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Showing posts with label Europe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Europe. Show all posts
Location: Goreme, Cappadocia, Turkey (38� 40' 0? N, 34� 50' 0? E)
Date: 12 April 2010, 4.20pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Canon 70-200/f4L USM
Cappadocia is my favourite destination in Turkey. It is a really nice place to chill-out as one can trek or cycle out to see the beautiful rock formations and the fairy chimneys, marvel at the historical & cultural heritage in the caves or see the wonderful landscape from the air or just simply get immersed in the wonderful and weird surroundings of chimneys & caves. Of all the towns within the Cappadocia area, Goreme is my pick. It has all the amenities one need and cheap and fantastic accommodation. Furthermore the transportation from here to anywhere is marvellous. So if you were to visit Turkey, please do not miss Cappadocia; and if you are in Cappadocia, consider staying at Goreme.
Location: Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile, Paris, France, (48� 52' 25.68? N, 2� 17' 42? E)
Date: 2 March 2006; 1.30pm
Camera: Canon 300D with Sigma 70-200/f2.8
The Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile is one of the few Paris landmarks that I have always wanted to visit when I was in that city. I have seen so many photos and read so much about this monument and it was not a disappointment to be at the site. The Arc was built over a long period of time mainly as a monument honouring those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars. There are four sculptural groups at the base of the Arc, the most famous of which is the The Departure of the Volunteers of 1792 (or "La Marseillaise"). This composition depicts the French people rallying against enemies from abroad. This grouping so aroused spectators' patriotism that the work became known as "La Marseillaise," the French national anthem written in 1792--the same year as the departure of the volunteers. The sculpture is so vivid and alive that by itself, it is a precious work of art.
Location: Vatican Museums, Italy (41� 54' 23? N, 12� 27' 16? E)
Date: 23 March 2006; 10.35am
Camera: Canon 300D with kit lens
The Vatican Museums� spiral staircase is probably the most photographed and recognisable stairway in the world. The spiral stairs is actually two separate helixes, one leading up and the other leading down, that twist together in a double helix formation. the stairs is the exit from the Vatican Museum. It is especially popular because photography is forbidden in the amazing Sistine Chapel and this is like the last photographic opportunity in the Vatican. before one exits.
Location: Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy (41� 54' 3.15? N, 12� 28' 59.4? E)
Date: 2 April 2005; 7.40pm
Camera: Canon 300D with kit lens
There are many fountains in Rome; however the most visited and famous of all is probably the Trevi Fountain. The fountain is thronged by tourists day and night. One reason may be that it has featured in a few movies before. The key figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea (this go is common in many Italian fountains such as Bologna�s Neptune Fountain). He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. One of the common sight that one will see around the fountain is coin throwing by tourists. There is a legend that visitors throwing coins into the fountain are ensured a return to Rome. It is estimated that 3,000 euros in coins are thrown into the fountain each day. The coins collected had been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome�s needy.
Location: Sirkeci Railway Station, Istanbul, Turkey (41� 0' 54? N, 28� 58' 38? E )
Date: 19 April 2010, 7.50pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5
One of the unique experience of Turkey is to watch a Whirling Dervish Dance.; Whirling Dervish are members of the Mevlevi Order, named for their founder Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi. The dance also known as Sufi Whirling is a customary dance performed within the Sema, or worship ceremony, through which dervishes (also called semazens) aim to reach the source of all perfection, or kemal. This is sought through abandoning one's nafs, egos or personal desires, by listening to the music, focusing on God, and spinning one's body in repetitive circles, which has been seen as a symbolic imitation of planets in the Solar System orbiting the sun. However today the dance is performed in many places especially in Istanbul as a tourist entertainment. To most tourists watching such a dance is more of an experience with a unique tradition of Turkey; it gets a little boring after 15 minutes.
