Iris of Bagatelle

Bagatelle is one of my favourite gardens in Paris, beautiful in all seasons and at all times especially in spring when the Iris garden is in its full magnificence. Here is a short slideshow video clip of the garden. Time for romance. Turn up the volume and let’s waltz with the Irises …

The month of May is the Iris flower season and if you happen to be in Paris, don’t miss the fabulous Waltz of the Irises at the Bagatelle gardens …

The Iris of Bagatelle

At the train station Kota Jakarta

There might not be much left of the Old Jakarta but should you visit this city on your way to Jogyakarta or Bali then a stopover to the historic city “Kota Tua” is a must. I love musing around the old Dutch train station in Kota with its 1930′s style facade and browsing through the many old VOC Dutch buildings unfortunately left to die away with the changing times … But although changes have been made around China Town also known as Glodok, you can still see old Chinese temples and some of the old buildings and passages like the one I found here. All these shots are taken with my Canon film camera using 24-70 mm lens and Ilford Delta 400 … and of course these are the ways of silver prints still greatly in vogue … These images are part of my book series “Journeys Java to Flores”

Click on the images for a better view …

The Old China Town Kota Jakarta

Rhodes Old Town at dusk

They were the Knights Crusaders who lead the Holy wars in the Middle Ages. Among them were the legendary Knights Templars and the Knights Hospitallers. These Christians soldiers recognizable through their long coats with a cross were powerful groups backed by the highest level of society, economically prosperous and politically influential. After the fall of Jerusalem into the hands of the first crusaders in the 11th century the Knights Hospitallers was created in response to the need of caring for the poor and sick pilgrims coming to the Holy Land. The Knights Hospitallers were closely linked to the Hospital of Jerusalem. After the downfall of Byzantine Empire and the rise of Islam the Knights Hospitallers who later differentiated themselves from their military counterpart the Templars, finally established their stronghold on the island of Rhodes. And so our story began …The year 1309 and they were called the “Knights of Rhodes”. They built fortresses around the island and succeeded in holding off Muslim attacks until they finally succumbed under Suleiman The Magnificent who took over the island to become part of the Ottoman Empire. Remnants of the fabulous centuries of the Knights Hospitallers can still be seen in Rhodes Old Town as well as ruins of some of their fortresses perched on hills. Besides military architecture that makes up the island landscape, are the beautiful Ottoman buildings in Rhodes Old Town. Even if the Greek Orthodox religion is predominant, there is still a minority of Muslim Turkish community – legacy of the Ottoman Empire…
Rhodes Old Town a World Heritage site is an amalgamation of fabulous architectural accomplishment illustrating different settlers from Byzantine Empire to the Order of Saint John Knights Hospitallers and the Ottoman Empire. I love scouring the alleys of Rhodes Old Town which make me feel as if I am thrown back into the time of the Crusaders.The street of the knights is where the action takes place. Knights from different origins would have their flags placed in front of their houses. Walk through the many streets lined with Knights palaces interwoven with beautiful mosques, public baths and stop by the Ottoman cemetery with its mosque and an elegant minaret. So now let’s go on our historic walk and discover some fascinating places in Rhodes …

15th century fortress of Monolithos built by the Knights of Rhodes

The old Turkish Muslim cemetery and Murad Reis Mosque

And here is the dome of the Suleiman mosque in Rhodes Old Town

Dome of Suleiman mosque in Rhodes Old Town

And a short drive from the Old Town is the lovely Tsambika monastery with a stunning view. This place is said to have been a temple dedicated to the Goddess Artemis and the icon Panaghia Tsambika inside the small chapel is believed to be miraculous especially for childless women …. A beautiful site and worth the visit that is if you feel courageous enough to climb up the sooooo many steps before reaching the small chapel (to get a glimpse of the miraculous icon and monastery) as well as to enjoy a splendid view.

