tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527164875257626822024-03-06T12:36:44.311+10:00Eclectic DiscoveriesEclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-12436744206724219592017-07-16T02:01:00.003+10:002017-07-16T02:01:29.673+10:00Peru and its impressive Inca HIstory <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Evocative, Arresting & Alluring - 3 adjectives that sum up our recent trip to Peru. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Peru exuded life in every way and meshed a layered cultural history with awe inspiring vistas, delighting the senses at every turn. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Discovering new places is always exciting, but with all the internet travel one does in the planning and research of a trip, its lovely to know that the reality can still surprise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Peru exceeded our expectations in all regards.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Taking a group of 45 people, we had an 8 day trip around Peru which began in the Sacred Valley, continued to Machu Picchu and concluded in the ancient city of Cusco. The food was diverse and delicious - from traditional cuy (guinea pig, which I admit I chose not to taste), to world class restaurants growing all their own product (3 of the world's 50 top restaurant list are located in Peru). We stayed in spectacular hotels, reinvented from convents and monasteries past - showing their origins in the form of stone walls and serene spaces, however now overlayed with luxurious fabrics, sumptuous furniture and exceptional service. And we saw first hand the depth of history created by the Inca civilization - imposing stone ruins which have stood the test of time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Sacred Valley introduced us to the might of the Inca civilisation. The Incas can be traced back to the highlands of Peru around early 13th century, and ruled until the Spanish conquered the last stronghold in 1572. During this time they built a very impressive empire with its political, administrative and cultural stronghold still seen in modern day Cusco. This extensive empire was built without the invention of the wheel, without any written word, and without any animals to ride or use for strong draft purposes. That is, the whole civilisation was built with the might of human power. In addition it was done across the exceedingly high Andean mountain range.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before visiting this part of the world, my knowledge of the Incas was largely limited to primary school history lessons and photos of their architectural acumen at Machu Picchu, so visiting Peru was always going to be an educational lesson, and that aspect did not disappoint! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This civilization thrived in vastly different environments as diverse as tropical jungle to deserts to mountainous regions and managed to construct imposing stone fortifications across the Andean mountains wherever they settled. Adept at using the natural environment to their advantage, they constructed terraces in order to grow crops on sharp hillsides, and built settlements at the very top of mountain ranges to ensure security and safety. Testimony to their genius in construction is the fact that hundreds of kilometers of their stone highways across the country are still in use today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Architecturally they were exceptionally clever - the use of clean lines and stone boulders cut into trapezoid shapes plus incorporating natural features into the base of buildings, means that in an area of frequent significant earthquakes, their buildings still stand. In addition, master stone masons constructed massive blockwork so precise that the jigsaw pieces fit together without the need for mortar!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We visited local communities who welcomed us into their homes and showed us their way of life in every facet of its traditional form. We danced with them, ate with them and even tilled the soil of their potato crops. They were happy people without the complications of a high tech life (although like 99% of the world a mobile phone was tucked in their pocket, be it, traditional garments). They were proud of their homes and their land and we felt indeed privileged to have spent an afternoon understanding a little of their lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Definitely a high point of the trip (in a trip which was all a high point!) was the train from Ollanta towards Machu Picchu. Alighting in the midst of the trip to Machu Picchu town, truly in the middle of the rainforrest, we bagan our 1 day hike on </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the famous Inca Trail. The trail is literally a stone path laid by the Inca people that winds high on the mountain side through rainforest and culminates at the Sungate, the high entry to the Machu Picchu site. This one day hike is only about 12km, however the first section is an exceptionally steep switch-back hike, with regular short breaks necessary. This path is even more awe inspiring than I anticipated as one looks down upon the vastness of the Urubamba valley below. 'The Monkey Rocks' give the clue that one is almost at the completion - these rocks require all 4 limbs to scramble up the steep ancient moss stairway. Shortly after, this mammoth effort is rewarded with the arrival at the Sungate and a stupendous view down to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. We spent 2 days at Machu Picchu and saw it in both behind the mystery of cloud and fog, then in bright sun and blazing glory. The mammoth boulders that cover the site defy understanding of how human beings were able to drag them up the steep vertical cliffs to become building material in the sophisticated layout of this site. It is indeed more beautiful, more alluring and more incredulous they I ever imagined. