“Back in Amsterdam“ The Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam’s modern art museum, was expanded with a new building designed by Dutch architect Mels Crouwel. Opened in late 2012, the new building has been dubbed as “The Bathtub” by locals due to its exterior oblong shape and entirely smooth white volume. The original structure was built in 1895 and has direct connection on all floors to the new building. The Hermitage Amsterdam is a satellite museum of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia opened in 2004. ArtZuid 2013 – International Sculpture Route Amsterdam Started in 2008 to bring attention to the…
Paris
What else is there to say about Paris? I will let these photos do the talking.
Berlin ist Wunderbar!
Berlin is wonderful! Close to 25 years after the fall of the Wall, Berlin is a mix of trendy and grit. The city welcomes its future as an international centre for avant-garde culture, art and media while it enjoys a major re-birth post-communism. As its mayor famously quipped “Berlin is poor, but sexy!” Gemaldegalerie is Germany’s must-see art gallery housing a vast collection of European art, including many by the Old Masters. One will certainly enjoy viewing pieces by Boticelli, Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer and many more without the crowds. The Wall and its Art I stayed at the…
Berlin – Reichstag
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…
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…
where's gary 