Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló, built between 1904 and 1906 in the heart of the city of Barcelona, is the most emblematic work of the brilliant Catalan architect.

Gaudí gave Casa Batlló a facade that is original, fantastical and full of imagination. He replaced the original facade with a new composition of stone and glass. He ordered the external walls to be redesigned to give them a wavy shape, which was then plastered with lime mortar and covered with a mosaic of fragments of coloured glass and ceramic discs.

At the top of the facade, the roof is in the shape of an animal’s back with large iridescent scales. The spine which forms the ornamental top is composed of huge spherical pieces of masonry in colours which change as you move along the roof-tree from one end to the other.

The long gallery of the main suite, the Noble Floor, overlooking Passeig de Gràcia, is composed of wooden-framed windows which are opened and closed by raising and lowering using counterweights. They are unusual in that there are no jambs or mullions, so that it is possible to raise all of the window panes and have a continuous panoramic opening running the full width of the room.

On the level of the ground floor, the Noble Floor and the first floor, the facade includes slender pillars of Montjuic stone which form bone-like shapes and are decorated with typically modernist floral designs.

The balcony railings in the shape of masks are made of wrought iron cast in a single piece and are secured by two anchor points in such a way that the balconies partly project outwards.

As a whole, the facade is a joyful and allegorical representation, full of organic elements and colours and charged with symbolism, a wonderful spectacle in the city which inspires the most sublime sentiments in all those who gaze upon it. The house is a dialogue between light and colour.
(https://www.casabatllo.es/en/history/casa-batllo/)

For: #MySundayPhoto – Reflection, early morning…, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in the Fall (Sundays In My City), Jo’s Monday walk : Aydon Castle

Montserrat, Spain – the trip of a lifetime

On our recent trip to Barcelona, we went to Montserrat, which is a spectacularly beautiful Benedictine monk mountain retreat about one hour North West from Barcelona by train.

Not only is Montserrat Monastery of significant religious importance but the natural beauty surrounding the monastery is simply breathtaking. When we arrived there, it was still very foggy and couldn’t see anything, but as the day went, the fog cleared and an astounding beauty greeted us. We walked around, enjoying the experience.

For: #MySundayPhoto – Fire Sky, Discovery Day (Sundays In My City), ALL SEASONS- TREEEEZ IN FALL Nov 6, coastline beauty… . Also for: Jo’s Monday walk : The Masmorra Trail

Ancient theatre of Taormina

The Ancient theatre of Taormina is an ancient Greek theatre, in Taormina, southern Italy.  Carved out of the hillside, the theatre seen today was refurbished by the Romans in the 1st century AD. They sacrificed some of the seats and part of the stage to make a circular arena to accommodate gladiator games. (Wikipedia)

For: Jo’s Monday walk : A Royal Odyssey

 

 

Hiking in Tenerife

We’ve been to Tenerife ten years ago. Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, off West Africa, is dominated by Mt. Teide, which rises 7,500m above the ocean floor and is among the world’s largest volcanoes. We tried to climb up there but it was hard work. Him Indoors and HRH the son kept pushing me to carry on, and in my own time, was able to climb up the mountain. We also went whale watching and with luck, we saw some whales in the open sea. Still, Tenerife may be best known for its huge pre-Lent Carnival, as well as its beaches (with sands from yellow to black) and busy, upscale resorts, including Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas. We had a great time visiting Tenerife.

For: Jo’s Monday walk : Water of Leith, Edinburgh, Hike

Other “hike” posts:
https://lanternwords.wordpress.com/2016/09/19/hike-through-life/
https://imaginedamerica.wordpress.com/2016/09/19/the-keeper-of-thoughts/
https://joywrite.wordpress.com/2016/09/19/daily-prompt-hike/
https://jottingsandwritings.wordpress.com/2016/09/19/daily-prompt-hike/
https://the15thday.wordpress.com/2016/09/19/it-wasnt-exactly-a-warm-fuzzy-moment-for-self/

A Day in Munich

Hello everyone! Lovely day here and we’ve just showed around Munich a friend from Canada. I just love this city. We started with a rainbow in Stachus.

Followed by churches’ visit. St. Peter’s Church (Munich’s oldest church, housing the jeweled skeleton of St. Mundita, plus a tower with city views), Assam Church (compact 1700s church known for its lavish, baroque interior swathed in gold leaf, frescoes and stucco), St. Michael’s Church (this Renaissance-style church was increased in size after the tower collapsed during construction), Frauenkirche (Gothic church with iconic domed towers), Theatinerkirche (domed baroque Catholic church with striking yellow facade & ornate white stucco interior).

