Buildings

Bo-Kaap

Published July 26, 2011

I had a meeting in Bo-Kaap today, an old suburb just on the outside of the city bowl. The lovely sunshine was perfect weather to shoot a few pictures and play with my new 10/22mm lens before my next meeting.

The whole neighbourhood is colourfully painted, and being a traditional Muslim area, they are lots of beautifully build Mosques to photograph.

You can find out more on the Bo-Kaap website: http://www.bokaap.co.za/

Posted in Cape Town, Daily Photo, Places |

Tagged bo-kaap, Buildings, Cape Town, colourful, Mosque |

6 Comments

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

Published November 24, 2010

This is an interesting little palace that I found; literally “of the snail”. I love the quaint outside staircase winding up to the sky. I got completely lost while looking for it, resulting in an extended tour of the area, but it is such a lovely little building, tucked away in a quiet little square. I believe that it was build in 1499, so I think it is looking pretty good.

If you have the opportunity, visit this little palace off the beaten track.

Posted in Buildings, Daily Photo, Venice |

Tagged Buildings, palace, snail, venice |

2 Comments

Venitian Roads and Bridges

Published November 23, 2010

You get used to these bridges very quickly; every journey of more than a minute requires walking up and down one of the many pedestrian bridges in Venice.

While there are lots of bridges, everything is so close that the walk is never too far.

This is the view that I saw from our hotel bedroom. Typically Venetian. From time to time, I would hear a Gondolier punting past, singing Italian love songs to his passengers.

Posted in Buildings, Daily Photo, Venice, Water |

Tagged bridges, Buildings, canals, venice, Water |

Temple of Hercules Victor

Published November 16, 2010

The Temple of Hercules Victor in Forum Boarium was originally thought to have been a temple of Vesta. Although the temple is in the middle of Rome, the marble used to build the temple was from Athens!

The temple is located in the oldest forum in Rome, as was built around 2BC. Driving past the temple is a little strange, because on the one side you have a wonderful garden, and on the other a large and busy freeway. But then I suppose that can be said about many of the sites and places in Rome, whereby you can drive past an archaeological dig right next to an office building.

In case you are wandering, Hercules was the protector of the olive trade.

Posted in Buildings, Daily Photo, Rome |

Tagged ancient, Buildings, gardens, herculeus, roads, Rome, temple, vesta |

2 Comments

Trevi Fountain, Rome

Published November 15, 2010

The famous Trevi Fountain in Rome. Although the fountain is really beautiful, this is the part of Rome that made me feel most uncomfortable. There were hordes of people in a rather confined area, and far to many shady vendors walking around. It just felt like a ripe place for some pick-pocketing.

Having said all that, we didn’t have any problems. The fountain is very beautiful, made up of water gushing over wonderfully carved marble statues and figures, creating both a soothing and cooling effect.

The popular story has it that if you throw a coin into the fountain, your return to Rome is assured. Although I did not throw a coin into the fountain, I certainly plan to be go back to Rome.