mean in the United States, we revisit our trip to Chichén-Itzá…
CONTINUE READING >>

Continuing with Native American Heritage Month, and as a reminder that Native American doesn’t only mean in the United States, we revisit our trip to Chichén-Itzá from a few years ago.

The pyramid at Chichen-Itza in Mexico

Having been to Tulum several years ago, we knew that our return to the Yucatán had to include another visit to one of the many Mayan historic sites on the peninsula.

Chichén-Itzá was our first choice, since it is certainly one of the most impressive of those ancient cities, and as Viator Ambassadors we were able to join their Early Access to Chichén-Itzá with a Private Archaeologist tour from Cancun.

Our archeologist guide, Danny, shows us around Chichen-Itza in Mexico

By heading out at dawn we were able to beat most of the crowds and heat.

Our archaeologist guide, Frank, used the travel time to explain the history of the site, the Maya people, and what we were about to see.

A huge part of that history is held within the architecture.

By studying the engraved writings and precise alignments of the buildings archaeologists have uncovered a wealth of information about the people who built them.

As Frank described things, he promised blown minds, which we took as a challenge… go ahead, Frank, make our day.

He showed us examples of the Mayan written language, the only one in the Americas at that time, and their advanced numeric system based on twenty.

Demonstration of the Mayan Calendar at Chichen Itza in Mexico

Their mathematical theory, one of only two in the world that incorporated the concept of zero, was as precise as any on the planet, as was their famous calendar.

All very impressive stuff, the kind that gets people talking about aliens helping out and the like.

But we would need to see more if our heads were going to explode.

Sellers setting up their booths at Chichen Izta in Mexico
Vendors were just setting up their booths as we arrived to the site.
Restoration work being done high atop the pyramid at Chichen Itza in Mexico
Restorations being done high atop the pyramid.

Arriving at the site, what we saw of Chichén-Itzá was only the central area, the downtown if you will, of what was once a thriving city of over fifty-thousand people.

The focal point was the pyramid temple of the feathered serpent Kukulkan, built to honor one of the Mayans’ most important gods.

The pyramid at Chichen Izta in Mexico

The pyramid that the Spaniards mistakenly called El Castillo was already some five centuries old when they arrived in 1532, and the city had been mostly abandoned.

We now know it was a temple, not a castle, and it holds a few surprising secrets. The four sides are perfectly aligned with the directions, and Frank explained how the entire structure served as a calendar.

The carved stone heads of Kukulkan at the base of the pyramid of Chichen Itza in Mexico

There are ninety-one steps on each side, for a total of 364.

Adding the one at the top makes it 365, as in the days in a year.

The stairs are also designed so that on the spring and autumn equinoxes the sun casts a shadow that forms a serpent descending to connect with the carved stone heads of Kukulkan at the base.

The stairs are part of calendar in the pyramid of Chichen Itza in Mexico

Standing in front of the staircase Frank demonstrated another remarkable feature of the pyramid, some amazing acoustics were incorporated.

First he played us a recording of the call of a quetzal, the bird whose feathers adorn the serpent, then sharply clapped his hands. The sound that echoed back to us was identical.

Watch: David demonstrates this phenomenon

As we stood in awe he said, “That may be a coincidence, but I doubt it.” We spent a few moments trying to wrap our minds around that, but our craniums remained intact.

The foundations for the pyramid extend hundreds of feet out from the base of the pyramid at Chichen Itza in Mexico

At the base of the giant structure excavations reveal an incredible feat of engineering.

The foundations for the pyramid extend hundreds of feet out from the base, and even more impressive, the entire central area was built up and leveled out into an artificial plateau to create an acceptable building location for the massive temples and ball court.

Extraordinary stone work to be sure, but not as mind boggling as the work of the Incas, so our brains endured.

The Great Ball Court at Chichen Izta in Mexico

The Great Ball Court is the largest, and best preserved, to be found throughout Mesoamerica.

The game, or something similar, was played all across the region in highly ceremonial situations.

Two teams of four players vied to put a nine pound solid rubber ball through a stone ring about twenty feet high, without using their hands or feet.

Stone ring at the Great Ball Court at Chichen Itza in Mexico.

It sounds difficult, because it was.

