VIETNAMESE DRAGON

Gliding smoothly on the waters of Halong Bay,  these dragons that were located in front of all the ships sailed through these magic waters, some years ago, The overwhelming silence, like the landscape of this amazing area were incredible, and the legend that this place was created due a huge dragon spitting what today are the many islands that comprise the area. The Halong Bay. After ten years, I returned to the place. The little boats were much larger ships and no longer had any wood dragon at their bow, and the silence was not so spectacular, this time was not so impressive ..... the world indeed changes very very fast.

Picture taken in Halong Bay (Vietnam)

ROSE WINDOW AT NOTRE DAME

All religions have their differences, but also, their similarities. The rose windows are at all the great cathedrals, and they seem the buddhist Mandalas on a huge glass walls of the great christian temples. Perhaps one of the most famous is this one, of Notre Dame de Paris, and if is visited in a sunny day, turns into a symphony of colors. As famous as its inhabitant "razorback" This rosette is one of the most popular icons of this cathedral.

Picture taken in Notre Dame (Paris).

THE SIEGESSÄULE

This major touristic attraction in Berlin is a column known as Victory Column in the Tiergarten of Berlin, surrounded of trees and the angel atop the column looks towards to the "Bundestag" or German Parliament. This column was built to commemorate the Prussian Victory. Although now is not located in its original place, due that it was moved in 1.939 . The column itself measure around 67 metres high and it´s located in the middle of an impressive avenue. From the top there is a wonderful view of both tiergarten and the former East Berlin.

Picture taken in Berlin

GARGOYLES

These horrible creatures from ancient times have been located on the great religious temples in Europe. Their best times were during the Gothic style and certainly the most famous are those of the cathedral of Notre Dame of Paris. Its horrible faces not only frightened those who wanted steal in the temples but also were an instrument to reduce the water from the roofs of large buildings in case of heavy rain through their big mouthes. these myths still remain on high, and we can  see them in many old buildings, especially in the Gothics ones.

Picture taken in Montmatre - París (Church of "Sacre Cor")

TRAFFIC JAM AT PARKING

Italy is well famous for its traffic. But also in some places where many italians spend their holidays, they become popular for the way they drive, specially their "motorinos". Their favourite vehicles are the motorbikes, and thus when you walk through a italian city, it´s frequent to see a huge number of them. At the back side of the picture you can see the "Ponte Vecchio so it´s obvious that we are now in Florence. But if you go on high season to Formentera (a small island near Ibiza) you can see the same picture near the beaches of that island. So it´s seem there´s a relationship between italians, traffic and motorbikes. But it has to be said....  Italy is so lovely!!!!!...

Picture taken near Ponte Vecchio in Florence (Italy)

THE NATURE RETRIEVES ITS LAND

Many centuries ago, a civilization decided to build a huge shrine. Just some centuries after they decided to leave that place. And in more recent times some one discovered this very ancient temple. But in this ocassion due the long time that nobody was looking after this temple, the shrine was found with huge trees that were growing around. So these is a clear mark that nature, many times, claim its rights, its property... Nowadays on a clear agreements between the man and the nature, this ancient temple can be visited by people wishing see some wonders. So here the huge trees are growing between apsaras and ancient holy walls.

Picture taken near Seam Reap in Cambodia.

THE VIRGIN AND CHILD

One of the most known icons around the world is this one, of the Virgin Mary with little Jesus on her arms. Christians that in some places of the world suffers prosecution due politics or other religious issues. May be when some Christians who see this picture, ignore that has been taken from one of the very first Christian places of the world... Egypt. It belong to one of the magnificents copt frescos at the Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great near the red sea, and where was founded one of the very first Monasteries of the world, which is still in service. Near two thousands year of history and nowadays one of the worst places to be a Christian. This is one of the nonsense things, that humanity sometimes has.