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And our trip concluded in Cuzco where for centuries the Spanish civilisation has meshed with the Inca people and still thrives today. The local language of the people is traditional Quechea - still spoken by about 8 million people and the main religion is Catholicism but practiced in a way that the local people still revere Mother Earth and the weather that brings a good harvest and healthy crops. They still manage to do things their way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PS We will do this fabulous trip again some time in the future - let our office know if you are interested to be part of it info@educationcpe.com</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMFwGDc4EATlHorcFTYogzMNFNE9Jr_1rmwONj1GLKRcz4PiZZwxHnnDVFhAhadPZHuncOHn0FBsxsrZucQPK2Ow-ojyjukAET71z83lwIZt4QS1dHaCbd7Pp1CCMSVNb6dcJa02jQfA/s1600/DSCF6106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMFwGDc4EATlHorcFTYogzMNFNE9Jr_1rmwONj1GLKRcz4PiZZwxHnnDVFhAhadPZHuncOHn0FBsxsrZucQPK2Ow-ojyjukAET71z83lwIZt4QS1dHaCbd7Pp1CCMSVNb6dcJa02jQfA/s640/DSCF6106.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A traditional woman from Chinchero where 12 families preserve the traditional method of dying the wool <br />
with natural dyes to weave into the garments seen here</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKtH60kXMnC88lOlwtcZ_MihxEUQJfu1E_Rg6JH-DReSB02EBzN4ss8pdgCd61UxKhsHQrqWjwqWqpuv798pPQJAJQcL9MBl-7dV4MT1suOsxkwqQfJGA5YIzJujDf2y3bjKD-efYx7I/s1600/DSCF6112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKtH60kXMnC88lOlwtcZ_MihxEUQJfu1E_Rg6JH-DReSB02EBzN4ss8pdgCd61UxKhsHQrqWjwqWqpuv798pPQJAJQcL9MBl-7dV4MT1suOsxkwqQfJGA5YIzJujDf2y3bjKD-efYx7I/s640/DSCF6112.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSm6UMnjgbARdfYyvG1GCm5pcFmMW-qR_OAIFor3CeFezlIU9AkkGB5lgjvwdi1ZjtgZanpEPxZR_e9a76FJKKOtXhB4-3Us2rc2apf-78Q9UnlXudAo1WEcnFUi2eE-3JGrs5gK6FVA/s1600/DSCF6125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="500" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSm6UMnjgbARdfYyvG1GCm5pcFmMW-qR_OAIFor3CeFezlIU9AkkGB5lgjvwdi1ZjtgZanpEPxZR_e9a76FJKKOtXhB4-3Us2rc2apf-78Q9UnlXudAo1WEcnFUi2eE-3JGrs5gK6FVA/s640/DSCF6125.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A demonstration of the dying of wool. The red is achieved from the cochineal beetle taken from the cactus <br />
plants in the area, the other colours from plants and grasses</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner!! Cuy (Guinea Pig) is a delicacy in Peru and every family keeps them to fatten for special occassions</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBld52u1PX5v-MG3FnUx5jUObQIr97QPcmdcjma6gTsxIh6raujFyQSkXDqkOeXRrDuoCSMVzCTT4hOE0YeLPZPNfJnLVOpnTioWXfAMn-ieaU112Y6p_UWE_Adp9M5ES-_XLRYAhb9m4/s1600/DSCF6190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBld52u1PX5v-MG3FnUx5jUObQIr97QPcmdcjma6gTsxIh6raujFyQSkXDqkOeXRrDuoCSMVzCTT4hOE0YeLPZPNfJnLVOpnTioWXfAMn-ieaU112Y6p_UWE_Adp9M5ES-_XLRYAhb9m4/s640/DSCF6190.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ollantaytambo - a monumental Inca site and one of the only places where the Inca people defeated the Spanish </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Salt Pans of Maras - originally made by the Incas and still owned and worked by local families</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The very impressive terraces of Moray, overlooking the Urubamba valley. <br />
Incas cultivated crops on these terraces, and with each they took the seeds and lowered, or elevated them adjacent terraces. As each terrace differed about 5 degrees in temperature, they were able to acclimatise crops to different growing conditions. These seeds were then sent to other Inca strongholds so that crops which previously could not stand the local weather conditions were able to thrive. Scientists have been able to prove this.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdzP-G6A5yoY_2mTJG4UzrVmOsC4YcRTSC-TIhqmOOviO-l9b0Ca35_D5Pacdu9FyH2ZpdAOGRiG2DqxIqP96CFWuD3POLRfymTh0n18vXWq80ODYRVLjmA78i57RGfRIzQCcOYtDqKU/s1600/DSCF6256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdzP-G6A5yoY_2mTJG4UzrVmOsC4YcRTSC-TIhqmOOviO-l9b0Ca35_D5Pacdu9FyH2ZpdAOGRiG2DqxIqP96CFWuD3POLRfymTh0n18vXWq80ODYRVLjmA78i57RGfRIzQCcOYtDqKU/s640/DSCF6256.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0FU2_8rQdXiQMK0OiiXH5c-kfmml1cvMzzNSDCvxc9sfUqokm4lqDVQ8BZeoOrzmr6qyqY2nqLspBtlzm0NNzUejYCY9v5fTfYJLxclO51c7-4lNpNlT25adEnNVBuOthVVsqYGO9Vo/s1600/DSCF6269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="500" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0FU2_8rQdXiQMK0OiiXH5c-kfmml1cvMzzNSDCvxc9sfUqokm4lqDVQ8BZeoOrzmr6qyqY2nqLspBtlzm0NNzUejYCY9v5fTfYJLxclO51c7-4lNpNlT25adEnNVBuOthVVsqYGO9Vo/s640/DSCF6269.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We visited the community of Misminay where the local people made lunch for us in their home and showed us how they live. They still proudly wear the traditional garments of past generations</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXHfzUxwi5dHM0S0bWgjayq8S-mJqMZh_kDkJE2AAJccq557IsA0xDUNE0IugBvzoQ-irSs13W0m20sV3Z7bmzVaIlzCPAGlHUhtE3sbX2yDV4N6rX-4AbfBmoxske64rkfW23_-4cvY/s1600/DSCF6329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXHfzUxwi5dHM0S0bWgjayq8S-mJqMZh_kDkJE2AAJccq557IsA0xDUNE0IugBvzoQ-irSs13W0m20sV3Z7bmzVaIlzCPAGlHUhtE3sbX2yDV4N6rX-4AbfBmoxske64rkfW23_-4cvY/s640/DSCF6329.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down into the Urubamba Valley from the Inca Trail. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken along the Inca Trail - the path on the very left of this photo shows a person walking along the trail. Stupendous views and quiteincredulous to think that human power hauls massive granite boulders up these mountains to build the Inca citadel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcORHR976fvSRvBGAcZfvTIy0LHGkunIhwQ0oA0cyJ6oVAX5-bdRgDUu7i_QijI8i2ikTzjQil9LTMAHeq5bEVgX81diGS-YFJs6MJNVduUMtmRmr20JCnMRpk-BB50QOzFc-wqmpfWw/s1600/DSCF6332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcORHR976fvSRvBGAcZfvTIy0LHGkunIhwQ0oA0cyJ6oVAX5-bdRgDUu7i_QijI8i2ikTzjQil9LTMAHeq5bEVgX81diGS-YFJs6MJNVduUMtmRmr20JCnMRpk-BB50QOzFc-wqmpfWw/s640/DSCF6332.