Balkans, Switzerland, London, Italy

 
 

A spot of sunshine for Ken, Pam, Edmundo and Michael in front of the Krujë castle, near Tirana in Albania and the centre of Skanderbeg's rebellion against the Ottoman Empire.

 
 

T

he links to all the albums from our recent trip are grouped in this one blog. This interim measure gives easy access to the photos and storylines for all 15 Google Albums. The stories are by and large personal experiences or items of interest learned through local conversations. Some other references are taken from reliable sources to provide historical context and sense of place.

To view, simply click on name of each destination listed below. Pam and Ken and Edmundo did not accompany me on the Italian long weekend in the Romagna Region.

If your time is limited, I suggest that you choose 1. Berat and Apolonia, Albania, 2. Sarajevo, Bosnia Day 1, and 3. Ravenna, Italy to give you the flavour of what we experienced.

Enjoy!

Michael, Pam, Ken, Edmundo.

 

Our little group outside the clock tower and 19th century Ethem Bey Mosque in Tirana

 

Easter Weekend in Lucerne

Tirana – Finally Albania

Kruja and Durres, Albania

Berat and Apolonia, Albania

Lake Ohrid, Macedonia

St Naum Monastery, Ohrid

Sarajevo, Bosnia – Day 1 Walking Tour

Sarajevo, Bosnia – Day 2

On the road from Sarajevo to Mostar

Herzegovina Experiences

Medjugorje, Herzegovinia

Farewell Balkans – Hello London

San Marino and San Leo

Ravenna

The Abbey of Pomposa

 

Above Sarajevo with our guide Dino and driver Amer

 

SPECTACULAR MOSAICS COVER WALLS AND CEILING IN ST VITALE BASILICA IN RAVENNA, ITALY .  .  .  .  In a lunette on the left wall are two scenes from the life of Abraham. On the left, his wife Sarah waits in the doorway as Abraham brings a calf to the three mysterious guests (seen by Christians as foreshadowing the Trinity), who sit at a table in the centre. On the right is his near-sacrifice of his son Isaac in obedience to God's will.  At the very top left is the Prophet Jeremiah while the right shows a beardless Moses ascending Mt. Sinai.  The presbytery vault is richly decorated with mosaics in green, blue and gold, with vine tendrils and small animals. Each of the four sections of the vault has a standing angel in a white robe, who together support a central medallion of the Lamb of God against the backdrop of a starry sky. (Captured with my iPhone 6S)