From the fjords to the straits

2024 has been a whirlwind of travel. All good before time runs out. As in the passage of our being through this galaxy while the faculties still work.

Each trip is a glimpse into human endeavor in different geos, and how it evolved with its local conditions and temperatures and political motivations.

The beginning of the year was the trip to Cote d'Azur and new years day in Antibes, France. What a gem of a place with its perch on the Mediterranean; a former haven for aristocrat and artistes and today a reminder to take life slow and savor sunsets.

Night lights at the church

Grasse perfumery in the hills

Cannes on the coast

That was then followed by a summer jaunt across the Atlantic this time to hit the northern fringes of Europe in Scandinavia.

Oh what joy! As a train nerd it was especially fabulous with sights like no other from vast fjords to the mountainous regions of Norway.

A trip on the Fjords

Flams Bana

along the 20 km journey from Flam to top of the hill at Myrdal

Sweden and Denmark dazzled in their own way with the former home to some interesting architecture in towns like Malmo and Goteborg whilst the Danes certainly show how to enjoy summers on the water and grab food on the go.

Mamma Mia museum

Rollicking fun on the sea (Stockholm)

Stockholm metro colors

Oslo architecture

Walking on the roof

Ode to Munch, Oslo Norway

Corkscrew? More like multi use building in Malmo Sweden designed by Francisco Calatrava whose other works I like include Liege Railway station in Belgium and the Oculus in NYC

Fall saw us visiting the French speaking part of Canada in the royal city of Montreal, Quebec. It has been a bucket list of mine to eat their poutine (fries with cheese) and smoked meat during a visit to this old city on the Lawrence River. It did not disappoint as the weather although turning cooler was certainly still enjoyable on the water and inland.

1976 Summer Olympics venue

Finally the end of the year took us on an epic journey to visit three countries again to the Mediterranean but this time to allow us to venture by boat to land on the shores of Africa. Tarifa, Spain to Tangier, Morocco is a hour long ferry ride and what a memory it is.

Alhambra in Granada Spain

Rock of Gibraltar

street scene Tangier, Morocco

Mosque in Tangier

Costa del Sol in Spain (beach resort of Fuengirola)

Ever since watching the Jason Bourne films I had put away another bucket list item and that was visiting the sites to experience that Gibraltar strait crossing myself. It is now a great memory.

Boarding in Tarifa Spain

On the boat to Africa

Oh and one more thing.. for a plane geek like me - crossing an active runway after a jet has rolled on by to land or take off was accomplished walking across the airport in Gibraltar, UK. A British piece of real estate sticking out in the very edge of the Med where it meets the Atlantic the climb up in a cable car is a must see attraction. Your reward - you see 3 countries and 2 continents in one view.

Of chocolates

I like chocolates. Godiva Dark with Almonds - not sure of the naked woman on the horse to be the icon of some choice cocoa based products but tastes good. Started in Belgium but now owned by some Turks. Cadburys - Fruit and Nut Milk Bars - awesome combination of dried fruit pieces along with a medley of nuts makes your toungue dance - started by a Brit now owen by Kraft USA. Lindt Hazelnut spheres - made by a Swiss confectioner are divine balls that melt in your mouth with a lingering nutty taste Ghirardelli Milk Crisp Squares - crunchy and light these milk squares are easy on the palate but pack some serious calories - all good I say! Originally founded by an Italian who moved around till he landed in SF Bay today also owned by the Swiss Lindt empire.

Columbia SC

The Palmetto state. One of the confederate kinds. History dating couple centuries back. We visited the capital yet again this time to take in the SC State Museum. Occupying the former digs (literally remodeled) of an erstwhile cotton mill this structure is an amazing piece of reimagination. Four floors of excitement for kids and young at heart alike. Located on the shores of the Congaree River formed when the Broad meets up with the Saluda River, this edifice is approx. 60 years old. The front of the building has a more modern planetarium that was added about a decade ago. The museum itself has different areas of interest segregated on each of its four floors. The first floor has gift shop and a diorama of some of the local geography including the swamps and the state beaches with audio guides to help understand what fauna thrives locally. The second floor is all about natural history and showcases animal kingdom that may have survived on this latitud...

Cost of entrepreneurship

Last night I attended a guest lecture on the subject of disruptive technology and entrepreneurship. Lecture was free but it was used as a pitch by the University that hosted it to attract new customers. The speaker was somewhat respectable fellow who happened to hail from India and spoke eloquently. One of the key message was around how the professors in this university were ranked among the very best money can buy. Cost of the MBA program mere $110,000 and oh we also buy some dinner if you have late class. So now the math is simple- is learning to be entrepreneurial worth the cost of entry? That is assuming you end up being one. What of those that do not? or the ones that are not successful at being the entrepreneur? Is that being a pessimist before even being handed the glass. What I found strange is that people will bet big money on the glimmer of hope that they might just make a entrepreneurial debut and hit it big. The unive...

Brown Motion

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