Monday, 21 April 2008
Women in art morphing video
A friend sent me a link to a morphing video called Women in Art... Worth a look if you have 5 minutes.
Thursday, 17 April 2008
The value of a face...
It seems I only post to this blog when the ABC sends me an interesting article, apparently I'm living vicariously through our national broadcaster! This article though pricked my interest as it relates very closely to my thesis and scarily closely to an article I'm currently reading...
The Australian War Memorial is calling for portrait photographs of Australian service men and women, to match with an immense number of names on the honour role, for which the don't currently hold images. Matching names to faces they say, in order to increase research value and create an invaluable record.
I think this is an interesting and incredibly worth while project (given my interest in national collections I'd be a hypocrite to say otherwise!) I will be checking with my parents and Grandma to see whether any of my relatives died during battle and whether we can gather the photographic evidence required to assist the AWM with their project. I urge any wayward reader chancing upon this entry to do likewise...
Although it gets me thinking, in relation to my research and this article, why do we value the photographed face as a way to remember a person?
As infants we look to our parent's and relatives' faces for love, trust, recognition, to know we are valued and also to justify or modify our behaviour. A mother/father smiles at their adorable baby and (when capable) the baby smiles back, a mother/father frowns at their naughty toddler pouring a cup of cordial on the floor and the toddler (hopefully frowning back) knows they're in trouble!
Capturing the faces of our loved ones, so we can preserve them for eternity seems natural given our fondness for (and attachment to) faces and the importance we place in their features: eyes, wrinkles and smiles.
Photographs enable us to capture faces, quickly and easily. They are stuck in albums, hung in frames, crunched into wallets or hidden in lockets or under pillows. We believe in the photograph's precise rendering through it's mechanical and scientific (now digital) nature, making it a 'true' likeness. This accuracy is photography's greatest gift. A portrait photograph, more than any other medium (even the finest sketch) refers so closely to the sitter. Also, the person was once there - sitting in front of the lens - just slightly out of the viewers reach but glued to the paper for ever.
The most amazing thing about portrait photographs though is the way they trigger memories, as Thierry de Duve writes in his article, portrait photographs are funerary items, which we use to memorialise the referent. That person once sitting there, will remain that age for ever and are here with us today (even if long gone). They can filter back and forth through time when needed, as we gaze at the image.
This could be the most important reason to assist the AWM with their project (and what appeals to me) - so the men and women who payed the ultimate sacrifice can revisit us through their photographic portraits and be preserved for eternity in a national collection.
The Australian War Memorial is calling for portrait photographs of Australian service men and women, to match with an immense number of names on the honour role, for which the don't currently hold images. Matching names to faces they say, in order to increase research value and create an invaluable record.
I think this is an interesting and incredibly worth while project (given my interest in national collections I'd be a hypocrite to say otherwise!) I will be checking with my parents and Grandma to see whether any of my relatives died during battle and whether we can gather the photographic evidence required to assist the AWM with their project. I urge any wayward reader chancing upon this entry to do likewise...
Although it gets me thinking, in relation to my research and this article, why do we value the photographed face as a way to remember a person?
As infants we look to our parent's and relatives' faces for love, trust, recognition, to know we are valued and also to justify or modify our behaviour. A mother/father smiles at their adorable baby and (when capable) the baby smiles back, a mother/father frowns at their naughty toddler pouring a cup of cordial on the floor and the toddler (hopefully frowning back) knows they're in trouble!
Capturing the faces of our loved ones, so we can preserve them for eternity seems natural given our fondness for (and attachment to) faces and the importance we place in their features: eyes, wrinkles and smiles.
Photographs enable us to capture faces, quickly and easily. They are stuck in albums, hung in frames, crunched into wallets or hidden in lockets or under pillows. We believe in the photograph's precise rendering through it's mechanical and scientific (now digital) nature, making it a 'true' likeness. This accuracy is photography's greatest gift. A portrait photograph, more than any other medium (even the finest sketch) refers so closely to the sitter. Also, the person was once there - sitting in front of the lens - just slightly out of the viewers reach but glued to the paper for ever.
The most amazing thing about portrait photographs though is the way they trigger memories, as Thierry de Duve writes in his article, portrait photographs are funerary items, which we use to memorialise the referent. That person once sitting there, will remain that age for ever and are here with us today (even if long gone). They can filter back and forth through time when needed, as we gaze at the image.