Massive bruises, injuries, and even deaths were a common occurrence, but often that was only expediting the inevitable, because the winners were sacrificed anyway.

Yes, the winners, which probably blew their minds, but the rulers just couldn’t go around offering up losers to the gods.

Seating for rulers at The Great Ball Court at Chichen Itza in Mexico

This was not a spectator sport for the masses, which is why the court lacks any grandstand style seating.

The opposing rulers would sit on opposite ends of the stadium, which is nearly the size of two football fields, with a small group of dignitaries.

The court also gave Frank a chance to further prove the Mayan understanding of acoustics.

Carvings in the stone of the entrance of the stadium at Chichen Itza in Mexico
Carving on the stone entrance of the stadium.

There should have been no way for the rulers to communicate across that distance, yet the court’s designers solved the problem.

When Frank spoke into the seating area on one end, we could hear the echo bouncing back all the way from the other. The shape of the royal boxes made it possible for the leaders to easily converse.

Very impressive, but still our minds remained whole.

The Group of a Thousand Columns at Chichen Itza in Mexico

After checking out several other incredible structures in the central area, such as The Platform of Venus (named for the planet, not the Roman goddess), The Tzompantli (Skull Platform), The Temple of the Warriors, and the Group of a Thousand Columns, we made our way down a sacbe to The Cenote Sagrado.

Carvings on Group of a Thousand Columns in Chichen Itza in Mexico
Many of the columns are intricately carved.
Heads on the side of a building in Chichen Itza in Mexico
Faces on the corner of Tzompantli (Skull Platform).
The Venus Platform in Chichen Izta in Mexico
Carvings on the Platform of Venus.
Artwork on a building in Chichen Itza, Mexico
Carvings on the Platform of the Eagles and Jaguars.
Temple of the Warriors in Chichen Itza in Mexico
Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors).
The top of Temple of the Warriors at Chichen Itza, Mexico
The top of the Temple of the Warriors.
A sacbe is a raised road, paved with crushed rock, and the Mayans built hundreds of miles of them all across the peninsula. Today venders line the sacbe at Chichen Itza in Mexico
Now venders line the sacbe.

A sacbe is a raised road, paved with crushed rock, and the Mayans built hundreds of miles of them all across the peninsula.

The design was so durable that they are still easily recognizable today, in fact, many are still in use, incorporated into the right of ways of modern highways and railways.

Very sturdy, just like our minds.

Venders share a meal below the sacbe at Chichen Itza in Mexico
Venders share a meal below the sacbe.

The Sacred Cenote at Chichen Itza in Mexico

The Cenote Sagrado, or Sacred Cenote, is an enormous sinkhole filled with fresh water.

These holes are very common in the Yucatán because the ground is solid limestone, which dissolves away leaving caves and holes that fill with rain water.

The Sacred Cenote at Chichen Itza in Mexico

The city took its name, Chichén, in reference to the two cenotes, or wells, that the city was built around. Itzá, refers to the people who lived there.

But as precious as water was, the Sacred Cenote was not used as a water supply. It was a hallowed place of sacrifices to the rain god Chaac, who was believed to live at the bottom.

This was proven by the discovery of many bones and offerings when divers explored its depths.

Temple of the Descending God at Chichen Itza in Mexico
Temple of the Descending God
The Osario at Chichen Itza in Mexico
El Osario (The Ossuary)
La Iglesia (The Church) at Chichen Isza in Mexico
La Iglesia (The Church)

We moved on for a look at another group of slightly older ruins just off from the main area.

These feature the Nunnery and the Church, also misnamed by the Spanish because of their appearances. Las Monjas, the Nunnery, actually served as a governmental palace, La Iglesia, the Church, was a more nearly correct name since it was a small temple.

Las Monjas or The Nunnery at Chichen Itza in Mexico
Las Monjas (The Nunnery)

Detail of a building at Chichen Izta in Mexico

El Caracol, the observatory, at Chichen Itza in Mexico

Nearby, El Caracol, towers above the other ruins.

The name means the snail, and stems from the shell-like spiral staircase inside, but research revealed that the structure was actually a sophisticated astronomical observatory.