View of the beach from Tsambika monastery

And here are more images on Rhodes …

Temple in Varanasi

One of the many temples in Varanasi along the Ganges shot with my Canon EOS film camera using 24-70 mm lens and Ilford Delta 400
This image is part of my book series “Journeys Delhi to Varanasi”
Click on the image for a larger view

Singapore at dusk

Singapore at dusk taken with my Canon EOS film camera using Ilford Delta 400
Image is a bit grainy but that is the beauty of “silver print“
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L’Hôtel – The circular interior corridors leading to rooms

“ The wall paper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One of us has got to go” were the last words of Oscar Wilde who slumped into an eternal sleep at l’Hôtel in 1900. The style of room N° 16 where he died and the most wanted, recalls his home in London decorated with green coloured walls and inlaid gold peacocks. Tucked away in the historic quarter of Saint Germain des Prés in the left bank, once part of the palace grounds of Queen Margot, daughter of Henry II and Catherine de Medici, L’Hôtel is the chosen place for many celebrities and stars wanting to get away from it all.
The simple entrance with a carved silver head of a ram is the only sign to this place and had I not been looking for it I would have never known that this is a hotel. The sculpture represents Aries, the astrological sign of Guy Louis Duboucheron, one of the former owners. A sense of peace and tranquility set in almost immediately on entering the lovely lounge that opens into an impressive atrium with sparkling chandeliers on all floors, the predominant neoclassical style blends in effortlessly with modern luxury, marking the unique theatrical masterwork of Jacques Garcia, top Parisian designer who renovated l’Hôtel in 2000. I love relaxing in the elegantly decorated bar along which are lined with pictures of celebrities who visited this place including Johnny Depp, Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Mick Jagger and many more. So, if you are looking for place to meet up in an intimate surroundings then L’Hôtel is the perfect place… At the far end old books and pictures of Oscar Wilde add to the intimate ambiance of the lounge. The drinks are as tempting as those books on the shelves…. and if you are undecided simply ask for the deadly house concoction cocktail N° 13 is top of the list. The restaurant serves very good French food. An inventive menu orchestrated by the head Chef Julien Montbabut definitely is worth a try. Now here are the images…

L’Hôtel – The restaurant

Café Hoppe (Spui) one of the oldest Bruin Café in Amsterdam

Relaxing in a cozy atmosphere after strolling along the canals is one of my favourite things to do when I am in Amsterdam. Unlike any Cafés in Europe, Amsterdam has this unique place known as Brown (bruin) Cafés. Historic and full of charm they are the equivalent of London pubs which took the name because of its smoke stained interiors wooden fittings. This is where Amsterdammers would spend their day and tourist like me who like to relax in a nice laid back environment for hours on end … Drinks and light snacks are served all day and their hot chocolate Viennese style is simply a delight. They would come in fluffy whipped cream served with speculoos (Dutch spice cinnamon biscuits). Snacks include bitterballen (potatoes meatballs) and tasty pannekoek with thick stroop (Dutch pancake with syrup). For beer lovers you can get all the various regional beer on tab and even get a taste of Jenever (Juniper flavoured Dutch gin) There are quite a few of these Brown Cafés and some dates back to 17th century. The typical Dutch ceramic walls and an old stove at Papeneiland (Prinsengracht) gives you that feel of being in an old Dutch house. Great hot chocolate (which reminded me of the famous Dutch Droste’s chocolate I used to have when I was a kid) and friendly atmosphere is at ‘t Smalle (Egelantiersgracht) The many beer mugs hanging along the walls of another 17th century Café Chris (Bloemenstraat) is quite a sight and the sand sprinkled floors of Café Hoppe (Spui) and its wooden interiors give you the impressions of journeying into Rembrandt’s era. In Nieuwmarkt there is a historic building, the Weigh House formerly one of Amsterdam city gates built in 1488, today is the Café In de Waag another nice stopover when in the area. Other historic cafés that I like are De Kroon (Rembrandtplein) first opened in 1898, then there is the 16th century Café IntAepjen (Zeedijk) probably the oldest and the Art Deco style Café Americain (Leidsekade) one of the Grand Café, listed as National Monument which first opened in 1900. So now let’s go Café hunting …

Café t’Smalle in Egelantiergracht

I love the Café ‘t Smalle with its terrace overlooking the Gracht, the interior is cozy and they served great hot chocolate with whipped cream and the traditional speculoos biscuits…