Picture taken at the Monastery of Saint Anthony at red sea (Egypt)

SURPRISE IN THE TOILET

Go to the toilet is not a nice job. But sometimes it can be a surprise, as that day, after a boat trip, I had to go urgently to the toilet and I found a surprise when I saw five vietnamese girls waiting for me. So here they are...!!!.

Picture taken at the Mekong delta in Vietnam

LIGHT A CANDLE

 So much to do, so Little time, you ask me, can I change the world?, and then, for everybody´s sake, what are the changes I would make? and you can dream, dream on, my friend. you have the right, there is something we can do, something we can do, it´s so easy....

If I light a candle for everybody I know, I could see forever down that long, long road...

Picture taken in a church at Ibiza old town

OH RAMSES, RAMSES!

Oh Ramses Ramses, divine King, or god??? You almighty that nothing is imposible to you, turn your eyes to your people of nowadays and grant them the peace that they wish to have. Make of your country a place where prosperity, respect and the coexistence be harvest daily and that people live happy. From your glory days still survive many things in your Egypt now,  that means to us, your power, therefore we kindly ask you to pray for the egyptians now, and the years to come. 

Picture taken at the Abu Simbel temples in Southern Egypt

FEZ, THE FAITH CITY

This is the most spiritual city of Morocco. The medina of the city is one of the largest of the world, and to walk around it, one needs to be patient due the chaos that exists there inside, but at the same time is just wonderful discover the labyrinthine narrow streets of the medina. Crowded streets, people with mules shouting the people to go aside and clear the lane so they can go on, the spices odour, the voices from the minarets calling the prayers.... Just an unforgettable experience.

Picture taken from a top mountain near Fez (Morocco)

PERUVIAN CHILDREN

This action was realized near Cuzco. I got on a bus with destination somewhere near Cusco, and we stopped to drink something, somewhere in the middle of nowhere. These boys were waiting the tourists awaiting anyone who would give some money for taken a picture of their alpacas or of themselves. I did one, but instead to give them money, I gave them a little toy that consisted two small cars. When I went up to the bus, the animals were left on their own, and the children were very entertained playing with their little cars. It seemed to me that for them was a very special day, meanwhile in Europe, children don´t care, even of expensive things, because they´re fed up of all. What difference of attitude. The most unhuman thing is the poverty, but another thing is the overabundance of everything.

Picture taken near Cuzco (Perú)

HUGE VOLCANO

 This impressive peak is in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and is located at the center of one of the most beautiful islands of the Atlantic Ocean. The island of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. A beautiful island with its stunning natural park, with the name of this volcano. The Teide is also, with its altitude of 3,717 meters (12,270 feet) the highest mountain in Spain and the highest volcano in Europe. It has a special feature, the color changes with the sun. Early in the morning is orange, as seen in the image, and during all day is changing to shades of pink, gray and green, except (of course) when it is covered with snow, that of course is white due the immaculate snow that covers the mountain.

Picture taken in the Cañadas del Teide (Tenerife)

PAINTING IN BLUE

She was so concentrated with her masterpieces, that she didn't notice I was there. It was a very peaceful ambience and silent. early in the morning, birds were singing on the trees, and the lady was paying all her attention into the blue canvas she was painting. All the canvas with that blue color seems to be the same one to another, but looking with more carefully all were different. One was a sea wave, another a piece of sky, and other was the sea, or the combination of both with some discret white clouds.... The thing was clear, the blue was her favourite color. The lady in black, was painting in blue.

Picture was taken in the old Barcelona streets.

THE 11 S

One day I was on a boat ready to depart to Formentera from the Ibiza port. I tried to take a picture of the Ibiza cathedral and I did. But when I made "click" in my camara I was not aware of the aircraft that was arriving at Ibiza, when I saw the picture on the camara´s screen, it reminded me that fatidic date of the 11S. Tomorrow is September 11th of 2.013, at it has been a lot of rain (as we say in Spain) since then (a way to say that has been a long way since then),  since that terrible September 11th of 2.001. Many things have changed from then. But still we keep in our mind all those terrible images.