El Caracol, the observatory, at Chichen Itza in Mexico

Remarkable calculations, mostly based on the 584-day cycle of the planet Venus, were involved in designing the windows along the stairs so that they line up perfectly with over two dozen cosmic events such as eclipses, equinoxes, and solstices.

The theories and mathematics involved have been compared to those of Newton or Einstein.

Okay… minds blown.

(To tell the truth, they really were blown from the moment we spotted the pyramid)

The crowds at Chichen Itza in Mexico
Told ya we beat the crowds! Here’s the scene as we were leaving.
David poses with Mayans at Chichen Itza in Mexico
We couldn’t resist!

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

See all of our adventures in Mexico!

We are proud to be Viator Ambassadors

We are proud to be Viator Ambassadors – big thanks to Viator for providing this mind-blowing adventure! As always, all opinions are our own. To see more about this tour, click here.

Norway in a Nutshell: Built Fjord Tough

Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that getting there is half the fun.

It this case, on the road from Oslo to Bergen, it was ALL the fun!

We embarked on a journey that took us on the famous Flam Train Line and caught a boat that sailed us through the West Norwegian Fjords UNESCO World Heritage Site… CONTINUE READING >>

Norway has so much to see, and we had a limited time, which made Norway in a Nutshell the best Norse experience possible.

David the Train Nut is still ready to go! We're wearing our Eurail Pass out!
David the Train Nut is a bit excited!

This jaunt from Oslo to Bergen is the most popular excursion in the country because, as the name implies, by land and by sea we passed through a little bit of everything that makes Norway so cool.

Our train pulled out of Oslo before daylight, which on a crisp November day (and far, far north) is not really all that early.

The view from our train window outside of Oslo, Norway

Snow on Norway's Hardangervidda Plateau from the train

The first part of the journey took us through the city and suburbs before the train began the climb of over four-thousand feet up to the Hardangervidda Plateau.

Along the way the scenery and weather begin to change. Soon snow covered the landscape as we traveled just to the south of some of country’s highest peaks.  This is the Norway of Alpine winter sports, and winter was well underway.

Snow on Norway's Hardangervidda Plateau from the train from Oslo to Bergen

Winter scene on the Norway in a Nutshell tour from Oslo to Bergen

Winter scene on the Norway in a Nutshell tour from Oslo to Bergen

Norway near Myrdal from the train. On our Eurail Adventure

By the time we arrived at Myrdal, where we changed trains to the famous Flåm Line, the clouds had broken and blue sky prevailed.

We were certainly seeing Norway’s weather in a nutshell!

Falling into Flåm (BTW, å is now officially Veronica’s favorite letter!)

The railway going to Flam on the Norway in a Nutshell tour in the winter

The railway down to the little town of Flåm is a scenic and engineering marvel. The twenty kilometers are some of the steepest tracks in the world, dropping nearly three thousand feet through twenty tunnels
Overlooking the eerie, frozen basin of the Kjosfosson Waterfall…

The railway runs down the valley of Flåmsdalen to the little town of Flåm, and is a scenic and engineering marvel.

These twenty kilometers include some of the steepest conventional railroad tracks in the world and took sixteen years to build.

Overlooking the eerie basin of the Kjosfosson Waterfall on the train ride to Flam on the Norway in a Nutshell tour

View from our train into Flam, Norway

All in all the elevation drops nearly three thousand feet through a series of five hairpin curves and twenty tunnels, taking us all the way back down to sea level.

We passed countless waterfalls streaming over the edges of the valley because the glaciers that carved this landscape left behind nearly vertical cliffs, perfect for the streams that flow over the edge to spill into misty veils of falling water.

View from the train to Flam in Norway

Fjord tour beginning in Flam, Norway

The town of Flåm is not much more than a few buildings around the ferry port, but we had a few minutes to explore and found the small museum that chronicles the building of the railroad.

We poked through the displays before boarding the ferry that would take us to Gudvangen via two of Norway’s most picturesque fjords.

Photo of the men who built the Flam Railway in Norway at the Train Museum in Flam

Flam, Norway

You can’t see Norway like THIS in the summertime!

Our ship, Fjord1, picks us up in Flam to take us through the Fjords on the Norway in a Nutshell tour

Our voyage began in Aurlandsfjord, which has the look of a perfect classic fjord, because it is. We would be hard pressed to find a better example of a massive canyon carved out by glaciers from the last ice age, then filled in by the sea.

