The Silk Exchange, or Lonja de la Seda, is the principal historic monument of the city of Valencia. it is considered to be one of the best examples of Gothic civil architecture in the entire Mediterranean. It was built in the 15th century, Valencia's golden age when the
Read MoreValencia day two
I was awake and checking the street scene from the balcony after Susana left at about sun rise. The street was quiet. I got myself organised and at 8:30 headed off to the patisserie for breakfast.
Read More
This view includes most of the City of Arts and Sciences buildings except for the Oceanarium. Part of the Opera House is on the left, then the iMax, Science Museum and the Agora, plus two bridges all designed by architect Santiago Calatrava who was born right here in Valencia.
First day in Valencia, Spain
I arrived at my accommodation in Valencia on Wednesday afternoon after 30 hours of travel via Dubai and Madrid. A taxi took me to my B&B at 30-32 Carrer de Pere Aleixandre. The apartment was on the third floor and there I was given a warm welcome by Susana who it turned out has not a word of English. I was shown my room and
Read Morewhere will it all end?
in Writing
Cole Thompson is a self described fine art black and white photographer whose work I enjoy. Somewhere in my reading I came across this quotation from Cole. “Rule of Thirds: 1/3 vision, 1/3 the shot, 1/3 processing.” The quote seemed pertinent on a number of levels. First it gives a new slant on the over hyped conventional rule of thirds. Next it makes one aware that
Read MoreAn easy day
in Travel
Following yesterday’s marathon I slept in and took it easy till noon working on emails and my diary. I went out for a walk to locate the Basilica Cistern which I will visit at opening time tomorrow.
Read MoreThe Classic Istanbul Tour
in Travel
This was the day when I went full on into the history and architecture of many of the most significant buildings in Istanbul. The day started with a wonderful breakfast spread and a magical view of the Blue mosque with the Bosphorus in the background ...
Read More
Highway E84
Back in Istanbul
in Travel
The return trip from Canakkale to Istanbul was a rapid uneventful drive on a divided highway but the freeway choked up about 30 kms out of the city and it was stop go driving for an hour. I needed to get back in time for an evening Bosphorus cruise which I was excited about but the reality turned out to be a little underwhelming ...
Read More
ANZAC Battlefields Tour
in Travel
Kenan Çelik picked me up from the Helen Hotel in Canakkale at 9:00 am and we returned nine hours later after touring all the principal locations of the Gallipoli battle field.
Read More
The "view" from the balcony of my room in the Helen Hotel.
First Day in Istanbul
in Travel
Breakfast was “on the roof” of Hotel Nina. Wall to wall windows opened onto a balcony facing the Blue Mosque, the Bosphorus and the morning sun, which was welcome in the cool morning air. Perfect!
Read More
JOY SHOP Ataturk Istanbul Airport
Istanbul Arrival
in Travel
The arrival at Ataturk Istanbul Airport from Dubai was at 6:20 pm, about 20 minutes late. The plane had to do a slow figure of eight over the Sea of Maramar before being allowed to land. This presented great views of the city spread out on both sides of the Bosphorus.
Read More