Georgena
The Blue Mosque
Known as the The Blue Mosque ( Sultanahmet Cami ) the mosque is located next to the ancient Hippodrome and across from Hagia Sophia. The mosque was built in the first quarter of the 17th century. The architect was Mehmet Aga, one of the pupils of the great Architect Sinan. As he tried to surpass his master he created a masterpiece that still has a great reputation. Next to the mosque is a religious complex, that had a soup kitchen, a hospital, a primary education school, a madrasah and the tomb of Sultan Ahmet. The six minarets and the lay out of the domes and semidomes create a unique exterior.
Should i or should i.
I took this photo on a very windy day on Boulders Beach. (also commonly known as Boulders Bay). It is a sheltered beach made up of inlets between granite boulders, from which the name originated. It is located in the Cape Peninsula, near Simon's Town towards Cape Point, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The African Penguin also known as the Black-footed Penguin and is confined to southern African waters. They are widely known as the "Jackass" Penguin for its donkey-like braying sound they make, although several species of South American penguins produce the same sound. This photo was made with an analog camera.
Midday Nap
While on the Island of Gozo, I visited Dwejra a beautiful place of rugged nature. I was walking around the Inland Sea, a shallow lagoon behind the Blue window, I saw this fisherman just having a nap On the hard cement ground,he was actually snorring,it does not look comfortable,maybe it is good for the back.
Hagia Sofia by Night
Hagia Sophia is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as the Greek Patriarchal cathedral of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Patriarch of Constantinople of the Western Crusader established Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931, when it was secularized. It was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935. Made a night shot because during the day there were thousands of tourist and the garden and fountain was under construction.
Delicious on the warm
Thailand’s number one selling beer is Beer Chang, which you can spot by its distinctive green label adorned with two elephants. In Thai, Chang means elephant and that’s a good name for this beer since Chang Classic really packs a punch at 6.4%, especially when served in the common 630 milliliter size. There are now three kinds of Chang Beer available -- Classic, Draught and Light.
Napoleon's Triumphal.
The arch was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victories, but he was ousted before the arch was completed. In fact, it wasn't completed until 1836 during the reign of Louis-Philippe. The Arc de Triomphe is engraved with names of generals who commanded French troops during Napoleon's regime The monument stands 50 metres (164 ft) in height, 45 m (148 ft) wide and 22 m (72 ft) deep.
Spring is in the air
April, Spring, time for beautiful spring flowers. Last week took a ride to see the tulip fields,but it is too cold so they were not out yet, but the Hyacinths and Daffodils were in full glory. While focusing on the flowers, I saw these girls with a teacher or guide jumping in the middle of the flower field, of course I just started snapping away. Spring is in the air.
Colorful Spices
In the markets of Morocco you see these colorful array of spices. It is a feast for the eyes and nose. Spices are used extensively in Moroccan food. It is also one of the best souvenirs of any trip to take to friends and family. They're light, reasonably priced and literally bring a flavor of your trip back home.
Place el-Hadim Meknes
The heart of Meknès Medina is Place el-Hedim , the large square facing Bab el-Mansour. Built by Moulay Ismail and originally used for royal announcements and public executions, it's a good place to sit and watch the world go by - kids playing football, hawkers selling miracle cures, and promenading families. The western side of the square is edged by an excellent covered produce market and catches the spill-over from the souks to the north.
Traditonal Jellabas
Traditional women wear jellabas or djellabas, long-sleeved kaftan-like dresses. The jellaba reaches down to the ankles. It secures with buttons or zippers in the front. There may be side-slits near the ankles for easy walking. The materials may be linen, silk or cotton. Traditional colors may be simple stripes in light cream with white or feminine colors like pinks, green purples etc. Traditional women also wear head scarves or hijab to conform with Islamic religious codes.
Arches of Essaouira
This picture was made in a place called Lotissement Skala which I accidently stumbled on, Here there was no tourist to be seen. This is just one of the streets with all beautiful arches. As you can see it was street after street and each one had their own arch, extraordinary architecture .
Nomad Tent-Erg Chebbi
A Camel tour to Erg Chebbi, with a local guide, to sleep in a nomad-tent camp in the deep desert where dinner is served under the stars, It is an experience one will never forget. This is the tent I slept in,the photo was taken the next morning while the sun was just rising,believe me this is the true color.
