The Reichstag is where Germany’s Federal Parliament (Bundestag) sits. The last meeting here was in 1933 and returned in the spring of 1999. British architect Sir Norman Foster was behind the transformation that included a striking glass dome addition. The cupola or dome is now a Berlin landmark and it signalled a new era of modern architecture in the city. Ramps on the dome lead to an observation deck – it symbolizes the people ascending above the heads of their representatives in the chamber. At its core is a light sculptor that reflects natural light into the chamber, while a…
Category: Travel
Berlin
The capital city of Germany, Berlin is the country’s largest city with a population of 3.5 million. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, the city has seen so many changes. Two Berlins that had been separated for close to 30 years have become one bursting with energy. The Berliner Dom or the Berlin Cathedral is a neo-Renaissance cathedral built in 1905 with an opulent interior. It was damaged by the British bombardments in the 1940s, but restored and reopened in 1993.
The Jordaan
Developed in the 17th century, the Jordaan was once a working-class neighbourhood in Amsterdam that has become gentrified and fashionable with a number of antique stores, galleries, cafes, restaurants and designer shops. The area still retains its network of maze-like streets, courtyards and canals. There’s not a lack of interesting store-front windows in this neighbourhood!
Amsterdam
One of the great cultural centres of the world, easy-going Amsterdam has a wealth of art treasures, handsome architecture and friendly people. I promised myself ten years ago that this is one city that I will definitely return to. The waterways, lined with elm trees and spanned by picturesque bridges are nothing but enchanting. The city claims to have 160 canals, more than Venice, with 1,280 bridges. The Rijksmuseum is one of the top galleries in the world. It re-opened its doors in April this year after a multi-year 375 million euros renovation by Cruz y Ortiz architects of Spain….
Ottawa
Canada’s capital city and the fifth largest city in the country. I have been to Ottawa several times, but only a couple of them as a tourist. Guided Tours of Parliament Hill are provided free of charge that includes access to the Peace Tower, the House of Commons, the Senate, the Memorial Chamber and the library. Located steps from Parliament Hill is the National Gallery of Canada. The current building was designed by architect Moshe Safdie.
I Spy
Tea houses are dime a dozen in China. From simple street front locations to fancy modern ones in shopping malls. There are multiple tea varieties being offered and it is not uncommon for a type of tea to run into a couple hundred, or even in the thousands, of dollars for 50 grams. That being said, it appears that the cafe culture has taken hold, though not as extensive as the tea houses — yet. There are the local independents, and of course, Starbucks has arrived. As expected, the younger generation (though not exclusively) seem to prefer coffee shops. Speaking…
Zi Ying
Zi Ying is a small sea-side village located 150 kms east of Xiamen in the Province of Fujian. This is my grandfather’s hometown where his house still stands. During my first trip here in the late 1980’s, it was surrounded by dirt road and very few homes, which all needed major repairs. Today, all roads in the village are paved and the direct view of the sea from the house is a little obstructed with both new and renovated houses. The house was originally built in 1934 and an annex was added in the following years. During the Cultural Revolution…
Gulang Yu
The tiny islet of Gulang Yu across Xiamen Island was one of the first five treaty ports opened to foreign trade and residents after the Opium War in 1843. As one of the “concessions” in 1852, the island was set aside for foreign residence and then parcelled out to the British. This vehicle-free 1.7 sq-km island is full of European-style mansions overgrown with brilliant bougainvillea that were owned by consulates, foreigners and wealthy Chinese returning from overseas. Many are still owned by the families of overseas Chinese. The Catholic Church at Gulang Yu was built in 1917 and is still…
Xiamen
Located in Fujian province in the southeastern coast of China, the island of Xiamen (otherwise known by its Fujian name of Amoy) made it to Trip Advisor’s Traveller’s Choice Destination for 2012. In 1387, the Ming Dynasty built a fort in Xiamen to guard against pirates. In the 1540’s, European traders first visited Xiamen as it was China’s main port for exporting tea. Xiamen became a foreign concession in 1903 as part of the “Treaty of Nanking”. Much of the island has prospered together with the other major cities of China when it was designated a Special Economic Zone in…
Manila
“Manila can be a very discombobulated place”, according to the Lonely Planet, “for it is a collection of towns, with no definable centre.” Still, you will find lots of raw energy and fun, with genuine smiles, happy-go-lucky attitude and graciousness, in every corner. Often maligned and misunderstood — many tourists skip Manila altogether and head straight to the powdery white sand beaches of Boracay or to the underground river in Puerto Princesa, one of the new seven natural wonders of the world. Manila does have its own charm to offer — and how it has grown up in the past…
where's gary 