We arrived in Dubrovnik yesterday and we are staying in the old town. Stunning place, very hot (31 C yesterday and today). Looking forward to going on some type of walking tour today and learning about the history of the place, the bombing of the city in 1990/1991, and more. Here are some images:
Category: Blog
The misconceived, ill-informed nonsense about Ryan Tubridy’s salary
The question of Ryan Tubridy’s pay has been much in the news lately. Much of the commentary has been misconceived and wrongheaded and displays a remarkable ignorance of economics and financial probity. Let’s take two examples which I heard yesterday alone. The first was a woman on the radio with Claire Byrne bemoaning Tubridy’s fat… Continue reading The misconceived, ill-informed nonsense about Ryan Tubridy’s salary
Puzzlement about the economy of Istanbul and Turkey
Before we went to Istanbul for a few days we had done a little bit of online research about the price of things like food, drink etc. We were led to believe that things were a good deal cheaper than Ireland. But that was not the case. In fact, eating and drinking in hotels and… Continue reading Puzzlement about the economy of Istanbul and Turkey
I went to a Hammam for a Turkish bath
My wife persuaded me to go to a Hammam with her for a treatment. A Hammam is a traditional Turkish bath and involves a sauna, lying on a hot stone, and getting some type of massage treatment. It was some experience, one I am glad to have done, especially in a country like Turkey which… Continue reading I went to a Hammam for a Turkish bath
Istanbul-a city of traders?
One of the striking things that hits you as you walk around Istanbul is the number of traders and small shops you will encounter. There appears to be a disproportionately large number of small shops and traders selling just about anything. Maybe they are all scratching out a living. Obviously some are more successful than… Continue reading Istanbul-a city of traders?
Things I don’t like about Istanbul
Things I don’t like about Istanbul: Every time I go away I say that we in Ireland don’t know how good we have it. I know we are not perfect, and there are many problems in Irish society. But we are miles ahead of lots of places, including Istanbul and Turkey when it comes to… Continue reading Things I don’t like about Istanbul
Walking tour of Istanbul
We went on a walking tour of Istanbul yesterday and it was, as expected, fascinating. The history of Istanbul, Constantinople, Byzantium is fascinating and our tour guide was genuinely knowledgeable about the history involving the Romans, Greeks and Ottoman Empire eventually leading to the formation of the Republic of Turkey. We visited the Blue Mosque,… Continue reading Walking tour of Istanbul
Istanbul trip, May 2023
I am writing this blog post from a hotel bedroom in the Galata area of Istanbul. We are here for a few days leading up to the June bank holiday weekend and I am looking forward to seeing the sights of this famous city, known historically as Byzantium, Constantinople, and now Istanbul. The Galata area,… Continue reading Istanbul trip, May 2023
Speculating in a hotel bar in Berlin airport
I could not help speculating last night in the hotel bar at the Brandenburg airport in Berlin. There was a guy there who was having a beer and engaging in animated conversation, in English, with what I presume were work colleagues. He was talking about sales and how sales were going so far in June,… Continue reading Speculating in a hotel bar in Berlin airport
Finding Woody Guthrie in Kinsale
It’s 2.30 in the morning as I write this post. I forgot about today’s (Saturday’s blog post) because we are away in Cork for the weekend. We were in Kinsale today and I came across a second hand book shop in the stunning little town. In the window was a 2nd hand copy of “Bound… Continue reading Finding Woody Guthrie in Kinsale