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairwell known as the 'Monkey Rocks' - very steep and very close to the end, so all 4 limbs are often <br />required to climb to the top. It is incredible to think these exact stones were laid by the <br />Incas and have been a popular pedestrian highway for centuries </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmONkhzTWCk7ywE3kwLG9V7Z-a2BAmxjPYq-1Gdhl5U-g2NWas_VTv77m_xvfeXC8STU4hm6sjTkjNHaSKSL-VgOtY80RFi6qKBVJB-XH0kBvR1-JDlR9tjrKkTrGEKR-mzeeOl-k7u4/s1600/DSCF6339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmONkhzTWCk7ywE3kwLG9V7Z-a2BAmxjPYq-1Gdhl5U-g2NWas_VTv77m_xvfeXC8STU4hm6sjTkjNHaSKSL-VgOtY80RFi6qKBVJB-XH0kBvR1-JDlR9tjrKkTrGEKR-mzeeOl-k7u4/s640/DSCF6339.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UObwQxx3WnUNRuy8hhkCYcuHTJorM3WzX0gc8fI96wLWnhEy7NQScH_fbbPqqcMh6gWPi-kydd6ii8ZM9dGlEsBMlXbnuuIvI565eirVyc1ak93npVPmLYG7khNrGNo4q0bFd_hif4A/s1600/DSCF6342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="500" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UObwQxx3WnUNRuy8hhkCYcuHTJorM3WzX0gc8fI96wLWnhEy7NQScH_fbbPqqcMh6gWPi-kydd6ii8ZM9dGlEsBMlXbnuuIvI565eirVyc1ak93npVPmLYG7khNrGNo4q0bFd_hif4A/s640/DSCF6342.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the 'Sungate' high above Machu Picchu - the citadel can be seen in the distance </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CbfHsd44tGDpzVMPQKwwHYluH9H8Efsn7YX-X1MrdWsAfeOttyR80yDxoSP4rfDsgE5gZl8Iv3IKqmiMtE-u-0VXKUeiPt8H-Qljvtq574V4BVUm1LE6S-LHrG5j-wZpkpBl9VLZY1c/s1600/DSCF6354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CbfHsd44tGDpzVMPQKwwHYluH9H8Efsn7YX-X1MrdWsAfeOttyR80yDxoSP4rfDsgE5gZl8Iv3IKqmiMtE-u-0VXKUeiPt8H-Qljvtq574V4BVUm1LE6S-LHrG5j-wZpkpBl9VLZY1c/s640/DSCF6354.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPlqcVmoZeCog0mKoQs1nPGf2P44iHmyd1ywNkNCnIz2pXKJn1iU2kgBd-B60pP6pQouKhPo4QPQaPuWvBFfrTtu1myqg2aUXWo2sZS7X7N9rHvqRs_mp6N717K9-fu2FePx2aVrIwPQ/s1600/DSCF6366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPlqcVmoZeCog0mKoQs1nPGf2P44iHmyd1ywNkNCnIz2pXKJn1iU2kgBd-B60pP6pQouKhPo4QPQaPuWvBFfrTtu1myqg2aUXWo2sZS7X7N9rHvqRs_mp6N717K9-fu2FePx2aVrIwPQ/s640/DSCF6366.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 & the sun came out! Even though it was thought that Royalty came here intermittently, this was a permanent settlement for many - their houses can be seen here</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEZ3LvUMSsSEeTyBxZ9ASxsHmjF_HhKGNDOtbO0SI7OcyBnkAXjncZh-QPllE8cYNI4AMv0LmTjaGurpzjPkqxA5YzvRWbg5qa4aqAHZ1A4KtOqM2KPo9TWmX4jxk4auPmwHW3TZNEf8/s1600/DSCF6375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEZ3LvUMSsSEeTyBxZ9ASxsHmjF_HhKGNDOtbO0SI7OcyBnkAXjncZh-QPllE8cYNI4AMv0LmTjaGurpzjPkqxA5YzvRWbg5qa4aqAHZ1A4KtOqM2KPo9TWmX4jxk4auPmwHW3TZNEf8/s640/DSCF6375.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">This was the original 1 & only entry gate to the citadel. 1 gate ensured security - though it would be hard<br /> to imagine a surprise invasion at this altitude! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qs3-VxaeUgF47g0eRyBJzYvPbRiCJlQP5Gi7N8XhF8JRfkhKxlwmYkGddGw87oSegELFAYj_z4VdniUM_fiQOHV7IDKjiQHUNaxmeTaTfX-vuvU6NP0X9WtbpaZK6QgpOj9nrnil108/s1600/DSCF6378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qs3-VxaeUgF47g0eRyBJzYvPbRiCJlQP5Gi7N8XhF8JRfkhKxlwmYkGddGw87oSegELFAYj_z4VdniUM_fiQOHV7IDKjiQHUNaxmeTaTfX-vuvU6NP0X9WtbpaZK6QgpOj9nrnil108/s640/DSCF6378.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8RMTer4hkXch9S2pynO9TVUYLvz24J1gTbLpni_CDXISzKhtK7Wt8P_EKeFtoTUwEKeB27XOfR7wYDm39-w3JnLGmytlN_caVSQGnhUptUcS102HUBoHfKrPJ10z4kTtzJF0J3e81x0/s1600/DSCF6409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8RMTer4hkXch9S2pynO9TVUYLvz24J1gTbLpni_CDXISzKhtK7Wt8P_EKeFtoTUwEKeB27XOfR7wYDm39-w3JnLGmytlN_caVSQGnhUptUcS102HUBoHfKrPJ10z4kTtzJF0J3e81x0/s640/DSCF6409.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuzco - one can see the mesh of Inca & Spanish civilizations </td></tr>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-45678701913595948962017-05-09T03:23:00.000+10:002017-05-09T03:23:18.664+10:00Galapagos Islands - a naturalists dream!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pristine clear water in endless
shades of blue and rugged rocks shaped by centuries of wind erosion and
volcanic explosion, will be some of my lasting memories from our recent trip to
Galapagos Islands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arriving from Australia into Baltra,
the main airport of Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands requires desire & fortitude
– though undoubtedly its isolation is one of the main reasons that hundreds of
endemic species of animals and plants still survive today. This group of 21
islands, 906km from mainland of Ecuador, and slightly north of the Equator are beautiful
for their ruggedness, isolation and exceptional diversity of animal and plant life.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the first things we were
struck by is how unconcerned that any of the animal or marine life are of the human
intrusion. With the exclusion of the Giant Galapagos Tortoise, humans are
relatively new to these islands, so the animals do not consider us a natural
predator. This resulted in us being able to get to within a few metres of these
beautiful creatures. Observing them in their natural habitat, at close range is
one of the truly amazing experiences of visiting the Galapagos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We watched the male Blue Footed
Boobie bird perform his mating dance – parading his feathers in full glory
whilst lifting his feet in a rhythmic movement. The vibrant blue feet of this
bird is derived from the carotenoid pigments which they get through their diet.
