The Eden Project

Being English I’d heard of the Eden Project before and in my head I had a visual image of the place being giant golf ball shapes protruding out of the earth, yet I never really understood what the place represented.

Situated in Cornwall the Eden Project is built upon an old Kaolinite pit and consists of two huge biomes. Plant species from all over the world are grown and preserved within the two expansive enclosures, the largest biome recreates a tropical environment with the smaller biome simulating a Mediterranean climate.

The man behind the concept of the Eden Project is Tim Smit and its architect was Nicholas Grimshaw.

Panoramic Views

View of the Eden Project

There are some wonderful panoramic views of the complex from the viewing platform shortly after entering via the visitors centre. Visually stunning, the Eden Project looks like a futuristic mars space station that’s been constructed amongst the hills of the Cornish countryside. Either that or a giant grownup home for adult Teletubbies. The sheer size and scale of the biome domes from this vantage point is spectacular and it’s worth taking ten minutes to take in all in.

Once you’ve walked along the beautiful paths and gardens (watch out for the giant bee on your left hand side) you’ll cross a small bridge and enter a building where the central focus beneath your feet is the Eden Project’s wonderful open-plan restaurant.

Eden Projects Bakery

Strawberries at the Restaurant

Situated between the Eden Projects two Biomes is the Eden Bakery. Here the bakers create handmade pastries, fresh pizzas, savoury dishes and cakes. Unlike most restaurants you can even chat to them as they work because they are baking in front of you. Do save your appetite for dessert though because some of the cake and scones on display are simply amazing.

The Biomes

Balloon inside the Biome

The largest of the biomes houses numerous tropical plants such as banana, coffee, bamboo, rubber. It’s climate is kept at a tropical level with a moist atmosphere, as you climb higher in the dome it becomes increasingly hot and humid. Luckily there’s a juice bar within the dome serving smoothies and there’s also water stations where you can buy water to keep hydrated whilst you wander.

The tropical biome dome is also home to a hot air balloon that rises up within the dome, it’s used to trim back over growing plants and trees. We were lucky enough to see the Olympic flame carried by Ben Fogle in the balloon to celebrate day one of the Olympic torch relay.

Viewing Platform

Viewing Platform

For those of you who don’t suffer from vertigo you can venture towards the top of the dome to a viewing platform that looks out over the rainforest. It can be very humid walking up the steps to the top so allow plenty of time and take some water. There are plans to potentially create a canopy walk way for visitors but there is no confirmation date of when this may be available.

The Mediterranean dome is a much less humid affair and is a pleasant stroll. There are numerous interesting sculptures throughout and can be hired as a beautiful wedding venue.

Balloon inside the tropical biome

The Core

In 2005 the Eden Project opened The Core, an educational facility with classrooms and exhibitions. It was designed to communicate its core message of the relationships between humans and plants.

The Eden Project is a welcome break for the standard tourist attractions, its core message is promoted but not forced and it’s an extremely welcoming place. It’s an attraction you should visit if you are in Cornwall even just to see the place for a distance, it’s an impressive sight.

We were lucky enough to be invited down to Cornwall to welcome the Olympic torch to Britain and visit the Eden Project by VisitEngland  and VisitCornwall.

Awaiting the Olympic torch

A wave of dust and debris blew over me as I turned my back and protected my camera’s lens, an RAF Sea King helicopter dramatically landed in front of us carrying the Olympic flame from Athens.

Local Community Spirit

The scene so far at Land’s End for the start of the Olympic torch relay had been very locally focused and surprisingly low-key. It seemed like the perfect way to welcome the Olympic torch to British shores, with community spirit from villages, towns and cities that have their own unique culture and atmosphere. The local Cornish band may only have had one song (ok, maybe two at the most) but their spirit and enthusiasm was a fitting way to welcome the torch and perhaps a sign of the community spirit that will go hand in hand with the torch throughout its seventy day journey.

Cornish Dancers

Lackluster Corporate Sponsors

Not as fitting to the occasion was the corporate sponsored Coke bus that led the procession, complete with dancers handing out bottles of coke and frisbees. Onlookers waiting to cheer the torch seemed somewhat bemused to the lackluster razzmatazz of the sponsors buses. It seemed strange to have dancers promoting Coke, Samsung and Lloyds alongside aspects of local culture. What would have been better was to see inspiring people from the local community on the buses instead of Coke employees.

People Lining the streets

Thankfully it didn’t over-shadow what was a fantastic start to the seventy day relay. I didn’t really know what to expect from the event but it gave a fantastic glimpse of what we can expect in the build up to the start of the London 2012 games, communities coming out onto the streets to welcome the torch and the Olympics to Britain.

Dumpy the Vintage Bus

I felt the friendliness and sense of excitement from the waiting crowds as we were driven around in a vintage old bus named “dumpy” that proved popular with the locals. Children and parents waved, photos were taken and one teenager jokingly attempted to flag down our bus. People were really getting into the Olympic spirit and it took me a little by surprise.

Ben Ainslie and Anastassia Swallow - Olympic Torches Kiss

Olympic Torch “Kiss”

Triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie carried the torch before passing the flame on to the second torch-bearer, 18-year-old Anastassia Swallow and the relay began, heading out towards Penzance.

As the torch hit the streets we headed to the Eden Project where the torch was due at around 4:20pm. We took the opportunity to explore the topical and Mediterranean climates in the Eden Projects two impressive domes prior to the torches arrival.

Ben Fogle in an Air Balloon, Eden Project

Olympic Flame Balloon Ride

Ben Fogle took the Olympic flame for a ride in an air balloon inside Project Eden’s tropical dome. Despite sweating in the domes topical humidity it was a unique scene and a great experience to see the flame high up inside the worlds largest greenhouse. We had a perfect vantage point high up towards the spectacular viewing platform inside the Eden Project’s topical biome.

Ben Fogle with the Olympic Flame

Slowly Building Olympic Excitement

As the games become ever closer, the spirit I witnessed is only likely to grow and the excitement will build. I’ve heard some people claim that they aren’t that interested in the Olympics, but when the torch passes through their own town and the events are starting on TV there’s no doubt they’ll be into the spirit….

I even bought a London 2012 T-shirt. Even the much maligned logo is starting to grow on me.

We were lucky enough to be invited down to Cornwall to welcome the Olympic torch to Britain by visitEngland it was a great opportunity to witness such a historic moment.

El Caminito, Buenos Aires

The rivalry between Brazil and Argentina dates back to colonization times with historical roots and it isnt only restricted to football.

We argue about who’s better at football, which side of the Iguazu Falls is prettier, who makes the best bbq, the list just goes on and on.

But the rivalry stands aside when talking about tourism because as much as our hermanos love our home country we also love crossing the border to the Argentinian capital.

There’s so much to see and do in Buenos Aires, here are just a selection of my favourite:

Cafe Tortoni

The elegant Cafe Tortoni has survived the crowds of tourists that visit it everyday without losing its charm. The most traditional coffee house in Buenos Aires was established by the French in the mid 19th century working as a bohemian and literary hub at the time. Some say it is overrated but it is the first place that comes in mind to those recommending an authentic Argentinian place to go for a coffee and media luna (croissant) or dinner followed by a tango show.

Santelmo

Santelmo is the oldest neighbourhood and quite bohemian with its cobblestone streets, old buildings, churches, museums and a wide variety of restaurants and cafes.

Check out the mid-week indoor markets on Defensa avenue for some hidden gems and bric-a-brac. But make sure you are in town over the weekend so you can head to the very popular Sunday flea markets for antiques, arts, crafts and souvenir browsing while having a chance to watch local street artists and dancers perform.

The Pink House

The Pink House

It is hard to not think about Evita Peron (or even Madonna’s impersonation of her) when stopping for a photo at the most emblematic building in Argentina, Casa Rosada. The Pink House is the official executive mansion in Argentina and is home to a museum housing objects relating to the presidents of the country.

