07.25.09
Posted in Architecture, Landscape, Transportation, Travel at 10:30 am by Warren Williams
After a days rest back in London, Peter and I were off again, continuing our travel and photography addictions with a four day trip to Paris. Despite living on the doorstep to France, it was my first trip there in the two years I’ve been living in London. Catching the 10am Eurostar service to Paris, we arrived shortly after 1pm local time, immediately meeting up with another long term school friend, Jason.
St Pancras Station, London
Inside the modern St Pancras Station
All aboard!
After meeting Jason at our hotel in the 15th Arrondissement, right next to the Eiffel Tower – we decided to venture over there for a picnic in Champs de Mars, underneath the mighty tower.
Eiffel Tower from the Lower Level
Eiffel Tower Telescope overlooking Trocadero
Stunning views over Trocadero and La Defense
Looking south along the River Seine.
Parc du Champs de Mars – a beautiful spot for a picnic
Peter & Jason – Great school friends from Avondale College, NZ
A very long arm..
Watching the long casting shadows over the Paris architecture is truly remarkable
After spending the next hour on a cruise of the River Seine, (which didn’t produce any good photos), we ventured up to Trocadero for a brilliant view of the Eiffel Tower at sunset and twilight.
Water Fountains over Eiffel Tower
Magical moments seeing the fountains and Eiffel Tower from Trocadero
Twilight ovr Eiffel Tower
The hourly display of dazzling lights come on after dark – This case being 10pm
Following the great display and afternoon spent around Eiffel Tower, we walked along to the grande Arc de Triomphe
A great way to finish off the evening, after pizza at a nearby restaurant, and 30 minute walk back to the 15th Arrondissement
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07.23.09
Posted in People, Transportation, Travel at 5:30 pm by Warren Williams
The very last leg of our tour was catching the ferry from Calais to Dover, and connecting to a coach to take us along the A2 into London. Ironically, we passed my home in South East London/Kent, but had to continue into the city traffic before catching a train home a couple of hours later.
The ferry was smooth sailing, although a fairly strong wind on top deck, stopped many from enjoying the views of the English Channel.
View of Calais from the Ferry – not much on offer
Clear days, good great views
Warren & Peter, approaching the White Cliffs of Dover
Matt & Erin, two of the many new friends made on the Top Deck tour. Thanks everyone!
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Posted in Architecture, History, Travel at 12:38 pm by Warren Williams
Bruges, located in the northern end of Belgium, is just a short trip from Calais, and a perfect stop off to stock up on those chocolate supplies. It’s a shame we only had an hour to look around, as the architecture, and reminiscing scenes from the hilarious movie In Bruges, starring Colin Farrell, Ralph Fiennes & Brendan Gleeson.
Tasty Chocolate
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07.22.09
Posted in Travel at 2:56 pm by Warren Williams
Our last two nights of this European trip were spent in the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands. I still have strong memories of this place since passing by with family back in 1995. The Red light district, bicycles and cannabis make this city more unique than any other around Western Europe. I didn’t venture out much with my camera, due to certain activities – such as the bicycle tour around the many canals, dodging trams and other kamakaze cyclists.
Peter and I atop the I Am Amsterdam landmark with Rijksmuseum behind
Cannibis in one of the hundreds of local cafes.
Colourful Space Cake
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07.20.09
Posted in Architecture, History, People, Travel at 9:23 pm by Warren Williams
During our two night stay in Berlin, we visited many of the historic venues, starting at the Berlin Wall, Reichstag, Hitler’s Bunker and the Holocaust Memorial.
Berlin Wall
Vespa randomly parked next to Berlin Wall
Rachelle – One of the many Ozzies in our group
Holocaust Memorial – load more Ozzies!
1001bhp Bugatti Veyron in one of the many supercar showrooms
Berliner Dom – Berlin Cathedral
Water Fountain
Peter feasting into a Bratwurst
Reichstag
With the recent Bratwurst energy, Peter went for a run
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07.18.09
Posted in Architecture, History, People, Travel, Wedding at 7:56 pm by Warren Williams
Prague is a wonderful, beautiful city. Despite raining for practically every moment of our 36 hours in the city, a few of us keen sightseers braved the weather to explore the historical sites. Prague was also included to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1992, with its great mix of Gothic and Renaissance styled architecture.
Old Town Square at Night. There was plenty of lightning going also amongst the rain, but didn’t have the patience to capture it
Beautiful buildings make up all corners of Prague
Prague Castle and Vltava River at Night
The following morning, in Old Market Square, the rain continued to pound the cobbled stones – when I noticed a young newlywed couple having a few photos taken. They’re mood was very upbeat, and was great to see another photographer out there in the elements capturing those moments.