This could be the most important reason to assist the AWM with their project (and what appeals to me) - so the men and women who payed the ultimate sacrifice can revisit us through their photographic portraits and be preserved for eternity in a national collection.
Friday, 29 February 2008
A long pause...
So, I've decided to keep this blog going after our holiday, don't know who'll read it or who cares about my ramblings, but then again it doesn't matter!
Two recent news reports which have captured my interest:
1. They caught the bastard who left his little girl Pumpkin in a Melbourne Rail station (brilliant story about an old fashioned citizens' arrest and a community working together!)
2. Something that rarely happens, a very generous donation of a collection of modern art being donated to a public gallery
Lastly, my partner sent me a link to some brilliant, but disturbing artwork based on consumer statistics from the US by the artist Chris Jordan
Two recent news reports which have captured my interest:
1. They caught the bastard who left his little girl Pumpkin in a Melbourne Rail station (brilliant story about an old fashioned citizens' arrest and a community working together!)
2. Something that rarely happens, a very generous donation of a collection of modern art being donated to a public gallery
Lastly, my partner sent me a link to some brilliant, but disturbing artwork based on consumer statistics from the US by the artist Chris Jordan
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Tour of the UK
So not the most imaginative title for this entry, but am running out of energy! This will be the last holiday blog for our 2007 adventure :( We'll be home by Friday evening and back at work the following Tuesday - where did the time go!?
London
The Eurostar whisked us away from France, under the English Channel at great speeds to London where we met up with Jay's cousin Steve and his wife Kat, we spent 6 nights at their place in West Hampstead (a one beddy flat) along with Kat's twin sister and her fiance! It was a little squeazy, but it was great to have a group of friends to hang out with - especially in London. Each night Steve and Kat took us to a different area, pubs, restaurants, etc... and we even had a ride on a 'night bus'!
Took in most of the tourist sites, clambered (with assistance!) onto one of the lions at Trafalgar square, saw mummies at the British Museum, visited the Gallery, went to Harrods where all we could afford were chocolates and fudge and got saturated watching the changing of the guard! Went around on the tourist 'hop on hop off' bus and giggled at the different guides. On our first night Steve and Kat organised a 'Jack the Ripper' tour, which led us around the darker streets of London. We also took in some free comedy in West Hampstead and went to a pub that was featured in 'Sliding Doors'.
Enjoyed the shopping opportunities in London, given that the sales were still on and went to some markets near Brick Lane. Everyone raves about shopping in Paris, but the UK (especially London and Glasgow) far surpasses France and the markets are brilliant!
Stewartby and Bedfordshire
After London we spent 4 nights with my uncle and his partner (and family) in Stewertby, which is a little town about an hour north of London in Bedfordshire. We were treated to lots of tastey home cooking!
We also took in some of the countryside around Bedfordshire (at least the bits that weren't under water!) We visited the American military cemetery, Cambridge and the main sections of Cambridge university, which is really stunning. Would love to study at Cambridge! However the tuition fees are a little steep! We went to Woburn Abbey to see deer and had a look at the antique shops. My uncle took us to Bletchley Park where we learnt how the British broke the Nazi codes and got to see a replica of the world's first computer.
Seascale and Cumbria
We then took the train north to stay with my uncle and aunt (Tommy and Amanda) in Seascale on the Cumbrian coast, along with their horse, pony, two dogs, four cats and tortoise!
The area around Cumbria is beautiful and we spent two days exploring the Lakes district. On the first day Jay and I took a little old coal train up into the hills to a town called Dalegarth for Boot where we visited an old mill and went walking in the National park. On the saturday Tommy and Amanda drove us (and the two dogs) around the Lakes District, we took the dogs for a walk around a castle with a fantastic garden and an 'Owlery'. We also saw Beatrix Potter's house (which looks completely different from the movie) but is still very pretty and there are lots of areas in the house that she used as settings in her books.
On Sunday Tommy and Amanda took us to see segments of Hadrian's wall on the way to Glasgow, where we met my Aunt Ruth and her family, living outside of Glasgow.
Glasgow
Glasgow is an incredible city and the area around the university is brilliant.
On our first day we visited the Cathedral and saw St Mungo's tomb and the chapel of the Blackadders. We also walked up to the Necropolis and looked at the elaborate tombs of the wealthy Merchants. The following day we took a tour into the Lowlands and saw Stirling Castle, Loch Katrine and went to a distillery, where we tried 17 year old whisky (which was so strong it burnt your eyes!)
