Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various characters of my country. See more here.
Jun 30, 2012
Faces of India - 64
Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various characters of my country. See more here.
Jun 28, 2012
A Windmill Near Amsterdam
One dream that remained unfulfilled during my tour of Amsterdam is seeing a working windmill. Netherland is synonymous to windmills too, among various other things like tulips, canals, etc. A few centuries back there were around 10,000 windmills in this country. They are the first to develop windmill technology. These windmills are revered so much in this country that they observe a National Windmill Day (11 May)!
Today there are just 1000 of them left. I had read that some of them are open to public; definitely a visit to one of them would have been educational and fun. Eight windmills stand tall in the heart of Amsterdam city, you can read about them here. I couldn’t sight any, but I was lucky to get a glimpse of one windmill as we were approaching Amsterdam. We didn’t halt; I managed to capture a shot of the windmill as we zipped past the place.
Today there are just 1000 of them left. I had read that some of them are open to public; definitely a visit to one of them would have been educational and fun. Eight windmills stand tall in the heart of Amsterdam city, you can read about them here. I couldn’t sight any, but I was lucky to get a glimpse of one windmill as we were approaching Amsterdam. We didn’t halt; I managed to capture a shot of the windmill as we zipped past the place.
Jun 25, 2012
More Pictures from Canal Cruise in Amsterdam
More pictures from my canal cruise in Amsterdam. The interiors of the boat we traveled in. The red interiors brightened up the dull and grey day outside.
The glass roof tops permitted us to have a clear view outside, the tall buildings along the sides of the canals.
A little bit of India in Amsterdam. I saw the advertisements of Yoga classes there. That too Iyengar Yoga a style of Yoga created by B K S Iyengar.
Some of the facades I saw there were beautiful. Most of them had stories, some the captain had narrated of which I remember nothing. Only the beauty of the sights remains with me.
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I liked the windows of the residential buildings there… all uniformly done.
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A floating restaurant on a canal of Amsterdam offering Chinese cuisine.
The glass roof tops permitted us to have a clear view outside, the tall buildings along the sides of the canals.
A little bit of India in Amsterdam. I saw the advertisements of Yoga classes there. That too Iyengar Yoga a style of Yoga created by B K S Iyengar.
Some of the facades I saw there were beautiful. Most of them had stories, some the captain had narrated of which I remember nothing. Only the beauty of the sights remains with me.
I liked the windows of the residential buildings there… all uniformly done.
A floating restaurant on a canal of Amsterdam offering Chinese cuisine.
Jun 24, 2012
Canals and Bridges of Amsterdam
Before I visited Venice, it was difficult for me to comprehend a city with 410 bridges. And I saw it for real. Then I visited Amsterdam, I read the city has 1500, yes one thousand five hundred bridges! Could the figures be real?! This is the maximum possible number a city can have, I concluded. One hundred kilometers of canals criss-crosses the city!
All canals were connected and this huge waterway network existed from seventeenth century. The city has three main canals, Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht, and they form concentric belts around the city, known as the Grachtengordel. Recently, in 2010, this was placed in the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. An aerial view here would give a better idea.
While I cruised along the canals, I managed to get some captures of the bridges. Series of bridges, one after the other, they made interesting frames, only I had to be quick to capture the sight. This one has six bridges in a row.
These arched bridges should look mesmerizing lighted up with colored lights at night. The draw bridges allow passage of ships and bigger boats. In totally still water, with absolutely no ripples the bridges and their reflections would be making a perfect circle I imagined.
All canals were connected and this huge waterway network existed from seventeenth century. The city has three main canals, Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht, and they form concentric belts around the city, known as the Grachtengordel. Recently, in 2010, this was placed in the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. An aerial view here would give a better idea.
While I cruised along the canals, I managed to get some captures of the bridges. Series of bridges, one after the other, they made interesting frames, only I had to be quick to capture the sight. This one has six bridges in a row.
These arched bridges should look mesmerizing lighted up with colored lights at night. The draw bridges allow passage of ships and bigger boats. In totally still water, with absolutely no ripples the bridges and their reflections would be making a perfect circle I imagined.
