Sights of Rio - Escadaria Selaron

Escadaria Selaron

Tucked away between the hill top of Santa Teresa and a side street of Lapa is a crazy and colorful stairway covered with red, green and yellow tiles. The Selaron Steps are the work of Chilean-born artist Jorge Selaron who came to Rio in 1983 and started work on the stairs in 1990.

 The stairway has 215 steps measuring 125 metres, covered with 2000 majolica tiles collected in urban areas of Rio and from over 60 countries around the world. 

 

Amongst the tiles, are red-coloured unique pieces which according to Selaron were a tribute to the Brazilian people. Some 300-odd tiles were hand painted by him depicting a pregnant African woman which he said was a ‘Personal problem from my past’.  

The Selaron Steps are a must visit when in Rio. We were holidaying in Rio in the month of August in 2017

 For more images of Rio please visit my website Pravine Chester Photography

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Bruges

Bruges is a beautiful city in Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country. The city has some beautiful houses lining the canals of the city.
This famous tourist spot is just an hour away form Antwerp or Brussels and there are a number of trains that you can catch to reach here.
Be sure to take a boat ride on the canals of the city to get  great views of the town.

One of the Canals

July 2014

Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City

The Reunification Palace is an important destination for all tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City. However, as a palace it is a disappointment. The original building was destroyed in 1962 by two rebel South Vietnamese Pilots in an assassination bid on the then President Diem who ordered the remaining building to be completely demolished and a new Palace to be built.

View of the Palace from the Front

There isn't much to see except rooms which you cannot enter but only see through the doors. An interesting place is the basement with its telecommunications centre, war room and the numerous tunnels leading to the bunkers. However unbearably hot and humid in there and if you are claustrophobic then best to avoid.

Two of the main rooms of the Palace

 On the roof is displayed the helicopter which was used by the president. Two spots have been highlighted where another rebel of the South Vietnam army tried to bomb the palace.

The Helipad on the Roof and the 2 spots where bombs were dropped

The main attraction are the 2 tanks on the right as one enters the Palace grounds. These were the tanks that smashed through the gates when the North took over the South.

One of the Tanks that were used to Capture the Palace

The Reunification Palace in Saigon is an important destination to visit if you  in the city. It gives one a perspective of the history and of Vietnam.  

Please also visit my webiste Pravine Chester's Photography

Moscow - Red Square

The most important attraction  to go to  when visiting Moscow is the The Red Square. Steeped in history, this lively square in the centre of Moscow can be considered  the heart and soul of Russia and leaves a visitor amazed at the beauty and architecture of the place. It is believed that the square acquired its current name in the 17th Century. It was however only in the early 20th century that Red Square became famous as the site for massive military parades to showcase to the world the might and power of the Soviet Union.

View of Red Square from opposite ends

 

One interesting fact is that the name 'Red Square' has nothing to do with communism or many of the red coloured buildings surrounding the square. It comes from the Russian word ' Krasnaya' meaning red or beautiful.

The most striking structure that one sees on coming to the red square is St Basil's Cathedral. St Basil's cathedral was built in 1552 and actually consists of 9 churches that were consecrated in memory of major events.

 Picture above shows St Basil's Cathedral on the right and the Spasskaya Tower on the Left.

 Another historical structure facing the Red Square is The Spasskaya Tower which is the main tower with a through passage on the eastern wall of the Kremlin . The Spasskaya Tower was built in 1491 by an Italian architect.

Spasskaya Tower

The red star atop the Spasskaya Tower was installed by the Soviets in 1935

In front of St Basil's Cathedral stands the famous statue of Minin and Pozharksky. The statue commemorates Prince Dmitry and the butcher Kuzam Minin who as leaders of the militia repelled the Polish invasion 0f 1612. The statue was earlier in the center of the red square but was moved as it interfered with Stalin's plans for massed military parades.

 The Statue of Minin and Pozharsky

As one walks further down into Red Square and away from the cathedral on the Eastern side of the Red Square , you come across a grand cream coloured building on the right. This is Russia's most famous shopping mall - the state department store - GUM.

 The famous GUM store on Red Square

Front View of the GUM shopping Mall

On the  North side of the square is a small and charming church. This is the Kazan Cathedral which was built to commemorate the repulsion of Polish invaders in the 17th century. It was however demolished by the Soviet authorities in 1936. Work on restoring and rebuilding the cathedral was undertaken in 1990 which was completed in 3 years.

The Kazan Cathedral on the North of Red Square

At the far end North end of the Red Square is the State Historical Museum. Its exhibitions range from relics of prehistoric tribes that lived on the territory of present-day Russia, through priceless artworks acquired by members of the Romanov dynasty. The total number of objects in the museum's collection comes to millions.

