Denmark has a very long and colorful history. The region was inhabited as early as 10,000 BC by hunters and fishermen and continued to flourish when farming was introduced around 4,000 BC. The earliest inscriptions date back to 200 AD and the earliest known trading settlements of Hedeby and Ribe date from the 8th Century. The Viking Age lasted from the 8th to 11th Centuries, during which time the Danes, united to one kingdom in the 10th Century, became notorious…
This month we visit the Scandinavian country of Denmark. Although the entire country is not an island, its capitol city, Copenhagen, is located on the island of Zealand. Other large islands include Funen, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, Lolland-Falster and Bornholm. There are approximately 400 islands in total, with over 4500 miles of coastline. Denmark is the southernmost of the Scandinavian countries and is one of the world’s oldest monarchies dating back to the Viking Age around 1000AD….
Jamaica is the land of Bob Marley and reggae music. A world wide sensation, Marley won a Grammy lifetime achievement award and his album Exodus was called the best album of the 20th century by Time Magazine. Many of his songs are familiar and “One Love” pops up every now and then in Jamaica travel commercials. Reggae is relatively new as far as Jamaican music goes, coming to prominence in the late 60s and 70s with artists such as Marley,…
Jamaican cuisine, as you can imagine, has a long list of influences from other cultures and continents. The early Spanish settlers, the African slaves, the Chinese and Indian workers who replaced them after emancipation and various European visitors have all left their mark on this island countries varied but distinctive cuisine. Let’s start with the Jamaican national dish, Ackee and Salt Fish. Ackee is the pear shaped fruit of an evergreen tree imported from West Africa in the 1700s. When…
Jamaica is an island that is famous the world over. It is a name almost everyone has heard, and for good reason. Reggae music, Jamaican rum, Blue Mountain coffee and jerk spice all come to mind when Jamaica is mentioned. But what is there to do and see if you go there? The many television commercials likely give the impression that sitting in a chair on a beautiful white sand beach with a cold drink as you stare at shimmering…