We bought a two day sight seeing bus ticket and visited the Kelingrove Museum, which has an awesome armoury, dinosaur bones and a fantastic collection of Charles Rennie Mackintosh material. Afterwards we visited the Tennement House Museum, which is set up as it would have been at the turn of the 20th Century. On our last day we took a tour of the university, visited the Charles Rennie Mackintosh house (recreated in the University gallery) and spent the afternoon shopping (I bought some awesome shoes).
Edinburgh
Man did we pick a good time to go to Edinburgh! It was the beginning of the Fringe Festival, which meant cheap 2 for 1 review tickets and the Tattoo was on, not that we could get tickets, but the Castle was lit up each night and their were fireworks, parades, street performers, etc... so the atmosphere was fantastic.
On the Saturday we took a train down to Alnick in Northumberland to visit Alnick Castle, which was used for several scenes in the first couple of Harry Potter movies. To all my fellow Potter fans back at home, I got lots of photos! ;) In the evening we went on a ghost tour of Edinburgh and went into the locked area of Greyfriars Kirkyard - of course someone jumped out and scared us, but it was good fun.
On Sunday we took a free walking tour (in the rain) around Edinburgh and afterwards watched the Festival parade (still in the rain), in the evening we went to one of the comedy shows, which was OK.
On Monday we took a tour of the old buildings underground in Mary King's Close, which is a huge tourist trap and a bit disappointing. Afterwards we went and saw the Soweto Gospel Choir perform, which was absolutely AMAZING! They were so energetic and there were traditional dancers and the music was beautiful! In the evening we caught up with Kylie and Tom and had dinner at their place in the New Town and then following that went and saw Rich Hall (comedian), who was very funny.
And now...
I'm sitting in an internet joint in London, tomorrow we fly out, so I guess I'll be seeing everyone very soon!
HUGE thanks to Michael, Patsy, Tommy, Amanda, Steve, Kat, Kylie and Tom for housing, feeding and showing us around while we were in the UK, we have had a brilliant holiday!
Sorry about the lack of photos, will add some when I get back and might even host a slide night! No, wouldn't put people through that...
Luc.
London
The Eurostar whisked us away from France, under the English Channel at great speeds to London where we met up with Jay's cousin Steve and his wife Kat, we spent 6 nights at their place in West Hampstead (a one beddy flat) along with Kat's twin sister and her fiance! It was a little squeazy, but it was great to have a group of friends to hang out with - especially in London. Each night Steve and Kat took us to a different area, pubs, restaurants, etc... and we even had a ride on a 'night bus'!
Took in most of the tourist sites, clambered (with assistance!) onto one of the lions at Trafalgar square, saw mummies at the British Museum, visited the Gallery, went to Harrods where all we could afford were chocolates and fudge and got saturated watching the changing of the guard! Went around on the tourist 'hop on hop off' bus and giggled at the different guides. On our first night Steve and Kat organised a 'Jack the Ripper' tour, which led us around the darker streets of London. We also took in some free comedy in West Hampstead and went to a pub that was featured in 'Sliding Doors'.
Enjoyed the shopping opportunities in London, given that the sales were still on and went to some markets near Brick Lane. Everyone raves about shopping in Paris, but the UK (especially London and Glasgow) far surpasses France and the markets are brilliant!
Stewartby and Bedfordshire
After London we spent 4 nights with my uncle and his partner (and family) in Stewertby, which is a little town about an hour north of London in Bedfordshire. We were treated to lots of tastey home cooking!
We also took in some of the countryside around Bedfordshire (at least the bits that weren't under water!) We visited the American military cemetery, Cambridge and the main sections of Cambridge university, which is really stunning. Would love to study at Cambridge! However the tuition fees are a little steep! We went to Woburn Abbey to see deer and had a look at the antique shops. My uncle took us to Bletchley Park where we learnt how the British broke the Nazi codes and got to see a replica of the world's first computer.
Seascale and Cumbria
We then took the train north to stay with my uncle and aunt (Tommy and Amanda) in Seascale on the Cumbrian coast, along with their horse, pony, two dogs, four cats and tortoise!
