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Elephant Rock -Heimaey – Vestmannaeyjar – Iceland
The Westman Islands also known as Vestmannaeyjar, were formed in a series of volcanic eruptions occurring under sea level. This is quite common in Iceland and its surrounding areas as the island is located right at the schism between two continental plates. Subsequently, there’s a lot of earthquakes and eruptions. Heimaey is the largest and is the only one of the islands that is inhabited. The island was first settled…
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Mount Ararat – Iğdır and Ağrı Provinces, Turkey – Favourite Mounts
Ararat is dormant compound volcano on the Armenian plateau in the extreme east of Turkey. The mountain has been called by the name Ararat (in the West) since the Middle Ages, as it began to be identified with “mountains of Ararat” described in the Bible as the resting place of Noah’s Ark, despite contention that Genesis 8:4 does not refer specifically to a Mount Ararat. It is the principal national…
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Aconcagua Mountain – Mendoza Province, Argentina – Favourite Mounts
Aconcaqua at 22,831 feet high, located in the Andes in Argentina is the highest peak in the Western hemisphere. Aconcagua is bounded by the Valle de las Vacas to the north and east and the Valle de los Horcones Inferior to the west and south. The mountain and its surroundings are part of the Aconcagua Provincial Park. The mountain has several glaciers. Aconcagua lies in the Southern Andes Mountains; although…
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Mount Aetna – Sicily – Favourite Mounts
How Mountains are Measured The word mountain means different things to different people. By general agreement, geographers, and geologists define a mountainous area as one that lies at least 2,000 feet above its surroundings and its region consists of 2 or more zones of climate and plant life. They are also peak points, literally high places, offering beautiful visions from new, usually unattainable heights. Mount Aetna is one of the…
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Jerpoint Abbey – Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Leinster Province, Ireland – Favourite Monasteries
Founded in the 12th century, Jerpoint Abbey is one of the best examples of a medieval Cistercian Abbey in Ireland. The architectural styles within the church, constructed in the late twelfth century, reflect the transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture. The tower and cloister date to the fifteenth century. Jerpoint Abbey is famous for its detailed stone sculptures found throughout the monastery. Dating from the thirteenth to the sixteenth centuries…
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Kinalehin Friary Ruins- National Monument, County Galway, Connacht Province, Ireland – Favourite Monasteries
Kinalehin Friary, Ireland’s only Carthusian monastery was founded between 1249 and 1256 by John de Colgan of the Order of St. Bruno. The Carthusians had a very contemplative way of life, the daily activities were mainly praying and spiritual reading. The main supporter of this religious Order was Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster and 3rd Baron of Connaught, also called the Red Earl, but when Richard, tired…
Favourite Haunts
Favorite Haunts blogsite offers a look at traditional travel, and exploration sites and perhaps new ones.
Favourite Haunts 