blogging

Travel theme: Snowy

Forestwood

chiniophilen

A few days ago, I saw this meme referring to those who love snow. Yeh, that’s me, for sure! My hand’s up, waving frantically in enthusiasm for snow and the colder elements. People in the northern hemisphere must think I am stark raving mad, and I can see where they are coming from, when cold surrounds them for the majority of the year. However, not only do I love the snow and cold, I crave it! I am even married to a man whose nickname was Snowy! My holiday destinations usually encompass snow in some form as you will see here.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
There is plenty of Snowy scenes in Iceland in winter.

A friend who knows me very well saw the meme and said, “This is SO you, Amanda!”

She knows! I thought. She knows me so well.

She knows for instance that I have a preference for low light, that I hate the blazing sun and glare and suffer from the effects of it; and she knows that I feel energized when it is cold and finally she knows that being in a snowy place fills my heart with contentment!

Skellefteå
Skellefteå – Swedish Lapland

You think I am crazy too?

Then I challenge you to find me a person that feels energized on a 37 degrees plus day (97 for Fahrenheit readers), and I will be genuinely surprised.

Even the Spanish/Mexicans etc need a siesta at high noon!

28th April MM photo
Iceland

There are many that claim they crave warmth and heat. Chionophile deniers, I accuse them, under my breath! These are the people who can’t wait to travel to tropical island destinations for holidays or go out in the heat and glare of the midday sun, without hats and sun protection.

And yet, it is these same self-confessed sun ‘worshipers,’ who are spotted at these tropical destinations – exactly WHERE, I ask?

Mostly you will find them languishing on a hammock/bar stool/ beach towel/ or a day bed dotted with cushions in trendy colours.

Yes, languishing in the SHADE of course!

Why? Because it is SO HOT, they are often seen wafting their limp hand back and forth in front of their face in a vain attempt to create some a cooling air flow.

They seek out a beach umbrella, covered verandah, or simply the protective branches of a shady tree, out of the sun they so dearly love, and they sit, often accompanied by cool drinks, lathered with swathes of ice, sipped in an effort to do what….. to COOL down! A little hypocritical, don’t you think? Perhaps the sun-worshippers are closet chionophiles at heart?

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
A Sunny snowy day – but no heat, thank goodness, in Norway.
Snowball Zermatt
Switzerland  delivers on the Winter Wonderland
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
This is one of my favourite Snowy photos. The blue light exudes calmness.
Lunch with Edmund Hilary at 760 metres at MT Cook /Aoraki
Probably not the best place to put my hand for the photo!
Lunch with Edmund Hilary at 760 metres at MT Cook /Aoraki
Magnificent awe-inspiring Mt Cook – what’s not to like?
Lunch with Edmund Hilary at 760 metres at MT Cook /Aoraki
Snow is so much fun! And the reflection is not bad, either.
Lake TekapoNew Zealand Christchurch to Queenstown cont'd
I love the contrast between the stone and the snow here at Tekapo, New Zealand.

Of course, my comments are only in fun.

(These days in social media platforms, words can be misconstrued so easily!).

I want to make it clear that I am only having a friendly jibe at these sun ‘worshipers.’ For whilst I love the cold and it gives me energy to get about and do three times as much as I would have accomplished on a hot and sultry day, I too crave a bit of a balance. I can be out in the snow all day but do enjoy coming home to a wood fire and a warming cup of cocoa or wine!

I hope you enjoy some of my travel photos from my contented or snowy places! They make me feel cool just looking at them.

Linking to Ailsa’s Travel theme- Snowy

Snowy places are Something I always Ponder About

Save

Save

Published by Forestwood

A philosophic Aussie writes here at StPA, one who will readily admit to loving Scandinavia. I'm interested in global politics and what drives us to be who we are. Scratch the surface and you'll find a practical Environmentalist with an egalitarian bent, trying to unleash a little creativity via the written word. Scandinavian culture, literature and traditions are close to my heart, even though I'm Australian. Travel and courteous discussions greatly broaden the mind, so I travel if I can and am always up for a vigorous, respectful discussion. I'm an avid reader, a writer and I enjoy photography and crafts, particularly traditional art forms. I hope you'll find 'Something to Ponder About,' in my WordPress Community.

