Top 10 Travel Experiences: Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

 

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

I'm nor sure when I became aware of this annual event, but ever since I knew about it, I've wanted to attend.  That desired for several years until I retired and was able to travel in August.  Here is what it is:

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual series of military tattoos performed by British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and international military bands, and artistic performance teams on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in the capital of Scotland. The event is held each August as one of the Edinburgh Festivals.

                From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

What makes it extra special is the location.  Right outside the walls of Edinburgh Castle.

Edinburgh Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal Dhùn Èideann) is a historic castle in Edinburgh, Scotland. It stands on Castle Rock, which has been occupied by humans since at least the Iron Age. There has been a royal castle on the rock since the reign of Malcolm III in the 11th century, and the castle continued to be a royal residence until 1633. From the 15th century, the castle's residential role declined, and by the 17th century it was principally used as a military garrison. 

For this experience, I booked a tour of Ireland and Scotland that included this as part of the tour.  It is held every day in August and I sure it sells out at some time before.  Using a tour company help to be sure we had tickets, transportation, and background information to help make this a stress free and enjoyable event.  Touring Ireland and spending more time in Scotland was also something I had wanted to do for many years since I am about 75% Scottish and Irish.  It felt like home.  

Travel Tips:  Sometimes it is easier and less stressful to include major events as part of a tour package.  This does not happen for most events, but for major ones like this, I'm sure it is more common.  Since I was traveling with a group of friends (6 of us total) it was helpful for me - as the group leader.

Another travel trip is to plan visits to other areas of interest around important events happening in those areas.  

Below are some pictures and videos from this amazing evening that was filled with expressions of awe and excitement. The sunset made it extra special.  I believe you can see why it is one of my top 10 travel experiences.  

“It seemed as if the rock and castle assumed a new aspect every time I looked at them; and Arthur’s Seat was perfect witchcraft. I don’t wonder that anyone residing in Edinburgh should write poetically.” – Washington Irving

 

 

Hot air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia, Turkey

I have recently shared about my trip to Turkey and this balloon ride, but needed include it as part of this series.

God’s creation is so amazing! I was blessed to take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia, Turkey. The incredible formations are from the lava flows of nearby volcanoes. There are three in the region. This was my first hot air balloon ride and I loved it! . I normally don’t like heights, but this was so smooth that it did not bother me. I was just overcome with amazement. To think that I almost didn't want to include this as part of my tour. When looking for tours to Turkey, I almost selected one that did not include this. Since I didn't like heights, I thought I would not enjoy. But almost every tour to Turkey included this stop, so I figured it must be something to see. Sometimes it is important to trust the experts about what are "must see" sights. I am so glad I did!

What makes this one of my top ten travel experiences was the amazing landscape, time of day, and new experience of a hot air balloon ride.

Travel Tip: Don't miss out on something amazing because you are afraid. Unless you are physically unable to do to something, then you need to go for it. You won't regret it!

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! Psalm 113:3

Top 10 Travel Experiences: The Fjords in Norway

 

The Fjords in Norway

Up until now, my travel experiences have combine natural beauty with man-made structures.  Today's in strictly based on natural beauty made by God.  There have been two times in my life that I was so overwhelmed with what I was seeing that I had to call and it share it with loved ones and both were experiencing the beauty of the world God has made for us.  The first the time was my initial visit to the Grand Canyon.  When I looked over that canyon, my heart immediately began to sing "How Great Thou Art" speaking of the greatness of God and his creation.  I felt the need to call my parents and tell them what I was seeing.  They had actually visited it during their honeymoon as they took a cross country road trip to California.  I remember telling them how awesome the sights I was seeing were.  Moved to tears that they had also had the same experience.  

The only other time I felt the need to call and share what I was seeing with my family was when I was on this boat tour of one of the Fjords in Norway.  I remember just thinking how amazing it was.  I'm not sure why it affected me so much, but it felt like one of the most beautiful things I had ever experienced.  My siblings may remember, but I felt the urge to record a video message to each of them so that they could see what I was seeing and experience it together.  The awe-inspiring work of God in nature are the most profound and life changing experiences you can have.  How can you not believe in God when you see things like this.  

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A fjord is formed when a glacier cuts a U-shaped valley by ice segregation and abrasion of the surrounding bedrock.^[7] According to the standard model, glaciers formed in pre-glacial valleys with a gently sloping valley floor. The work of the glacier then left an overdeepened U-shaped valley that ends abruptly at a valley or trough end. Such valleys are fjords when flooded by the ocean. Thresholds above sea level create freshwater lakes.^[8] Glacial melting is accompanied by the rebounding of Earth's crust as the ice load and eroded sediment is removed (also called isostasy or glacial rebound). In some cases, this rebound is faster than sea level rise. Most fjords are deeper than the adjacent sea; Sognefjord, Norway, reaches as much as 1,300 m (4,265 ft) below sea level. Fjords generally have a sill or shoal (bedrock) at their mouth caused by the previous glacier's reduced erosion rate and terminal moraine.^[9] In many cases this sill causes extreme currents and large saltwater rapids (see skookumchuck). Saltstraumen in Norway is often described as the world's strongest tidal current. These characteristics distinguish fjords from rias (such as the Bay of Kotor), which are drowned valleys flooded by the rising sea. Drammensfjorden is cut almost in two by the Svelvik "ridge", a sandy moraine that was below sea level when it was covered by ice, but after the post-glacial rebound reaches 60 m (200 ft) above the fjord.^[10]

Below are some pictures of that experience including a few pictures of a waterfall we passed on the train ride to the boat launch.  I hope can feel some of the awe and wonder that I felt that day.  

Travel Tip:  Share some of the most inspiring or exiting experiences on your travel with loved ones (family and friends) back home.  Do a video call if possible.  They will be glad to see that you are having the opportunity to see these things, but also that you thought of them during these times.  

Closeups for one of the waterfalls.  

My travel partners for this trip.  

Norway, land of the midnight sun, where the beauty of nature never ceases to amaze.” – Henrik Ibsen, “Peer Gynt” (1867)