This is uniquely Greek

Location: Samos Island, Greece (37° 44′ 0″ N, 26° 50′ 0″ E)
Date: 3 April 2010; 3.35pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Canon 70-200/f4L USM

At the moment Greece is in the dump economically. I wonder if things has gotten cheaper in the country. When I visited the country a year or so ago, I was surprised to find that it is much more expensive than Turkey- due partly to the fact that it is Euro-based. However I was already wondering to myself as I noticed that the Greeks (at least the ones that I encountered) do not seem very motivated to work hard for a living. This feeling is especially pronounced to me, having just spent a few weeks in Turkey- the Turks just seem to be more hungry. Little did I realised that this appearance foretells a bleak economic reality. In any case, as a tourist I enjoyed its unique character and its rich cultural and historical heritage. I find its unique Mediterranean architecture extremely exciting- such as this church on Samos Island.

Nope- this is not Africa- this is Rome!

Location: Rome, Italy (41° 53′ 24.61″ N, 12° 29′ 32.17″ E)

Date: 2 April 2005; 3.20 pm

Camera: Canon 300D with kit lens

Rome is a city filled with surprises everywhere one turns. Apart from the huge number of churches and fountains, there is history everywhere. Beautiful sculptures adorned every other buildings and undoubtedly most of them would have been from a very early age. If one does not record down what and where, there is simply no way of remembering what one sees in the city. I think I saw this elephant head sculpture at the front facade of a boutique hotel but then I just cannot be sure- there are so many beautiful sculptures at every corners!!

The icon of Rome (& Italy)- the ancient Colosseum

Location: Colosseum, Rome, Italy (41° 53′ 24.61″ N, 12° 29′ 32.17″ E)
Date: 3 April 2005; 8.20 pm
Camera: Canon 300D with kit lens

The Colesseum is one of the most recognisable building of Italy and apparently the top tourist attraction in Rome. It is not difficult to understand as there are so many stories and legends abound about the Colosseum, not least movies and TV series about gladiatorial duels held in the Colosseum during the Roman Empire. It attained further notoriety associated with the martyrdom of Christians in the Colosseum by crucifixion and then fame as the starting point of every year’s Good Friday torchlit procession by the Pope.

The Colosseum is actually not that big; I guess is is the same imagery everyone have of well-known places and reaction when in its presence. In fact it is in a state of ruin and quite meaningless if one visits the place without a proper guide.

The New Mosque (Yeni Camii) which is about 350 years old

Location: Yeni Camii, Instanbul, Turkey (41° 1′ 1.25″ N, 28° 58′ 17.3″ E)
Date: 21 April 2010, 8.10am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Yeni Camii is know as the New Mosque. However it is not new at all, being inaugurated in 1665. It took about 4 decades to build the mosque, mainly due to funding and water seepage problems. The mosque is in the style of Turkish mosque with big courtyards, domes and minarets. It may not be the most well-known or popular mosques on the tourist map, but it is definitely one of the most beautiful one in Istanbul. I felt that one of the reasons that I labelled it as most beautiful is due to its outstanding location on the water edge beside the Galata Bridge.

Fun look at the centre of Goreme- tilt-shift model

Location: Goreme, Cappadocia, Turkey (38° 40′ 0″ N, 34° 50′ 0″ E)
Date: 12 April 2010, 4.20pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Canon 70-200/f4L USM

Cappadocia is my favourite destination in Turkey. It is a really nice place to chill-out as one can trek or cycle out to see the beautiful rock formations and the fairy chimneys, marvel at the historical & cultural heritage in the caves or see the wonderful landscape from the air or just simply get immersed in the wonderful and weird surroundings of chimneys & caves. Of all the towns within the Cappadocia area, Goreme is my pick. It has all the amenities one need and cheap and fantastic accommodation. Furthermore the transportation from here to anywhere is marvellous. So if you were to visit Turkey, please do not miss Cappadocia; and if you are in Cappadocia, consider staying at Goreme.

“The Departure of the Volunteers of 1792” - some say is the inspiration for the French national anthem "La Marseillaise"

Location: Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile, Paris, France, (48° 52′ 25.68″ N, 2° 17′ 42″ E)
Date: 2 March 2006; 1.30pm
Camera: Canon 300D with Sigma 70-200/f2.8

The Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile is one of the few Paris landmarks that I have always wanted to visit when I was in that city. I have seen so many photos and read so much about this monument and it was not a disappointment to be at the site. The Arc was built over a long period of time mainly as a monument honouring those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars. There are four sculptural groups at the base of the Arc, the most famous of which is the The Departure of the Volunteers of 1792 (or "La Marseillaise"). This composition depicts the French people rallying against enemies from abroad. This grouping so aroused spectators' patriotism that the work became known as "La Marseillaise," the French national anthem written in 1792--the same year as the departure of the volunteers. The sculpture is so vivid and alive that by itself, it is a precious work of art.

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