The area around Cumbria is beautiful and we spent two days exploring the Lakes district. On the first day Jay and I took a little old coal train up into the hills to a town called Dalegarth for Boot where we visited an old mill and went walking in the National park. On the saturday Tommy and Amanda drove us (and the two dogs) around the Lakes District, we took the dogs for a walk around a castle with a fantastic garden and an 'Owlery'. We also saw Beatrix Potter's house (which looks completely different from the movie) but is still very pretty and there are lots of areas in the house that she used as settings in her books.
On Sunday Tommy and Amanda took us to see segments of Hadrian's wall on the way to Glasgow, where we met my Aunt Ruth and her family, living outside of Glasgow.
Glasgow
Glasgow is an incredible city and the area around the university is brilliant.
On our first day we visited the Cathedral and saw St Mungo's tomb and the chapel of the Blackadders. We also walked up to the Necropolis and looked at the elaborate tombs of the wealthy Merchants. The following day we took a tour into the Lowlands and saw Stirling Castle, Loch Katrine and went to a distillery, where we tried 17 year old whisky (which was so strong it burnt your eyes!)
We bought a two day sight seeing bus ticket and visited the Kelingrove Museum, which has an awesome armoury, dinosaur bones and a fantastic collection of Charles Rennie Mackintosh material. Afterwards we visited the Tennement House Museum, which is set up as it would have been at the turn of the 20th Century. On our last day we took a tour of the university, visited the Charles Rennie Mackintosh house (recreated in the University gallery) and spent the afternoon shopping (I bought some awesome shoes).
Edinburgh
Man did we pick a good time to go to Edinburgh! It was the beginning of the Fringe Festival, which meant cheap 2 for 1 review tickets and the Tattoo was on, not that we could get tickets, but the Castle was lit up each night and their were fireworks, parades, street performers, etc... so the atmosphere was fantastic.
On the Saturday we took a train down to Alnick in Northumberland to visit Alnick Castle, which was used for several scenes in the first couple of Harry Potter movies. To all my fellow Potter fans back at home, I got lots of photos! ;) In the evening we went on a ghost tour of Edinburgh and went into the locked area of Greyfriars Kirkyard - of course someone jumped out and scared us, but it was good fun.
On Sunday we took a free walking tour (in the rain) around Edinburgh and afterwards watched the Festival parade (still in the rain), in the evening we went to one of the comedy shows, which was OK.
On Monday we took a tour of the old buildings underground in Mary King's Close, which is a huge tourist trap and a bit disappointing. Afterwards we went and saw the Soweto Gospel Choir perform, which was absolutely AMAZING! They were so energetic and there were traditional dancers and the music was beautiful! In the evening we caught up with Kylie and Tom and had dinner at their place in the New Town and then following that went and saw Rich Hall (comedian), who was very funny.
And now...
I'm sitting in an internet joint in London, tomorrow we fly out, so I guess I'll be seeing everyone very soon!
HUGE thanks to Michael, Patsy, Tommy, Amanda, Steve, Kat, Kylie and Tom for housing, feeding and showing us around while we were in the UK, we have had a brilliant holiday!
Sorry about the lack of photos, will add some when I get back and might even host a slide night! No, wouldn't put people through that...
Luc.
Wednesday, 1 August 2007
My Mediterranean tan
Bordeaux
After our misadventures locating the Mont Saint Michel we took the train south to Bordeaux, hoping to leave the rain behind and taste some delicious French wine. Unfortunately only one of these things came true! The grey clouds followed us along the west coast and kept the weather chilly. Bordeaux though made up for the foul climate, it's a very pretty city about the same size as Canberra and with a better public transport system! We spent most of the time wondering around the city, siteseeing and shopping. We booked ourselves in for a 1/2 day wine tour to the Medoc wine region, the tour itself was dull and the guide put us to sleep within 30 minutes of sitting on the bus (he indulged in long pauses between words), but the country side was stunning and the Margaux wine we tried was delicious - like caramel!
Aix-en-Provence
So we headed further south and into the quint-essential French country side of Aix-en-Provence, where the sun was shining and the weather was more to our taste (finally! - about 30 degrees C). Aix is a pretty town but it's too flashy and a little dull, which was a bit dissapointing. Next time we will hire a car and visit some smaller towns.
NICE!
Nice was brilliant! It was everything we were looking for in France and it had a beach! We decided to splurge and stay 5 nights in a nice hotel. It was a little further away from the old town, but still easy walking distance and close to the beach.
We had planned to visit Cannes and Monaco, but in the end it was nicer just to wander around the city and swim in the afternoon. We took the mega lift up to the fort/palace gardens where there are some pretty man made waterfalls and did some shopping.