Interestingly, studies have showed that a male with more concentration of blue
in their feet have a better chance of securing a mate! Another spectacular bird
is the Great Frigate whose vibrant red gular sac distends during mating season
in order to impress a mate - and it is seriously impressive! The array of
Iguanas we saw was extensive – the large land Iguanas with a variety of
colours, and the black sea swimming marine Iguanas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another spectacular animal
was the Galapagos Giant Tortoise – it can live up to approximately 180 years
and weigh 250kgs! Once considered endangered due to the sailors capturing them
for their food on board, they are once again thriving in an environment which
protects them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Galapagos Islands are inherently
linked to Charles Darwin’s 1835 visit on the survey ship named “The Beagle”.
His observations and drawings during his time on the island became the basis of
his “Origin of the Species” book (published 1859) where he realised that
transmutation of species explained the mechanism that underlies evolutionary
change. The naturalists aboard our Silverseas ship were an excellent source of
knowledge in this regard, and our week aboard this ship piqued our interest to
gain a greater understanding of this beautiful group of islands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Male Great Frigate bird resting in its nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Red Footed Boobie Bird </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWuR7eDuTW3v-FI5iropcu2DSztfJA2U2ezbIy1QdETxZNarhUhyIHUOyL3sKtaX6BsVdcMcpjPQUAGN31wYpnINZqUs7XIWW6zXl7K9pwJJlSlFGuC-g73ONaC-1UrhJi1Z3Zg7nUKU/s1600/DSCF5944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWuR7eDuTW3v-FI5iropcu2DSztfJA2U2ezbIy1QdETxZNarhUhyIHUOyL3sKtaX6BsVdcMcpjPQUAGN31wYpnINZqUs7XIWW6zXl7K9pwJJlSlFGuC-g73ONaC-1UrhJi1Z3Zg7nUKU/s640/DSCF5944.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Land Iguana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8ZoitUP_NVLfITG9T1JQkKzs4ANn_foXPAUjjGtVXh5sWnQe8MPJi5rgTbE0KrLkHTeioxID6ULU01yXCh9VKBOiz_zhN4Ii5IltQfjXsaxspQr8-IebWwhVn2oU9XfPY1jEFzbGGJE/s1600/DSCF5958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8ZoitUP_NVLfITG9T1JQkKzs4ANn_foXPAUjjGtVXh5sWnQe8MPJi5rgTbE0KrLkHTeioxID6ULU01yXCh9VKBOiz_zhN4Ii5IltQfjXsaxspQr8-IebWwhVn2oU9XfPY1jEFzbGGJE/s640/DSCF5958.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nazca Bird protecting its new chick </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6JNbHXa6fTWR2zvl0gAZWBIn_OwMAE9kqKWRdj4OInaOThcwsosgHXPQR4qkzSWLHCDVii7TSt_r2Kyvf2bSt_KGVxEFPCP09vjXnd3wUxe-k60PJbd0QCcuGIw3-H9LUWfLTLeslfU/s1600/DSCF5939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6JNbHXa6fTWR2zvl0gAZWBIn_OwMAE9kqKWRdj4OInaOThcwsosgHXPQR4qkzSWLHCDVii7TSt_r2Kyvf2bSt_KGVxEFPCP09vjXnd3wUxe-k60PJbd0QCcuGIw3-H9LUWfLTLeslfU/s640/DSCF5939.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Footed Boobie Bird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEvTBNoo28gM1iIXA8ysHG1enJhhZ4OIDioO34kNwF4S85EFKR0T_2WSKzyIpKu9_nLAoHQhHLAx6LB61K2PHWwRHgcPsHWDkECdS3jfacojWbIXM7Fy9tLoE2x9k17OtmnWODBpDbRA/s1600/DSCF5964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEvTBNoo28gM1iIXA8ysHG1enJhhZ4OIDioO34kNwF4S85EFKR0T_2WSKzyIpKu9_nLAoHQhHLAx6LB61K2PHWwRHgcPsHWDkECdS3jfacojWbIXM7Fy9tLoE2x9k17OtmnWODBpDbRA/s640/DSCF5964.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Blue Footed Boobie performing his mating dance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDM-tMzoOtXBhBY1IeTq2yXMV0hLgOJ5U0UtQMyLnBWShJ0dex-m5WhExoo9CyEHd6ViJIqJlaVqT1cdZAK5AEE77ae3V5AUzxAIX_QWnCFysU1Mor4F0wxS_qw2P5I4LzQXaaik8nvaE/s1600/DSCF5912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDM-tMzoOtXBhBY1IeTq2yXMV0hLgOJ5U0UtQMyLnBWShJ0dex-m5WhExoo9CyEHd6ViJIqJlaVqT1cdZAK5AEE77ae3V5AUzxAIX_QWnCFysU1Mor4F0wxS_qw2P5I4LzQXaaik8nvaE/s640/DSCF5912.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nazca Bird feeding its new chick</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZZs92fQbU8m5vvPmmgmMWw79zBAOfr7Coy8_9VKV6AgKyjETPd3_RqzWinptAOP9gGfsKxPEtKFYlNTHINSadDEgQjelEfDdvIIQHhkvzty_OwOqUry84K31Mxl_e4xgObZaYj-Q44k/s1600/DSCF5980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZZs92fQbU8m5vvPmmgmMWw79zBAOfr7Coy8_9VKV6AgKyjETPd3_RqzWinptAOP9gGfsKxPEtKFYlNTHINSadDEgQjelEfDdvIIQHhkvzty_OwOqUry84K31Mxl_e4xgObZaYj-Q44k/s640/DSCF5980.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flamingo Bird</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQDsknNQAt0EtWATf8Llpwa9aWYBqT8Qy8Z7tucCbrOOnkmehnA5tckZCQhVgxYOBS5KMKncx0nvh3RNGDo3ORuE29t3VWATnhTrqUKUAZYBKhqKQmPnpBNIXfiLD2lGl6DC_3dBgEKY/s1600/DSCF5882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQDsknNQAt0EtWATf8Llpwa9aWYBqT8Qy8Z7tucCbrOOnkmehnA5tckZCQhVgxYOBS5KMKncx0nvh3RNGDo3ORuE29t3VWATnhTrqUKUAZYBKhqKQmPnpBNIXfiLD2lGl6DC_3dBgEKY/s640/DSCF5882.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marine Iguana</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Galapogos Tortoise </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Lions resting on San Cristobel Island</td></tr>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-42008374843637664432016-07-05T11:04:00.002+10:002016-07-05T16:16:14.112+10:00With thanks to artists Christo & Jeanne-Claude, we literally walked on water!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Exceptional creativity is always such a thrill to experience first hand, and yesterday at Lake Iseo, we literally walked on water for 3 kilometres thanks to the genius of artists Christo & his late wife Jeanne-Claude.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the past 16days, over 1.2 million people have experienced this temporary 'Floating Piers' art installation on beautiful Lake Iseo in northern Italy. The installation, a vibrant gold fabric covered pier that extended 3 kilometres across the lake and a further 2.5kms of walk paths through the small towns surrounding the lake was as incredible as it sounds. The 200,000 high density polyethylene cubes undulated with the movement of the lake's water beneath as people ran, jumped and played on its surface. Walking on water upended one's perspective and was fabulously exciting!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Such an amazing feat was first conceived in the minds of Christo & Jeanne-Claude in 1970 but it wasn't until 2 years ago, that Christo found his inspired location and this (clever!) Italian community agreed to host the event, that began to take shape. We were fascinated by the logistics that went into realising such an endeavor - it was literally a golden path across the water - no barricades to prevent children falling in (though authorities constantly patrolled in zodiacs for safety), and it held the weight of tens of thousands of people at any one time. Water lapped the edges, sailing boats traversed the lake and helicopters flew overhead as people lay on its surface enjoying something so incredibly special. Commercial divers from France had installed the highly engineered underwater anchors to hold the 200,000 cubes in place and 100,000 square meters of fabric was sewn together to form the intensely golden path that made it such a visual feast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I loved the accessibility of this creation - Christo funded the entire event himself - he takes no money for his work, no sponsorship, all workers were paid and entry to experience it was absolutely free. He also funded all the additional services the small towns needed to deal with an influx of 1.2 million people over such a short period. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overwhelming, the laughter of those present was intoxicating - all ages, all nationalities - everyone was enjoying art and being inspired by what such an incredible imagination can gift to a community. It was an artwork that lifts the spirit in such a positive way and will stay with me forever. Experiencing this ground breaking creativity was pure delight.</span></div>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-82618919747088225452015-12-09T04:21:00.000+10:002015-12-09T04:22:15.307+10:00Week 5 New York Saturday 21 Nov - Saturday 28 Nov<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanksgiving holiday week is seeped in American history - celebrating the Pilgrims first harvest in their new country, and then the more recent celebration of everything commercial with the huge Black Friday sales that follow. Being in NYC we enjoyed all of the iconic Thanksgiving traditions, old & new, with zeal!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Macy's Parade is a tradition which began in 1924, and an estimated 3.5 million people line the parade route to enjoy it. Arriving at 7am to wait 2 hours for a parade to begin is not my idea of fun, but even arriving late, the balloons they use are so large that the floating characters are easily visible. Predictably, it was indeed a spectacle of American proportions - huge colourful items and equally huge marching bands that elicited similarly huge smiles!! We followed that with a walk through Central Park and a traditional Thanksgiving lunch at the New York Athletic Club - soaking in all the Thanksgiving tradition enmass.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next tradition we partook in was a little more exhausting and one we do not need to repeat for some time. The Black Friday sales, the day immediately after Thanksgiving are bigger than the Macy's parade and it certainly felt like more than 3.5million people were in attendance when we visited Woodbury Common. About one hour from NYC by bus, this open air shopping complex holds all the usual mid to high end brands and was incredibly busy the day we visited. The prices are good, the environment quite pleasant, but my enthusiasm for shopping, just for the sake of it, is considerably less these days, so it was a long day. All in all I would say the effort was worth it as we did most of our Christmas gift shopping, but it was indeed a big effort.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We saw several more plays this week, with the best being "Ugly lies the Bones" starring Mamie Gummer. Her character, a seriously </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">injured war veteran returning from</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Afghanistan, desperately trying to resume life whilst dealing with crippling pain, is acted with believable determination, sensitivity and grit. The interesting title given by playwright Lindsay Ferrentino, comes from the Einstein quote "Beauty is but skin deep, ugly lies the bones. Beauty dies and fades away, but ugly holds it own". Very well written, Lindsay Ferrentino, is certainly a playwright worth following.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The construction of Brooklyn bridge to connect Manhattan & Brooklyn, was a considerable feat when it was began in 1869. 3 years later when it opened, people doubted it would be able to hold the necessary weight and feared using it. So Mr Burnum, owner of Burnum circus, took a parade of 21 elephants across it - both to prove its stability and in the process promote his circus - what a spectacle</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> that must have been in 1874! On our walk across it during this week, there was no such spectacle but there was certainly no doubt the original construction has stood the test of time. It's iconic cable and suspension architecture was even more impressive when viewed up close.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A visit to the Frick collection is another of my favourite things to do in NYC. This magnificent 5th Ave house, designed by Thomas Hastings in 1913, holds an impressive collection of art in an intimate calm oasis that was once Henry Clay Frick's home. His intention, right from the architectural design stage of this home, was to leave the house and the extensive art collection as his legacy. We took a tour of this serene, restrained space where, to my mind, the art and the architecture hold equal billing - high praise considering the art collection consists of many priceless European artists. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few more Jazz nights this week - Birdland Jazz club has become 'our local', more visits to Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim and the Whitney kept us busy and enjoying all this fabulous city has to offer. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woolworth Building - completed in 1913 was one of the early New York skyscrapers and <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Manhattan from Brooklyn Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Central Park from the New York Athletic Club</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful serene Winter Garden in the Frick museum</td></tr>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-43101674758225423472015-11-27T10:31:00.000+10:002015-11-28T13:58:00.357+10:00New York Week 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For a Saturday matinee, New York turned on one of the best plays we have seen here so far. Arthur Miller's "View from the Bridge" was well acted, engaged the audience with a simple and very effective stage set, and culminated in a dramatic finale where red water poured out of the ceiling drenching the actors, simulating the bloody ending. Powerful design always delivers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another few visits to the Whitney museum saw us decide to join as founding members - the 'members only' viewings are a wonderful way to view the exhibitions with limited audience. The current Frank Stella exhibition is a wonderful expose of his life work - it is curated in largely a evolutionary format from his first exhibition in 1959 at age 23. The work thoroughly engages through its exuberance, from the original linear largely monochromatic works to the widely energetic more recent works which literally jump off the walls. We have booked to listen to him speak personally about his work next week so are really looking forward to that as there is nothing like getting the story directly from the source.