… set in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska, and follows the investigation behind the disappearance of eight men from a research station. The season stars Jodie Foster and Kali Reis as Detectives Liz Danvers and Evangeline Navarro. …
… supernatural elements …
Another inspiration was Billie Eilish‘s 2019 song “Bury a Friend“, which López described as “such a dark, moody, fun, sinister little song that I thought it could absolutely work.” It was used to score Night Country‘s title sequence. …
The season was filmed in Iceland and Alaska with a budget of $60 million.
Brunetti is assigned to investigate the murder of an undocumented Sri Lankan immigrant.
Because no official record of the man’s presence in Venice exists, Brunetti is forced to use the city’s far richer sources of information: gossip and the memories of people who knew the victim.
Curiously, he had been living in a small house on the grounds of a palazzo owned by a university professor, in which Brunetti discovers books revealing the victim’s interest in Buddhism, the revolutionary Tamil Tigers, and the last crop of Italian political terrorists, active in the 1980s.
Easy reading. A slow burn.
The personal life of Brunetti and his wife are equally as interesting as the murders.
Zadar gained its urban structure in Roman times; during the time of Julius Caesar and Emperor Augustus, the town was fortified and the city walls with towers and gates were built. …
I found about 80% of Croatians I met as a tourist were rude. Rude by Canadian standards. There’s a good chance they weren’t intending to be rude — but it’s simply the culture here and in much of Eastern Europe.
Croatian men I found mostlymacho posturing, chain smoking, or shouting into a mobile phone in public. And they all seem to have buzz cuts.
Many things do not work for the tourist in Croatia 2024. If you are promised snakes, there will be NO snakes. Also no coffee. Nor a machine. And the rental bike will be unusable. 😀
Wifi will be terrible. Use DATA instead, which is inexpensive in Europe.
Camino Ghostsis Grisham’s 50th novel. And as good as ever.
It combines his interests in writers, the justice system, and good winning over evil.
This is a feel good read.
AND might just get banned in Florida, increasing sales. Ron Desanctimonious doesn’t want to hear about mistreated African slaves.
… story is about Dark Isle, a sliver of a barrier island not far off the North Florida coast.
It was settled by freed slaves three hundred years ago, and their descendants lived there until 1955, when the last one was forced to leave.
That last descendant is Lovely Jackson, elderly now, who loves her birthplace and its remarkable history. But now Tidal Breeze, a huge, ruthless corporate developer, wants to build a resort and casino on the island, which Lovely knows, deep down, is rightfully hers. …
Definitely listen to the audio book. Whoopi Goldberg is the perfect reader.
After Dubrovnik, everyone agrees that Split is an excellent next destination.
The best way to get from Dubrovnik to Split is by ferry.
Not being a beach fan, I skipped the famed islands. Took no boat tours other than this ferry.
There are a LOT of cruise ships in 2024.
Split was founded as the Greek colony of Aspálathos in the 3rd or 2nd century BCE, and in 305 CE, it became the site of the Palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian.
There are ruins a plenty. And it’s much easier to visit those here than in crowded Dubrovnik.
Split is relaxing and casual. You don’t feel obliged to see ALL the famous attractions.
Many things do not work for the tourist in Croatia 2024. If you are promised snakes, there will be no snakes. Also no coffee. Nor a machine. And the rental bike will be unusable. 😀
I’d long wanted to go to Dubrovnik. One of the world’s best and best preserved walled cities.
Game of Thrones scenery.
It’s a hot destination right now for cruise ships and Instagram influencers.
TOO BUSY with tourists in the summer, I’m thinking.
This small city can’t really handle the visitors they are getting. Too much traffic. Too few buses.
BIG tourism is new here. The place was near closed to visitors during the 10 year Yugoslav war.
I’d flown in from Scotland and was a little overwhelmed on arrival. Happily I had a good (US $25) hostel dorm room with a view …
… and a helpful young guy at reception. He’d only arrived a month ago from Argentina and was still super excited about Dubrovnik.
Night 1 the hostel hosted a home made pizza party.
Highest priority for me was walking the famed walls. 2kms. I walked it twice in sequence.
Cost is 35 EU !?
Unfairly, the feral cats do not have to pay. 😀
So — like almost every tourist — I bought the 35EU Dubrovnik ticket which pays for the wall, the castle, Rector’s Palace, and several more interesting attractions.
You also get a 24 hour bus ticket which costs about 5 EU by itself. … Of course there’s no room on the buses. 😀
Surprisingly, I enjoyed the Museum of Modern Art. Normally my least favourite school of Art.
Obligatory stops at impressive Cathedrals.
I do recommend Dubrovnik, but not June through September.
Many things do not work for the tourist in Croatia 2024. If you are promised snakes, there will be no snakes. Also no coffee. Nor a machine. And the rental bike will be unusable. 😀
Picturesque Kravice waterfalls in the National Park of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Location: Kravice Falls, Studenci, West Herzegovina Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Unlike many similar scenic waterfalls around the world, you can swim and boat in this one.
The other major stop was at the interesting historical capital of Herzegovina ➙ Mostar.
Mostar was named after the bridge keepers (mostari) who guarded the Stari Most (Old Bridge) over the Neretva during the Ottoman era.
Commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century, completed in 1566, it’s one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most visited landmarks, and is considered an exemplary piece of Islamic architecture in the Balkans.
A monumental project to rebuild the Old Bridge, which was destroyed during the Bosnian War, to the original design, and restore surrounding structures and historic neighbourhoods was initiated in 1999 and mostly completed by spring 2004. The money for this reconstruction was donated by Spain.
In July 2005, UNESCO inscribed the Old Bridge and its closest vicinity onto the World Heritage List.
Tourists wait around to watch young people jump. They’ll do it for about 50 EU in combined donations.
screen grab from video
There are plenty of beautiful mosques in Mostar.
Our guide recommended a restaurant — and it was excellent, though not inexpensive.
Like Argentina, this is a MEAT eating nation. So I had the mixed platter including several of the local favourites. A BIG lunch. Couldn’t finish it.
Benevolent dictator Josip Broz Tito held factions together until his death in 1980. Once he died, the stupidity began. A good argument against organized religion is religious conflict.
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I learned more about Bosnia and Herzegovina from my excellent tour guide.
Bosniaks are the largest group, Serbs the second-largest, and Croats the third-largest.
A three-member presidency is made up of one member from each of the three major ethnic groups.
Rick McCharles 