El Caminito

El Caminito is the little colourful walkway in the Boca barrio (or neighbourhood) with its bright coloured painted houses where artists, crafters and restaurant touts gather.

La Boca is also home to La Bombonera, Boca Juniors stadium where you can watch live football matches. A must see for the football fan.

Recoleta cemetery

Wandering along Recoleta cemetery may sound like a bit too gloomy for your holiday plans but its mausoleums, tombs and corridors curiously populated by a hord of cats, have been visited by tourists worldwide for a reason. The architecture is impressive and when you can spot the crowd, you’ve found its most visited area, Argentinas sweetheart, Evita Peron’s tomb.

Recoleta markets

The park surrounding the cemetery is filled with stalls and it’s transformed into Recoleta markets on weekends. This is where you will find the best value for money souvenirs, local crafts and arts with plenty of variety to choose from. Items on offer range from junk items to much more expensive arts and antiques.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

Also in the Recoleta borough there’s a Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes or Fine Arts Museum, where you can find significant works of the European masters from pre-Renaissance days to the present. There’s a vast collection of the 19th and 20th century Argentine sculptures and paintings. But most importantly, it’s free entry.

Floralis Generica

Outside the museum there is a sculputre made of steel and aluminium entitled Floralis Generica. This sculpture was a gift to the city by Argentinian architect Eduardo Catalano in 2002 and it has a mechanism that allows its petals to open in the morning and close in the evening but unfortunately it is currently out of order.

Calle Florida

Calle Florida, Buenos Aires

Head to Calle Florida if you want to spend your spare pesos and get good value for money. You will find a numerous choice of retail shops and restaurants along this pedestrianised street. You can also watch tango dancers and singers, human statues and all sorts of buskers and street performers at dusk.If you want to experience Argentina’s nightlife don’t expect going out before 1am unless you want to open the nightclub.

Buenos Aires Night life

Nightlife in Buenos Aires starts pretty late and it goes until as late as you manage to stay awake for. However if you are in Buenos Aires over a Monday night, do yourself a favour and head to Ciudad Cultural Konex for the very popular percussion group La Bomba del Tiempo. The group consists of 17 musicians and does mostly drumming improvisation for the first hour (it starts at 8pm) and it brings a different guest every week for the second hour of their show. The venue is an old oil factory and it is absolutely fantastic especially during summer nights.

Puerto madero

Puerto madero is the commercial district of Buenos Aires with its high rise buildings and pricey waterfront restaurants. The area has undergone an urban renewal in the early 90´s becoming a trendy borough. The asymentrical Puente de la Mujer (Womans bridge) links the east and the west docks.

El Ateneo

The stunning former theatre El Ateneo is the favourite stop for those who love books, music, theatre and arts in general. Located on the shopping street santa fe avenue it was built in 1919 and was turned into a book and music shop in the early 2000s.

Dulce de Leche

When in Argentina think dulce de leche for breakfast lunch and dinner, especially if you are have a sweet tooth. If you dont know what dulce de leche is think caramel but 100 times better. Don’t leave Argentina without trying : alfajores (rounded biscuits) filled with dulce the leche (Havana is the most popular brand) and my favourite is dulce de leche ice cream at freddo, definitely one not to miss.

Buenos Aires is a stunning city and it is hard to understand until you have been there. Great food, entertainment, wine, sightseeing and although it is hard to admit, our neighbours make great hosts!

This is an article I wrote back in 2007 but somehow stumbled across it recently unpublished. So here it is my reasons for travelling light.

De-stressed Traveling

Traveling around can be stressful at the best of times and I personally really don’t want to make it anymore stressful by lugging around a huge piece of luggage. Taking a larger rucksack and too much gear is said to be the most common mistake for the first time or rookie traveller.

Imagine the situation, you’re late for your flight, train, or bus. You’ve got to pack your bag and get there as quick as possible, but the trouble is you’ve bought a brand new super heavy 80L rucksack which you’ve got to repack and run with the way to your destination (Usually in sweltering heat.). It’s a situation you can avoid by just taking what you really need for the trip and carrying it all in a nice compact piece of luggage.

Small is Beautiful

A good technique for making sure you don’t over pack is to purchase a compact rucksack and only filling it and nothing else. Meaning that anything else you’ve got that will not fit in will simply be left at home. I would say a 50L rucksack would be plenty of room for a trip round the world staying in guest houses and hostels. I took a 35L +8 Berghaus rucksack through Asia and it was a great size for me. Admittedly at times I wouldn’t be able to fit various things in it, but it made sure I wasn’t carrying around items that I really didn’t need.

Rookie Paranoia

Whilst travelling in Malaysia I noticed three travelers together all carrying 70L+ rucksacks looking worn out and sweating. All three of them all had metal mesh locks all around their rucksacks to prevent theft (Pac-Safe). Now I’m pretty sure the chances of theft were about as great as in their home countries but I’m sure at home they wouldn’t use such devices, sometimes people get a little paranoid. By wearing these metal mesh locks it made all three of them stand out in a crowd and locals wonder just what was so expensive or valuable that it needed such a great contraption.

But I’m Traveling for so long?

One interesting point of view I have come across is that because someone is going away for an extended period of time they must take more things with them. This is completely wrong, if you were to go away for two weeks you would take as many clothes as you would if you were going for a year, only when you’re away for a year you visit the laundrette a lot more.

Travel Light = Less Hassle

Traveling light is a great way to travel, it means you spend less time packing and more time enjoying. You don’t feel stressed and tired because you aren’t carrying such a heavy load around with you. For these reasons especially when you’re travelling for a long period of time, traveling light and with less gear equals less hassle.

Photo by garryknight

To which my response was obviously an instantaneous ‘chocolate, where?, I want it. NOW’.
Seeing my despair, the very friendly hotel manager at the Dean Court Hotel told us that there was a chocolate museum opening the next day in York. What a great timing!

Of course it became my number one priority on my things to do in York list and it was my main duty to report on York’s Sweet Story chocolate museum.

Free Sweets and Chocolate

Chocolate Bars

As soon as we arrived at the King’s Square where the museum is located we encountered a mass of people who were as much excited about the Sweet Story opening as I was.

The atmosphere was fantastic! There was a marching band, which I absolutely adore, circus performers welcoming everyone and sweets and chocolates being given away.

Epic Chocolate Tour Guide

York's Sweet Story Tour

It could not get better than that. Despite the short queue we didn’t have to wait long to hop on the squishy lift to the first floor where our tour started. We received a very warm welcome from our guide, Jemma, who is an absolutely entertaining woman, or how she’d herself say, “epic”.

We were also welcomed by a table full of chocolates which we were to be tasted after an introduction on how to do chocolate tasting. This was a bit tortuous I must say as I just wanted to devour the chocolate.

York’s History of Chocolate

She guided us through two or three different rooms afterwards, where you can follow the interesting history since the discovery of cocoa beans with its origins in Central America, to how chocolate made it to York.

Kit Kat’s Are Blue?

The Blue Kit Kat

Towards the end of the tour you are invited to create your own chocolate wrapper in a very interactive room or dribble over the counter while a chef prepares some chocolate right in front of your eyes. Some old chocolate wrappers and tv commercials are also available to be flickered through. It was quite surprising to find out that my favourite chocolate bar, Kit Kat, has its origins in York, and it was originally wrapped in a blue wrapper?

After such an emotional experience, you can show your love for chocolate on a post it note and stick up on their wall next to notes left by previous visitors.

Visitors Post-it Notes

I challenge you to exit through the gift shop without stopping for a hot chocolate or buying a chocolate box.

York’s Sweet Story although really small is very interactive as said, making it a perfect attraction for the whole family.

If you are a chocolate fan like me, just be careful to not get into a chocolate coma.

Our weekend trip was sponsored and organised by EnjoyEngland and visitYork, so many thanks to them for helping us discover this great city.