Picture taken from Ibiza Harbor to the catedral of Ibiza.

FLORENCE

The town itself exudes art and beauty around. This is where it was discovered (and is still happening today) that when art and beauty are excessive can cause Stendhal Syndrome. It was discovered in the church of Santa Croce, which is exactly where they are buried Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo and Maquiavelli, to name a few examples. It was also the birthplace of Florence Nightingale, the forerunner of today's nursing, and precisely this was the city that gave her the name. Here is located one of the most famous art galleries in the world, "the Uffizi gallery", and one of the most famous bridges in the world and perhaps the most romantic of all, the "Ponte Vecchio", all presided over by the huge dome Brunoleschi, and where the famous David by Michelangelo is located, although the city can boast of having three for lack of one. Also here we can find the Palazzo Pitty, The Convent of San Marcos, La segnoria, San Migniato al Monte, the Arno River, The Palazzo Vecchio........ Florence deserves at least a visit.

Picture taken from San Miniato Al Monte Abbey to Florence city

SWASTIKA

This equilateral cross with bad fame in Europe, was in fact one ancient icon of the prosperity and luck. It was used in many civilizations all over the globe. Its origins comes from Indus and thus it was widely used in Indian religions. But also has been used in Asia, and even the romans used widely this cross in their arts, as we can see on this mosaic. Unfortunatelly from 1.920 when it was used as a symbol of the nazy party in Europe, the meaning changed to hatred or antisemitism. But sometimes we must think in the origins of this symbol and what it was... a meaning of "good things", despite this symbol nowadays is not welcome in some parts.

Picture taken at the Zamora´s city Museum

WINDSURF

The feeling of being carried away by the wind, be able to fly over the waves and run over the sea .... this is windsurf. The four elements have their place here. The sea as water, the sun as fire, and the air so essential is the wind and ultimately our target, which is the return to the land (earth), after having enjoyed a few hours on the sea.

Picture taken in El Médano (Tenerife Island) Spain



THE MAD QUEEN

With the crown in hand, the sad figure of Joanna I of Castile, stands on the huge plains of Castilla (Castile), her kingdom. His father, husband and son conspired against her, in order to reign in the kingdom that was hers. She actually was the first monarch of Spain since his parents were Queen Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand the King of Aragon. For many years the Queen Joanna was imprisoned in Tordesillas, due the power thirst of the men who surrounded her, in short of her men.

Picture taken at Tordesillas (Castilla y León)

PASSION

Passion is a spontaneous feeling. Comes from the soul and heart with the brain chemistry doing .... everything goes away, nothing matters, the passion until not to be accomplished makes us forget for a moment about everything and the love strength prevail as if the world were to end tomorrow. Unfortunately we are not all designed to be all time thus. The passion as it comes it goes ....

Picture was taken in a stand of a medieval market in Ibiza old town

BLUE STREETS

It´s a surprised experience, to walk through the Rabat´s medina lanes. It´s a very Mediterranean looking city aside of the Atlantic Ocean in the West coastline of Morocco. It´s a really quite place, and the inhabitants there are happy to see the tourists. I thought Rabat didn´t worth a visit, but it´s totally wrong, its medina is really a very charming place to walk around.

Picture taken in the Rabat´s Medina streets

GROOMING TIME

And it´s curious as these three swans have been agree  at the same time for clean themselves. It´s amazing to see that the animals societies are like the  humans societies. After these I presume they´ll be going to find something to eat. But in lakes it´s easy to find someone feeding them, so that´s is not even a big problem for them. Some animals have easy lives...

Picture taken in Geneve

ELIZABETH TOWER

The Clock Tower, as it was known the neogothic tower where is located the big ben clock, although the name is refer only to the biggest bell of the tower, now has a new name after the Queen´s Jubilee in 2.012. Definetively is the most famous icon of the City of London, and it´s said that is the biggest clock in the world, thing that is not true at all. Anyway here she is, as a vigilant member of London, and the river thames where is aside of it.