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Whitney also contains the new "Untitled" restaurant on the ground level - we couldn't resist trying its delicious food on a few occasions. And this week they also opened the 'Thea Westreich Wagner & Ethan Wagner collection' - a donation of 800 pieces of contemporary art which definitely had one discussing the notion of appropriation and 'what defines art' - a question as old as time itself. To me, Robert Gober's "Ascending Sinks" (1985), and Dan Vo's "Late Nineteenth Century Chandelier" (2009) (shown below) are both an evolution from Duchamp's "Fountain". I realise the difference is Gerber's sinks are sculptures made to resemble the actual. Vo's chandeliers, dated when exactly removed from their original hotel placement, divorce function from historical importance, challenging the notion of context versus art. However I think both ideas "borrow" from the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">signed</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">urinals </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Duchamp </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">placed in a gallery - labeling them art merely because of context....to me Gober & Vo appropriate rather than invent a new idea. Maybe the intention of both artists is to challenge the notion of appropriation! Whatever the answer, the collection is worth seeing to question and debate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The NYC Documentary festival showcased a fabulous film called "Janis Joplin - little girl blue" which uncovered new material to present her life story. The insightful interview afterwards with the Director and other pertinent people in her life delivered a sliver of the opportunities that living such a metropolis gives one. A beautiful, sensitively curated film.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Tuesday we sat in front row seats to see Al Pacino in "China Doll". Although well acted, we were both really dissatisfied with the ending - I likened it to when you eat at "a Michelin starred restaurant and leave feeling like you would have preferred your family run local"! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Guggenheim has an amazing Alberto Burri collection on show - his art which largely dates to the post WW2 era looks surprisingly contemporary in the serene Guggenheim space. I also took their architectural tour, (which I have done previously but being a Frank Lloyd Wright fan you can never have too much) - and our guide told us that the space and shape was influenced by the Guggenheim's Kandinsky's paintings which FLW definitely saw in Solomon Guggenheim's living room. The gallery owns one of the largest Kandinsky collections and they are currently on show in one of the intimate side galleries - seeing them en-mass in a small space was awe inspiring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another Art Walking Tour of the Bushwick area was fascinating - emerging artists in an emerging area always means you will be challenged and extended - can't ask for more really! An added bonus was the incredible graffiti/mural art on the exterior of buildings as we walked from one gallery to the next in upcoming this area mix of industrial (original), residential (limited but increasing) and commercial area. I have no doubt that a return visit in even 12 months will see great changes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We finished week 4 with another late night visit to Birdland to watch the Django Reinhardt Jazz tribute - incredible musicians playing equally beautifully music.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcgaw1LKP_s4sX2LsRdcA_PuK_HUqLnG6W8969yco2ZXoC0VbUj76y1wJYXUx3Mvvoce7hfECI99MyHKxXOMag5iY6Icc1N0kIjsZhyRTSIPK5sEUzbhEU_h88uZ99t0BdY14P1za434/s1600/DSCF3596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcgaw1LKP_s4sX2LsRdcA_PuK_HUqLnG6W8969yco2ZXoC0VbUj76y1wJYXUx3Mvvoce7hfECI99MyHKxXOMag5iY6Icc1N0kIjsZhyRTSIPK5sEUzbhEU_h88uZ99t0BdY14P1za434/s640/DSCF3596.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Textile & Photographic (the eyes) self portrait by Korean artist Yoon Ji Seon - it is very captivating and I have returned several times to view her pieces. She photographs herself, then transfers the photo to canvas, then spends hours at the sewing machine sewing thread over the surface, leaving only the eyes as the original photograph. The loose threads tell a story as much as the ridged material. In the process the rear becomes a reverse picture as important as the one on view - often quiet different in feeling because the opposite thread is the dominant one (the reverse of this is actually largely pink but equally as gorgeous as this one)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdL9i4ZrIhPdhLUN-s7rMByouPvNrToNeIC2RlFinST6gHFmhlA0KfhfjGH_sPa4BNKn7bkh0js0KiwNgGkx9jqlAawq8OSkphPODVPWj4InnaypkQnpjhsFQ5fEqBm-pDwWKCzR144Q/s1600/DSCF3611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdL9i4ZrIhPdhLUN-s7rMByouPvNrToNeIC2RlFinST6gHFmhlA0KfhfjGH_sPa4BNKn7bkh0js0KiwNgGkx9jqlAawq8OSkphPODVPWj4InnaypkQnpjhsFQ5fEqBm-pDwWKCzR144Q/s640/DSCF3611.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Video art by Meriem Bennani at Signal gallery in Bushwick utilities various sized canvases to create a concave feeling when the video is projected onto it. The convex shape with the same video is projected onto the opposite wall and together the 2 create an interesting immersive feeling </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUsvt7dymMG7Z9QxrtQhHVAqOnvAfACanWg_jLCLtRdMrPhf3mHxzUV89u_Dei67BPxuIS9SoR78jcUX23dI87rboVWYFhHPPv1n6fUeDEoKEPuBymQEwLTFoktZRKWMEpI0edqQLeq8/s1600/Graffiti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUsvt7dymMG7Z9QxrtQhHVAqOnvAfACanWg_jLCLtRdMrPhf3mHxzUV89u_Dei67BPxuIS9SoR78jcUX23dI87rboVWYFhHPPv1n6fUeDEoKEPuBymQEwLTFoktZRKWMEpI0edqQLeq8/s640/Graffiti.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graffiti/mural art in Bushwick Brooklyn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Stella's Protractor series</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZZhBXJb6FjhInAD7HlN4us-21acSMf3jprqoRrY-XozUnkUNGIcN9VYfiYMFri99dy4RKE7EdQ3QJKsaKTVVoYrWsEqBzfq9SnCd2lGUx7uc277R7a05-uZK6F5yg0KzPfWuHqa_0Sw/s1600/Frank+Stella+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZZhBXJb6FjhInAD7HlN4us-21acSMf3jprqoRrY-XozUnkUNGIcN9VYfiYMFri99dy4RKE7EdQ3QJKsaKTVVoYrWsEqBzfq9SnCd2lGUx7uc277R7a05-uZK6F5yg0KzPfWuHqa_0Sw/s640/Frank+Stella+1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Stella's Moby Dick Series</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert Gober's "Ascending sinks" (1985), Josphone Pryde's "Relax" (2004) & Dan Vo's "Late nineteenth century chandelier" (2009) in the current Thea Westreich Wagner & Ethan Wagner collection at Whitney museum</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU_1m7hyphenhyphenyHNfr4BWwmPzSqWo-TWgHVZJanuggyZhBnPEcmFllhlD-LWhwWLMBJ2LmdjetTBvU4a0OYkMm34umZL3UQMPcdtrlHtNvAZukOvT1H1zxoI3NWXNaT1-piE89G9VX004Iu1Y/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU_1m7hyphenhyphenyHNfr4BWwmPzSqWo-TWgHVZJanuggyZhBnPEcmFllhlD-LWhwWLMBJ2LmdjetTBvU4a0OYkMm34umZL3UQMPcdtrlHtNvAZukOvT1H1zxoI3NWXNaT1-piE89G9VX004Iu1Y/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo has not been digitally altered - some nights, particularly the cold ones, the sunset colour is absolutely incredible! </td></tr>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-25258236607782138742015-11-18T14:10:00.002+10:002015-11-19T08:58:43.614+10:00New York City - Week 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By now, week 3 in NYC, we are really beginning to feel like "locals" - it appears a huge number of people living in Manhattan were born elsewhere, so surely after 3 weeks we too are "locals"? Spending extended time here is so exciting - we love it - hard not to with the incredible plethora of shows to see, interesting lectures to attend, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">places to eat</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and kaleidoscope of modern art exhibitions to experience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week saw us attend the unconventional & very exciting play, "Sleep No More" - this interactive dance production/play had been on my radar for some time, so visiting it was a delight, if somewhat unusuall! Set across 5 dimly lit levels in a Chelsea warehouse which has been purposely redesigned, it is the first play I have ever been to where not one word was spoken, and this actually enhanced the experience. The actors dance up the walls (literally), through beautifully curated rooms that the audience, wearing obligatory Venetian-style masks for anonymity, wandered </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">freely</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. The plot is supposedly loosely modeled on "Macbeth" but I think loosely puts it mildly, not that this is an issue as it was so much fun that the plot was not the focus! With an enormous number of different rooms to rummage thorough at one's desire, plus dozens of actors performing and moving across all 5 floors, ones senses were on high alert for the whole 3 hours. As a consequence each audience member experienced their own unique version of the play depending upon the actors you followed or the rooms you visited. I love the ingenuity & creativity of the mind that dreams up such wonderfully inventive experiences! So NYC!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a big art week. We had more MoMA art history classes - very good lecturers who expertly link the various concepts that make up the modern art movement. Plus we went on a wonderful walking tour of the "best" contemporary private art exhibitions at private galleries in Chelsea. <a href="http://nygallerytours.com/" target="_blank">http://nygallerytours.com/</a>. Chelsea has 300+ privately owned galleries and our guide Rafael edited this to show us the most interesting 6 current exhibitions. Obviously this is subjective, but the virtual reality art by Rachel Rossin, the enormous 30+mtr piece </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">made from the ash of incense burnings collected from Buddist temples</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">by renowed Chinese artist Zhang Huan, and the beautiful photographic & textiles self portraits by Korean artist Yoon Ji Seon, were all intriguing and a wonderful cross section of artistic styles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Later in the week we took a private art tour with the same guide, Rafael, - <a href="http://nygallerytours.com/" target="_blank">http://nygallerytours.com/</a>, to view some of the emerging artists around the Lower East Side. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am fascinated by the concept of "What makes the next big thing" in the art world - it appears to be nebulous, but obviously there are significant players who impact the direction. We viewed 9 artist's exhibitions in largely emerging galleries, including Serge Attukwei Clottey </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">from Ghana who makes pieces from discarded plastic water containers, Lucy Dodd whose art and detailed studio installation is a work in progress (she literally works in it and changes things daily), Jeffrey Gibson who works with bells beads & ribbon to make beautiful intricate sculptural works and Cynthis Daignault who took a road trip across USA, stopping every 25miles to chronicle her journey in paint - the resulting 360 pieces titled "Light Atlas" are being sold as one progressive piece. All the galleries and artists imbued an intoxicating mix of energy and excitement which really sums up the New York art scene. Our tour also emphasized the fact that every society has a need for artistic expression and since WW2 New York really sits as a world barometer of the modern movement. What we saw this week were cameos of this and it was thrilling to be a part of it, even if in a small way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We saw several more plays this week including Bruce Willis and Laurie Metcalf in "Misery" - well written & thoroughly entertaining though Laurie definitely won the acting award on that one. Plus we went to another performance of Tommy Igoe and the Birdland Big Brass Band - our third week in a row attending the same Birdland Jazz (never the same score) - they have been performing there 5pm every Friday for 9.5years, so we have a long way to go to get to their record!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And it is hard to get more of a "New York Experience" than ice skating lessons at the Wolman rink and bicycle rides in</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Grand Central Park, of course followed by a couple of good red wines. NYC - soooooooooooo much fun! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serge Attukwei Clottey makes his art from discarded water containers (seen here on left)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serge Attukwei Clottey makes sculptural pieces that are decidedly human!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUQQEV36OQLWJ0jOSb38Aq9zUNshbcoP9r-Hlc7ZxHH2SvDruEDFiLhXYiJpa8ukGZImbneYYjh_M59aZJhHMR96y1mZb6G4KdffKPnarYYvoITj1swH00R7qSarHVeH5K3YXdMNu7Hk/s1600/DSCF3545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUQQEV36OQLWJ0jOSb38Aq9zUNshbcoP9r-Hlc7ZxHH2SvDruEDFiLhXYiJpa8ukGZImbneYYjh_M59aZJhHMR96y1mZb6G4KdffKPnarYYvoITj1swH00R7qSarHVeH5K3YXdMNu7Hk/s640/DSCF3545.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucy Dodd's artworks include the canvases and the entire studio which is a work in progress</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeffrey Gibson uses beads, bells & ribbon to make intricate sculptural works </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cynthis Daignault's Exploration of America in painterly format </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love a good busker, & this one in Central Park made everyone smile - simple but so effective!