Thursday, April 30, 2026

Blogging from A to Z 2026 - Z is for Zealand

As I travel the world I take many photos that pique my interest. During the year April 2025 to March 2026 our travels included visits to many islands large and small. My theme for 2026 Island Hopping will give precedence to Islands visited in the past year but for those difficult letters like X and Z I will dig into my photo archives for content.

"Zealand (Danish: Sjælland [ˈɕeˌlænˀ]) is the largest and most populous island in Denmark proper (thus excluding Greenland and Disko Island, which are larger in size) at 7,031 km2 (2715 sq. mi.). Zealand had a population of 2,319,705 on 1 January 2020, comprising 40% of the country's population." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zealand

Nyhavn is on Zealand

In August we spent two wonderful days in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, which is located mostly on the eastern shore of Zealand. The remainder of Copenhagen is located on Amager Island.

We made the most of the glorious weather in Copenhagen and participated in both indoor and outdoor activities.

As we toured the waterways we noticed many locals out enjoying the weather and water. 





It must have been school  holiday time as at the Tivoli, a fun park which we had visited on previous trips, there were plenty of young thrill seekers enjoying the rides. 


Entrance to the Tivoli





As per usual there were many Danes out and about on their bicycles. I presume that wearing of helmets is not mandatory.



Our second day on Zealand took us to a new-to-us site, The Glyptotek, which was rather stunning internally.

"The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek ("ny" means "new" in Danish; "Glyptotek" comes from the Greek root glyphein, to carve, and theke, storing place), commonly known simply as Glyptoteket, is an art museum in Copenhagen, Denmark. The collection represents the private art collection of Carl Jacobsen  (1842–1914), the son of the founder of the Carlsberg Breweries."  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ny_Carlsberg_Glyptotek





Outside the Glyptotek
Once inside we found a decent collection of artworks by Cezanne, Degas, Gaugin, Matisse, Monet, Pisarro and Van Gogh. As we didn't know what the collection held this was a super surprise. Sadly our tour didn't give us enough time to savour all the works. There will be a next time. 








I highly recommend this site for a visit.

Other Z islands we have visited include Zayatsky, Zanzibar and Zakinthos.

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Blogging from A to Z 2026 - Y is for Young

 


As I travel the world I take many photos that pique my interest. During the year April 2025 to March 2026 our travels included visits to many islands large and small. My theme for 2026 Island Hopping will give precedence to Islands visited in the past year but for those difficult letters like X and Z I will dig into my photo archives for content.

The young people we met on our island journeys, with their innocence, curiosity, and innate friendliness,  brought an added richness to our travels. Some of them happily posed for us while I caught others enjoying their environments.

In class - Highland Folk Museum, Scotland

Dad's Little helper - Plockton, Scotland

Digging - Isle of Iona

Safe and secure - Vaitahu, Tahuata Island

Scooting along - Napier, NZ

Pink speck on the beach - Roberton Island, NZ

Chasing the Pink Speck - Roberton Island

Demolishing - Urupukapuka Island, NZ

Walking the dogs - Napier, NZ

Grandpa's girl - Nuku Hiva

Poser - Nuku Hiva

Shy - Vaitahu, Tahuata

Happy family - Vaitahu, Tahuata

Running free - Wellington, NZ

Oblivious - Hatiheu, Nuku Hiva

Peepo - Hanavave, Fatu Hiva

Running to greet us - Hanavave, Fatu Hiva



Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Blogging from A to Z 2026 - X is for Xenodocy

 As I travel the world I take many photos that pique my interest. During the year April 2025 to March 2026 our travels included visits to many islands large and small. My theme for 2026 Island Hopping will give precedence to Islands visited in the past year but for those difficult letters like X and Z I will dig into my photo archives for content.

Xenodocy is the Act of Receiving Guests.

We have been warmly welcomed on many islands and island sites. It's a sweeping generalisation but we find Island People proud, generous and welcoming. 

On some of the small islands the residents make a huge effort. These three ladies welcomed us to Vaitahu, on Tahuata Island, in the Marquesas Group




Greeted at Omoa in Fatu Hiva

Musical welcome at Hanuvave on Fatu Hiva

Big Smiles at Hatiheu, Nuku Hiva

Salute from a fellow passenger on the island of Great Britain

The Musos at the Dock at Phillip Island

Welcome in the Town Square on Robinson Crusoe Island

They came on board to welcome us to Easter Island

Airport welcome in Tahiti

Scottish welcome in Inverness, Great Britain

Captain and Crew welcome us on board in the Galapagos Islands

Welcome to the Meeting House, Waitangi, North Island New Zealand

From the moment we joined our Back-Roads tour we were
looked after by our guide and driver
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