Picture taken in London

STEPS TO HEAVEN

Bell towers of churches struggle to arrive as up as posible, to try to reach the heaven. That´s why I presume that bells are located as near as posible of the heaven, like touching the sky, so the sound come from much above as posible. Here there´s an example in a simple church, the steps are going up, to the heaven, in order to reach at least the bell.  

Picture taken in Sant Rafael church at the center of Ibiza´s island.

NUDES

Big difference between wearing clothes and to be nude. Nudity is a kind of simplicity, nothing to hide. It´s just a way to be natural, to be in touch with the nature, and as were babies, nothing to be worried about, nothing to be shamed. Natural and simple. People definetly is very complicated.

Photo taken in Formentera

HORUS IS ANGRY

When one visits the temple of Horus in Edfu (Egypt), is shocked to see the angry face of the most famous of the falcons. Someone explained to me, the reason for that, and it was the fear of the ancient priests to the temples theft, therefore those thieves who believed in the power of the ancient gods, when they found face to face with the angry face of Horus, it´s sure they could think that perhaps that was not the best welcome card so could be better leave the theft for another time. So still nowadays, we can see the angry face of this falcon giving the welcome to the temple to great number of visitors that comes from around the world, despite that in this very moment, they don´t come in big amounts, like some years ago.

Photo taken in Horus Temple in Edfu (Egypt)

THE MISTERY OF FEZ

It´s magical to walk around the narrow little streets of the Fez´s medina. The repeated word "balac" will warn you about those little dangers that you can face, into the medina, as a full loaded motorbike or a mule that hardly fits in those narrow streets threatening the visitants and pedestrians to be struck. But in some little squares whith a bit more space available, you can stop and enjoy the lively life of this great city "world heritage". Fez is a mistery itself.

Picture taken in a Fez medina square.

If you want to see further pictures of this city click here. (text in spanish)

PASSIFLORA

The spring is here. One of the flowers that more have drawn my attention is this one, the passiflora. Since I made a present which was a plant of these flowers to my wife, the garden in our terrace has another look. The branches of these plants are enormous and when a new flower blooms, it´s like an event. The flower normally doesn´t live more than a day, but others like the above ones only some hours (normally not more than four). So spring is here again, and we will enjoy once more this plants originary from the amazonian.

If you want to see more selfmade pictures regarding these flowers click here

Picture taken at home.





THE SAD PRINCESS

She was HRH Kristina Hakonsdatter, and she was a princess. Her father was the King Hakon  IV of Norway around the 1.240 and she was sended to Spain due to married with a brother of then King of Spain Alfonso X (the wise). After a long trip she arrived to the lands of the Kingdom of Aragon and from there she arrived to the Las Huelgas Monastery in Burgos, and from there to Valladolid (the Court headquarters), where she met the King´s brother and choose marry the youngest. The Prince Philip of Castile. They married in Valladolid and both went to Seville where she died four years later. The history says she was no happy in Spain and always missed her northern country. She was carried and buried at the main church (former abbey) at the small town of Covarrubias in Burgos in the cloister where still today her tomb is located.

Photo taken in Covarrubias (Burgos, Castile and Leon)

FAITH

Although this picture was made less than 48 hours ago, it seems an image taken 45 years ago. The same faith, the same traditions and the same espirituality. The world today changes very fast, but fortunately there are things that never changes. The faith and espirituality are good factors for each one. The Holy Week is a good time for reflection for Christians and also for fasting, awaiting the Easter. But most important is to believe or not believe, to have or not have faith. Each one decides.

Picture taken in San Josep (Ibiza) in the Palm Sunday procession.