Chapel of St Kinga, Inside Wieliczka Salt Mine

A salt mine you say? Doesn’t sound that exciting does it?

Well, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was the location for the world’s first underground bungee jump and also the first underground hot air balloon flight. If that doesn’t impress you and give you a feel for the scale of the mine then it’s also worth noting that the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a UNESCO World heritage site visited by around 1.2 million people every year.

Luckily I we visited the Wieliczka Salt Mine on our blog trip to Poland organised by Polish National Tourism Office.

The Oldest Salt Mine

Located under 10 miles from Krakow the Weiliczka Salt Mine is the oldest salt mine still in operation. It was built in the 13th century and continued to produce table salt up until 2007. The mine consists of 9 levels with a depth of 327 metres and a length of 300 km, the tour only covers a tiny fraction of the mine due to its huge scale.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

The tour visits some of the more interesting parts of the mine taking visitors to an entire salt chapel carved from the rock salt, an underground lake, numerous salt sculptures and finally back up to the surface via a mining elevator. Interestingly the mine is home to a underground private wellness and rehabilitation center for people with breathing illnesses due to its unique micro-climate.

Salt Chapels

We trekked down 378 steps on a spiral stair case into the mine and were shown a small chapel craved out into the salt rock. Due to the dangerous nature of working in the mine the miners would pray before going to work and created numerous chapels throughout the complex. The faces of many sculptures in the chapel hand vanished, eroded over the years.

The Last supper craved into salt rock

Chapel of St. Kinga

Being deep down in a salt mine at over 100 metres I didn’t expect to be confronted with such a beautiful space. The Chapel of St. Kinga is carved entirely out of the salt rock and features stunning chandeliers, religious cravings and most notably a salt carving of The Last Supper by miner Antoni Wyrodek. The chapel is the most elaborate of the forty chapels in the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Salt Sculptures, Chapel of St. Kinga

Michalowice Chamber

The timber structures of the Michalowice Chamber are an impressive sight. Huge white timber beams reinforce the green salt chamber where excavations had started as far back as the 1680′s and continued for a 100 years. With so much timber installed in the mine came the danger of fire, the most serious starting in 1644 and burning for 8 months.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is well worth the visit if you are in Krakow for 2-3 days. The mine has some impressive sights including it’s sculptures, chapels and the unmissable Chapel of St Kinga. A visit can last around two and a half hours so leave enough time for this as well as travel to and from the mine.

Eilat, Israel

The first thing I did, in my hotel room, after a bath was very simple. The ‘to visit’ list. And the first place which caught my eye was waiting for me on the southern tip of Israel. This trip to Israel is my first trip in the middle-east. I was all pumped up to visit this place with such a great location. The reason this city would turn out to be my first stop is simple. The roots of Eilat dates back to the Christ and The Three Wise Men. This ‘promised land’ for Jews is situated in the ‘Heart’ of the world and is surely a point of cultural importance for the Jews. Though the roots of Eilat are certainly a souvenir for the Jews.

Safe Middle Eastern City

This city solves the the stories of the biblical Moses and the ‘Ten Commandments’. The seeds of the most mysterical religion of ‘Kabalah’ were also swon in this mainland. The city, of cultural and traditional importance is very rich and is one of the very few safe cities of the middle east. It is safe from suicidal bombings and other inhuman attacks.

The way this trip would go was now clearly on my diary page. The first thing to do in morning is to catch a flight and march to this exicting location which is just around 350 kms from Tel Aviv. Its 10 am and I am feeling the desert heat of Eilat. I was finding myself in pie and was sweating heavily.

The route through the desert was tough. Some of the things on my agenda were very clearly related to the culture of Eilat. Amran pillars, Red Canyon, Timma Park, Mt. Yoash, Mt. Hizqiyahu were of the some of the important places which over the years influnced the Jewish culture.

The Amran Pillars

The Amran Pillars are sandstone pillars along the western wall of Amran crater.This archeological and historically important site is standing tall from the Roman era.This place has its root from the Biblical Moses. Amran got its name to preserve the sound of the arab name ‘Amrani’. Amran was the name of Mooses’ father, this was certainly the thing which attracted the attention as it was related with my curiosity about the Jewish culture. This place finds itself in the Bible also.

Coral Beaches of Eilat

Beachs at Eilat

After visiting this place of importance I desparately wanted to relax along the beaches. The coral beaches of Eilat bay were waiting for my visit. The airodium and oceanarium are a must watch to experience the oceanic culture of the people associated with this land. By evening I was again editing my ‘to visit’ list and planning my trip back to Tel Aviv, a group of people caught my attention in the desert with lamps and fire amongst them. I quickly followed there.

To my pleasent surprise, a group of young women were getting ready to perform for some guests. On further enquiry I was told that they were belly dancers. I was amazed and quite happy to witness the authentic and culturally elite dance for the first time. This experience was a perfect display of the  influence of the Jewish culture.

Photos by Or Hiltch

As a consultant covering South East Asia I often get to travel to some interesting and unusual places, Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia in the last few months.

However recently a regional client asked us to help them in another market, just outside our usual sphere of influence, therefore at the end of March I travelled to Colombo.

A luxurious start to the journey

This trip had previously been postponed twice, in fact the second time I was supposed to be travelling Laura was also going to join me, with us extending the trip a couple of days (unfortunately she could accompany me when the trip actually happened as she was in the UK).

Champagne in the Emirates lounge

As I mentioned I travel a fair bit for work, but travelling to Sri Lanka somehow seemed to be a little more exotic, exciting and edgy than usual (I am not sure why, perhaps it is the country’s recent history  or the fact that it is not on everyone’s must travel to list (it should be, but more of that later)).

So the time for the trip arrived with an overnight flight from Singapore to Colombo (on the Emirates flight that I usually try very hard to avoid on trips back to Blighty) and started really well with a champagne in the Emirates lounge and an upgrade to the posh seats (courtesy of my frequent flyer status), therefore the flight was comfy and sleepy.

Sri Lankan Breakfast

Echelon

After my last meeting I returned to the hotel and decided to have a well-earned beer in the hotel bar. This was themed as a British style pub and I was able to catch the last 15 minutes of play from the 1st Test Match (England were playing the Sri Lankan in Galle, in the south of the island) over a Lion Beer.

Along with the beer they served a bowl of something similar to Bombay Mix, a spicy mix of odds and sods, which was excellent and a great accompaniment to the excellent cold lager (it was bloody hot outside, although not as humidity as Singapore). The bar was called Echelon.

The Best Fish Counter in the World

Echelon Bar

Prior to my trip I had bought the Lonely Planet guide for Sri Lanka and read up on the eating options and with luck one of the recommended places was right here in the hotel. A Sri Lankan restaurant called Curry Leaf, which essentially serves seafood cooked in the local spicy style using the buffet approach.

The main feature of the restaurant was an amazing fish counter where the customer selects what he wants to eat. All I can say is that the choice was overwhelming but fortunately the chap before me asked for a selection cooked Ceylon-style.

Whilst the fish was cooking there was a meat and veggie buffet with all sorts of curries, rice and cooling salad.

Fish Counter, Sri Lanka

Kotthu Rotti

Additionally there was a station serving a local speciality, Kotthu Rotti, which is a chopped up rotti with meat and many vegetables. I was keen to try this as I had seen this on travel programmes, where it was portrayed as Sri Lankan drinking food (similar to the late night kebabs that us Brits consumed at 2am after a night on the ale) and can report that the Hilton’s version was delicious .

Then the fish started to arrive at the table, dish after dish. There were prawns, squid and grilled fish, all cooked in wonderful spicy curried rubs and sauces.

The final course of the meal was Sri Lankan chilli crab, this was a thousand times better than the Singaporean equivalent, in that the spiced is cooked onto the crab, as opposed to being poured on as a sauce, therefore it is less messy to eat (always a plus for me).

