canal – Notes from the Cape

Published January 15, 2019

Corinth Canal

The Corinth Canal chops the Peloponnese peninsula off the mainland of Greece.

Cds IMG 3497 We found this lovely little footbridge crossing the canal, and if you looked down the canal you could see the water of the canal, going all the way from the Adriatic sea to the Aegina sea. While its only about 6km long, it reduces the shipping distance by over 300km. It was built in the 1880’s – before the Suez and Panama canals, although to be fair it is much shorter.

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When I say we found it, we had to look really hard for it, quite literally driving down a dirt road past a rubbish dump to eventually find this footbridge across the canal. It was worth the drive because the bridge has such lovely lines, and the view up and down the canal is spectacular.

Travel

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Published September 20, 2018

The canals of Venice

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There are two places I have visited that looked exactly like I imagined in my head. The first was the mountains of Switzerland, and the second are the canals of Venice. The water is a deep emerald, there are quaint wooden and stone bridges linking the many islands together and the city is in a constant battle for survival against the elements.

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If you want to get around you either walk or take a boat. It’s the only time in my life that I have taken a boat to the airport and many of the hotels have a dock as the primary entrance. You can easily get lost wondering around the city. In fact getting lost is probably one of the best ways to visit the city. Just wonder around and see the buildings and experience a little of this unique city.

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Travel

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Canal in Muizenberg

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The canal leading out of Zandvlei, looking towards Muizenberg beach. Taken standing on the bridge above the sluice gates.

Cape Town

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Published March 6, 2012

The bridge across forever

On of my favourite books is “The Bridge Across Forever” by Richard Bach, and this bridge just reminded me of the book. I took it this morning on my phone, while waiting for a business breakfast a the Crystal Towers Hotel in Century City, Cape Town. The footbridge, which connects the hotel to the main shopping centre, is very beautiful and elegant, curving gracefully as it arches across the canal.

It was such a wonderful day to spend a few minutes in the sun.

Cape Town

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Published June 7, 2011

Side canal in Venice

Side canel in Venice – this is one from the archives. I just found this photo from a recent trip to Venice, and it had somehow avoided being posted in the past. I think that it is worth sharing, so please enjoy.

Travel

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Published November 21, 2010

The Grand Canal, Venice

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The Grand Canal in Venice is the easiest way to get around Venice. It basically divides the city down the middle, with most taxi and bus services running on it.

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There are only four bridges that you can use to cross the canal, however it is a small city; so you never really find yourself stuck on the wrong side of the canal. Venice is remarkably compact, you can easily cross it on foot in less than an hour, and by using the water-bus (Vaporetti) in about 1/2 hour.

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Although it is difficult to get an original shot of the canal that has not been taken 100 times before, it is truly a beautiful location for some great shots.

Travel

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The Rialto Bridge, Venice

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The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice. It was build by Antonio da Ponte, in 1591, after almost 100 years of thinking, discussion, proposals and planning. So if you think that city planning today seems to take forever, don’t complain!

During the planning process, several plans for the Rialto Bridge were submitted, including a plan by Michelangelo, which was not used. While I have seen many pictures of the bridge over the years, I was a little surprised at how small it really is, having said that the whole of Venice is really small. You could easy walk end to end in 45 minutes (including the obligatory getting lost; which will happen at some stage).

The Rialto Bridge is right next to the Rialto Market, selling fresh produce and sea food to the locals and tourists. Never the less, it is a beautiful and spectacular bridge in the heart of Venice, and a wonderful location to wonder around for a couple of hours.

ps: A pity about the Graffiti on the right :-(

HDR Travel

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