Picture perfect Bering Sea

What an incredible itinerary!

Image copyright Corey Arnold (aka coreyfishes)

The real reason I have chosen to highlight this particular voyage, however, is for the photographer onboard for the September 4, 2019 sailing: Corey Arnold (aka Corey Fishes). Corey is a fisherman who honed his photography skills while fishing the Bering Sea. I recently discovered is work, and it is truly stunning. While he continues to fish, Corey has won numerous international awards and occasionally does a special gig, like this one.

Bering Sea Wilderness: Pribilofs, Katmai and Kodiak

13-night National Geographic Expedition Cruise
Sailing roundtrip from Anchorage on the National Geographic Orion

Expedition Team - Special Guests

July 9-21, 2019 - with photographer Ralph Lee Hopkins
September 4-16, 2019 - with photographer Corey Arnold

Image copyright Corey Arnold

Embark the National Geographic Orion and explore the unique cultural heritage of the Bering Sea, where Russian, American, and Aleut influences intermingle on wild and remote isles. Sail the legendary Bering Strait en route to Provideniya, and glimpse traditions of the indigenous Yupik in this “Gateway to the Arctic.” Delve into the region’s fascinating World War II history in Unalaska, visit the incredible wildlife sanctuaries of Alaska’s Pribilof Islands, and spy brown bears on the Alaska Peninsula.

Trip Highlights

• Sail the legendary Bering Sea aboard the National Geographic Orion, and disembark on remote islands to discover tiny Aleut communities
• By special permission, get up close to the millions of seabirds and fur seals that inhabit Alaska’s Pribilof Islands—sometimes called the Galápagos of the North
• Step foot in Russia’s seldom-seen Far East, and glimpse the local indigenous culture during a traditional Yupik dance performance
• Go on a Zodiac cruise in coastal Katmai National Park, and capture close-ups of resident brown bears fishing and digging for clams

About the ship

The state-of-the-art National Geographic Orion serves as our luxurious base camp for voyages to the far-flung corners of the planet. A fully stabilized, ice-class vessel, the Orion is at home navigating polar ice as well as small harbors in Europe. The ship accommodates 102 guests in 53 cabins, and is equipped with kayaks and Zodiac landing craft, diving and snorkeling gear, and sophisticated video equipment that allows access to the underwater world.

Please contact me for your chance to be part of this amazing adventure!

Parikkala Sculpture Park

Creative Commons image mikeancient on Flickr 

Just 3 hours east of Helsinki, tucked next to the Russian border, lies the town of Parikkala.

Creative Commons image
1030333033@N08 on Flickr 

While relatively isolated, the tiny town receives more than its share of visitors, drawn to incredible sculptures created by Veijo Rönkkönen.

Officially known as the Parikkala Sculpture Park, the Veijo Rönkkönen Sculpture Garden is one of Finland's most important examples of contemporary folk art.

"Rönkkönen is more than an installation or a sculpture park; it’s a community, and although some of the artwork is disturbing, the forest is unquestionably quite magical, an amalgamation of many different worlds coming together all in one place." (The Culture Trip)

Creative Commons image 1030333033@N08 on Flickr 

What causes the sometimes 'creepy' reaction is the facial expressions of the concrete statues. Some even have human teeth. The uniqueness of each statue is also what makes the whole collection so special.

"Veijo Rönkkönen was only 16 years old when he started working on his park. Veijo had recently got a job as a press worker in a paper mill in his hometown Parikkala, a job he held for 41 years. With his first pay check, he purchased ten apple tree seedlings and a bag of concrete to create a garden around his family home. For the next fifty years, until his death in 2010, he dedicated all his spare time and money planting flowers and trees and creating hundreds of caricature-like sculptures, mostly of full scale human figures." (Amusing Planet)

Creative Commons image
1030333033@N08 on Flickr 

A recluse who enjoyed his own company and practiced yoga, Veijo continued to live in the family home, adding to his works.

"Veijo Rönkkönen's yard, and the path leading to it, are filled with over 450 statues, 200 of which are self portraits of the artist in Yoga positions he has mastered. The statues have loudspeakers hidden inside them, and the sound effects add to the eeriness of this place." (Oddity Central)

Creative Commons image 1030333033@N08 on Flickr 

While Rönkkönen was happy to share his sculptures, leaving his park open to the public, he never wanted to meet his admirers. Instead, visitors left impressions and notes to him in a guestbook.

Veijo Rönkkönen was recognized with the Finlandia prize in 2007, but sent his brother to collect the prize on his behalf.

Following his death in 2010, Rönkkönen's family sold the site, hoping it would be preserved. The ITE Association is partnering with the new owner, an art lover named Reino Uusitalo, to repair the sculptures and provide guided tours.

Curious?

Satisfy your curiosity with this view of the park entrance (on Google Street View).

Creative Commons image mikeancient on Flickr

If you go, why not stay a few days? There is plenty to see and do, including ample birdwatching, Ateljee-Koti Seppo Saukkonen (250 works by the artist), Honkakylä Merchant’s Museum, Museum of Horse-Drawn Vehicles & Agricultural Implements, Parikkala Dairy Museum and the Papinniemi Archaeological Site. (Visit Parikkala)

Resources
Parikkala Sculpture Park - Official Website
THE RÖNKKÖNEN SCULPTURE PARK - Go Finland
The strange Park of Veijo Rönkkönen - Big in Finland
Veijo Rönkkönen Sculpture Garden - Atlas Obscura
The Sculpture Park of Veijo Rönkkönen Is the Weirdest Place in Finland - Oddity Central
Veijo Rönkkönen’s Sculpture Park - Amusing Planet
Recluse Dies, Leaves Behind Hundreds of Secret Sculptures in Finland - The Culture Trip
The Parikkala Sculpture Park Reviews - Trip Advisor (rating 4.5/5)
How to get from Helsinki to Parikkala - Rome2Rio
Cottages and Vacation Rentals nearby - Go Finland
Parikkala Sights and Attractions - Visit Parikkala

Creative Commons image mikeancient on Flickr

Capturing Travel Memories

Chiara in Amalfi Coast for Flytographer

Have you ever thought that your special trip deserves more than selfies?

What about one of these... Have you ever:

• Felt disappointed by your travel photos?
• Wish your Instagram travel pics stood out more?
• Been disappointed by the results of a "here, let me take your picture" offer? 
• Wondered if that stranger you asked to take your picture might run off with it?
• Worried that you might lose your camera with all your vacation photos on it?

Flytographer

If you'd like capture your travel memories in a truly unique way, there is a brilliant solution, just waiting for you - right in your destination!

Flytographer is a network of local photographers, worldwide, that you can arrange prior to your arrival, for a private photoshoot.

This isn't your parents' posed photographs... these are casual moments captured during your day, moments of joy or contemplation, meaningful to you.

If you want a photograph of you doing something in particular (think jumping in the air or sharing a kiss), your photographer will help you capture the moment, all while making it feel spontaneous.

Planning a big moment, such as proposal? Flytographer can do that.

All Flytographer photographers are professionals, and you can view their work online before booking, so you know what you are getting. In some locations, there may be multiple photographers available to choose from.

Read more about Flytographer:
12 Ingenious Travel Hacks Everyone Should Know - Oprah.com
I Hired an Instagram Husband For a Day - Elle Magazine
Is Flytographer the Future of Travel Photography? - Condé Nast Traveler


Suggested resources from cruisetravelbug
Holiday Sailings 2016
Emerald Waterways LGBT River Cruise
Island Princess South America Circle Cruise
West Coast Roundtrip Long Voyages

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