The fjords at sunset on our wintertime Norway in a Nutshell experience

We did pop in periodically for warm drinks!

Our little ship, the Fjord1 ferry, was dwarfed beneath five thousand feet of cliffs and mountains.

With our jaws dropped and eyes wide, we braved the brisk breezes on the open-air top deck so as not to miss a single sight.

The fjords at sunset on our wintertime Norway in a Nutshell experience

Before long we passed the beautiful villages of Aurland and Undredal, and a few of the residents came out to wave as we went by.

Undredal is famous for goat cheese, so much so that the four-legged billy critters out number people by 5 to 1. Come to think of it, most of them can’t be billies or there wouldn’t be much cheese – they must mostly be of the nanny variety.

The fjords at sunset on our wintertime Norway in a Nutshell experience

These towns are certainly secluded, but nothing like the scattered farm and fishing houses that we spotted periodically along the shore and up the steep slopes.

Homes along the fjords on our Norway in a Nutshell tour near Flam

We could understand the fishing outposts, they were easy enough to access by boat, but some of the cabins up on the hillsides were downright puzzling. The paths leading up were more or less ladders.

Homes impossibly built high on the mountains of the fjords on our Norway in a Nutshell tour near Flam

It takes some serious dedication to haul supplies up that!

The fjords at sunset on our wintertime Norway in a Nutshell experience

Our captain keeps us safe while navigating the fjords on our Norway in a Nutshell tour

About an hour into our journey we turned into Nærøyfjorden. It took us a few moments, but we sounded out the name…  nae/roy/ fjord…  na/ro/fjord…  oh, narrowfjord.

It wasn’t long before we realized that it was aptly named, because it gets crazy skinny, only a few hundred meters wide in some spots.

The fjords at sunset on our wintertime Norway in a Nutshell experience

Cruising the fjords of Norway at sunset on our Norway in a Nutshell tour

Both fjords are branches of the Sognefjord, which is the largest fjord in Norway, and second longest in the world.

Because these are such prime examples, the entire area has been named the West Norwegian Fjords UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The fjords after dark on our wintertime Norway in a Nutshell experience

We finished the fjord section of our journey in the long subarctic twilight, docking at Gudvangen as darkness fell.

We made the remainder of our journey to Bergen by bus, only able to see a few scattered lights from villages along the way.

Luckily, we got to see this scenic stretch in the daylight a couple of days later as we made our way back across the country on our way above the Arctic Circle in search of Northern Lights.

David and Veronica, GypsyNester.com

DELVE DEEPER:
Visit the Norway in a Nutshell website
See all of our adventures in Norway!
See our full journey through Norway by rail – spectacular!

A big thank you to Visit Norway for providing this visually stunning adventure! As always, all opinions are our own.

First Setting Eyes on Île Tintamarre

It’s not often that we find a place completely unknown to us, but Île Tintamarre is one we found hiding in plain sight. Join us as we explore the quirky history of this intriguing little land just off the Northeast coast of of Saint Martin… CONTINUE READING >> 

We have been to Saint Martin several times over the past fifteen years or so, but when we visited with Dream Yacht Charters last November we were surprised by something totally unexpected… an entire island that we had never heard of.

Hiding in plain sight, just off the Northeast coast of the French side of the main island, we discovered, or more correctly our exceptional captain Serge brought us to, the uninhabited yet indubitably captivating Île Tintamarre.

Our limited fluency in French linguistics led us to speculate on the name had something to do with the color of the sea, but we were way off. For no apparent reason the island seems to have been named for an old Acadian French word concerning making loud noise.

After going ashore, we learned that was only one of several oddities about this island.

Being so close to one of the Caribbean’s most modern islands meant that we had flawless cell service, so we could whip out our phones and Google on the go while exploring… so Google we did.

After some brief spelunking in a seaside cave on the beach where we made landfall, and an encounter with several of the island’s seemingly infinite population of hermit crabs, we made our way inland to see if we could find some traces of the stories we had found online.

The island’s history could best be described as quirky, which pairs perfectly with its topographic peculiarities. Unlike its much larger and mountainous nearby neighbor, Tintamarre is virtually flat. This feature influenced two unusual periods in the island’s past.

