Notes from the Cape – a travel journal in pictures, by Craig Strachan

Published December 9, 2023

Dohány Street Synagogue

Having weathered World War II, the Dohány Street Synagogue serves as a poignant memorial to the Holocaust, offering a solemn space for reflection. The synagogue complex also houses a very interesting Jewish Museum, an interesting collection describing Jewish heritage in Budapest.
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The architecture is magnificent, and you are free to walk around most of the Synagogue complex.

Note is it an active Synagogue, so you need to dress modestly, and men need to wear a yamaka, but you are provided with a paper yamaka at the entrance if you don’t have one.

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Published December 2, 2023

Ruin bars, Budapest

Its hard to describe the eclectic Ruin bars. They are formerly abandoned buildings that are now adorned with mismatched furniture, coloruful decor, and graffiti. They are great to visit, with interesting rooms, stairs and alleyways. But they are overpriced and full of tourists. But I would still go back. Because they are quite fun places to visit.

Food and Drink Travel

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Published November 25, 2023

A lovely bar in Budapest

We found this lovely bar on the outskirts of Budapest, the sort of place a local would frequent. We know this because it is in fact the local pub of the guide that took us there.

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Published November 18, 2023

Bokkomlaan

I am not quite sure what I would do with powdered fish?

A visit to Velddrift would not be complete without a visit to Bokkomlaan. Bokkom’s are small fish that are sundried and eaten as a local delicacy. Personally they are just a little too (umm) fishy for me. But it is an eclectic road to wonder on, there are few restaurants, some interest art and pottery studios, and of course lots of fish drying in the sun.

Bokkumlaan shops

There are a few art studios that you can visit

Bokkom’s drying in the sun

House-boat on the Berg River

One off the many small restaurants on Bokkom Laan

South Africa Travel

fish port owen restaurant velddrift

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Published November 11, 2023

Some churches in Greece

The churches in Greece all seem to have a similar style, a large dome in the middle with four sides pushed tightly up against it.

Roadside church

Church in the middle of Athens

The Holy Church of Saint Demetrio on Philopappos Hill dates back to the 9th century. Its about a 5 minute walk from the main entrance to the Acropolis.

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Published November 4, 2023

Temple of Poseidon

The Temple of Poseidon is on a stunning cliff overlooking the Aegean sea. Temple of Poseidon, of course was the ancient Greek god of the see, and the temple can see far out to see. And I’m sure if you’re on a boat heading in the general direction Turkey, would be able to see the temple for a very long time before you disappeared over the horizon.

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Published October 28, 2023

Theatre of Epidaurus

The Theatre of Epidaurus was build in the 4th century BC and is still in use today. If you look at the people standing in the center, you can see a small stone slab which is in the middle of the theatre. If you stand on it and speak (even softly), your voice can be heard in the very back row. The acoustics are simply amazing to experience.

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ancient greece theatre

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Published October 21, 2023

Monastiraki, Athens

Monastiraki is a great part of Athens for people watching. It is full of little shops and restaurants, and has a lovely market area where you can buy anything from cheap food, home-made leather goods and knock-off clothing. A great place for a bargain, and possibly its certainly cheaper than the nearby Plaka area.

The church in the top photo is very typical of the older churches you’ll find all over Greece.

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athens church greece market

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Published October 14, 2023

Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens

While not quite as impressive as the Acropolus, the Temple of Olympian Zeus is certainly a lot quieter. It took a long time to build, it was started around 6BC, and was only finished during the reign of Hardien in 2CE, nearly 800 years later.

The columns are 17m tall, that is approximately 6 floors to give perspective of how tall it is.

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Published September 30, 2023