Sunday Bridges
Jun 23, 2012
A Face From Amsterdam, Netherlands
The captain of the boat we sailed in through the canals of Amsterdam. He seemed pleased with my request for a photograph, which made me very happy too. He talked very well throughout the tour, explaining the special places and sights. He knew five languages! He spoke in French, German, Dutch, English and Chinese too, much to the amusement of the Chinese tourists. But he spoke mostly in English, which all tourists knew and understood well. I don’t think I will meet him again, but I brought his smile back along with me to India.
Jun 21, 2012
Canal Cruise in Amsterdam
Amsterdam, a city big and beautiful, and I had planned just one day for this. Pity! How do we tour this city in just one day! The main purpose to visit the city was to show my daughters (15 and 11yrs) Anne Frank’s house. That done, we had the remaining half day to ourselves. Totally lost on how to tour this city, we decided to go on a canal cruise. And I am glad we took that decision quickly. The final moments of the day were a few hours away and we were not keen to do night driving all the way to Antwerp.
This tradition of canal cruise in Amsterdam started in 1621, when Queen Elizabeth Stuart of Bohemia visited the city. She was taken on a pleasure trip along the canals, welcomed in a parade of festively decorated sailing boats. Thousands of residents cheered her along bridges and canal sides. VIPS like Winston Churchill, the Beatles and Nelson Mandela; all have admired this city from the deck of a canal cruise boat. This is a irresistible tourist attraction of this country.
Of the various options provided by cruise operators we chose an hour long cruise of canals. The boat was a good one with glass roof; we got the window seats too. The skies weren’t too friendly but that did not dampen our excitement and what a grand tour we had that day! More pictures will be posted soon.
This tradition of canal cruise in Amsterdam started in 1621, when Queen Elizabeth Stuart of Bohemia visited the city. She was taken on a pleasure trip along the canals, welcomed in a parade of festively decorated sailing boats. Thousands of residents cheered her along bridges and canal sides. VIPS like Winston Churchill, the Beatles and Nelson Mandela; all have admired this city from the deck of a canal cruise boat. This is a irresistible tourist attraction of this country.
Of the various options provided by cruise operators we chose an hour long cruise of canals. The boat was a good one with glass roof; we got the window seats too. The skies weren’t too friendly but that did not dampen our excitement and what a grand tour we had that day! More pictures will be posted soon.
Jun 18, 2012
Door of The Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp
The doorway to the Cathedral of Our Lady is sight to behold! The details on the arched portion depict so many stories. Literacy, definitely, wasn’t high those days and people were educated through these depictions I am sure. The lessons of right and wrong, and the rewards and punishments of right doings and wrong doings are very clearly shown.
Jesus seated at the top. Those in the right side of the panel are right doers, chosen for eternal life; they have a calm serene look in their face. And to the left are those condemned to tenure in hell, depicted with looks of fear and despair clear on their face. Gabriel, holds the scales of justice. He is shown swaying the sword mercilessly. A study of this panel by any child, those days, will definitely set the moral values right.
The arches that went over this panel had various characters; the first one had angels, the second one carved with wise men holding scrolls, then political figures and finally religious authorities. By now my neck was aching, one can easily spend hours gazing at the details. From a distance the whole scene was like a page from a book.
Jesus seated at the top. Those in the right side of the panel are right doers, chosen for eternal life; they have a calm serene look in their face. And to the left are those condemned to tenure in hell, depicted with looks of fear and despair clear on their face. Gabriel, holds the scales of justice. He is shown swaying the sword mercilessly. A study of this panel by any child, those days, will definitely set the moral values right.
The arches that went over this panel had various characters; the first one had angels, the second one carved with wise men holding scrolls, then political figures and finally religious authorities. By now my neck was aching, one can easily spend hours gazing at the details. From a distance the whole scene was like a page from a book.
Jun 16, 2012
Faces of India - 63
A co-traveler from Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various characters of my country. See more here.
Jun 14, 2012
Statues of Antwerp
And we kept wandering through the lanes of Antwerp, along the bank of river Schelde. All interesting sights were neatly framed and frozen. The city has many statues put up at several places. Two of them are mentioned here and here.
The following are captures of some more statues.
The one below is of Goddess Minerva at Noorderterras - Zuiderterras riverside promenade overlooking the river Scheldt. Minerva is the Roman goddess of wisdom, daughter of Jupiter and Metis.