53 thoughts on “Travel theme: Snowy”

  1. I’m the opposite of you. I hate the cold. When it gets cold I instantly think of blankets and my bed, and then that’s it for productivity. I also sleep in more during the darker winter months.

    I cover all my doors and windows at night because at the first ray of sunshine I am up and ready to work my butt off. That would be great and all, if I didn’t work the night shift. In all honesty I’m most productive from midday to sunrise, but the cold kills me every time.

    PS. I’m a Jamaican living in America.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. If we have to choose, we will choose the cold over the warm. Perhaps its because we live in the tropics and have the sun (and warm rain) every day! We’ll be in Harbin soon to face the -20 or even -30C temperatures! Hurray!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That sounds better than 37 plus degrees! I think it is absolutely part of my dislike for the heat. Kind of the grass is always greener on the other side. But then there is the energy factor and how the heat sucks all my motivation and energy away. I hate that.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Well for us we have gotten used to 30+ all the time + 90+ humidity. We even go jogging too! For us the cold is really an escape from all the heat. Can you imagine people complaining about having too much sun?

        Like

      2. Well, I am guilty of complaining of too much sun. It is too much for me with my eyesight issues. I much prefer a gloomy or slightly overcast day. Mind you, the sun in the far north of the world is okay. There is such a brightness here in northern Australia that I find hard to tolerate. I don’t mind high humidity as long as the temperature is moderate

        Like

    1. I do know that and I know quite a few other Norwegians that whilst they are accustomed to winter, they don’t really like it. So I am glad to hear that you are a fellow chionophile, if I can use that (slightly wanky) term!!!

      Like

  8. You don’t have to look far…because I am one of those people who love 37’C heat and thrive in it. I’m not a huge fan of cold at all, and even on 30’C+ days the only drink that I want is room temperature water. Air-con? No thank you and I don’t find sleeping hard at night after a 30-40’C day. Just have the window open. I really am one of those who feels alive and awake the warmer it is 🙂

    But that said, this is a lovely collection of winter and snow photos. There’s something so pure about it all, blue (my favourite colour), white and fresh. I’m guessing that pond is frozen in the last photo…

    Like

    1. Haha Mabel. I found you! So you are someone who stands out in the outer stadium at the cricket or tennis in late January? Try Qld in February or Darwin? The Victorian summer is usually dry and hot with less humidity than here, but after all I have said I would also rather be hot and not sleep, than sleep in aircon. I always wake up with a stuffy nose if I sleep in air con.
      And I am pretty sure Lake Myvatn was iced over in that photo

      Like

      1. You are correct. Quite a few times I’ve been to the Australian Open tennis in late January and sat in the stands to watch the action. One time I got horribly sunburnt and the next few weeks were very painful 😦 These days light long sleeves and a hat keeps me from roasting in the summer.

        I think my time in tropical Singapore and Malaysia has made me love warm weather, be it dry or humid – and I don’t mind the latter one bit 😀

        Lake Myvatn looks beautiful. With snow all over, naturally it should be iced 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I have a Malaysian colleague and friend who also definitley feels energized by the heat! It sounds like the love/hate for the heat might be reflective of what we are genetically geared to, more than waht we are environmentally used to, otherwise I should be used to the Queensland heat, which I am most decidedly not!

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Fabulous collection of photos, Amanda. I can’t say I like to be cold for too long, but snowy weather is perfect for while. I don’t like to be over-hot, either. though I love a sunshiny holiday now and then. I suppose that’s what comes with being used to temperate climes. I just don’t ‘do’ extremes.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Extremes are the hardest to take Millie – in almost everything in life, according to my way of thinking. I guess I have a Buddhist leaning: ie. Always seeking the middle path! It might not be as exhilarating but it provides me with comfort and contentment. I just wish the weather would co-operate along those lines!!!! LOL!!