My Handsome blue...Pr
The Tuareg people are predominantly nomadic people of the Sahara desert, mostly in the Northern reaches of Mali near Timbuktu and Kidal but are also indigenous to Morocco. They are often referred to as “Blue Men of the desert” – because their robes are dyed indigo blue. This Blue Prince was one of our guides in the desert of Erg Chebbi
Guarding the Cannon
The Skala du Port defended the city from invasions; today you can still see 18th and 19th century brass cannons used to protect the people of Essaouira. While taking a walk i saw this man in his traditional clothing sitting on one of the cannons, i traded a few Dirhams for a photo.
Changi Airport
Changi Airport has four passenger terminals with a total annual handling capacity of more than 70 million passengers. Terminal 1 opened in 1981, followed by Terminal 2 in 1990 and Terminal 3 in 2008. The Budget Terminal, built for low cost carriers, opened in 2006. Changi interior is beautiful, it is like you are walking through a garden of beautiful orchids. I took this photo at Christmas time on the way to Koh Phangan Thailand .
UFO ?????
No, this is a flying saucer at the Fancy Fair (Kermis) It is almost spring and many villages has a Fancy Fair for the Easter Holidays. I visited one last night in our village Hoofddorp, just to take some pictures, my fingers were frozen but it was worth it. It is always fun to watch all the kids swirling and hear them screaming.
A charming lady with
Yesterday I posted a photo "The Making of Argan Oil". This is a portrait of one of the ladies sitting in the row, I was attracted to her because of her smile, as she did so, one of her eyes just closed down. As all the other ladies she really enjoys her work,she asked me to sit down so she can show me how she grinds the nuts and even wanted me to try it. Argan oil is exceptionally rich in vitamin E. It has a distinct nutty flavor and smell, it is used as oil in salads and traditional Moroccan dishes. It also is used to treat several skin diseases. Some of the oil becomes an ingredient in soaps, shampoos and creams, This oil has earned the name of “liquid gold”.
The making of Argan..
When approaching Essaouira along the road from Marrakech, visitors will notice the hills where the Argan trees grow, also many road signs indicating the various Argan oil co-ops which are all run by Berber women. These friendly, hard-working women welcome visitors, who will often be invited to watch them at work. The argan nut, which looks like a cross between an almond and a walnut, are picked from the trees dotted around the hills. The women undertake the arduous task of cracking the shells with sharp stones after which they grind the kernels into a brown paste between two large slabs of rock. The paste is then kneaded by hand to extract as much oil as possible before being sent to factories in Agadir to be mechanically pressed to further extract oil.
Ali and Mocca
Meet Ali and his Camel Mocca. Ali was my guide and Mocca was my Camel to and from Erg Chebbi. After a fantastic ride in the darkest of night, not a sound and only the stars to guide us, and a wonderful evening of music and dance,music played by the guides also from other groups, We left early the next morning back to Merzouga, after we arrived at the meeting place for the jeeps, Ali helped me get off Mocca, I had a sore bottom, Mocca's back was not very comfortable. I asked Ali if I can make a photo of him and Mocco and that was Ok, I said "smile" I think Mocca understood and also gave me a smile.
The Beautiful Notre..
The Notre Dame is one of the eldest monuments in Paris: it's construction dates from the 12th century. I took many photos from street level but with this one I went down to the banks on the waters edge. Gives a nicer POV from below, (tip from my son) The banks of the Seine are studded with a succession of masterpieces, including, in particular, Notre Dame and the Sainte Chapelle.
The dome of the...Gal
The dome of the Galeries Lafayette in Paris This is an interior view looking upwards at the fantastic domed ceiling of the 10-story Galeries Lafayette department store . It is located at 40, boulevard Haussmann, in the IXe arrondissement on the Right Bank. At the beginning of the 20th century the store's founder, Théophile Bader, commissioned Georges Chedanne and then his pupil Ferdinand Chanut to design this incredible building. The glass and steel dome was built in 1912. The 33 metre high dome, in neo-Byzantine style, is topped with spectacular coloured glass set in floral wrought ironwork. I think many of you who shopped in this unique department store must have seen this.
The Big Wheel
Paris' "Grande Roule" -- or Big Wheel -- was built in 1999 as part of the city's Millennium Celebration. With 50,000 individuals light bulbs stretching its 200 foot height. Its central location on the Place de la Concorde -- between the Champs Ellysee and the Louvre -- ensured that all visitors to the city caught a glimpse, if not a ride. When I was there it was not working just lighted up, still an nice picture.
The City of Light
Paris was nicknamed the "City of Light" (not City of Lights) originally because it was a vast center of education and ideas during the Age of Enlightenment. In 1828, Paris began lighting the Champs-Elysées with gas lamps. It was the first city in Europe to do so, and so earned the nickname "La Ville-Lumière" or The City of Light.
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