Cobbled Street in Prague, on way to the Castle
St Vitus Cathedral, in the Castle grounds – Camera was soaked, hence the smudges
Changing of the Guard
Valérie
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07.17.09
Posted in History, People, Travel at 10:30 am by Warren Williams
Photos alone can stir the emotions from this sombre day around the Auschwitz concentration camps. The name Auschwitz was the German name given to the hosting town of Oswiecim. Over one million Jews were killed in the gas chambers, with the pesticide Zyklon B. The camps are kept open as a reminder to the world what atrocities were committed, and hopefully never repeated.
Peace
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07.16.09
Posted in Architecture, History, Landscape, People, Travel at 9:30 pm by Warren Williams
The city of Kraków was given World Heritage Site status in 1978 by UNESCO, the same year Karol Wojtyla, archbishop of Kraków, was elevated the papacy as Pope John Paul II . Kraków is also famous for it’s overruling in WWII by the Nazi empire, making Kraków the Capital city of the General Government. The large Jewish population were moved into the Kraków Ghetto, where they were sent to local concentration camps, such as Auschwitz. A German businessman by the name of Oskar Schindler, used his enamelware plant as a way to save many of the local Jews. His story was portrayed in the excellent move, Schindler’s List.
Where Pope John Paul II was based
Climbing the tower in St Mary’s Church, Main Market Square
View from St Mary’s Church tower, overlooking Main Market Square
Snake Handler in Main Market Square
Snake Handler
Female snake handler in Main Market Square
Jewish plaque in cemetery
Weathered building in alley
Singer sewing machine, on an outdoors table at a cafe
The stair scene from Schindler’s List, just past the arch on right
Disused railway near Schindler’s Factory
Worn building in the Krakow Ghetto
Walking across the Holocaust Memorial
Holocaust Memorial – 70 empty iron chairs, representing absence
Lifting the mood, street performer in Main Market Square with puppets of the recently passed Michael Jackson, and Elvis – both kings of music.
Statue at Wowel Cathedral
Street artist at the Castle
View from the Castle over the Vistula River
The evening was spent back in a lovely restaurant just off Main Market Square, featuring an enclosed courtyard out the back with cheap, large meals. Perfect way to finish off a day.
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07.15.09
Posted in Landscape, Nature, Travel at 10:51 pm by Warren Williams
The following morning, we left Budapest, heading northwards across Slovakia and into Poland. The air was thick, as the skies darkened over Kraków, as the heavens above decided to unleash a powerful two hour display of lightning and thunder.
Stunning castle on the road through Slovakia
Lightning grounding over Ikea, Krakow
Massive bolt lightning over the fields
Lighting up the sky over Krakow
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07.14.09
Posted in Architecture, History, Landscape, Travel at 10:00 pm by Warren Williams
The hottest day of our tour involved walking the beautiful streets of Budapest with the temperature creeping over 37°C. Budapest was once two cities – Buda and Pest, seperated by the great Danube River which officially combined in 1872. The Buda side is located on the western banks of the Danube, featuring the hilly terrain and historic castles. Across the river on the expansive Great Plain, lies Pest, where much of the style is on 19th century architecture.
Buda side
Overlooking the Danube
Inside the Terror Museum – some disturbing scenes from WWII victims. Featuring photographs from Jewish victims, historic video footage, and torture devices.
Photography wasn’t permitted in the rest of museum, but was worth visiting for harrowing accounts of concentration camps, suffered by Jewish people from the Hungarian region.
St Stephen’s Cathedral (St István Parish Church) – Is the largest church in Budapest, with building commencing in 1851, but not completed until 1905. This Neo-Renaissance church is often simply known as the Basilica.
Inside the Basilica
Inside the Basilica.
Winding staircase up to the tower
Looking back down the staircase at the Basilica
View from the Basilica, over Pest and the Great Plain
Front view of the Basilica
Mercedes in Budapest 😉
Parliament Building on the scorching day
After walking across the Chain Bridge, headed up the hills into Buda.
With the extreme heat and dehydration setting in, Peter, Nic and I ventured into the Labyrinth of Buda Castle, where the temperature is a constant 14°C and 90% humidity all year round. Without a tripod, photos were near on impossible due to the dark conditions. Walking down one of the corridors the sweet aroma of wine became apparent, where we found a wine fountain.
Wine fountain, Labyrinth (ISO 6400)
Stepping back outside created instant stickiness against the still hot and humid conditions after 6pm local time. Once back at our hostel, a quick freshen up and we were back out again with a few others from the tour group to watch the vibrant sunset from the Chain Bridge spanning the Danube River.