      Like

      1. I suppose we don’t have such extremes of weather in the UK. It comes as a shock when we have a heat wave like 1976, or a freezing winter like 2010. We really aren’t well equipped for either. So, middle of the road it is.
        Hope you got my email earlier. 🙂

        Like

      3. Hi Amanda. We’ve had a couple of years of heatwaves since 1976 but 1976 is memorable because it lasted from April to September, with no rain! Much of the country was on drought measure in the streets. To you, 30 degrees most days probably sounds cool, but to us it became unbearable. The drought situation was the worst part though. It’s certainly the year all us ‘oldies’ remember.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. 30 degrees! In the words of Monty Python, “You lucky b….” – I think it was 30 degrees today and we are not officially even in summer yet! But I do understand that it would be difficult as I know that your buildings and houses are equipped for cold, not heat, and that would have made it very stuffy indoors, wouldn’t it? And a lack of rain is just awful. That I think is also the worst thing about life in Australia, everything is dry and dusty in our “dry season” – the grass is brown, there are bare patches that blow dust everywhere, the air’s pollen count is high and dusty hazes are commonplace in the sky. And that is the city, not even in the country areas. Things with water supply are okay now but about ten years ago, we had water rationing – we could not wash our cars nor water our garden. They were even recommending 3 minute showers for everyone! The rains did come eventually but for a couple of years, they didn’t fall in the catchment so they had actually worked out that we had only 7 more months of water supply. Water isn’t recycled here, but some towns were so desperate that they talked about introducing it, much to the public’s disgust. But I believe that recycled drinking water is commonplace in France and England? Is that right?

        Like

      5. I knew you’d think 30 was cool! We were in Australia for a month in 2004 (end of October – mid November) and we thought it was stifling. Australians we talked to thought it was merely getting warmer. Mind you, forest fires were starting to be a worry, so that says it was hot, to me! As for droughts, I don’t know how we’d cope here without rain for so long. We’re such an overcrowded little country – and most rain falls in the north and west, so the poor old S.E. suffers. There have often been talks about piping water from the north down to the London basin.
        Several areas in the UK had water restrictions in place in 1976, the south-east, in particular. Further north was OK.
        I’m sure that many cities recycle water, but I think it’s probably only used for toilet flushing and gardens etc. I’d have to check on that one. I’m not sure to what extent its used for drinking water. My husband reckons it is used, so I’ll look it up.

        Like

      6. Yes I would be interested to hear about that too. I didn’t realise the rain fall was so consistent to geographic areas. My impression is only from what folk who have been have told me and that is that it always rains in England. Thanks for clarifying.

        Like

  10. amanda – thanks for the new word – it is not one that fits me – but I do like winter and a change of seasons.

    and wow – the reflections here are truly a special part – so many almost seems to be photoshopped – I know they are not – but wonderful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Whilst at work today, I was thinking that I must pop over and visit your blog as it had been a week or so since I visited, and when I got home there was your comment! You are right, these reflections are not photoshopped. I don’t have access to photoshop, so it is nature’s gifts on display. I was definitely lucky with the weather in St. Moritz that day!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. How cool we were probably thinking of each other st the same time!
        And you did catch an ice day!
        And the pics show so much of your joy- like the snowman one – hah