Managed to get sunburnt, so I was probably one of the only people wondering around England with a sun tan!
Lyon
We only spent one night in Lyon, but wondered around the old town in the evening, which is very pretty and we had a nice regional dinner at a cute cafe (although we dodged some of the more interesting specialites).
After our misadventures locating the Mont Saint Michel we took the train south to Bordeaux, hoping to leave the rain behind and taste some delicious French wine. Unfortunately only one of these things came true! The grey clouds followed us along the west coast and kept the weather chilly. Bordeaux though made up for the foul climate, it's a very pretty city about the same size as Canberra and with a better public transport system! We spent most of the time wondering around the city, siteseeing and shopping. We booked ourselves in for a 1/2 day wine tour to the Medoc wine region, the tour itself was dull and the guide put us to sleep within 30 minutes of sitting on the bus (he indulged in long pauses between words), but the country side was stunning and the Margaux wine we tried was delicious - like caramel!
Aix-en-Provence
So we headed further south and into the quint-essential French country side of Aix-en-Provence, where the sun was shining and the weather was more to our taste (finally! - about 30 degrees C). Aix is a pretty town but it's too flashy and a little dull, which was a bit dissapointing. Next time we will hire a car and visit some smaller towns.
NICE!
Nice was brilliant! It was everything we were looking for in France and it had a beach! We decided to splurge and stay 5 nights in a nice hotel. It was a little further away from the old town, but still easy walking distance and close to the beach.
We had planned to visit Cannes and Monaco, but in the end it was nicer just to wander around the city and swim in the afternoon. We took the mega lift up to the fort/palace gardens where there are some pretty man made waterfalls and did some shopping.
Managed to get sunburnt, so I was probably one of the only people wondering around England with a sun tan!
Lyon
We only spent one night in Lyon, but wondered around the old town in the evening, which is very pretty and we had a nice regional dinner at a cute cafe (although we dodged some of the more interesting specialites).
Sunday, 8 July 2007
Beers, baguettes and a 21st birthday
Have been quite surprised at the demand for another blog post from my eager audience! I thought most people would appreciate the silence!
We're in the south of France now, staying in Aix-en-Provence, but will keep this post to our travels through Berlin and Northern France.
Berlin
Berlin was awesome, although the weather wasn't so good. We spent our first day relaxing in our hostel, St Christophers, which is a private chain of hostels, the one in Berlin happens to be run by an Aussie, so lots of Australian music and their bar had Fosters on tap (eugh...) The bar also served very cheap food, so we ate there most nights as the weather was foul. Berlin is incredibly cheap, for everything and the pints of beer are a 1/2 litre!
We took one of the free New Berlin tours around the city, with an English guy called Nick, who kept everyone entertained despite the constant rain. I highly recommend it if you ever visit Berlin.
We visited the main sights (without our camera - doh!) including the site of Hitler's bunker, which lies unnoticed under a dirt carpark! The most interesting site is the monument to the European Jews murdered during WWII, will post a photo when I get a chance.
The following day we visited the museum below the monument, which just blew my mind, I had no idea the Nazi's killed over 1 million Jewish people from Poland alone! In one room they play audio loops of individual stories (each about 2 minutes long, played in German and English), apparently if they had each person's story recorded it would take 6 years for the loop to play once!
We also took the New Berlin pub crawl, which was a little disappointing, but more due to our age and the rain than the tour company - the majority of the group were 18 - 21 years and were more interested in getting wasted then talking to fellow travellers. We did meet a fellow Australian who was our age, she had just quit her day job to learn shoe-making!
The monument to the murdered European Jews
Koln
From Berlin we took the train to Koln to meet up with Jo (Jay's brother) and to visit Jay's cousin. Also our first YHI - pretty good, it reeked of organised fun though... Koln is very pretty and they have a chocolate museum! In the centre of the museum is a river of molten chocolate and a mini factory making Lindt truffles. Needless to say, after our visit I felt quite queasy!
Cute houses along the river
Rouen
After our night in Koln the three of us took the Thalys through to Paris and then onto Rouen, which is interesting, but not particularly nice. The following day we visited Bayeux to see the famous tapestry depicting the battle of Hastings in 1066 and met a Canadian couple (Loni and Raynor) from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan! Had a good day wondering around the town together, had lunch etc...
Bayuex Cathedral
Paris!