Another character from the pages of history book of Antwerp: Eugeen Van Mieghem. I saw his statue in the port of Antwerp. With immense talent in drawing he made his contributions in the field of western art. His subject for drawing was most often the typical harbor folk: sack porters, sack makers, emigrants, dockers, bargees, and tramps. Click on the link to see his various works.
A little away was the statue of his wife, Augustine Pautre. Theirs was a short married life; she died soon, within two years, leaving him heart broken and withdrawn for several years.
Statues like this help understand a place’s history better. And I make it a point to take pictures of the statues and google on them at leisure.
The one below is of Goddess Minerva at Noorderterras - Zuiderterras riverside promenade overlooking the river Scheldt. Minerva is the Roman goddess of wisdom, daughter of Jupiter and Metis.
Another character from the pages of history book of Antwerp: Eugeen Van Mieghem. I saw his statue in the port of Antwerp. With immense talent in drawing he made his contributions in the field of western art. His subject for drawing was most often the typical harbor folk: sack porters, sack makers, emigrants, dockers, bargees, and tramps. Click on the link to see his various works.
A little away was the statue of his wife, Augustine Pautre. Theirs was a short married life; she died soon, within two years, leaving him heart broken and withdrawn for several years.
Statues like this help understand a place’s history better. And I make it a point to take pictures of the statues and google on them at leisure.
Jun 11, 2012
Het Steen Castle, Antwerp
Antwerp's oldest building, Het Steen Castle is one impressive structure standing tall and mighty on the banks of river Schelde. The origin of this castle is from 650 AD. But nothing from that period remains any more. The building ceased to a castle long back, instead it housed many different characters including prisoners from 1303 to 1827. It was converted to museum of Archeology in 1890. Until 2008 it was the National Maritime Museum.
The castle was under renovation when we visited. We wandered through the courtyards, walkways and riverfront. That in itself was a pleasant experience. The old hangars next to the castle Het Steen, house some boats belonging to the collection of the Maritime Museum. The old warehouses and halls, some being renovated, some had old abandoned look.
The latest I read about this place is: On May 19, 2012, the Steen castle was reopened. The building is now being used as a space aimed at young children, with some limited animation. The first floor features a café-for-all, with windows overlooking the river.
At the entrance bridge to the castle is a statue of a giant, which is seven or eight times the size of two humans in front of it. It depicts the giant Lange Wapper who used to terrorize the inhabitants of the city in medieval times. A very interesting photo subject for the tourists around that day.
The castle was under renovation when we visited. We wandered through the courtyards, walkways and riverfront. That in itself was a pleasant experience. The old hangars next to the castle Het Steen, house some boats belonging to the collection of the Maritime Museum. The old warehouses and halls, some being renovated, some had old abandoned look.
The latest I read about this place is: On May 19, 2012, the Steen castle was reopened. The building is now being used as a space aimed at young children, with some limited animation. The first floor features a café-for-all, with windows overlooking the river.
At the entrance bridge to the castle is a statue of a giant, which is seven or eight times the size of two humans in front of it. It depicts the giant Lange Wapper who used to terrorize the inhabitants of the city in medieval times. A very interesting photo subject for the tourists around that day.
Jun 10, 2012
... Along River Schelde, Antwerp
We strolled along river Schelde, flowing by the city of Antwerp. It felt good taking the leisurely walk by a river in a foreign country. Yes, we were holidaying! We watched the boats leaving and entering the harbor, the flying and screeching seagulls a pleasant distraction.
And there by the river we saw a cherry flower tree bloomed to its full capacity. The tree had a thin layer of soft pink blanket under it. Surprisingly it was the only tree along the whole stretch of river bank that had bloomed. The shot was taken from Steen, a castle like building by the riverside.
And there by the river we saw a cherry flower tree bloomed to its full capacity. The tree had a thin layer of soft pink blanket under it. Surprisingly it was the only tree along the whole stretch of river bank that had bloomed. The shot was taken from Steen, a castle like building by the riverside.
Jun 9, 2012
Faces of India - 62
Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various characters of my country. See more here.