The first began in 1902 when Diederik Christian, a Dutch noble who owned the island, came to establish a plantation.  Although his main motivation seems to have been to escape taxation, he did manage to build an operation that included some 150 workers and had some success growing cotton and raising livestock.

We found a few ruins left behind from the farming activity, mainly a gate and stone fences, but there are still the remnants of a few buildings too.

He also might have been a little loco, because before long he established his own currency and ruled the island as a self- appointed monarch. Either imperial ruling, or perhaps the seclusion, must not have agreed with him, because by 1931 he sold the island to L. C. Fleming and returned to his estate on Saint Martin.

Guess he figured paying the taxes was worth it.

At this point France reclaimed the territory, which led to another unusual occurrence. Since the French Caribbean islands fell under control of the Vichy government during World War II, Tintamarre became a safe haven for Nazi submarines.

Seems the U-boats would rest on the shallow bottom just off shore while recharging their batteries and stocking up on fuel and provisions.

Not long after the war the second flat land inspired era began. An eccentric aviator by the name of Remy de Haenen rented the island and created an air traffic hub of sorts. He also may or may not have been involved with selling supplies to the German subs.

Once again the level ground contributed to the project by making the clearing of an airstrip an easy undertaking. After picking up some surplus military planes and a flying boat from PanAm, by 1946 Remy had his airline, Compagnie Aerienne Antillaise, up and flying.

Unfortunately, the pioneering flight service encountered three severe accidents in 1947, setting it back drastically. Then a huge hurricane in 1950 did it in once and for all.

While nearly no trace remains of the airport, we had very little trouble visualizing the runway cutting through the overgrown island bush as we walked across the Western end of the strip.

There is one last oddity that Île Tintamarre has been known for, mud baths. Somehow rumors spread that the messy muck along the southern shore had healing powers and folks began to flock to it. Adding to its fame was the fact that most chose to shed all of their clothing for the experience.

However, a few years ago the French authorities proclaimed the goop poisonous and banned the public from partaking in its dubious health benefits. While many ignore the directive, we chose to heed the warning and head back to the boat.

We felt quite confident that an evening aboard would be every bit, if not more beneficial than wallowing in the mud.

That, and dinner was waiting.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Read more about our sailing adventure across the Caribbean here:

Look out below! Holding Our Breath Beneath the BVI

The British Isles… Virgin That Is

Catamaran Cruising the Caribbean 

A big thank you to Dream Yacht Charter for providing this adventure. As always, all opinions are our own.

The Macabre Human Bone Church of Sedlec, Czech Republic

Halloween coming up got us thinking about the spookiest thing we have ever seen in our travels. There have been a few, but this church stands out as the scariest thing we encountered along the way…
CONTINUE READING >>

The Sedlec Ossuary, Czech Republic

We had dreamed and discussed a trip to what Veronica happily calls “The Motherland” for a long, long time.

A recent trip to Europe finally afforded us that opportunity. In our little rented car that we named Benny, we tooled into the Czech Republic with almost no idea what to expect.

Actually, it would be impossible for anyone to expect what we found in the little town of Sedlec — an ancient chapel that came with a very disturbing secret.

Creepy headstones at the graves of The Sedlec Ossuary, Czech Republic

The Sedlec Ossuary, Czech Republic

It had been used as an ossuary, or mass burial site. Strange, yet not completely out of the ordinary.

But inside the walls of this seemingly peaceful little church is a gallery so ghastly, it must be seen to be believed.

We had heard stories about this place, but words — nor pictures — can begin to explain what it was like walking through the doors.

This chandelier at The Sedlec Ossuary in Czech Republic contains every bone in the human body

This chandelier at The Sedlec Ossuary in Czech Republic contains every bone in the human body

Human bones from tens of thousands of people adorn the walls and ceiling, in inexplicable formations.

Strings of skulls and femurs of the dearly departed hang like garlands over the arches and doorways.

Stacks, pyramids, signs, crucifixes, candelabras and a coat of arms surrounded us, all made from the skeletons of the long deceased.

This chandelier at The Sedlec Ossuary in Czech Republic contains every bone in the human body

We — and every other visitor present — simply gaped in amazement.