Battered Prawns and Curried Squid

An elephant wandering the streets

The second day and final morning of my trip was devoted to business meetings, however upon leaving the last meeting there was a great deal of commotion and noise (including drums, trumpets and firecrackers) on the street outside the office building with many teenage boys shouting and cheering in a possession.

One of participants was rather larger than his fellow revellers, a fully grown elephant in ceremonial dress, was also walking down the road.

Wondering what was going on I asked my driver (hired from the hotel for about 35 sing for the half day) and was informed that there was a schools cricket final that afternoon.

Elephant Sri Lanka

Exploring the city

Having finished my meeting and my flight back to Singapore not being until the following afternoon I had some time to explore the city a little, so I decided to can a walk along the beach.

Initially this was a little stressful, given the constant hassle from tuk-tuk drivers looking for customers (offering to show you the sights etc, all offers I declined).

I walked along an area called the Galle Face, which is essentially a park for walking, meeting friends, flying a kite, playing cricket or going for a drip in the clear blue water of the Indian Ocean. Along the promenade there were also a number of stalls selling snacks and drinks, most of which smelled wonderful.

The Veranda Bar at the Galle Face Hotel

The Veranda Bar

On my walk I ended up having a beer in The Veranda Bar, at the Galle Face Hotel, a sort of Colombo equivalent of Raffles Hotel, i.e. a colonial relic of yesteryear, which I have to say, was truly wonderful.

The atmosphere was relaxed and not at all stuffy (as you may have expected) with the bar overlooking lush tropical gardens (including a boy that was climbing palm trees) and the aforementioned ocean in the background.

I had two large bottles of the local beer (I always try to sample the local drop on my travels, Sri Lanka’s is called Lion), that cost an eye-poppingly cheap nine dollars.

Walk along the beach

Cricket Club Cafe

In the evening I visited the Cricket Club Cafe, a bar dedicated to the sport I love, with memorabilia from various international cricket teams on the walls.

All the menu items are named after cricketers, I had a Ganguly Grill (a chicken parma with chips), named after the Prince of Calcutta, Sourav Ganguly, former Indian captain.

As good as the cafe was, the journey to and from the meal was the most interesting or should I say, exciting (or should I say scary, nail-biting, flume choked ten minutes of fun), ride I have had in my life, as I foolishly decided to utilise the services of a tuk-tuk driver.

Main Photo by peterp

Getting your stuff packed for a trip can be infuriating.

You want to bring everything but space can be very limiting. The same goes with your photography gear. You have to be careful on what you bring. Oftentimes bringing a lot of gear can be a waste of space and effort. Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind when packing your DSLR for travel.

Don’t Bring Everything

That 70-200mm 2.8 lens of yours might not see any action at all. You might be thinking that you’ll need the zoom and opening for that awesome shot but other lenses can do well too in this regard. Choosing can be hard but please choose wisely. As much as possible bring only one or two lenses, a couple of cleaning accessories, an external flash and the camera body. This is just a basic guideline and will vary immensely depending on what you like to shoot. Check your photo management software, Aperture or Lightroom, and check the zoom range you mostly use. This can be a good indication of what zoom range you prefer.

All Around Lens

Most photographers buy an all-around lens for its versatility. This is quite beneficial during photoshoots as you don’t have to replace the lens to capture various distances. For travelling this is excellent since fiddling around your lens on unfamiliar territory can be quite risky. However, if you have a specific agenda in mind, you can prepare ahead and bring the lens that you would like use. For example, if you plan on shooting mostly landscapes, it won’t hurt to bring a dedicated ultra-wide angle lens for your travel.

Camera Bag

Don’t just buy a decent camera bag, buy a great one. You’ll be storing expensive gears in it and you don’t want your bag to be the weakest link. Ideally, you should have at least two camera bags. Your main camera bag should hold all your gear and the other one for holding a couple of lenses and accessories. If you’re not bringing all you gear, it is advisable to bring the smaller bag. There are a variety of camera bags that offer easy access for your camera and lenses. Lowepro offers the Flipside which provides you easier retrieval of your camera. On the other hand Think Tank Photo has a camera belt which fastens on your belt so you can hang your lenses on to your waist.

Point and Shoot

Sometimes, you just need to bring a simple point-and-shoot camera to take amazing pictures. A boat ride in the open seas might not suit well for your DSLR and it’ll be better if you bring an easier to hold camera. Don’t ignore it since you have a DSLR. Remember that it’s the photographer and not the camera that takes the picture.

These are simple tips that can change drastically depending on the type of photographer. Some might opt to bring most of his photography gear to capture everything without compromise while others will delightedly bring a simple DSLR setup or point-and-shoot camera to capture the moments. The best advice would be to have fun and enjoy your trip. Remember to capture the moments and shoot away!

Photo by mynameisharsha

Auschwitz Watchtower, "The Gate of Death"

The sky was bleak, charcoal grey and the trees were stark without leaves.

The scene was just what you’d expect from the Nazi’s largest extermination centre,  Auschwitz II – Birkenau. I stood alongside a railway track trying to focus on where the track ends. The visibility was pretty poor due to the pouring rain, my umbrella was fighting to withstand the cross wind blowing across the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. It’s hard to understand what happened here, in what is one of the bleakest places on earth.

“The Gate of Death”

Walking under what was known as “The Gate of Death” by prisoners at Auschwitz II and standing under the watchtower, you realise that you’re stood in a haunting and harrowing place. The railway tracks pass under the watchtower and out onto the horizon, it’s difficult if not impossible to visualise where it ends.

It was here around the middle of May 1944 where trains made up of 40-50 cars rolled through the gates day and night, transporting Jews to be gassed at the four gas chambers. Over one million people died here, it was killing on an industrial level.

Prisoners of Auschwitz

I trudged along a muddy path following the train tracks and squinting through the rain that was dripping down one side of my face. I was wondering whether turning back was a better option due to limited time but I wanted to make it to the end of what is a symbolic railway line. What at first seemed like a plausible idea suddenly seemed like the wrong decision, the end of the railway track still wasn’t in sight despite walking for some considerable time.

Gas chamber, Auschwitz I

I stopped, looked back towards “The Gate of Death” when the sheer scale of the concentration camp started to dawn on me. The pit of my stomach felt uneasy and couldn’t help but think of images of people’s hair, suitcases and children’s shoes on display in the Auschwitz Museum. “Over a million people”, I repeated back to myself out loud.

Covering a total of 425 acres, stretching a mile in one direction and a half in the other the Birkenau concentration camp is simply huge. It was originally surrounded by electrified barbed wire fencing and contained more than 300 buildings.

Auschwitz Museuem

Childs show, Auschwitz Museum

Earlier in the day we’d taken a guided tour of the Museum at Auschwitz I where human hair from thousands of people, suitcases, artificial limbs and children’s shoes are exhibited. There’s nothing more haunting then realising you’re in a room staring at the hair of 40,000 people who had been executed. Seeing piles of children’s shoes, varying in shapes and sizes but all equally tiny is something that you can’t help be affected by. I was drawn to one shoe in particular that was sat on top of the pile, laces intact, well-worn but shiny and it was easy to imagine who they once might have belonged to and it’s terrifying.

Shoes on display at the Auschwitz Museum

The end of the track

I continued walking not quite knowing how long it would take to reach the end of the line. It’s a railway line where trains roll in and stop, it’s a final destination. To the right and left of me were fences covered in barbed wire and large brick shed type buildings stretching into the distance as far as the eye can see. The scale of what happen at Aschwitz concentration camp is both mind-blowing and shocking.

Auschwitz II, end of the railway track

After walking for some time I finally made it to the end of the track and turned to look back down the track towards the watchtower. The sheer scale of Auschwitz II – Birkenau was overwhelming and what happened during World War 2 quite hard to comprehend.

Auschwitz remains an important reminder of the great suffering humans are capable of inflicting upon each other. Visiting is an emotional but important experience, no one should ever forget the indescribable horrors that were carried out here during World War 2.