Location: Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy (41� 53' 56? N, 12� 28' 23? E)
Date: 2 April 2005; 10.40am
Camera: Canon 300D with kit lens
Having said that I do not enjoy visiting cities in the last post, Rome is one of my favourite cities to visit. It is so filled with history, well-preserved in the various buildings, squares, sculptures and just about everywhere one turns in the city. Rome had done a great job in preservation- how I wish city and governmental bodies of historical Asian cities can do even a fraction of the same. Amongst the many city squares in Rome, Piazza Navona is arguably, the most famous and beautiful one. It was built on the site of a former stadium and follows the open form of the stadium, giving an open and vast feeling. Like most places in Rome, despite being built over, remnants of the stadium are still visible around the area. It is one of Rome's liveliest squares, with many outdoor cafes, restaurants and night clubs in the neighborhood. The square has a few famous structures including the Fountains of the Four Rivers and baroque Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone.
Technorati Tags: Rome,Piazza Navona
Location: Duomo di Milano, Milan, Italy (45� 27' 51? N, 9� 11' 29? E)
Date: 8 March 2005; 9.10am
Camera: Canon 300D with Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 Lens
I could only remember two things about Milan- most of the female boutique Retail Assistants look like models with long legs and the Milano di Duomo (Milan Cathedral). The Duomo was quite a sight for its size and the innumerable spires sticking out from the top of the cathedral. There are 135 spires in total with 3,500 statues adorning them. Unfortunately the Duomo was undergoing preservative maintenance and part of it was closed- even the exterior was blocked off. Therefore I did not have the opportunity to go inside nor able to see the Duomo in its complete majesty. Still it was quite an unforgettable sight.
Location: Galata Bridge, Istanbul, Turkey (41� 1' 12? N, 28� 58' 23? )
Date: 18 April 2010, 4.50am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5
Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn of Istanbul. Golden Horn is an inlet of the Bosphorus or Istanbul Straits; while Golden Horn divides the city, the Bosphorus is where Asia and Europe meets. Hence, Istanbul and for that matter, Turkey has a foot in both Asia and Europe. The Galata Bridge is a popular place for leisure fishing. Every morning and evening, one can see lots of people trying their luck in catching a fish or two. It is a great setting with the backdrop of the Yenni Mosque (as in the photo) and the Sultan Ahmet Camii further up the hill. The bridge has a great lively atmosphere around it- there is the busy Eminonu ferry docks, the cafes and bazaars, fish market and the well-known fish sandwich on the western side of the bridge.
Location: Samos Island, Greece (37� 44' 0? N, 26� 50' 0? E)
Date: 3 April 2010; 3.35pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Canon 70-200/f4L USM
Greece practice a different type of Christianity- Greek Orthodox. Greek Orthodox churches can be seen all over the country. As I am no expert on Christianity, I cannot really tell the difference with Catholic or Protestant churches. However Greek churches seem to be more �conservative� in decoration and we have been advised not to take photos in many of the churches we stepped in to have a look.
Location: Inside of Hagia Sophia, Instanbul, Turkey (41� 0' 31? N, 28� 58' 48? E)
Date: 20 April 2010, 9.40am
Camera: Canon 400D with Canon 70-200/f4L USM
Hagia Sophia is a former church, then a mosque, and now a museum. It was the largest cathedral in the world for more than a thousand years. The cathedral was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople (Istanbul�s former name) from the Byzantine Empire. It is one of the grandest current and former religious buildings that I have the pleasure of visiting. To me, this building is comparable to the Vatican�s St Peter�s Basilica in its grandeur and place in history. There are many interesting historical and architectural aspects to the building, all enmeshed with the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires� history. On entering the museum, one of the most distinguishing sights is the 8 gigantic circular-framed disks or medallions hanging on the columns. These were inscribed with the names of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, the first four caliphs and the two grandchildren of Mohammed. Hagia Sophia is a MUST-SEE stop on anyone�s visit to Turkey.