Then we noticed the creepy centerpiece of this macabre masterpiece, a massive chandelier containing at least one of every bone in the human body.

It’s hard to say how long we stood staring, time seemed to come to a grinding halt inside the tomb.

What would make someone conceive of such a grizzly undertaking? The tale takes us back to the 1200s:

The Sedlec Ossuary, Czech Republic

Before the church became an ossuary, there was a conventional cemetery outside.

In the 13th century, the abbot of Sedlec, Henry Heidenrich, brought back some dirt from Golgotha (the hill where Jesus Christ was crucified) he acquired on a pilgrimage to The Holy Land and sprinkled it over the cemetery.

Suddenly the cemetery became the place to be buried if you lived in Bohemia.

Cherub angel with trumpet and skull

Making the idea of this spot as a final resting place even sweeter, a legend arose that if one was buried here their remains would decompose in just three days.

Who wouldn’t want to avoid – as the ossuary’s literature puts it – “the lengthy process of gradual decomposition?” Soon all of Central Europe wanted in on the action.

Sedlec Ossuary is the common grave of about 40,000 people

When the plague of the 14th century hit, the burial ground had to be significantly enlarged.

In 1318 alone, thirty thousand people were buried in the cemetery.

Around this time the chapel became an ossuary, but was heavily damaged in 1421 during the Hussite Wars. In 1511, large areas of the graveyard were decommissioned and bones from those graves were stacked in and around the ossuary.

Crown adorning one of the four pyramids of human bones

By the time renown architect Jan Blažej Santini-Aichl was commissioned to restore the ossuary, in the early 1700s, tens of thousands of souls had been laid to rest in it.

Santini’s unique mixture of the Gothic and Baroque styles were employed in the redesign and stand today.

Although a bit of bone decorating was going on prior to this, Santini kicked it into high gear. Using the hodgepodge of bones laying around, he constructed six enormous pyramids and affixed golden crowns atop them.

The Sedlec Ossuary near Kutna Hora, Czech Republic

The visitors guide states that the decor “may not be quite intelligible nowadays. We might be mistaken when considering the Ossuary’s decoration as mere bizarreness. It makes deep sense in the context of the stirred baroque piety.

Baroque piety or not, this seems to be the only place where people thought it made any, much less deep, sense.

The Schwarzenburg family coat of arms made of human bones at the Sedlec Ossuary in Kutna Hora, Czech Republic

In the late 1700s the ossuary was sold to the Schwarzenburg family who decided to turn woodcarver František Rint loose inside.

Using two of the six pyramids, he constructed the highly disturbing Schwarzenburg coat of arms. The “leftover” bones were reburied.

It is Rint’s work that struck us speechless.

Close up of the coat of arms in the Sedlec Ossuary

There’s a bird (whose wing looks as though it may be made out of a hand or foot) pecking the eye of a Turkish soldier, symbolizing a war victory.

Rint even “signed” his name in bones on a wall, for a little added flair.

Nearly as bizarre as the ossuary’s decor, is way the literature is worded. Someone seems to have turned somersaults justifying the ossuary’s unique ornamentation:

Jan Blazej Santini-Aichl vision

It’s guessed that the Ossuary is a common grave of about 40,000 people.

This work reminds us of the fact and the worth of eternity. God has concluded a covenant that puts us under an obligation to responsibility towards God and our neighbors.

The observance of the covenant will be appreciated when we die.

What? Well this should clear things up:

Sedlec Ossuary is the common grave of about 40,000 people

In the corners of the lower chapel your attention can be caught by giant pyramids made of bones.

These bones are stowed up without being bound together.

The human bones represent multitudes which none can count facing the God’s throne.

Or maybe not.

The Sedlec Ossuary, Czech Republic

It was time to get out, there’s only so much time we could comfortably spend in a grave.

We were having a strange feeling of desecration gnawing at the back of our minds.

Should busloads of tourists really be tromping through this tomb? The measure of respect for the dead seemed to be fairly lost in the crowd, not to mention the cheesy skull trinkets and souvenirs offered on the way out.

Ah yes, some things remain the same throughout our travels…

Exit through the gift shop.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

See all of our adventures in the Czech Republic!