Hot chocolate whipped cream and speculoos biscuits at Café ‘t Smalle

This small Café Papeneilan in Prinsengracht with its traditional decoration is another of my favourite …

Café Papeneilan in Prinsengracht

More images on Brown Cafés …

Beautifully carved archway of a Beijing Hutong

If Shanghai is one of China’s most fast growing city, Beijing has managed to retain some of its architectural heritage. I was interested in seeing more of the old style houses during my visit to Beijing, which for the most part have unfortunately been destroyed and replaced by newer housing compounds. Wanting to immerse myself in the “Old China Lifestyle” I choose to stay in a traditional courtyard house transformed into a charming hotel in one of the side streets of the reputed Nan Luo Gu Xiang north of the Forbidden City. Popular with tourists, this area still has many old style buildings which the government knowing the importance for tourists attraction, tries to preserve them. Along this street many of the old houses have been transformed into up market boutiques, restaurants and coffee shops. This is one of the nicest area where you can still find some well preserved Hutongs and elegant courtyard houses with carved entrances and beautiful doors. You can easily explore the area and see some of these houses once belonged to wealthy families or historic figures. In one of the side streets of Nan Luo Gu Xiang, I came across a courtyard house where the wife of the last Emperor Pu Yi used to live before her marriage. Unfortunately most of these houses are closed and if you are lucky to find an open gate, take a quick look inside. In some popular quarters the gates are usually open. You can walk in and have a glimpse of life in a Beijing Hutong and when you do see people washing, cooking, walking in or out with their shopping bags or speeding out with their bicycles, don’t forget to say Ni Haoooo …

A Hutong in Beijing

The traditional Hutong in Beijing

Living in a community in a traditional Hutong in Beijing

More images on the Hutong of Beijing …
Click to view slideshow.

The island of Korcula Croatia

The year 1254 – the birth of Marco Polo the Venetian traveller and merchant, but his birthplace still remains a mystery although it is widely accepted that he was born in Venice. Another theory placed his natal home to be on the island of Korcula which many Korculans claim to be his true birthplace. His father was a rich merchant originating from Dalmatia and with his uncle he followed them in their travels. The Polos ventured to Cathay by way of the Silk Road and brought back with them great treasures, but upon their return wars escalated between Venice and Genoa. Marco Polo was allegedly caught in the middle of the naval battle of Korcula and was imprisoned by the Genoese. It was in his prison cell that he wrote his fabulous travels to far continents which have inspired many and other explorers. Centuries have gone by since the days of Marco Polo and we would perhaps never know where he was actually born but let’s visit the Old Town – alleys lined with Gothic Renaissance buildings. Imagine that this could be his birthplace and travel into the world of the Polo family.

Korcula Old Town

More images of Korcula …

Temple offerings

As I was strolling leisurely along the shores enjoying the sun setting behind the horizon leaving a glow of spectacular colours, I saw a small crowd of people dressed in local attire carrying baskets of flowers and food heading towards the sea. When asked I was told that this was a purification and cleansing ritual. Strong believers in the supernatural, offerings are considered as means of communication with the invisible world and one day without presenting an offering to the gods would be inconceivable for any Balinese. Offerings are made from simple arrangements on woven palm leaf trays to a more decorative style blending religious and symbolical traditions with their natural artistic flair.
When I first visited the island many years ago there were miles of coastline with pristine beaches devoid of tourists, Kuta was a simple coastal town with a handful of restaurants and few half naked hippies bathing along the sea. The many trendy luxurious hotels that bloomed along the beaches of Legian and Seminyak did not exist, it was much nicer then. Today although the island has changed considerably catering to the rapid growth of tourism, its religious rituals remain unchanged. It is this unique devotional attitude towards their ancestral belief that has made this island one of the few places in the world acclaimed for its timeless charm. For the Balinese, offerings of food, flowers and incense to the gods and the elements promises a state of equilibrium where man, nature and the divine can co-exist in peace and harmony. Daily offerings are always aesthetically and meticulously arranged even if it is meant only for one day.

More images on divine gifts …