Just look at that view. I find it almost unbelievable that
I. Was. There.
Popular activity on this part of Norway: Jump on a scooter and go to frozen lake for ice fishing. I made a short video about it (in Russian tho) – found on YouTube >>
Category: travel
Løkkekiosken in Tromsø
This little kiosk in the centre of Tromsø was originally built in 1911, by the eighteen year old Marit Løkke. Nowadays it’s called «Raketten» – the rocket, because of its onion shaped roof. Tromsø is known as the Arctic Paris. I’ve been told it’s because the density of bars and cafes versus citizens is the same here as in the original Paris. Raketten is the tiniest bar town and one of the oldest.
Winter in Murmansk
Kirkenes today
Introducing my SCARF-obsession
I have always loved scarfs and shawls. Not only because I hate freezing and having a scarf can instantly save the day, but for their brilliant ability to brighten up any outfit. Also, they look great in photos. As a photographer, I really appreciate that.
Until recently, my scarf collection consisted of random pieces. Although carefully collected over the years at various sales around the world, I wouldn’t have started this blog if my friend hadn’t introduced me to traditional Russian shawls last spring. She lent me this gorgeous woolen scarf on a cold afternoon and I kept it for a couple of weeks:
It was not mine, but I got to borrow it – this gorgeous scarf.
Seeing my reflection in mirrors and in windows, with that brightly colored piece around my neck made me smile
again and again…
… until the silky threads got stuck in the zipper of my jacket and got all messed up in my attempt to free them. I promised my friend to find her a new “platok” just like the one I messed up, but it’s was not possible to find in any stores in Murmansk.
I have bought two other scarfs for my friend and will eventually show them to you. But if you happen to know the name of this design, please share it in the comments!
Pavlopassadskie platki – beautiful scarfs and shawls from the Pavlovo Posad Shawl Manufactory.
After discovering the platki, there is no going back.
Every now and then I travel to Murmansk for work. Dropping by the PPS manufactory shop there has become a favorite tradition. Every platok has a special design, usually with a lovely name such as Dream Garden, Spring Fairytale or Earthly Love.
This orange fairytale is names Karavan – produced: 10.09.19:
I’m officially a collector of Russian scarfs and shawls.
What do you collect?
Back. In white
How wonderful it is to be back, catching huge snow flakes on my eyelashes, getting a glimpse of the northern lights at night time, traveling across the border to Russia for pelmeni… The head image was shot from the top of the stairs of Nikels Cultural Palace.
Life has been running nonstop since I got home from vacation. We celebrated the 75th anniversary of the region where I live as being freed from nazi-occupation. That was last week. Huge celebration. King Harald and several ministers were in attendance in Kirkenes:
And my mom ❤
She’s visiting now.
She told me this joke today:
The child turned out to be allergic to the cat. We had to give it out for adoption. Then try again. All children can’t be allergic to cats!
Have a nice day 😉
Battle recreation
Recreation of battle, marking the 75th anniversary of the end of the fights of WWII for this region. Nikel, 26.10.19.
Big Buddha – check
My trip to Hong Kong didn’t go as planned, if I can even claim that I had a plan.
It was more like I travelled with a loose idea of places I should visit, marked in Google Maps, with one place being especially important: The Big Buddha.
This guy.
I visited him on a Monday. Alone. It made me realize things, crazy things, like the fact that I don’t like traveling alone without a purpose. I love sharing experiences with other people. Otherwise you have to find meaningful ways to occupy yourself, which is how I ended up taking series of selfies and smiling at a lot of random people.
Although I didn’t quite find the right insta-filter to catch the mood of this day, I made a video ↓ #plansinterrupted #lonelytraveler
It begins with me sharing my fear of heights with my phone, in a glass elevator cabin far above ground. Not to say that I didn’t enjoy myself while #travelingalone. It simply wasn’t what I expected to do and my memories are colored by this filter I can’t quite name.
Let’s call it Mood E.
The sky looked like it would cry any minute, which it eventually did. Crowds were forecast, but I found a quiet and peaceful place. I waved at Buddha, fired up incense and prayed for patience and forgiveness at the Po Lin monastery. The rain gave me the perfect opportunity to hide in the cute souvenir shops of Ngong Ping village, where I bought these kittens:
It’s nice to be back home.
To be continued…
Travelvlog from HK #2
(In Russian:)
My Google Maps-list of stuff to do in Hong Kong: https://goo.gl/maps/thEcwggUUWvLVkFa7
I bought a tiny new camera friend:
And I hope to make more videos in the future. Some attempts-just-for-fun can be found on this Instagram account >>
Ulyanovsk // Simbirsk
I got to go to Ulyanovsk for the fairytale wedding I wrote about previously. It was a get-in-get-out operation. I would have loved staying longer, but since I had business to attend in Norway, I only got one day to explore the city of Lenin.
It was originally named Simbirsk, but was renamed in the honor of Vladimir Lenin (born Ulyanov), after his death in 1924. Simbirsk was also the birthplace of another famous Russian revolutionary, Alexander Kerensky, who’s government was actually overthrown by Lenin in the October Revolution. It’s interesting to think about how two such prominent political figures of that time came from the same city.
Ulyanovsk lies 850 kilometers southwest of Moscow, along the bank of Volga, the longest river in Europe. Volga is widely regarded as the national river of Russia and the historic cradle of the Russian state. Volga’s immense economic, cultural and historic importance, rank it among the world’s great rivers.
The time was short, but I got to buy a magnet and I made this video (in Russian):
Think of nothing 