Paris is amazing, I could spend 3 months alone just in Paris! We spent most of our time ticking off the main monuments and museums. I spent an entire day at the Louvre and muscled my way to the front of the line to see the Mona Lisa, although the other Da Vinci paintings were more interesting as I could get right up close. It's hard to see the Mona Lisa as a painting, standing 3 metres away! We also saw a proper Egyptian Mummy at the Louvre and hilariously found the curators had covered it's nether regions with a cloth!
I wont list everything for Paris, except to say we visited the Eiffel tower at night, all lit up and watched it sparkle at 11pm, which was magic.
Said goodbye to Jo, who set off on his own to Germany.
Jay, Jo and Lucy underneath the Eiffel Tower
Finding the Mt Saint Michel
Not the easiest place to get to unless you have a car and actually took us three attempts to get to!
The first night we stayed in St Malo at the YHI where we met an American guy celebrating his 21st Birthday alone with his mum (who was there with a summer camp group), so along with a Canadian girl, we took him out to this very tame pub and helped him celebrate his birthday properly (or as best we could)!
Finally managed to get to Mt Saint Michel and the sun came out! The views from the top of the Monastery were fantastic and the old abbey was interesting to explore, but man there were a lot of tourists!
View of Mount Saint Michel
The next day we took the train to Bordeaux, which is where I'll finish...
Hope everyone is well, I hear Canberra is also getting rain!
Welcome back Karen V and congratulations - can't wait to catch up you! Good luck to Gwyn!
Happy 21st to Stephie! Hope you have a brilliant party and a very special birthday. We have your present, but will bring it home rather than post it as it's fragile.
Love to all,
Lucy
We're in the south of France now, staying in Aix-en-Provence, but will keep this post to our travels through Berlin and Northern France.
Berlin
Berlin was awesome, although the weather wasn't so good. We spent our first day relaxing in our hostel, St Christophers, which is a private chain of hostels, the one in Berlin happens to be run by an Aussie, so lots of Australian music and their bar had Fosters on tap (eugh...) The bar also served very cheap food, so we ate there most nights as the weather was foul. Berlin is incredibly cheap, for everything and the pints of beer are a 1/2 litre!
We took one of the free New Berlin tours around the city, with an English guy called Nick, who kept everyone entertained despite the constant rain. I highly recommend it if you ever visit Berlin.
We visited the main sights (without our camera - doh!) including the site of Hitler's bunker, which lies unnoticed under a dirt carpark! The most interesting site is the monument to the European Jews murdered during WWII, will post a photo when I get a chance.
The following day we visited the museum below the monument, which just blew my mind, I had no idea the Nazi's killed over 1 million Jewish people from Poland alone! In one room they play audio loops of individual stories (each about 2 minutes long, played in German and English), apparently if they had each person's story recorded it would take 6 years for the loop to play once!
We also took the New Berlin pub crawl, which was a little disappointing, but more due to our age and the rain than the tour company - the majority of the group were 18 - 21 years and were more interested in getting wasted then talking to fellow travellers. We did meet a fellow Australian who was our age, she had just quit her day job to learn shoe-making!
The monument to the murdered European Jews
Koln
From Berlin we took the train to Koln to meet up with Jo (Jay's brother) and to visit Jay's cousin. Also our first YHI - pretty good, it reeked of organised fun though... Koln is very pretty and they have a chocolate museum! In the centre of the museum is a river of molten chocolate and a mini factory making Lindt truffles. Needless to say, after our visit I felt quite queasy!
Cute houses along the river
Rouen
After our night in Koln the three of us took the Thalys through to Paris and then onto Rouen, which is interesting, but not particularly nice. The following day we visited Bayeux to see the famous tapestry depicting the battle of Hastings in 1066 and met a Canadian couple (Loni and Raynor) from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan! Had a good day wondering around the town together, had lunch etc...
Bayuex Cathedral
Paris!
Paris is amazing, I could spend 3 months alone just in Paris! We spent most of our time ticking off the main monuments and museums. I spent an entire day at the Louvre and muscled my way to the front of the line to see the Mona Lisa, although the other Da Vinci paintings were more interesting as I could get right up close. It's hard to see the Mona Lisa as a painting, standing 3 metres away! We also saw a proper Egyptian Mummy at the Louvre and hilariously found the curators had covered it's nether regions with a cloth!