HABEMUS PAPAM

We have a Pope....!!! So this is the very first Pope in many features. The first Jesuit Pope, the first Pope from Latin America, and the first Pope in the history who has choosed "Francis" for his Pope´s name. So he´s the Pope Francis I. And if that´s not enough, it´s the first Pope who will live quite close from another Pope, so two Popes will live within the Vatican. So the Vatican now is back to it´s normal rutine, after the "conclave" and all the pompous circumstances that envolve this events. So from now on, the most important catholic events will be held under this enormous dome by the Pope Francis I. 

Photo taken at Saint Peter´s Basilica in the Vatican City.



SEDE VACANTE

Some days ago, the Pope resigned. Now we are in the situation named as "sede vacante", which means that there´s no Pope. This extraordinary circumstance is due normally, when the Pope die, but in this very case (much more extraordinary) is due the Pope has resigned. In 700 years this situation did not happened, so now the Catholic Church is living a historical moment. The first Pope was the apostle Saint Peter, always with a keys in his hand... the keys of the church. 2.000 years after the church is waiting for the words "habemus Papam" when another Pope will be elected.

Picture taken at the Papal Basilica of St. Paul outside the walls in Rome

BUDDHA

Always has drawn my atention the smile of  Buddah. So relaxed, and happy. Also the eyes, half closed. And the third eye at the forehead. The universe, energy, care of the body and soul, the changes (nothing lasts forever) are the philosophy of this religion.
Avoid negative emotions, hear yourself, to be grateful, kind and respectful. Buddhism is more a healthy lifestyle rather than religion. and a sample is the always just visible eternal smile, that appears on the face of the Buddha.

Picture taken at home.

SUNNY AFTERNOON

How nice is to have a walk, and enjoy the last sun time of the day after a pouring rainy day. It´s easy to see that is cold, due the garment the people use, but how nice is to enjoy the sunrays for a while. It´s a big pleasure to do so. The night will arrive in short time and it will be very cold, so it will time to go back home...

Photo taken outside of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca (Morocco)



WAITING

We are always wait for something... at the supermarket we must wait to pay at the qeue, also we have to wait our turn to the bank to be attended, and of course if we travel we must wait at the airport, harbour or railway station. And also we have to wait to catch the bus. May be we have an appointment with someone and either we must wait the other person or the other person must wait for us.... Sometimes we wait for a telephone call, or we await our holidays during all year round.... It seems that we spend a lot of time of our life waiting...

Foto taken  midway from Eilat towards dead sea in Israel.

THE FOUR ELEMENTS

The four elements exist in this picture that I took in Lanzarote some years ago in Timanfaya, a place where you can feel as you are in the moon. The volcanos are spread all around, and it is like an irreal place, that scenary could be an irreal background, of a dream. The fire is here, we can feel it, in some meters deep of us, but not many.... The earth is obvious, and the sea is not far away... Lanzarote is after all an island. And the air here has something special. If you havent been yet in Lanzarote is a place that it´s should be visited at least once in life.

The picture was taken in Timanfaya Park in Lanzarote (Canary Islands)

WHAT SERENITY MEANS.....

Serenity means calm, pleasure, silence, relax... serenity is the moment of silence during the sunrise or the calm sensation after a sunset. Serenity is when we enjoy a nice view or when we can walk in calm through the forest... serenity is when we share something with someone who we love, no matter if is near or out at the distance. Serenity is enjoy the silence, to have a break.... Serenity means happiness.

This picture was taken at the river Tarn in Albi (France)

SAILING

The earth should be called the sea planet, due the amount of water that exists on the planet is much more than the earth itself. The beauty of the sea we can clearly seeing and enjoying during the summer season. There´s nothing like to sail over the waves with the coast views during our journey. Have a nice summer.

Photo taken in Es Freus (sea channel between Ibiza and Formentera islands)

THE MAGNIFICENT ROOF

A work of some centuries ago. Big cathedrals were build all over, big and more magnificent as possible. The impressive big walls,  the most amazing treasures, and the best  architectonic and artistic works were among those walls. Also the beautiful stained glasses, and of course if you´re looking out up, you can also still see those wonderful ceilings.