Keep your DSLR Camera Lens safe whilst traveling

Traveling usually goes hand in hand with photography.

Nothing beats a photograph in helping you relieve the beautiful moments during your adventures. Keep in mind though that you’re going in unfamiliar territory. Erring on the side of caution is a must to keep you and your gears safe. With every journey you take, keeping your camera safe and intact is a priority. Here are a couple of tips to make sure that you and your gears are safe.

Trust Your Instincts

If you feel like going in that alley is dangerous, then don’t go. Getting a great photograph is not worth it if you’re going to lose your camera. Always err on the side of caution.

Be Friendly

Talk to the people around you. If you’re taking a picture of someone, ask their permission first. Some don’t like their pictures taken and this can cause trouble. Being friendly might even help you find places that are only known by the locals.

“Camera” Bag

Try to avoid bags that are made specifically for cameras. Opportunists are familiar with those and will mark you as a target easily. Using an ordinary bag with some padding will make do for your trip.

Front Bag

Squeezing into crowded places with your bag at your back is a very bad idea. Wearing it at the front can be awkward and funny at first but this will stop opportunists from easily slashing your bag unaware.

Bring Someone

The more you are in a group, the safer it is. If you have a friend with you, advise him to be extra aware of the surroundings and to keep an eye on people coming too close to you. If he is also a photographer, take turns in taking pictures. One should always be watching over the other.

Keep Moving

Try to take pictures as fast as you can. Staying in place will attract attention to more people. A moving target is harder to hit than a stationary one.

Hotel Storage

When going out, don’t leave your other camera gear in the room. Most hotels offer a mini-safe that can easily accommodate your extra gear. You can also store other things in there if the place is a bit sketchy.

Serial Numbers

In case things go awful, keep a record of all the serial numbers of you gear. This is your only record of the items stolen from you. Get a picture of the gear too with the serial number for added credibility.

Insurance

This can be expensive but worth it if you plan on bringing a lot of expensive photography gear. You can get those that cover various incidents such as theft and acts of god.

Traveling with your expensive gear can get worrisome but with a couple of safety precautions and a quick state of mind, you can still enjoy your trip and capture the memories forever. Don’t let your camera hinder the fun, enjoy the moment and capture the light.

Photo by Inspire Kelly (Vita Bella)

Olympic fever is close to taking over London and the rest of the globe is slowly but surely turning its sporting focus towards the UK in anticipation of what is arguably the world’s best known, most loved and most important sports event. 

The origin of the Olympic games is also well-known with Greek traditions and names still dominant.

However, I recently found out about a growing group of people who believe that the origin of the Olympic games has been overlooked and all but forgotten. They are trying to save and recapture the true and original spirit of the Games in an event known as the Nemean Games. Greece has long been one of my favourite holiday destinations and with Greece in the spotlight at the moment for very different reasons, I wanted to find out more.

The origin of the Nemean Games

In ancient Greece at the time of the original Panhellic Games the coming together of people to compete against each other didn’t just happen at Olympia.

It also took place in three other locations in Ancient Greece, which alternated on a four-year cycle. One of these places was Nemea. Historians believe that these annual games were a time when normally conflicting tribes from different neighbouring regions would quite literally down swords and cordially compete against each other to honour Greek Gods; the point being participation not victory.

In the 1970s a US academic with a deep rooted fascination for Ancient Greek history and in particular the places where these ancient games were held began the very long process of excavating in and around where Nemea was believed to be. His goal was to find the location of the original stadium that hosted games every two years from 573 BC until 271 BC. Locals quickly became fascinated and intrigued by his work, fired up by their pride in their local history.  20 years later the outline of the stadium was found and salvaged with a lot of additional information coming to light about the stadium and games. To cut a long story short it sparked a real interest in the true meaning and nature of the cycle of games we believe to have been the forerunner of the Olympic Games.

From this group of inquisitive locals was born the Society for the Revival of the Nemean Games, who focused more on the involvement and peaceful nature of the original games in contrast to the mammoth athletic event that is now the Olympic Games in which only elite athletes compete. It is the Society’s belief that the spirit of the original was one of peaceful participation by usually conflicting regions, not fierce sporting competition and in 1994 the first Nemean Games were held with a focus on this. This year will be fifth Nemean Games and as has always been the case anyone can compete in the traditional events, which includes the 100m sprint (which is actually 90m but wearing a Greek tunic and running barefoot is compulsory).

Nemean Games: Holiday Destination?

As Greece’s tourist industry could potentially feel the wrath of its current economic instability are the Nemean Games a pie in the sky or a local dream being realised? And why am I, a travel blogger, writing about them? Well, the Nemean Games are being pitched as a holiday experience, offering people from all over the world to participate or spectate at the Games, as part of their summer holiday. It is open to all ages, all backgrounds and is free to register to run in the Games which are held on the 23rd and 24^th June this year. I have no doubt they’ll enjoy some beautiful weather, delicious Greek food and warm local hospitality, while they’re soaking up thousands of years of history.

Personally I have taken many wonderful holidays in Greece and I would be sad to think the people who rely on this industry suffer because of a political situation that is seemingly out of their control. But most significantly I can’t help but wonder if indeed we have lost sight of the real meaning of the original games, from which the Olympics derives. I think back to when I was 6 years old and running in my first egg and spoon race. Of course, I did appallingly dropping my (thankfully fake) egg countless times. My mother consoled me with the advice  “it’s not the winning that matters, it’s the taking part” and I wish I’d known that before I lined up as I know I would have enjoyed it so much more. So what do you think, has Olympic fever blighted our understanding of the real spirit of the Games? And would you consider packing your toga and travelling to Greece to take part in the Nemean Games?

Deborah & The boobs of les Sybelles (officially called “Les Aguilles d'Arves”)

Almost 40 years ago, my parents met on a ski holiday in Austria.

Seeing that it worked out so well for them, skiing became a family tradition, and I spent most of my childhood Christmas holidays in the Swiss, Austrian, Italian or French Alps. We love exploring new ground, so you can imagine what a happy surprise it was when my mum discovered that there is an extensive winter sports region in France that we somehow managed to overlook so far: The Haute Savoie. So we booked a chalet in Le Corbier, packed our gear and set out for a snow trip.

The Boobs of Les Sybelles

I hate to disappoint you after my guide to the kinky side of Cardiff, but “the boobs of Les Sybelles” is not a reference to some sort of extreme après-ski entertainment. I was there with my folks and the only après-ski we sampled was hot chocolate with whipped cream. No, the ‘boobs’ are two high peaks that can be seen from almost everywhere you go. It was these peaks that kept reminding us we were in Les Sybelles and not in Les Trois Vallées, Paradiski, Les Deux Alps or Espace Killy. I know comparing mountains to the female body isn’t very original – nor classy for that matter – but it was difficult not to…

4th largest ski region in France

As the 4th largest ski region in France, Les Sybelles is especially popular among French people. 26 Chair lifts and 50 drag lifts connect over 300 kilometres of lovely slopes, which means my parents and I were able to explore a different area every day and drink hot chocolate milk in a new mountain restaurant every afternoon. The routes range from long, wide green and blue runs to steeper red slopes and a couple of narrow, bumpy black pistes. There also is an irresistible Snowpark with 3 kickers where skiers and boarders of all ages and abilities queue up to launch themselves.

I always wonder how they measure this, but for those who care about the numbers: Le Corbier is 1550 metres above sea-level and the highest lift of the area reaches 2600 metres.

Wroclaw, Poland

The Polish Southwestern city of Wroclaw has found itself involved in many a power struggle over the years.

The city’s strategic location at the heart of Central Europe inevitably led to numerous battles, but from the grip of Communism and scars of World War 2 the city has emerged with a strong identity of its own.

