Sweden: December 24, 2012

Yesterday, we took the train from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Malmö, Sweden, and spent our last night there.  As the day wore on, the weather in Malmö became progressively colder and snowier from a sudden storm.

It was Sunday, so only museums were open.  We first went to the Moderna Museet (very modern with a lot of surrealism and photography) and then onto the museum at the Malmöhus Castle.  By the time we got to the Castle, the snow was blowing at a 45-degree angle and beginning to accumulate on the ground.

When we came out of the museum, snow was freezing on the castle's moat.

During the night, the storm stopped and the temperatures warmed causing most of the snow to melt.  Today, Christmas Eve day, we explored more of outdoor Malmö's sights. The sun even showed it's face, briefly.

Malmö's Lighthouse                                   Turning Torso Building

The Turning Torso building is a residential skyscraper designed by Santiago Calatrava.  It is visible from most parts of Malmö.  It is 190 meters high and from bottom to top gradually twists 90 degrees.

Leaving our winter vacation adventure behind, we flew back to Skopje arriving just after midnight.  

Monday Hike: April 2, 2012

This is my second Monday hike with some of the women from IWA.  The hike went up Vodno, along the crest toward Matka, and looped back down through Gorno Nerezi Village to return to the trailhead.  At the crest, the light on the mountains was lovely.  I wish I had more than my little pocket camera on me to capture the view.

We began this hike at the Pantelejmon Monastery located about 8 kilometers southwest of Skopje part way up Mount Vodno. 

The church of St. Pantelejmon is now a museum, but it is closed on Mondays.  

It was a beautiful morning for a hike.  The air was crisp and while we began our hike in the sun, when we entered the forested portion, the ground and vegetation were covered with a dusting of snow and puddles of water were frozen.  

By the end of our 3-hour hike we had all our clothing layers on and were wearing gloves.  

There is an atmospheric Macedonian restaurant (Klet) located within the monastery complex.  I look forward to returning on a weekend day to visit the museum, have lunch, and walk the 5 kilometers to middle Vodno and home with Dan.

Dan will return from DC tomorrow morning.  Kali and I can't wait to have him back.