After climbing the bridge supports
A well deserved meal and drinks were rapidly consumed following this physical, but amazing day around this grand city.
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07.13.09
Posted in Architecture, History, Travel at 9:00 am by Warren Williams
En route to Budapest we ventured through the city of Bratislava in the early morning. At just 60km away from Vienna, they’re the closest capital cities in Europe. There is a great mixture of architecture, spanning from medieval towers in the Old Town area, to the splendor of 20th century buildings. Bratislava also spans the Danube river, with the castle prominently displayed on the hill – unfortunately closed at the moment for renovations.
Statue near Hviezdoslavovo Námestie
Michalská Brána Hotel
Bastova Ulica
Bratislava Church – Kapucínsky kostol, and tram lines leading to the Castle
St Martin’s Cathedral
St Martin’s Cathedral
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07.12.09
Posted in Landscape, People, Travel at 10:11 pm by Warren Williams
With a full day to kill around Vienna, arranged to meet up with my friend René who was kind enough to show myself and Peter around the various sights and history of the magnificent city.
Donauturm Park
René borrowing my Canon 17-40L lens + Lee filter setup
(And his new 5D II)
Overlooking Vienna from up the Donauturm tower
Our trip into the city also coincided with the Tour of Austria, final leg.
In the afternoon, we visited the Schnapps museum for some exciting alcoholic beverage tasting, including gold leafed Schapps, and some stronger Absinthe.
Ann about to take a milky Schnapps shot
Grant showing the after taste effects from the hot chili Schnapps!
Following the milky drinks, René and his partner Anja took me along to the Danube River for sunset. The Danube is famous for being the only river to pass through four major cities, and also the second longest in Europe, spanning ten countries!
Long grass alongside the river… and as I figured out, a haven for mosquitos.
Anja, also wasn’t safe from those nasty mosquitos
Twilight over the Danube, with the Donauturm tower
Candid with the 85L in very low light – ISO 3200, F1.8
A massive thanks to René and Anja for the tour of the city, and following drinks alongside this grand river.
http://www.renehajek.at
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07.11.09
Posted in General, Travel at 7:30 pm by Warren Williams
After the long drive with the coach tour, we had fifteen minutes to explore Schönbrunn Palace on the outskirts of Vienna, before arriving to our hostel for the next two nights. Schönbrunn Palace was built in the late 17th century, and is the former imperial summer residence.
Schönbrunn Palace and the immaculate gardens
Gloriette, atop the 60m hill overlooking Schönbrunn built in 1775.
Nic, Warren, Ritchie, Grant & Peter all from NZ & Oz
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Posted in Landscape, Nature, Travel at 12:30 pm by Warren Williams
Travelling northward from Venice the following morning, we quickly headed to the border of Italy and Austria. The high quality roads through the Alps were absolutely amazing, offering unparalleled views.
Making a quick stop at a service station
From the coach, endless vineyards in northern Italy.
Glacial Riverbeds over Northern Italy
Church on the Hill, dwarfed by the Alps
First view of Austria
During lunch stop at another service station, with spectacular views over the valley
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07.10.09
Posted in Architecture, History, Landscape, People, Travel at 9:21 pm by Warren Williams
Exploring the wondrous city of Venice, can only be achieved by water and on foot. Venice is unique in many ways, with endless beautiful detailed buildings perched alongside the water. Capturing the sights from the gondola boat ride, through the twisting passages and underneath low bridges was definitely a highlight and impossible to ignore. Later in the afternoon, took in the spectacular views from atop St Mark’s Campanile, witnessing the sprawl of intricate architecture over hidden islands.
Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge
Narrow passageways
Wedding photos in St Mark’s Square
View to San Giorgio Maggiore
Venice Gondalier
Pigeon in St Mark’s Square
Too many pigeons for my liking
Gondola Riding – Niki, Pete, Grant, Richie and Warren
Passing old buildings in the narrow canals
Arriving into the Grand Canal
Cindy, having a good laugh
Riding under one of the 400 bridges
0.6 seconds on a Gondola
San Giorgio Maggiore
St Mark’s Square – Notice the water patches from high tide
Endless views over Venice
More views from the Campanile.
Yet another pigeons flies by St Mark’s Campanile
Terrific thunderstorm approaches Venice
Speed boat, passing St Mark’s Campanile
Heavy thunderstorm clouds over Venice
Painting Santa Maria della Salute from Accademia Bridge
Slow shutter speed over Venice
Low sunlight over Venice after the thunderstorm clears
Rich coloured buildings are always a spectacle
Ending back at Constitution Bridge after 24 hours
Ready for an early morning departure, over Northern Italy, and into Vienna, Austria.
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