Greenwich

For some people the word Greenwich is a synonym of Meridian zero. What do I mean ? Many years ago, the Royal Observatory of Greenwich was internationally adopted as the reference point to refer to Universal Time (UT). This is an astronomical concept and in practical words, Greenwich gives name to the Greenwich Meridian (0° longitude) and Greenwich mean time, from where all countries refer their local time. If for example Greeks say "our local time is UTC+2", it means that in Greece it is two hours later than the reference, i.e., Greenwich. The line that goes through Greenwich is naturally imaginary, or perhaps not that much as I can show in these pictures ! The green line spitted by the Greenwich Observatory is the supposed Greenwich parallel !

The "real" Greenwich Meridian zero

Darth Maul under the Meridian zero

But Greenwich is much more than that "imaginary" line. That people not very attached to sciences may not have ever heard about this astronomical landmark, but however about their great cultural richness. Indeed in 1997, Maritime Greenwich was added to the list of World Heritage Sites, for the concentration and quality of buildings of historic and architectural interest. Many of them can be found at the riverfront on the south bank of the river Thames, next to greater London. Many of these buildings are free to visit, with amazing doms and paintings. An easy catch by a combination of London tube and DLR extension within the area 2 of London metro network, or otherwise said, just 1.60 pounds to reach with Oyster card ! Worth to visit !

The Paint Hall of the Royal Naval College of London

The riverfront of maritime Greenwich

Skiing in Pohorje

Pohorje slopes

La hormiga atómica

Most of people who live far enough from those white winter mountains and fancy some skiing, they target big, huge ski resorts for their holidays. Why this ? These ski spots are very popular (Alps and Pyrenees in Europe) and they benefit of a lot of publicity about their incredible landscapes, fantastic slopes... But, let's face reality. Did you ever think about the disadvantages of these resorts ? They are usually very crowded during holiday periods and weekends, they are very expensive and you can hardly find a parking place or a seat in a restaurant at "human times". Far from chill out holidays. Furthermore, many of these casual tourist can hardly keep stand up on their "robocop" boots. So what's the point to pay very expensive ski passes for large ski complexes, when at most they'll hit some few, not too much steepy slopes with the blue sign at the beginning ? What's the point to pay for endless resorts when we won't even see 20% of their slopes? So why do we need to pay so much for those huge ski resorts ? What about hitting a smaller, more familiar, less expensive and less crowded mountain in a much less tourist resort ? I'd like to recommend one of the them which recently I hit by myself, situated in Slovenja, next to the Maribor city : Pohorje. Winter climate over there is very much influenced by convective freezing weather cells coming from the Balkans. This assures snow until certain limit at almost every altitude. The ski resort is small, not very high, but worth to visit and very beautiful. Moreover, prices are further down when compared to Alps for example. Even in Christmas holidays you can enjoy slopes very little populated, quick (not always) ski lifts and some free table in any coffee at the head of the slopes at almost any time. Just enyojable !!!

shinning slopes

the enchanted forest