Posts in Category: Trips
Fortified Church of Prejmer
The Fortified Church of Prejmer, Romania was built in 1225 and surrounded in the 15th century by a thick, circular wall 12m high, lined two centuries later with four tiers of rooms. The entrance tower is itself protected by another fortified enclosure, the Mayor’s Courtyard. The Gothic church is austere; it is said to contain Cistercian elements. Inside are some painted wood furniture, bearing German Gothic inscriptions, and a mid-15th century triptych painted in tempera.
Constanţa Grand Cazinoul
Situated at the crossroads of several commercial routes, Constanta lies on the western coast of the Black Sea, 185 miles from the Bosphorus Strait. An ancient metropolis and Romania’s largest sea port, Constanta traces its history some 2,500 years. Originally called Tomis, legend has it that Jason landed here with the Argonauts after finding the Golden Fleece.
The Cazinoul was built between 1909-1910 and is the only representative of ‘art nouveau’ style in Romania. On the top of the building, the decorations consists of old ships representations (ram heads and alga garlands). Inside there are staircases and imposing banisters, covered columns and marble girdles on the walls.
This is the 250th post. It also ushers in the new site design and the use of larger photos on the site. Originally started off with 600px, then 700px and now we are at 800px photos being displayed. The info and comments are now in a drop down box, since hardly anyone leaves comments anyways. To those that do leave me comments from time to time, thank you! Another change is the use of the full size photos in the RSS feed as well. Please let me know what you think of these changes, good or bad.
Hofburg Theater
The K.K. Hofburgtheater, is the Austrian National Theatre in Vienna and one of the most important German language theatres in the world. Designed by Gottfried Semper in 1888, and almost completely destroyed during WWII in 1945, it was rebuilt during 1953-55. Click on the link below the photo for the black and white version.
Moana Surfrider
Built in 1901, the Moana is referred to as the First Lady of Waikiki. Underwent a $50 million renovation in the late 1980s. Beautiful hotel, we saw many weddings taking place. Our hotel was directly across the street.
Above the clouds
Summit of Haleakala on Maui’s highest peak, you find an island in the sky where the clouds spread out below you like a second layer of ocean. Directions: go to the stop sign, turn right at the clouds.
Days gone by…
The Cox Covered Bridge was built in 1884 by the Diltz and Steel Company and uses a variation of the Vinton County Queenpost truss system. Built for a very utilitarian purpose, covered bridges were masterpieces of engineering – but horse and buggy America called them “kissing bridges.” Their dark interiors proved ideal for what a later generation was to refer to as “spooning.” It was also common for lovers to steal kisses in the backs of buggies as they passed through the darkness of the bridge, the slower the horses (and the longer the bridge) the better. Apparently, drive-in movies weren’t yet available. As a result of these questionable extracurricular activities, covered bridges actually received public condemnation by concerned local ministers. They were called wishing bridges too, for everyone knows that a wish made in a covered bridge comes true. Wooden bridges tended to deteriorate rapidly from exposure to the elements, having a useful lifespan of only nine years. Covering them protected their structural members, thus extending their life to 80 years or more. Covered bridges were also constructed to be used by travelers during storms and inclement weather.
Waikiki at sunset
Waikiki means “spouting water” in Hawaiian, named for springs and streams that fed wetlands that once separated Waikiki from the interior of Oahu. The area was a retreat for Hawaiian royalty in the 1800s, now it is a retreat for the tourists of the world.
Kaneohe Bay
Kaneohe Bay in Oahu. One of our many drives around the island. Seeing the different sides of the island was remarkable, each had its own beauty.
Maalaea Bay
Looking across Maalaea Bay, evidence of the drought affecting the South-Western side of Maui, a stark contrast to the lush green rain forest on the Eastern side. This is also a perfect whale watching area. Emilia and I drove along the Honoapillani Highway, which leads to the Forbidden Road, as the rental car companies call it. One lane road with boulders falling down, not for the light hearted, but well worth the trip.