From Graceland to Beale Street, Memphis Keeps The Beat

Music flows through Memphis as deep as the mighty Mississippi. As the de facto capital of the delta region, The Blues made its way into town, settled in, and is still hanging around today…
CONTINUE READING >> 

Music flows through Memphis as deep as the mighty Mississippi. As the de facto capital of the delta region, The Blues made its way into town, settled in, and is still hanging around today. I suppose we could mark the official entry at just over one hundred years ago, when W. C. Handy arrived and started playing in the clubs on Beale Street.

The clubs along the famous street had been a hot spot for traveling bands since just after the Civil War, but Handy was the first to preserve the music by writing it down. Those published works went on to be hits all over the country, and Beale Street was on the musical map. Soon legends like Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters, and B. B. King were regulars on the little stretch of road.

The Beale Street we found was drastically different from home of the funky nightclubs and juke joints that gave birth to the Memphis Blues, but the history lives on. We could feel it all around us, it practically hangs in the air.  A new generation grew up breathing in that sound, added a dash of hillbilly twang and a backbeat, and Rock & Roll was born.

It was the unique blend of cultures in the Bluff City that spawned Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and The King himself, Elvis Presley. Elvis became synonymous with Memphis, and to be perfectly honest, he was our main reason for coming to town. We wanted to make a pilgrimage to Graceland.

See more about Graceland here.

We were married on Elvis’ birthday. Don’t go jumping to any conclusions, we’re not crazy, it was just a coincidence. We didn’t even realize it until later, but maybe it has given us a cosmic connection with The King. So we took a drive out Elvis Presley Boulevard and pulled up to those famous gates.

We had heard all the stories about the royal residence, and inside was all that we had expected, and more. Every bit is covered in classic 1960s tacky opulence.

Don’t get me wrong, I have a deep appreciation for all things Elvis, first and foremost his music, but we also appreciate good kitsch when we see it.

Stepping into the living room was like, let’s see… what if Liberace decorated the inside of I Dream of Jeannie’s bottle? Across the entry hall, the dining room decor could best be described as early Southern grandma but, hands down, the highlight of these first few rooms had to be Mama’s purple poodle bathroom.

Headed down the hall, past the conventional kitchen, into the heart of The King’s lair, the feel of the house shifted from southern comfort to Hillbilly Cat.

Every living area has a bar — Elvis liked to entertain. The groovy, mod style TV room, all yellow and black with mirrored ceilings, set the tempo, and the Indian-inspired billiard room had us clapping along.

Finally, we couldn’t help falling in love with The Jungle Room. The King went completely Blue Hawaii tiki-tacky, green shag carpet native – even on the ceiling. Rock-A Hula! Let’s call it Paradise, Hawaiian Style.

We finished up in the Meditation Garden that Elvis built for quiet reflection back in the sixties; it now serves as the Presley family private cemetery. This is the final resting place for daddy Vernon, mother Gladys, grandmother Minnie May, and of course, Elvis, along with a memorial to his twin brother Jessie Garon, who died at birth.

From that solemn spot we headed back across Elvis Presley Boulevard to check out the King’s collection of cars and airplanes. Whatever we may have thought about his decorating choices in Graceland, Elvis certainly had good taste in cars.

As Rock & Roll royalty The King had to have a couple of Cadillacs and Rolls Royce Silver Clouds, but he also had a 1971 Stutz Blackhawk (the first Stutz ever brought into the United States), a 1975 Ferrari Dino, and two Mercedes, a limo and convertible 280 SL, bought before most Americans knew what a Mercedes was.

Next we passed through a faux airport gate and “Elvis Fan Detector” security checkpoint, and up the jetway to board The King’s “Flying Graceland” the Lisa Marie.

The interior is less gaudy than the ground-based home, with a lounge area and corporate style meeting room. Even with the mandatory wet bars, things seemed pretty tame, but Elvis’ private quarters stepped things up a notch. The bathroom sports twenty-four karat gold-plated fixtures, and then we realized that gold plating is sort of a theme running throughout the aircraft, right down to the seatbelt buckles and sink basins. Even the required belt across the… wait for it… king-sized bed.

Thank you, thank you very much.

David, GypsyNester.com

See more about Graceland here.

See all of our adventures in Tennessee!