Jun 7, 2012
Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp
This is the façade of Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp. This cathedral is the largest one in Belgium, covering an area of 2.5 acres. The tower is 403 feet tall containing a belfry with a 47-bell carillon. The North tower, a landmark in Antwerp, is cherished by all its citizens. So famed it is, that there are songs written about it.
The planned second tower never came up due to lack of funds. The cathedral has a turbulent past: damaged badly in fire in 1533, then damaged in religious wars, looted during French Revolution. When I visited the church part of the interiors was under renovation. The clock on the tower is an addition from the 18th century. Lot of changes and restorations are being done. Future generations will definitely benefit from this.
The planned second tower never came up due to lack of funds. The cathedral has a turbulent past: damaged badly in fire in 1533, then damaged in religious wars, looted during French Revolution. When I visited the church part of the interiors was under renovation. The clock on the tower is an addition from the 18th century. Lot of changes and restorations are being done. Future generations will definitely benefit from this.
Jun 6, 2012
Containers
For Thursday Challenge this week the theme is Containers. Here are two shots of containers, both open pitchers, without handles, both with colorful art on them. They are from different countries. Yes, one of them is from India. The first picture is an art work from Wayanad, Kerala a state in South of India. Can you guess where the second one is from?
This one was an eye catcher. It was arranged among many on a shelf in a shop in Florence. The sales person there told us the art work is a copy of Picasso’s work. I am not sure how true that is, but then I simply had to take a shot.
This one was an eye catcher. It was arranged among many on a shelf in a shop in Florence. The sales person there told us the art work is a copy of Picasso’s work. I am not sure how true that is, but then I simply had to take a shot.
Jun 4, 2012
The Carolus Borromeus Church, Antwerp, Belgium
The old town of Antwerp has several architectural gems studded along its criss-crossing lanes around Grote Market. We toured through several of them. The Carolus Borromeus Church was one of them. This was built by the Jesuits from 1615 until 1621.
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The church had several paintings which unfortunately got destroyed in a major fire in 1718, after it was struck by lightning. The central painting that you can see above the main altar is changed from time to time. It is said the mechanism with which it is done today is the same original one and is still working well, though I could not witness the changing procedure.
The new interiors have beautiful wood carvings and sculptures. Eight confessional boxes are built in the paneling of the side walls. The confessing chairs I saw here are some of the finest ones, very unique!
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To fully understand the significance and appearance of this building, one has to know the historical context of the period when it was built: the city had just been secured by the Crown within its possessions after the siege of 1589 and all the Protestants had been forced out. At the same time, the recognition of the independence of the United Provinces of the Netherlands led to the closure of the Scheldt to commerce and, with it, to the end of Antwerp's economic prosperity. Thus, in this period of crisis and religion wars, the new eye-catching building was erected a sign of the vigor of the Catholic Church as opposed to the Calvinism. The prestigious project had just one purpose; to get people back to church.
The church had several paintings which unfortunately got destroyed in a major fire in 1718, after it was struck by lightning. The central painting that you can see above the main altar is changed from time to time. It is said the mechanism with which it is done today is the same original one and is still working well, though I could not witness the changing procedure.
The new interiors have beautiful wood carvings and sculptures. Eight confessional boxes are built in the paneling of the side walls. The confessing chairs I saw here are some of the finest ones, very unique!
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Jun 3, 2012
My Photographs Exhibited in Hungary
Recently (May 2012), an exhibition was held in Bakonysárkány, in Hungary. The exhibition was on the theme: "Photos of Wonderful India". I am so happy to mention here that two photographs by me were selected for display in this exhibition.
The exhibition was conducted by Antal Halmos, an author of several books in various subjects. He was Trade Commissioner for Hungary in India for seven years in the seventies and eighties and has fallen in love with our country. He is the person in the left in the photograph below.
My pictures are of Ranakpur temple, near Kumbalgarh in Rajasthan. The top and bottom pictures in the second column from right.
The exhibition was conducted by Antal Halmos, an author of several books in various subjects. He was Trade Commissioner for Hungary in India for seven years in the seventies and eighties and has fallen in love with our country. He is the person in the left in the photograph below.
My pictures are of Ranakpur temple, near Kumbalgarh in Rajasthan. The top and bottom pictures in the second column from right.
Jun 2, 2012
Faces of India - 61
Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various characters of my country. See more here.
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