I wont list everything for Paris, except to say we visited the Eiffel tower at night, all lit up and watched it sparkle at 11pm, which was magic.
Said goodbye to Jo, who set off on his own to Germany.
Jay, Jo and Lucy underneath the Eiffel Tower
Finding the Mt Saint Michel
Not the easiest place to get to unless you have a car and actually took us three attempts to get to!
The first night we stayed in St Malo at the YHI where we met an American guy celebrating his 21st Birthday alone with his mum (who was there with a summer camp group), so along with a Canadian girl, we took him out to this very tame pub and helped him celebrate his birthday properly (or as best we could)!
Finally managed to get to Mt Saint Michel and the sun came out! The views from the top of the Monastery were fantastic and the old abbey was interesting to explore, but man there were a lot of tourists!
View of Mount Saint Michel
The next day we took the train to Bordeaux, which is where I'll finish...
Hope everyone is well, I hear Canberra is also getting rain!
Welcome back Karen V and congratulations - can't wait to catch up you! Good luck to Gwyn!
Happy 21st to Stephie! Hope you have a brilliant party and a very special birthday. We have your present, but will bring it home rather than post it as it's fragile.
Love to all,
Lucy
Thursday, 21 June 2007
How time flies!
Hey!
Well it´s been a while since my last post and we´re now in Berlin, having arrived at lunchtime.
After our two nights in Dubrovnik we moved onto Split, originally staying for 3 nights, but we decided to stay 4 nights as it was really lovely and we were enjoying being near the beach.
The old area of Split is centered around the Roman ruins of Dioclecian´s Palace, which has buildings added to it in adhoc fashion and Dioclecian´s Palace has been turned into a huge cathedral - odd since Dioclecian persecuted the christians - I guess it´s a case of he who laughs last...
Like Dubrovnik, Split´s pedestrian streets are made of polished marble, so it´s sunglasses territory during the day and it glows at night. We visited some beaches around Split, which were a bit dissapointing and dirty, but we took the ferry over to Hvar Island where the water is clear like crystal and really cool. Have decided that next time we go back we´ll do an organised boat tour around the Croation coastline as you don´t have to deal with unpredictable public transport! The night/bar life in Split is pretty cool, you just have to wander off the main square and there are so many bars and the beer is cold and cheap! Was also great to catch up with Kat and Steve, if only for the morning! Wish we had booked the tour with yu guys, we´re so tempted to climb onto the boat behind you!
Me sitting at an outdoor cafe, I think I had just been served up the strangest looking cheeseburger I have ever seen!
We took the train up to Zagreb and spent the night in our first dorm room, which wasn´t to bad, except the hostel was pretty grotty - the mould in the bathroom was something to behold! Zagreb´s a really nice city and I wish we´d given it more time. It´s even more of a fairy tale than Prague and much quieter. There´s a hole street dedicated to pubs - it´s quite a trek - would take a full week of pub crawls!
Soo many berries! Fruit and Veg Markets, Zagreb
From Zagreb we took the train north to Budapest, which is a really pretty journey. It´s interesting to watch the styles of houses and buildings change as you go north.
Budapest is an amazing city, so beautiful and lots of fun! Unfortunately the first place we stayed in was a real dive and we had to pay up front without any chance of a refund - talk about shafted! So we decided to cut and run... downstairs! Where there were nicer flats run by a different lady that were the same price.
We packed a lot into our 2 1/2 sightseeing days in Budapest, visiting heroe´s square, the markets, the large Synagogue, the Statue Park (Statues from the Soviet era), the castle, Fisherman´s Bastion and the exterior of Pariament building (one of the best buildings so far) which was closed because the orchestra, choir and opera singers were giving a dress rehearsal, which we were allowed to sit and watch! We also had some great food and beer in Budapest - better than Italy - probably because it was quite different to Australia.
Parliament House, Budapest. Photo by Jay
After two whirl wind days in Hungry we took the train to Prague, for two more whirl wind days in Prague! We shared our train compartment with an Irish guy, his Slovakian girlfriend and her sister, who were all living in Germany - so it was a great train ride and we chatted the whole way to Prague.
We took a walking tour on the first day, which covered most of the important sites, then on the second day we visited ST Nicholas Cathedral and the Mucha Museum, which has been one of my highlights, getting more ideas for my masters and I bought lots of postcards. I´d like to see Prague during the low season as in summer it´s just packed and was a bit exhausting like Florence. On the last night we decided to relax and see Pirates 3 - what a dissapointment! Was a mixture of Godzilla and Braveheart! Jack Sparrow and Borbossa were great though - as usual...