Prior to 1945, Wroclaw had been part of Poland, Bohemia, Austria and Germany. Under the rule of the Germanic state of Prussia, Wroclaw was known as “Breslau”. Dubbed the “Breslau fortress” by Hitler it was the scene of a brutal siege lasting 14 weeks. The city was in a complete state of ruin after being the last city to fall during World War 2, four days after Berlin.

Wroclaw has had to recover from years of war and destruction with many of the city’s great 13th buildings having to be rebuilt. It’s testament to the character of the people of Wroclaw that it has emerged through the rubble and ruins of war as a modern centre of commerce and industry

Wroclaw holds its head high this year as a proud host for Europe’s biggest football event, the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship (The competition is hosted by both Poland and the Ukraine). Wroclaw is one of four Polish cities hosting games (The other Polish hosts being Warsaw, Gdańsk, Poznań) during the Euros and will see three group A stage matches played.

Football aside, there’s plenty to see and do around Wroclaw. Here are some of our highlights from our blog trip to Poland organised by Polish National Tourism Office.

Wroclaw’s Dwarfs

Wroclaw dwarfs

If you wander the streets of Wroclaw long enough and keep you eyes towards the ground, you’ll run into numerous tiny dwarfs posing in various guises. They can be found on lamp posts, window ledges, fountains, monuments and just about anywhere you can think of.

The origins of the dwarfs goes back to socialist rule where anti-communist group Orange Alternative would protest against censorship by using graffiti. The anti-communist graffiti would be swiftly painted over by militia only for painting of dwarfs to appear shortly after. They soon became a artistic symbol of Orange Alternative and resistance to the system.

After disappearing in the 90′s the dwarfs began to reappear in 2001 where the first one was found in Swidnicka Street, a location that was associated with the Orange Alternative. The dwarfs quickly started to multiply with some even being created by local businesses to attract tourists.

In total there are around 170 dwarfs around the city and you can even pick up a city dwarf map to search for them all.

Panorama Raclawicka

Panorama Raclawicka, Wroclaw

This immense 360 degree partially three-dimensional painting was created between August 1894 and May 1894 by Jan Sktyka and Wojciech Kossak for the National Exhibition in Lvov (which is now part of the Ukraine).

It’s a popular attraction boasting millions of visitors in total and hundreds per day. The painting depicts the battlefield at Raclawice on 4th April 1794 where Polish soldiers (mainly made up of ill-equipped peasants) defeated the Russian army. The battle was an important symbolic victory for Poland as the country was under attack from Russia, Prussia and Austria. The battle at Raclawice gave Poland hope, but it was in vain as on 16th November 1794 it was defeated and divided up between Russia, Prussia and Austria.

The painting was damaged during World War 2 and moved from Lvov to Wroclaw in 1946. Under the Polish Community Party it remained hidden away from the public due to its sensitive depiction of victory over the Russians. Only on 14th June 1985 was the painting finally put on show for the public.

On arrival at the Panorama Raclawicka visitors have the opportunity to view the painting in groups and the waiting time is indicated on a large screen. Once inside, visitors can listen to historical commentary that last 30 minutes via headsets in their chosen language.

Panorama Raclawicka 

Katedra

Katedra

The first Gothic building in Wroclaw, the Katedra started being built back in 1244. This impressive structure towers above nearby churches.

The cathedral and its interior suffered 70% damage during World War 2 and as a result has seen major reconstruction. Its interior owes much to other nearby churches where many of the moments were brought from. It’s worth noting that the Katedra’s spires aren’t original so it would have looked a little bit different on the Wroclaw skyline.

Also in the area is the St Idzi Church and the Church of Holy Cross. St Idzi Church is the oldest church in Wroclaw whilst the Church of  Holy Cross was the first of its kind in the city.

Lover’s Bridge

Lovers Bridge

A short walk from the Katedra is a small bridge painted in a distinctive shade of green. It has hundreds of padlocks chained to its metal structure as a declaration of love between couples visiting the bridge. Lovers names are written upon the padlocks and locked to the bridge’s structure.

Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia)

Hala Stulecia

If you’re one of those tourists ticking off UNESCO World Heritage sites then you can’t miss Centennial Hall on your visit to Wroclaw. The hall was built between 1911 – 1913 and designed by Max Berg, it remained unscathed during World War 2.

Shortly after the war Hala Studecia was home to a number of cultural and entertainment exhibitions. These days the hall is used for entertainment and sporting functions, it can hold up to 7000 people. The hall’s towering concrete and metal dome-shaped ceiling is a distinctive and impressive sight from the inside.

Centennial Hall – UNESCO website

Hala Targowa

Hala Targowa

Hala Targowa is a market teeming with locals on a busy day, you can find flowers, clothes, fruit and vegetables and Polish sweets on offer here. It’s worth wandering around the two-floor market if you are looking for a short break from visiting the nearby churches and cathedral.

The market hall itself  was built by the German architect Richard Plueddemann between 1906-08 and its stark high grey concrete ceiling gives a great contrast against the colourful fruit and vegetable stalls that reside below.

Wroclaw Stadium

Stadion Miejski Wroclaw

For those attending the Euros in Wroclaw the purpose-built Stadium will become a familiar sight. It was designed with a fiber net suspended on steel rings around the stadium and can change colour depending on which teams are playing. The stadium can hold 42,771 fans and is known as the stadium lantern due to its design.

After the Euros the stadium will become home to WKS Slask Wroclaw as well as being used as a venue for concerts and local cultural events.

Wroclaw Stadium website

Market Square

Market Square, Wroclaw

Centrally located in Wroclaw it’s difficult to miss the hub of the old town, Market Square (or the Main Square – Rynek in Polish). Many of the buildings around Market Square have been reconstructed since the siege of Wroclaw (during World War 2). The siege saw fierce fighting with most of the buildings suffering significant damage. The square has been the hub of life in Wroclaw throughout its history and was first created back in the 13th century.

Today the market is home to numerous restaurants, bars and shops. It’s the perfect location to relax with a cold Polish beer whilst watching the world go by.

Despite its turbulent history, Wroclaw has emerged with a strong sense of culture and identity. With good transport infrastructure its becoming a popular destination for tourist and the city has plenty of attractions on offer.

With the spotlight of the Euros focusing on Wroclaw this summer it’s likely that this charming Polish city will increasingly become a favourite tourist spot for many.

Dean Court Hotel, York

A couple of weekends ago we visited the historic city of York courtesy of EnjoyEngland and visitYork, we were lucky enough to be staying in Dean Court Hotel.

York was the perfect choice for a historic weekend break being only a 2 hour direct journey from London’s Kings Cross with East Coast.

The front of Dean Court

Great Western’s Dean Court Hotel boasts arguably the best location in York, situated on a corner opposite York Minster. Walking from York’s Railway station gave us impressive views of the Gothic Cathedral on the way to our hotel.

Warm Friendly Welcome

On arrival at the hotels reception we received a warm, friendly welcome and were shown to our room. The Dean Court is an elegant and well looked after hotel, with approachable, friendly staff and generally a relaxed atmosphere.

The view from our room was as equally impressive as the hotels, looking out onto the front of York Minster. So close in fact that our late morning wake up call came in the form of mesmerisingly beautiful chorus of choir singing.

The room itself was extremely spacious with a four poster bed, nicely decorated bathroom and two sofas. A large TV and facilities for making cups of tea and coffee were available as well as room service. It was a very comfortable room to stay in after a hard days trek around Yorks numerous tourist attractions.

D.C.H- The Restaurant

On the Friday evening we had a superb three course meal at the D.C.H- The Restaurant, a restaurant that received a AA Rosette Award in 2011. You may even be lucky enough to have one of several tables in the restaurant looking out onto York Minster.

The Dean Court Hotel also has a cafe bar and bistro offering light snakes, hot dishes and beverages in a relaxed environment. The hotel has all the facilities you would expect from a four star hotel, but most importantly for us,  free wifi.