        Liked by 1 person

  11. You’re really a winter fan, aren’t you Amanda! 🙂 Beautiful photos you have up there.
    I remember the first time I experienced snowfall in my lie – I was 18 and on my first year of study in Finland. I wake up one November morning and the entire town is blanketed in white, fresh snow. It was so magical. I remember walking to my school (it was a small town, so no public transport) and quickly realizing how poorly I was dressed for it. I was ecstatic for the first week of snow or so, then it got tiring and annoying 🙂 But the snowy landscapes are so serene and beautiful indeed. One thing that I like, regardless of any weather, is the sun. If it’s sunny on a snowy day, I love it, if it’s sunny on an autumn day, I love it too. Hehe.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Pooja! Thank you for your lovely comment and visual images. I can well imagine how that snowy morning must have felt. I was equally excited when it happened to me. I solove that insulated, pure white feel of cosiness that a blanket of fresh snow gives the ground, when one walks on it. I have lived in snow for periods of up to 6 weeks and I didn’t tire of it at all.But that is me. And you are so right: the sun on a snowy or autumn day is wonderful! It is the summer sun that I dislike! I am a little surprised that you didn’t see/experience snow in your homeland?
      (BTW, I will have some more of your excellent photos posted in MMP in coming weeks)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re so right! I had just seen some chunks of snow remaining from winter from inside a moving vehicle when going elsewhere in Nepal. I was born and raised in Kathmandu so snow is something still fascinating to me. By the time I was of age to travel and explore places on my own with friends, I left for Finland so it was where I experienced snowfall for the first time in my life. In Finland what was truly magical was also how the houses lit up with Christmas decorations and how the children played on the snow on their front yard. Finnish children are so unafraid of snow (or cold) ha ha. My Polish boyfriend hates snow to the degree that he wishes it was 25 degrees here in Poland all year round, ha ha. He despises it. I had to drag him for a forest walk 2 weeks ago when it had freshly snowed. I don’t hate snow or cold, but I definitely prefer warmer temperatures 🙂 At least summers like in Northern Europe, not extreme summer like in Australia!! 😀

        Liked by 1 person

      2. What a shame your boyfriend can not see how beautiful snow is. Send him down here and I will change his mind!!! I guess for him snow means a lot of work shovelling? I have heard this from some American fellows too. But then with climate change, perhaps he will get his wish as winters may be warmer with less snow? My year of a white Christmas… well it didn’t actually snow at Christmas, but it did snow right on midnight on New Year’s Eve – that was one of my foremost memories and I am so happy that I experienced it. however, it is now a bit of an anti-climax coming back to an Australian Christmas… swimming in the pool, air conditioning, not having an appetite for a hearty christmas dinner. etc. I am now going to re-visit some of my photos of the Northern European Christmas markets from my holidays a few years ago. Sipping gluhwein or glogg, hearing carols sung, festive atmosphere… ahhhh! You are lucky to have that opportunity again this year. Enjoy it!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Ha ha you’re right it’s about shoveling and driving! That is what irks him the most – he thinks I’ll feel the same since I’ve started driving from this year 😀 He says he likes snow at mountains and hills (for winter sports) but at cities, no way.. Yes, it has actually been milder and milder in the last few years, so I haven’t seen a great deal of snow here in Poland since 3 years.. Oh my god, Christmas on a beach!! Can’t imagine 😀 I’ll probably visit Prague this year around Christmas this year, Amanda! And write a blog post about it 🙂 It’s just a 5-6 hours drive from here, and I heard they have good Christmas markets!

        Liked by 1 person

      4. That sounds like a wonderful destination. How romantic. Christmas in Prague! Can’t wait to read about it. And I can also tell you that I would hate to have to drive in snow… it would scare the wits out of me!

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I do understand Dai, as I am sure it is a pain for people who live with it year after year. I don’t think I will ever have that problem, unfortunately…. What is it about the snow that you don’t like?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hi Amanda and good morning. I don’t like walking anywhere in the snow. Cars slide into each other and sometimes into pedestrians. Old people fall over and break bones or worse. I’ve gone down a few times in the snow. Then there is all the dirty slush when it’s thawing and cars throw it over us as they pass. Then at night all that dirty slush freezes and the roads become skating rinks again. Apart from these things I really love the snow Amanda.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Oh thanks, Dai. I can now see the downside of snow! The ice is really the worst I think. I have slipped over and badly bruised my tailbone ironically trying to protect my young daughter from falling over.. she didn’t and I did…. LOL. But it wasn’t funny at the time… And yes, apart from that is really really wonderful!

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Lovely winter / snow photos. It was a little pity that there were no winter photos from Finland. If You check my newest post presenting white trees, so You know how beautiful Finland is in winter.

    Have good day!

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.