Location: Devrent Valley, Goreme Open Air Museum, Cappadocia, Turkey (38�40'27"N 34�53'4"E)
Date: 10 April 2010, 9.50am
Camera: Canon 400D with Canon 70-200/f4L USM
All around Cappadocia, the wind had eroded the rocks over the millennia into some incredible shapes and structures. Some shapes need some imagination to decide what they look like; others are amazingly straightforward. This one need no imagination- it really looks like a camel.
Location: Goreme, Cappadocia, Turkey (38� 40' 0? N, 34� 50' 0? E)
Date: 13 April 2010, 8.10am
Camera: Canon 400D with Canon 70-200/f4L USM
Cappadocia is a beautiful place- one of my favourite of Turkey. The landscape is amazing (will post more threads and photos) but the view is a little different from the sky on a hot air balloon- though I felt that it is over-hyped. Taking a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is like the �must-do� thing there; there are literally tens of such sight-seeing balloons in the air every morning and evening. All the operators offer more or less the same program- the main difference is the ride duration and the operator�s safety record. These operators target tourist groups and gear their services towards group. So �loose� tourists like us are only accommodated into whatever vacancies there may be on any balloon instead of the timing that we prefer.
Location: Notre Dame de Paris, Paris, France, (48� 51' 10.8? N, 2� 20' 59.28? E)
Date: 28 February 2006; 7.30pm
Camera: Canon 300D with Sigma 70-200/f2.8
Notre Dame de Paris, Frecnh for Our Lady of Paris is more commonly referred to as simply the Notre Dame Cathedral is just one of many �Notre Dames� churches around the world. Most if not all of the Notre Dames are built in the Gothic style. The Notre Dame de Paris is one of the first Gothic cathedrals and perhaps the most beautiful of them all. It is also the seat of the Archbishop of Paris. It has beautiful carved walls and are adorned with many gargoyles. It is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Paris. Even if you do not have much interest in religions, it is an interesting building to admire.
Location: Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy (44� 8' 0? N, 9� 41' 0? E)
Date: 9 March 2006; 3.05pm
Camera: Canon 300D with kit lens
I love to travel in Italy again. When I was there in 2006, I only managed to spend 3 weeks travelling predominantly the north of Rome. The next trip to Italy will have to cover the south of the country and must include Spain. This will have to be at least a month to do justice to these beautiful places, culture and people. One of the highlights of my trip to Italy was Cinque Terre. It is a relax place with reasonably nice scenery- a place where I can chill down for a few days. Of the Cinque Terre towns, I like Vernazza for its amazing location, Riomaggiore for its beautiful and colourful houses and my favourite, Manarola for its food and the rural surroundings.
Location: Frescoes in Elmali Kilise, Goreme Open Air Museum, Cappadocia, Turkey (38� 40' 0? N, 34� 50' 0? E)
Date: 11 April 2010, 11.20am
Camera: Canon 400D with Canon 70-200/f4L USM
Cappadocia is one of few places that I really enjoy in Turkey. Don�t get me wrong, Turkey is a fabulous destination to spend a few weeks- it has incredible history and heritage, beautiful coastline and an incredible atmosphere and culture, being at the crossroad between east and West. At some point, one feels like in Europe but most of the time feeling this is Asia with its population, Central Asia/Middle Eastern culture, practices and heritage. Well, the people look Middle Eastern anyway. It is precisely such familiarity (to me anyway) that I did not feel as excited as I should while travelling in Turkey. I am a person more inclined towards landscape, history and culture; in terms of landscape, I was not as fascinated as I was in some other countries. Cappadocia is the standout. Its unique natural wonders of moon-like landscape, fairy chimneys, underground cities, cave churches and houses carved in the rocks is just simply awesome and breathtaking. It is relatively inexpensive compared to the rest of Turkey and one can easily spend a week or so, just relaxing in the amazing landscape. Goreme in the centre of Cappadocia has some of the finest rock-cut churches, with beautiful and colourful Christian frescoes. Elmali Kilise (Apple Church) is one of the most beautiful and intact of the churches.