Overall, Dean Court Hotel is arguably the best hotel for sight seeing in York. Positioned directly opposite York Minster itself means you’re guaranteed to have a unique, charming and historic visit to York  even if you choose not to get out of bed.

Baezaarch

Head to the heart of the old quarter of Baeza and you step back in time.

Narrow streets, gorgeous sandstone monuments and balconies oozing a riot of colours. Baeza, in Jaén province,  has been  named “Exemplar Renaissance City” by the European Council and is twinned with the larger Ubeda as “Historic-Artistic Ensemble” by UNESCO.

Both have fabulous 16th century monuments but for me Baeza is the favourite. It´s  smaller and has a  snug and friendly feel.  If you´ve only time to visit one, although they are only 8km apart, I suggest  Baeza. If you´ve time for both then do so and be inspired by the collection of Gothic, Mudejar and Italian Renaissance style monuments.

Plaza del Populo

Your first stop in Baeza is likely to be the palm-filled Plaza del Populo, where you can find the oficina de turismo in an ornate Plateresque building.  Stop a while in the plaza to admire the fountain with an Iberian-Roman statue of Imilce said to be the wife of Hannibal.

Explore the narrow, cobbled in places, streets or take the Italian-style tourist train to learn about the 15^th century Gothic Palace and Santa Cruz church with Romanesque architecture. The highly decorated cathedral with early Gothic features and a main frontage in Renaissance-style is also on the tour whose architect Andres de Vandelvira also designed some of Ubeda´s monuments and the enormous cathedral in Jaén.

Tourist Train and Old University Baeza Jaen, Spain

El Museo de la Cultura del Olivo

With plenty of time on your hands you must visit the olive oil museum, El Museo de la Cultura del Olivo at the Hacienda La Laguna just 8km from Baeza. An eye-opener into  the old traditional methods up to the modern-day processes of extracting and packaging olive oil. There´s a craft shop on site, a farm park, lovely grounds to stroll in to build-up to  or walk off lunch or take a longer walk  in the  Paraje Natural Laguna Grande to, as the name suggest, Laguna Grande or Large Lake the winter home of many water birds.

Culture and nature, local gastronomy and the base of it all, in just one day.

However, my visit to Barcelona and my brief exposure to the memorable work of Antoni Gaudí left me wanting to know more.

Gothic Architecture & Sagrada Familia

Senyor Gaudí aside, Barcelona’s old town is dominated by eye-catching gothic architecture and so you already feel artistically spoilt by the time you arrive in front of one of Gaudí’s, Barcelona’s and possibly Spain’s most recognisable landmarks, Sagrada Familia.

Sagrada Familia

At first glance the overall silhouette of Sagrada Familila is fairy tale like, as though it was envisaged in a dream or in a drug-fuelled high. However, look closer and there’s much more to it, it not least the dominant religious theme (Sagrada Familia means Holy Family) and it’s often overlooked by those who just swing by for a look at the fascinating exterior that this is a church, a place of worship.

Religious theme of Sagrada Familia

My retrospective research informed me that Gaudí was strongly and soberly influenced by his Catholic faith, which deepened during his life and his five point cross is instantly recognisable by anyone with the most basic knowledge of Gaudí. I spent longer than most standing opposite the front of Sagrada Familia using my camera to zoom in, trying to make sense of the characters, vaguely relating them to Biblical events I recalled, all the while finding myself completely mesmerised by the vision Gaudí must of had when he took over and transformed the building’s construction a year after it started in 1882.

Sagrada Familia is now famously known as Spain’s longest work in progress and this vision is now managed by those responsible for continuing its work, which has an estimated completion date of 2028, more than 100 years after Gaudí died. There are unashamed differences in colour and texture of the brick where old meets new, although it looks a little stilted at first, it becomes part of the character.

Sagrada Familia old meets new brick

Parc Güell

Character also oozes out of the mosaics of Parc Güell, arguably Gaudí’s second best known work in Barcelona. Found seemingly in the middle of nowhere along a picturesque residential street in north-east Barcelona, Parc Güell was over run with tourists wanting to enjoy the park’s views of the city and spot the famous mosaic salamander which is also symbolic of Gaudí’s broken mosaic style of art.

Mosaics of Parc Güell

As bus loads of tourists flocked around me I persevered in letting my first impressions be uninterrupted before taking more time trying to understand what Gaudí wanted to achieve when he envisaged Parc Güell. It feels like one of his most modernistic works, the colour and curves betray traditional gothic architecture, and with the intriguing leaning pillars of the walkways below the jutting out curved seating areas, reportedly designed for optimum comfort, I couldn’t help but feel sure that Gaudí wanted this space to be explored, enjoyed and shared.

Parc Güell

Gaudí’s Barcelona

At this point I started to wonder if Gaudí was not only a highly skilled and creative architect but was also capable of predicting the future. Did he know and was motivated by the draw that his work would have on people in the future? Probably not. Gaudí’s Barcelona was a very different city to the one millions of tourists now flock to each year. It was an industrial hub and one of the biggest ports on the Mediterranean, which only really developed it’s pull as a tourist attraction as a result of vast urban development which occurred in the run up to the 1992 Olympics. Gaudí arrived in the city in 1868 aged 16 as a student and fell into architecture almost by accident as he also studied numerous other subjects though didn’t excel in all. There are also reports that he was not the most dynamic of individuals, with a reputation for being anti-social and even unpleasant, due perhaps in part to having suffered form ill-health on and off throughout his life. Gaudí also never married, devoting his life to his work; his last home before his death was his workshop at Sagrada Familia.

Gaudí's Barcelona was a very different city

And yet back in Parc Güell, although I am looking at mosaics made up of purposefully broken up tiles and patterns, which carries a slightly sinister undertone, I also note that they are put back together again and that they are colourful, beautiful and certainly very intriguing.

Gaudi's mosaics

They are not to be ignored or overlooked, I feel certain that Gaudí wanted them to be observed and enjoyed, at great length. Inspired by his architecture I would daydreamily like to think that Gaudí worked so hard and tirelessly towards this because this prospect pleased him and how happy he would be to know how many millions continue to enjoy it now.

Have you been to visit Gaudi’s architecture in Barcelona? What did you think? Were you impressed?

East Coast Train

We made very loose plans to catch the East Coast train service to York mainly because of the frequency of the service.

It proved to be the perfect, hassle-free way to travel to the historical city of York.

We experienced first class, with complementary drinks, snacks and small meals. On the weekends they don’t service complementary alcohol. Seating is comfortable and the staff are extremely accommodating.

With many direct services you can get from London to York in around two hours. Logically the National Railway Museum is located near to York station making it a perfect attraction to visit on the way or way back on your journey.

Cliffords Tower, York

It had been a very long time since I’d last been to York, I was about 11 at the time and still have vague memories of the distinct smells of the Jorvik Viking Centre.

On our visit to York I was taken back with how much there is on offer in terms of attractions.

There is a lot to pack in for a weekend. York offers a great range of choices to keep every member of the family happy, from adults to youngsters there is a diverse range of attractions to appeal to everyone.

History fans visiting the UK should make a bee-line for York, you can see evidence of its turbulent and dubious past throughout the city. From Roman ruins to Viking treasures unearthed and persevered at the Jorvik Viking Centre you really can’t fail to stumble across a rich tapestry of history on a visit here.

Our weekend trip was sponsored and organised by EnjoyEngland and visitYork, so many thanks to them for helping us discover this great city.

Yorks Sweet Story

Yorks Sweet Story

York has a long history and association with chocolate making. In the 19th century chocolate was an extremely important part of Yorks economy. Home to Terry’s and Rowntree (which later became Nestlé after a merger with Mackintosh) York is still the base for the factory that produces many of the British favourite chocolate bars today, including Kit Kat, Aero, Milky Bar and Yorkie.

Yorks Sweet Story is a celebration of that history and is an entertaining look back in time as well as an educating visit with regards to the chocolate making process. There’s plenty of variety at this museum to keep adults and children happy, but beware, chocolate lovers will be in a trance of chocolate heaven.