Not to forget, our city hall, Marienplatz, which is our central square

Munich

We also went to Viktualienmarkt, which is a daily food market and a square in the centre of Munich. The Viktualienmarkt developed from an original farmers’ market to a popular market for gourmets.

We had lunch in Hofbräuhaus, which is a 3-floor beer hall dating back to the 16th century, with a Bavarian restaurant, shows & upbeat vibe

Some souvenirs from Munich

We really had a nice day. I hope you all have a great week. Cheers!

For: KHDA – The sublime working environment – Echoes Of My Neighbourhood by Jackie, Ten Things of Thankful 166 (Blessings) #10Thankful by Lizzi, Skywatch Friday – 25 August 2016 Edition , framed in rock…, SEASONS – ALREADY THE END OF AUGUST?!, Jo’s Monday walk : Tall Ships Regatta at Blyth

Periyar Tiger Reserve

Hello everyone! Two days after the Hindu wedding, we went on a road trip. There were 18 of us in a big van and travelled 165 km, roughly 4 hours from Cochin to Thekkady. It was an interesting trip, with The Corporation Market, Kakkadassery Bridge, St Xavier’s Church and Bavas Archana Hospital on the way. Several petrol pumps were also located en route. It was a good experience, very long travel in the hairpin bend roads. Full of greenery on both sides of the roads.

We went to Periyar Tiger Reserve., which was a very well maintained area managed by the forest department in Kerela. The area was clean and we had a peaceful walk through its dense forest of towering trees and artistic roots. The Periyar lake is within the reserve and there were regular boat rides on the lake. We took the boat ride (1.5 hours of boating) and saw some amazing birds, like hornbills and kingfishers in full flight. Other birds include raptors, water birds, galliform birds, pigeons, wood peckers and passerines. There were also some sambar deers, foxes, monkeys, elephants and bisons, but from a great distance to such a point the animals appear as tiny dots. Overall, it was a good road trip and a boat ride.

For: Road Trips? by Calmkate. Also for: Jo’s Monday walk : Canalside in Skipton

Thekkady Jeep Safari

Hello everyone! One of the best experiences I had when we were in India was the Thekkady Jeep Safari. The jeep safari to Gavi, picturesque land, is the major off-the-track destination ideal for a wilderness retreat replete with trekking, birding, canoeing and facilities for boarding. This biological garden, with hills and valleys, tropical forests, tea farms, sprawling grass lands, sholas, cascading waterfalls and cardamom plantation, is home for many endangered species like lion tailed macaque; nilgiri tahrs etc. . It was a three hour tour and we were not disappointed, though a bit shaken and bruised from the bumpy ride, but it’s all worth it. Wonderful view from start to finish.

For: Jo’s Monday walk : Scarecrow fun in Kettlewell

Packwood Gardens

The famous Yew Garden in Packwood Gardens, dating back to 1650, must be one of the largest collections of yew trees in the world.In the Carolean Garden visitors can admire the stunning herbaceous borders and enjoy views across the gardens and parkland from the seventeenth century brick gazebos. One of the gazebos also offers information about planting in the gardens. Away from the formal gardens visitors can discover Packwood’s lake, which features a circular stroll through a wooded glade.

For: #MySundayPhoto – Running Route /July 31, 2016, San Francisco’s Hometown Creamery (Sundays In My City), Sunday Trees – 246, in silvery grey…, SEASONS – END JULY and BEGIN AUGUST, Jo’s Monday walk : City of Birmingham (24 hours in Brum)

Strolling at Kurfürstendamm

We strolled along Kurfürstendamm, Ku’damm for short. At 3.8. km, it’s the longest avenue for shopping and strolling. Breathtaking architecture, elegant boutiques and lively scenes with street artists around Breitscheidplatz have made this shopping boulevard one of Berlin’s most attractive avenues.

There was a parade of organ grinders on the street.

organ grinder

One of Berlin’s most haunting symbols – Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtnis Church – the tower of the original church, destroyed during World War II – stands in the centre of Breitscheidplatz, serving as both memorial and reminder of the terrors of war.

For: Jo’s Monday walk : Boa Vista Trail, Our World: Fourth of July edition, Happy Independence Day!

Along the Promenade

We walked along the Victorian promenade of Llandudno, which is a seaside resort, town and community in Conwy County Borough, Wales, located on the Creuddyn peninsula, which protrudes into the Irish Sea.We had fish and chips for lunch and in the afternoon, we visited some relatives living near the promenade. We had some tea and scones. It was a fun day.

For: Jo’s Monday walk : Raby Castle and Deer Park, Our World: 27 June 2016 , Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday)