Skywatch
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Skywatch in Butterworth
Here's how the sky looked like a few days ago in Butterworth, but only for a short period of time. We've been having so much rain here lately. Today it's grey and overcast, but I hope the blue skies will return soon. While my colleague was driving, I couldn't resist clicking the camera out of the window.
Skywatch
Skywatch
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
My World - Lady Justice, Salzburg
Many of you might be familiar with the famous statue of Lady Justice. She has been the symbol of right and wrong since the early Greeks.
While doing some research on this subject, I found many depictions of Lady Justice. The iconic figure is often depicted blindfolded, holding a sword with scales but the one that I've encountered is so wonderfully different.
Unlike many representations of Lady Justice, this statue is portrayed with wings, wears no blindfold, holds the scales of justice while stomping on the devil into the fiery pits of hell. I absolutely love the modern representation of the statue although the devil looks kinda creepy to me. The inspiring lady figure faces hundreds of visitors who make their way around the streets of Judengasse daily and it's hard to pass by this statue without noticing it.
She wonderfully represents fairness, balance and justice of the law in her own classy way. I hope she would continue to seek the truth for justice.
That's My World
Friday, March 25, 2011
PhotoHunt - Caged
Such a lovely bird but it looks sad being caged. No freedom, no friends, no family.
This poor lonely creature was trying to run away from me as I walked by. It refused to even look at me and made a face.
It seems to say that animals should not be confined in any form of captivity. The environment alone is too stressful on them. I bet she would love to escape.
These photos were taken while visiting an old farm house in Bangkok a few years ago.
PhotoHunt
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Skywatch - Morning sky
The gloomy grey days and drizzly weather here in Penang make me crave for sunshine, but this morning, when I saw clouds like this, it was a total thrill.
A beautiful start to my day.
The trees are bursting with colours and it makes my day when I look at it. I hope it makes you feel good too. These were taken not too far from my work place.
Skywatch
A beautiful start to my day.
The trees are bursting with colours and it makes my day when I look at it. I hope it makes you feel good too. These were taken not too far from my work place.
Skywatch
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
My World - A walk in Getreidegasse alley, Salzburg
A visit to Salzburg will most likely land you at the Getreidegasse alley, an old town section of the city. A place where absolutely every tourist goes to, very busy and very expensive compared to the rest of the city.
The street is a pedestrian zone and high narrow houses can be seen side by side in the hilly city, where the artisans used to live back during its heyday.
We strolled through the quaint lane of Getreidegasse and found a wide array of elegant shops selling jewelry, leather goods, Easter eggs, perfumes, eateries and high-end boutiques along the street. I didn't buy anything but I did enjoy taking pictures and people watching on this luxury-laden street.
As we walked further, we passed by The Judengasse, another pedestrian lane which is an extension of the Getreidegasse. Most of these houses have kept up their charm and I found this well maintained street quaint and very appealing.
Almost all store signs I noticed are made of beautifully crafted wrought iron hanging above the stores.
All famous and big labels from Louis Vuitton to Boss and from Swarovski to Polo are all represented in this shopping lane. I don't think I've seen such amazing advertising signs like that before.
I also discovered that most of these wrought iron signs have been there for centuries. They are elaborately decorated with dates, unique symbols and the name of the owners, so they often tell their own history.
Located at the end of the Getreidegasse, is St. Blaise's Church (Blasiuskirche), built in the fourteenth century. The exterior of the church looks rather plain and not as luxurious and ornately decorated as the others, but I found it very fascinating and charming. According to my guide book, the church was affiliated with Salzburg's civic hospital and named after St.Blaise, the saint of throat ailments. The locals also refer to the church as the Civic Hospital Church or Church of the Holy Spirit.
That's My World
The street is a pedestrian zone and high narrow houses can be seen side by side in the hilly city, where the artisans used to live back during its heyday.
We strolled through the quaint lane of Getreidegasse and found a wide array of elegant shops selling jewelry, leather goods, Easter eggs, perfumes, eateries and high-end boutiques along the street. I didn't buy anything but I did enjoy taking pictures and people watching on this luxury-laden street.
As we walked further, we passed by The Judengasse, another pedestrian lane which is an extension of the Getreidegasse. Most of these houses have kept up their charm and I found this well maintained street quaint and very appealing.
Almost all store signs I noticed are made of beautifully crafted wrought iron hanging above the stores.
All famous and big labels from Louis Vuitton to Boss and from Swarovski to Polo are all represented in this shopping lane. I don't think I've seen such amazing advertising signs like that before.
I also discovered that most of these wrought iron signs have been there for centuries. They are elaborately decorated with dates, unique symbols and the name of the owners, so they often tell their own history.
Located at the end of the Getreidegasse, is St. Blaise's Church (Blasiuskirche), built in the fourteenth century. The exterior of the church looks rather plain and not as luxurious and ornately decorated as the others, but I found it very fascinating and charming. According to my guide book, the church was affiliated with Salzburg's civic hospital and named after St.Blaise, the saint of throat ailments. The locals also refer to the church as the Civic Hospital Church or Church of the Holy Spirit.
That's My World
Friday, March 18, 2011
PhotoHunt - License Plates
I stopped by this souvenir store in Rome to pick up some gifts when I came across a variety of souvenir license plates on display. They are not really my kind of thing but I did enjoy looking at the colourful designs.
PhotoHunt
PhotoHunt
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Skywatch over St Peter's Square, Vatican City
These were taken on a day trip to St Peter's Square in spring last year.
Visibility was excellent, the sky cloudless and it was sunny.
From a different perspective, the blue sky with floating clouds made a nice backdrop to the square.
To see more beautiful skies from all around the world, please visit Skywatch.
Visibility was excellent, the sky cloudless and it was sunny.
From a different perspective, the blue sky with floating clouds made a nice backdrop to the square.
To see more beautiful skies from all around the world, please visit Skywatch.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Street scenes in Bangalore, India
Some street scenes showing the daily activities of people in Bangalore, during my brief visit to India a few years ago.
Traffic, small retail shops and market stalls are in such close proximity.
Everywhere in the street corner is populated with lots of food vendors. It's fascinating to watch locals like these vendors going about their daily lives.
Many streets are entirely devoted to selling the same merchandise as they have done for several years.
I enjoy riding, but I would need to develop my observation and training skills before I would be ready to navigate these streets. Pedestrians, auto-rickshaws, bicycles and other vehicles come so close to being bumped, but amazingly, they are not. I did not come across any collisions.
Almost every young woman I noticed was dressed in salwar kameez, and some in very bright, vivid colors.
The sightseeing of Bangalore aren't that numerous but there are many spiritual places of worship for different religions and every street has something unique to offer.
This is the St Mary's Cathedral which is the first Syrian Orthodox Church in Bangalore.
It's quite common to see Indian men pushing a cart laden with bags of goods and stuff from one end to the other in the street. More often I see one pushing and one pulling helping one another to stabilize the cart.
From another perspective, reading books and newspapers at the corner of the street is a pastime for many.
That's My World
Traffic, small retail shops and market stalls are in such close proximity.
Everywhere in the street corner is populated with lots of food vendors. It's fascinating to watch locals like these vendors going about their daily lives.
Many streets are entirely devoted to selling the same merchandise as they have done for several years.
I enjoy riding, but I would need to develop my observation and training skills before I would be ready to navigate these streets. Pedestrians, auto-rickshaws, bicycles and other vehicles come so close to being bumped, but amazingly, they are not. I did not come across any collisions.
Almost every young woman I noticed was dressed in salwar kameez, and some in very bright, vivid colors.
The sightseeing of Bangalore aren't that numerous but there are many spiritual places of worship for different religions and every street has something unique to offer.
This is the St Mary's Cathedral which is the first Syrian Orthodox Church in Bangalore.
It's quite common to see Indian men pushing a cart laden with bags of goods and stuff from one end to the other in the street. More often I see one pushing and one pulling helping one another to stabilize the cart.
From another perspective, reading books and newspapers at the corner of the street is a pastime for many.
That's My World
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Flowers and Prayers for Japan
It's really devastating to hear about what's happening in Japan. The horrible footage of the earthquakes, tsunami and nuclear plant explosions in Japan are just too unbearable to watch. I hope all those people who were affected get as much aid as possible.
My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan in this difficult moment. May they find courage, comfort, strength and peace to move forward in life.
I hope you'll join hands with me to say a little prayer and some well wishes for Japan and the rest of the world.
Today's Flowers
Friday, March 11, 2011
PhotoHunt - Machine (s)
The shot below is one of the first locomotives used on the Orient Express and is on display in front of the Sirkeci Station in Istanbul. This vintage machine was manufactured in 1874 by German Krauss Company and served until 1967.
It's good to see that this machine has been wonderfully preserved as part of the Turkish State Railways collection.
PhotoHunt
It's good to see that this machine has been wonderfully preserved as part of the Turkish State Railways collection.
PhotoHunt
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Skywatch - Above the clouds
A sea of clouds at sunset greeted us while flying from Athens to Rome last year. It feels great when you are above the clouds. I was glad I had my camera with me to capture these shots.
To view more beautiful skies, visit Skywatch.
To view more beautiful skies, visit Skywatch.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
My World - Mounted police in Moscow
A couple of mounted police were seen patrolling the State Historical Museum on Red Square, Moscow.
I find it amazing to see such well trained horses and dedicated riders work so well together. They make a winning team, each trusting one another and best of all, they're great at interacting with the crowd too.
During my visit, the horses appear to be calm and quiet in every occasion. I've not seen one startled or look out of control in anyway and it makes one feel safe and secure walking through the streets. With such courteous mounted unit, people love to touch and pet the horses and I hope they are a permanent attraction.
That's My World
I find it amazing to see such well trained horses and dedicated riders work so well together. They make a winning team, each trusting one another and best of all, they're great at interacting with the crowd too.
During my visit, the horses appear to be calm and quiet in every occasion. I've not seen one startled or look out of control in anyway and it makes one feel safe and secure walking through the streets. With such courteous mounted unit, people love to touch and pet the horses and I hope they are a permanent attraction.
That's My World
Friday, March 4, 2011
PhotoHunt - Self-Portrait
Here is a self- portrait of my little princess and this is one of the few self-portraits that I'm proud of. I like her sweet, innocent look and I hope this picture will bring a smile on your face .
PhotoHunt
PhotoHunt
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Skywatch over Gilleleje, Denmark
While wandering through my archives, I came across these pictures captured in Denmark during spring time a few years ago. I'm still enjoying the photos I captured there and hope you like them too.
Rows of Fishing Boats docked in Gilleleje harbour. What a pleasant treat it was to see the blue skies and golden sunshine that greeted us at that moment. It rained most of the time, but one sunny moment was all I needed to enjoy this.
To view more beautiful skies, visit Skywatch.
Rows of Fishing Boats docked in Gilleleje harbour. What a pleasant treat it was to see the blue skies and golden sunshine that greeted us at that moment. It rained most of the time, but one sunny moment was all I needed to enjoy this.
To view more beautiful skies, visit Skywatch.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
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