In 2012 York is claiming its title as Britain’s official home of chocolate. To indulge yourself visit www.visityork.org/chocolate or Tel Visit York Information Centre on 01904 550099 email info@visityork.org

York’s Sweet Story

York Minster

Inside York Minster

You can’t ignore York Minster on a visit to to the city, you’ll see this impressive gothic cathedral towering above many buildings and acting as a picturesque backdrop to a leisurely walk on the city walls. The Cathedral is a breathtaking site both inside and out and is actually the second largest of its kind in Northern Europe. You can’t leave York without spending time to admire this beautiful building.

If you are feeling energetic and it’s a nice day, you may fancy climbing the 275 spiral steps of York Minster tower. It’s a long steep climb and should only be attempted if you are fit enough. Once at the top there are some beautiful views of the Minster and the city, unfortunately there is a metal cage surrounding the top that hampers good photo opportunities.

York Minster

Walk on the city walls

City Walls, York

The city walls that surround the city of York are steeped in Roman history and make the perfect place to stroll, especially on a summer’s day. We walked the section from Bootham Bar to Monk Bar, this walk provided some breathtaking views of York Minster. A posh cafe/restaurant stop off along the way is Gray’s Inn where you can access at the rear via the city walls.

Shambles

The Shambles, York

A visit to York wouldn’t be complete without a stroll down the historic Shambles. The narrow road was named after butchers shelves that held overhanging meat and was once called “The Great Flesh Shambles”. The road was home to many butchers shops back in the day but these days there’s only one butchers in the area just off from the Shambles.

Ghost Walk

York is a city packed with Viking and Roman history so it would make sense that it’s one of the most haunted cities in the UK and is the perfect place to go on a ghost walk. There are a few different styles of walk on offer, ranging from the more theatrical (with guides dressed in Victorian costumes) to the more authentic story telling approach. We went on the original Ghost Walk that took the latter approach relying on quality story telling and intriguing tales from the past rather than having spooky extras jumping out of the York side street shadows.

The Original Ghost Walk of York

National Railway Museum

National Railway Museum

Handily positioned next to York train station is the National Railway Museum, but do allocate enough train to wander around this impressive attraction because it can take a couple of hours. Whether you’re a fan of the British Pullman or the Japanese Bullet train you’ll be able to get up close with various trains dating back way. The museum also houses railway artifacts from throughout the railways history. Facilities are very good with lockers and plenty of refreshments on offer. The National Railway Museum is a fascinating visit and a great place to bring kids.

National Railway Museum

York Pubs

Black Swan Pub, York

When visiting a city that has more pubs than days of the year you know you are going to find yourself in a few. There is such history in many of the old pubs scattered around York that it’s actually quite difficult to choose one.

We ended up at the Black Swan opposite the Quilt Museum for a quiet pint of local Skipton ale, Copper Dragon. The pub is steeped in history and it shows through its various rooms, the lounge features an old fireplace and robust timber beams crossing the ceiling.

On the way back to our hotel (Dean Court) we stopped of for a beer in the Guy Fawkes Inn, which is apparently the birthplace of the man himself. The Guy Fawkes Inn has a small bar at the front and a room for seating that was dimly lit with candles. It was a nice quaint pub to end the night on.

Black Swan York

Guy Fawkes Inn

Jorvik Viking Museum

Jorvik Centre, York

I still have vague memories of the Jorvik Viking Centre from when I visited York as a child. The faintest memory was that of the Museums smell. The smell is intentional in order to persuade your senses that you are indeed back in Viking times. It’s pretty convincing as you take a ride around a recreation of a Viking community in York complete with on-board commentary.

The ride does a great job of giving you a real sense of how people lived and went about their daily lives. Perfect for those with a low attention span to whom looking a numerous historical artifacts is a bit of a chore. The centre has been around for quite some time but doesn’t seem dated, they’ve got the delicate balance between being informative and entertaining just about right.

Jorvik Viking Museum

Clifford’s Tower

Cliffords Tower, York

Clifford’s Tower or York Castle sits on top of a hill next to the Castle Museum. Although it’s in ruins, it’s well persevered and visitors are free to wander around the building and even venture to the top for some pleasant views of York. In spring the tower is especially impressive when it is surrounded by bright yellow daffodils. Originally built by William I as a statement of his supreme power over the area it has a bloody history of executions, burials, massacres and battles.

English Heritage – Clifford’s Tower

York Castle Museum

Don’t be fooled by the name, the Castle Museum has very little in terms of history focused on the castle. Instead the museum portraits everyday life through the ages. It’s quite interesting to see childhood items on display in the museum just to see how dated they now seem. Even toys and video games from the 90′s seemed very historic, Sega Master System, My Little Pony, computer games on cassette, it was intriguing to see them all on display.

The museum is particularly famed for it’s life sized recreation of a Victorian street that has real shop fittings and stock. It’s pretty impressive and slightly creepy when there’s not many other visitors around. Overall the museum is interesting and entertaining, their groovy 60′s section is definitely one of the highlights.

York Castle Museum

York remains one of the top choices of places to visit in England. It’s rich history and array of attractions means that it will appeal to many. It’s a great weekend away for families and tourists looking of a slice of English culture and history.

For more ideas of discovering England try EnjoyEngland.

Snowbombing.

If you read that word, smiled to yourself and nodded knowingly either because you’ve experienced all that the word promises then I suggest you click on the next article.

However, if the name means nothing to you then you’re in the right place. You’re about to find out about what many view as the world’s best festival.

That’s quite a statement isn’t it? However, when you combine snow sports, mountains and world class music it’s hard to see where it could go wrong.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. It can go wrong. It can go horribly wrong in terms of the lack of sleep, overdose of adrenaline and the risk of drinking more than your weekly recommended units of alcohol, not to even mention the usual risks snowsports present. But is it worth it? Abso-bombing-lutely.

Proudly in its twelfth year, this weekend will see 1000s of revelers arrive in the picturesque Austrian Alpine resort of Mayrhofen, lovingly called the Hof by Snowbombers past and present. As a ski resort the Hof offers enough skiing to keep both intermediates and advanceds happy, gasp-worthy big jumps in the Vans Snowpark and excellent bus connections to a nearby glacier making it a very worthy destination for end of season skiing. It’s compact size and seemingly party-spirited locals have made it Snowbombing’s chosen home for eleven years.

So the snow’s good enough, but this does not a festival make. Essentially it’s the music and Snowbombing is no stranger to big names. I’m a three time Snowbomber and over those hedonistic three years I have bopped along to the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Grandmaster Flash, Friendly Fires, DJ Marky, Fat Boy Slim, De La Soul and 2ManyDJs.

Not convinced yet that it could possibly, maybe, might be the best festival in the world? Well, let me tell you that what I actually love most about Snowbombing is its sense of humour.

They fly Mr Motivator over to do warm up and cool down aerobics on the top of the mountain, they have a fancy dress theme virtually every day and they let the comedian troupe Cuban Brothers go loose throughout the resort who attract attention by shouting out choice phrases such as “Don’t be shy, show us your pie!”. You’re more likely to hurt yourself laughing than you are on the slopes.

Sadly Snowbombing is a sold out event for this year. In fact if you listen closely you may be able to hear the squeals of excitement from the Alps as the action kicks off this Sunday, but it’s worth knowing that the costs vary according to your accommodation choices, which all include your festival wristband and you pick your other add-ons like flights, transfers ski passes and ski school. However, it was my experience that it worked out as roughly the same cost as your typical skiing holiday.

It’s worth disclosing that despite my over-enthusiastic tone this post was NOT sponsored by Snowbombing, however if they’d like to retrospectively thank me by sending me there next year I’m up for that. Now that I’ve had a year off to recover, I think I’m ready. I’ve even got my penguin outfit lying around here somewhere…