Location: Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile, Paris, France, (48� 52' 25.68? N, 2� 17' 42? E)
Date: 2 March 2006; 9.30pm
Camera: Canon 300D with Sigma 70-200/f2.8
The Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile is one of the most famous monuments in Paris (and Paris is full of monuments). It stands on a busy roundabout in the heart of Paris with 12 avenues leading to it. It is the world's largest triumphal arch, built by Napoleon to honor those who fought for France, particularly those during the Napoleonic Wars. Subsequently the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was added underneath the Arch after WW1. The Tomb is sheltered and an eternal flame, which is rekindled every evening at 6.30pm commemorates the fallen of the two World Wars. The Arch is an impressive sight with beautiful carvings on its walls; these were added at different times. One can access to the roof of the Arch (admission fee required) for a spectacular panorama of Paris. Together with the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, it is one of the �must-see� of Paris.
Location: Lausanne Cathedral, Switzerland (46.52256� N, 6.635249� E)
Date: 15 March 2006; 8.15am
Camera: Canon 300D with kit lens
Lausanne, the home of the International Olympic Council is also the home of one of the most beautiful Gothic structure in Switzerland, the Lausanne Cathedral. Construction of the cathedral began in 1175 and in 1275 it was consecrated by Pope Gregory X. However till today, it remains unfinished- restoration is still going on. The interior of the cathedral is relatively austere, with only some choir stalls, a huge pipe organ and a beautiful rose window. The huge Gothic rose window is the most noticeable structure of the whole cathedral, though its towers and spires are also imposing and visible from a distance.
Location: Samos town on Samos Island, Greece (37� 44' 0? N, 26� 50' 0? E)
Date: 3 April 2010; 2.15pm
Camera: Canon IXUS iZoom
Samos is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea, popular as a holiday destinations especially for day trippers from Turkey. I find Greeks to be generally friendly, though far from the friendliness of their neighbour, Turkey. However I had the worst racist experience there in all my travels and stay overseas, in a small restaurant/cafe named Restaurant Zen (picture). I was there with my travel companion, also Chinese, during the Easter weekend. We went there on the first evening around 7pm when the restaurant was quite busy but have a couple of empty tables still. We asked if there are any empty tables and we were told there were none. Well, we did not think too much about it as we thought the empty tables may have been reserved. We went back there the next afternoon for lunch, around 1.30pm. This time, the restaurant was not as busy with at least 3-4 empty tables. Again we were told by the same waitress that there are no tables available. She took a look at us and we were told in a manner and tone that was not really pleasant, something like �No, no, no table, go, go� (we also recalled the similar tone that she spoke to us the previous night). We were a little annoyed and puzzled as there were obviously empty tables about. Anyway we walked around the waterfront a bit to scout for other lunch places; the next thing we noticed 3 Greeks went to the restaurant and were shown to an empty table- the same empty ones when we went in earlier. Something about the way the guests went to the restaurant and the way they were shown the table indicated to us that they just walked in without reservation. Now we may be over-reacting but both of us had traveled and lived in different societies enough to recognize racial discrimination when it happens. The whole experience left a really bad taste in our mouth and marred our perceptions of Greeks.
Location: Basilique Sacr�-Coeur from Musee d�Orsay, Paris, France (48� 51' 36? N, 2� 19' 37.2? E)
Date: 28 February 2006; 12.05pm
Camera: Canon 300D with kit kens
The Basilique Sacr�-Coeur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart) is a Roman Catholic church and familiar landmark in Paris. Apart from its beauty and significance in Paris�s history, its location at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in Paris makes it a very visible landmark. As such it can be seen from many locations. This photo was taken from the 4th floor window of the Musee d�Orsay. The basilica appears to just tower over all the other buildings. However this may change with the Paris council approval of high-rise construction in the city.