Photo made inside the new cathedral in Salamanca (Spain) 

TROMPE-L´OEIL

It´s a french word that means "deceive the eye", as it´s possible to see at the picture above, what it seems a dome is just a plain ceiling of the Rabat (or Victoria) Cathedral in the island of Gozo in Malta. The optical ilusion seems another thing that it isn´t. It´s a realistic way of pictures (in this case a fresco painting). And this one of Gozo, althought is not the unique one, is one of the most popular.

Picture taken in Gozo Cathedral in Malta

STUDIYNG EGYPTOLOGY

Art history is a global value, that even seems to attract some birds with curiosity, and interested in the monuments of Egypt, which are a cultural treasure to the enjoyment of those who visit the site.

Photo taken at the Horus Temple in Edfu (Egypt) 

THE ASTRONAUT OF SALAMANCA

 an astronaut on the Gothic façade of a cathedral built in the XIIth century?. Surely, there must be an explanation for that ...!!!. You can find it in Salamanca cathedral main door.

Photo taken at the main door of Salamanca´s new cathedral (Castile - Spain).

THE ROMANESQUE EYE

 A stone eye is watching us, meanwhile we are visiting the cathedral, one romanesque cathedral in Zamora. The impressive ceiling will amaze us on the ancient arquitectural way as they did on the IXth century. In those buildings we have to look up,  to see these impressive details.

Picture taken in Zamora cathedral in Castilla-León

I JUST WANT TO GET OUT

Everyone  has sometime wanted to do this. To get out... from obsessions, nightmares, situations, opressions...

As many women in some countries or many people that are living in slavery... sometimes someone wants to get out from somewhere even from it self.

Photo taken in Tordesillas (Valladolid)

HAVING A REST

 

The pigeon is having a rest, into the city, and its target is the head of the Virgin which is located atop of the backdoor of the awesome gothic church of Santa Maria del Mar in the old city of Barcelona. From there,  will watch the big amount of tourist walking around. After a break, she will fly again but not far from here.

Picture taken in the church of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona.

THE MOON ON THE EARTH

Or this is what it seems, when one visits La Geria in Lanzarote. Black land, and for every tree or vineyard, there is a need to built a stone fence around to avoid wind action. Hard work on this volcanic earth. The good thing is, that this land produces one of the best wines.

Picture taken in La Geria, Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands)

SUMMER ARRIVAL

The summer holidays season is back, and so, the resorts will start their busy season. The airports will be covered by lot´s of charter flights, and swimming pools and beaches will start to be full of people that seeking the Sun. And of course the unforgettable sunsets will continue there, at the west side. Welcome back.

Picture taked at the Ibiza Airport, (Spain, called Es Codolar Airport) during sunset.

HOLY WEEK

Traditional processional times at Christian areas of the Mediterranean. The people mixed with the pagan and religious essence. The arrival of spring comes with Holy Week and Easter. And so, they live the passion from ancient times.

Photo taken in Sant Jordi de Ses Salines Church (Ibiza Island, Balearics, Spain) at the Palm Sunday´s afternoon Procession.

AWAITING GOOD WEATHER

Sunday morning, and the fishermen want to go fishing, but unfortunally it´s raining, so they have to wait in the bar untill sun comes, meanwhile they can enjoy the lady drawn on the wall.

Photo taken in Bosa (Sardinia;

FISHERMEN MENDING THE FISHING NETS

Today is sunday, sunny and nice weather. So it´s perfect time to fix all the damage of the fishing nets. Quite and relaxed the two men are repairing the little damage, caused by rocks on their nets. Tomorrow the little boat and the sea are awaiting to them to return to their work, but today, they still can remain on the ground.

Picture taken in "Es Portixol" (Ibiza)