Jay sheepishly patting the bronze dog.
So that´s a potted version of the last week or so - once again no photos - this computer doesn´t have a USB or CD drive - sorry! Will post some later.
Congrats to Basil and Penny for the new addition to your family - lovely news!
Nathalie - have been collecting charms - can´t wait to show you them!
Will send postcards now we´re in Germany, looking forward to experiencing their world famous efficient service!
Love to all - missing everyone and getting a little homesick!
Lucy
Well it´s been a while since my last post and we´re now in Berlin, having arrived at lunchtime.
After our two nights in Dubrovnik we moved onto Split, originally staying for 3 nights, but we decided to stay 4 nights as it was really lovely and we were enjoying being near the beach.
The old area of Split is centered around the Roman ruins of Dioclecian´s Palace, which has buildings added to it in adhoc fashion and Dioclecian´s Palace has been turned into a huge cathedral - odd since Dioclecian persecuted the christians - I guess it´s a case of he who laughs last...
Like Dubrovnik, Split´s pedestrian streets are made of polished marble, so it´s sunglasses territory during the day and it glows at night. We visited some beaches around Split, which were a bit dissapointing and dirty, but we took the ferry over to Hvar Island where the water is clear like crystal and really cool. Have decided that next time we go back we´ll do an organised boat tour around the Croation coastline as you don´t have to deal with unpredictable public transport! The night/bar life in Split is pretty cool, you just have to wander off the main square and there are so many bars and the beer is cold and cheap! Was also great to catch up with Kat and Steve, if only for the morning! Wish we had booked the tour with yu guys, we´re so tempted to climb onto the boat behind you!
Me sitting at an outdoor cafe, I think I had just been served up the strangest looking cheeseburger I have ever seen!
We took the train up to Zagreb and spent the night in our first dorm room, which wasn´t to bad, except the hostel was pretty grotty - the mould in the bathroom was something to behold! Zagreb´s a really nice city and I wish we´d given it more time. It´s even more of a fairy tale than Prague and much quieter. There´s a hole street dedicated to pubs - it´s quite a trek - would take a full week of pub crawls!
Soo many berries! Fruit and Veg Markets, Zagreb
From Zagreb we took the train north to Budapest, which is a really pretty journey. It´s interesting to watch the styles of houses and buildings change as you go north.
Budapest is an amazing city, so beautiful and lots of fun! Unfortunately the first place we stayed in was a real dive and we had to pay up front without any chance of a refund - talk about shafted! So we decided to cut and run... downstairs! Where there were nicer flats run by a different lady that were the same price.
We packed a lot into our 2 1/2 sightseeing days in Budapest, visiting heroe´s square, the markets, the large Synagogue, the Statue Park (Statues from the Soviet era), the castle, Fisherman´s Bastion and the exterior of Pariament building (one of the best buildings so far) which was closed because the orchestra, choir and opera singers were giving a dress rehearsal, which we were allowed to sit and watch! We also had some great food and beer in Budapest - better than Italy - probably because it was quite different to Australia.
Parliament House, Budapest. Photo by Jay
After two whirl wind days in Hungry we took the train to Prague, for two more whirl wind days in Prague! We shared our train compartment with an Irish guy, his Slovakian girlfriend and her sister, who were all living in Germany - so it was a great train ride and we chatted the whole way to Prague.
We took a walking tour on the first day, which covered most of the important sites, then on the second day we visited ST Nicholas Cathedral and the Mucha Museum, which has been one of my highlights, getting more ideas for my masters and I bought lots of postcards. I´d like to see Prague during the low season as in summer it´s just packed and was a bit exhausting like Florence. On the last night we decided to relax and see Pirates 3 - what a dissapointment! Was a mixture of Godzilla and Braveheart! Jack Sparrow and Borbossa were great though - as usual...
Jay sheepishly patting the bronze dog.
So that´s a potted version of the last week or so - once again no photos - this computer doesn´t have a USB or CD drive - sorry! Will post some later.
Congrats to Basil and Penny for the new addition to your family - lovely news!
Nathalie - have been collecting charms - can´t wait to show you them!
Will send postcards now we´re in Germany, looking forward to experiencing their world famous efficient service!
Love to all - missing everyone and getting a little homesick!
Lucy
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