 

 State Historical Museum

When Lenin, who was known as the Father of the Revolution died, it was decided that his body would be preserved and kept in a special resting place and hence the Lenin Mausoleum was built . The embalmed body of Lenin is laid in the mausoleum and can be seen by visitors.

 Lenin Mausoleum in Red Square

Needless to add, the Red Square in Moscow is an attraction that has to be visited by anyone going to Moscow. It leaves one in awe of the grandeur and beauty of the place.

 Anita with Poline our guide in Moscow

A newly wed couple paying homage at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier behind Red Square

August 2013.

Istanbul - Basilica Cistern

A fascinating place to visit when you are in Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern. This ancient cistern was built during the reign of Byzantine emperor Justinian in 1532. This is the largest of all cisterns in Istanbul.

This underground chamber is about 9800 sq mts in area with 336 marble columns holding the ceiling. As one descends down the 52 steps into the entrance of the cistern one is met with an eerie red glow reflected from the columns and water which is just a few feet deep and has koi fish in it.

The Medusa column bases located at the far end are not to be missed. These are two columns supported by upside down Medusa heads.

 Another interesting column that you will not miss inside the cistern is the 'Teardrop column'. This is located in the centre of the cistern

The one hour that I spent inside the cistern was certainly a most interesting and educative one. Be sure to hire headphones with the taped running commentary to guide you through the cistern. There is a small fee to enter the cistern.
The Basilica Cistern is a close 150 metres from Hagia Sophia and equally close to the Blue Mosque.
Visited in August 2013

Eating out in Moscow - Cafe Margarita

Musicians at Cafe Margarita

By the side of the picturesque Patriarch’s Prudy is an interesting café offering funky fare along with live gypsy and jazz music. This dark cosy single room café has been an attraction for both tourists and locals alike  for the last 20 years . 

Enjoying the Evening

This is a great place to come and listen to Russian classical and folk music played by trained musicians (both pros and students ). Though the food is basic and a bit overpriced, it really does not matter as most people come here to hear the musicians who play every night creating a wonderful atmosphere. There is a charge of 100R for the music.

Cafe Margaria

 Visited Cafe Margarita in August 2013.

The Royal Mile of Edinburgh

Torn Kirk Clock Tower

If you are a tourist visiting Edinburgh, the first place you should  head towards is the Royal Mile. This slightly over a mile long road starts from the entrance of the Edinburgh Castle and ends at the gates of Holyrood Palacehouse.

View of the pedestrian only area of the Royal Mile

Scotsman playing his bagpipes

The Royal mile is an eclectic mix of tourists, shops, restaurants, pubs and historic monuments and is probably one of the most famous streets in the world. This historic heart of the city is full of fascinating links to the history of Scotland which is very visible as one  walks down this beautiful cobbled street. 

This most famous thoroughfare which goes through the old city is made up of the streets of  Castle Esplanade, Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongate and Abbey Strand.

 A series of narrow alleys connect to the  street from the north and south. Castle hill from where the Royal Mile originates was once an active volcano which subsequently  solidified into a volcanic plug that is now the castle rock on which sits the Edinburgh castle. It is believed that people have lived on castle rock for over 7000 years and the castle area has been a hill fort for over 2000 years.

The Royal Mile is bustling with life and it can easily take you more than a few days to really enjoy all that it offers. Sights like this Scotsman in his kilts playing his bagpipes can be seen on the streets. Be sure to explore the side streets and alleys - you will be pleasantly surprised by interesting small shops, cafes and tea rooms.

A walk down the royal mile will take you past some of the most popular tourist venues in this region. Some of these are 

1. Edinburgh Castle

2. Scotch Whiskey Heritage Centre

3. St Giles Cathedral

4. Mary King's Close

5. Scottish Parliament 

6. Palace of Holyrood                                

                                      

St Giles Cathedral

Anita enjoying a bite and chilled beer at one of the many eating places on the mile

My photographs are available as framed prints, posters, canvas prints etc. Please click on the image below to go directly to my art shop.

LANDMARK BUILDINGS OF NEW YORK

Flatiron Building
New York City has many historical buildings. One famous landmark is the Flatiron Building, one of the first building s in the world to use a steel skeleton. The Flatiron building was completed in 1902

Municipal Building
Another historical building of New York City is the Municipal Building. This forty floors tall building incorporates elements from Roman Imperial, Italian Renaissance and French Renaissance architecture. Built in 1913, the Municipal Building stands 170 Mtrs. The building also

 

 

The Building is capped with the 25ft tall Statue of Civic Fame . The figure stands barefoot on a sphere wearing flowing robes and  a crown of laurels . The statue is made of copper sheets.

New York City, USA

May  2011.