</td></tr>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-39461170894752694602015-11-15T04:07:00.000+10:002015-11-15T13:10:34.423+10:00New York City - Week 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beginning week 2 with a trip to the borough of Brooklyn was a pretty good way to start. In all the many times I have been in NYC I have never ventured over the bridge to Brooklyn, not because I didn't want to, but more because Manhattan had soooo many things to occupy my time. Now with more time I was determined to see this new 'Hipster' thing that I keep reading about in Brooklyn, so a few hours at Saturday's 'Brooklyn Flea' is the perfect way to do it. With the approaching cold weather, this market has now moved inside and houses an eclectic mix of good vintage clothes, handmade items and delicious food. We followed this with a big </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">injection</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> of US</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> culture - viewing the extensive Halloween dress up. Apparently Bleeker St in Greenwich Village is the place to see it all and they certainly go all out on those costumes! I particularly loved the ones where the entire families - adults, young children and babies in prams were all dressed in some dramatic theme. Clearly more for the adults than the children!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sunday we wandered the flea market in 25th St - small but worth a rummage & the Flatiron area is such a lovely part of town to meander on the weekend with great restaurants and a really nice vibe set against a backdrop of spectacular 1930's architecture. The unseasonably warm weather was a perfect accompaniment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week we began art history classes at MoMA - booked in to do 2 different classes - </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"4 ideas that changed how we see Modernism" & "Icons of Modernism" - each class is 2hrs, 1 day/week for 4 weeks and although we have both previously studied many University art history classes, nothing beats an indepth discussion whilst standing in front the actual artwork. This gallery, with its fabulous bookshop, serene sculpture courtyard, lovely restaurants & extensive collection of Modernism has long been a favourite, so spending time here with highly qualified lecturers is a true joy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thursday we took a train to New Canaan Connecticut, to view an Architectural icon I had long admired. Philip Johnson's "Glass House" built in 1946 seems to float among the picturesque autumn landscape. Together with a handful of other iconic houses around the world, it redefined the notion of "house" by paring back the unnecessary to focus on structure, geometry and proportion and in the process allow one to engage with the surroundings through transparency. To most it would appear architecturally simple but meticulous detail enables the occupant to feel as if the walls do not exist - Johnson himself called the glass walls "his changing wallpaper" and this aptly describes the feeling of being inside this beautiful building. The 46 hectare property, with a multitude of other interesting structures containing his large art and sculptural collection, a library, a guesthouse and numerous follies, is beautifully preserved and definitely worth the 75min train trip from NYC.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am continually delighted and still even surprised by the options NYC offers so we have definitely been availing ourselves of as many as possible. This week we saw 2 more plays, some awesome jazz with Tommy Igoe who we saw last year in San Francisco so knew it was essential to go again and the very extensive Picasso sculptural exhibition at MoMA. To sate my love of cleverly designed interiors we have also been to the Ace Hotel designed by Roman & Williams - quirky, rich use of varied materials and a wonderful sense of fun, BG restaurant in Bergdoff Goodman designed by Kelly Wearstler - elegant and glamorous & the gorgeous timber lined 1936 interior of the New York Athletic club with a spectacular view of Central Park - a very easy place to pass a delightful few hours!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MoMA's Picasso exhibition has a huge collection of his sculpture </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_cRVW0iMSDJKCsYm_45aZYpyNfbeVeVIbjqHj6GK2GC-2RP0rj2TMdBf6auG6K50hYXdDx8AgbOI65HdKNzpmby2xsvZFRLmuuKAZmEWyVYDqvxGZkzxdvVROaFrtcXpJzhzY5Q3GiE/s1600/DSCF3406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_cRVW0iMSDJKCsYm_45aZYpyNfbeVeVIbjqHj6GK2GC-2RP0rj2TMdBf6auG6K50hYXdDx8AgbOI65HdKNzpmby2xsvZFRLmuuKAZmEWyVYDqvxGZkzxdvVROaFrtcXpJzhzY5Q3GiE/s640/DSCF3406.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabulous Chelsea Shop "Olde Good things" sells a myriad of assorted interior essentials such as this Statue of Liberty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phillip Johnson's iconic Glass House built in 1946 - no room to house any clutter! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlG8DZSi2cf2L80l6Kw-b8ov1TT7TG5iF0FzTJywzp0Rwrkaz5F7EHn3hyRM6WvaulbvGN4D0_plBPfBM6uNhYzp_DDjCTfIg1gf9SxeR9OqZHNckR28jCfd99N7bsQ5sE1sNfyl2BZg/s1600/DSCF3485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlG8DZSi2cf2L80l6Kw-b8ov1TT7TG5iF0FzTJywzp0Rwrkaz5F7EHn3hyRM6WvaulbvGN4D0_plBPfBM6uNhYzp_DDjCTfIg1gf9SxeR9OqZHNckR28jCfd99N7bsQ5sE1sNfyl2BZg/s640/DSCF3485.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert Rauchenberg "Bed" 1955 - Asemblage, one of the 4 ideas that defines Modernism</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were shown the groovy bedroom interiors at the Ace Hotel - just in case you play the guitar!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bar of the Ace Hotel - an emphasis on faux taxidermy gives it a fun quirky vibe </td></tr>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-68120010884522087142015-11-02T12:30:00.000+10:002015-11-02T12:51:07.303+10:00New York City Week 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With our last conference finishing in New York mid October, and the next one beginning in New York just before Christmas, we decided that rather than return to Australia, we would take the opportunity to stay and enjoy magnificent NYC for 2 months. Whilst we are still working, and with Australia's having a 13 or 14 hour time difference, means the working day is totally out of kilter, that is a small price to pay to be able to wander the streets in New York for the next 2 months!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So as the Fall weather slowly gathers pace, I intend to post weekly reports on our sojourn in NYC. My list is long, and 2 months is short...... so there is definitely no time to lose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When our ship sailed into New York Harbour, we were the first passengers to alight - happy to carry our own gear so we could beat the crowds and ensconce ourselves in our Midtown apartment where we are staying for the next 2 months. On the 24th floor we have awesome views over the Manhattan skyline, including a balcony to enjoy a wine while the sun sets over the Hudson. Furthermore we even have a gym & glass roofed heated pool & spa on the 44th floor that has an incredible views over Central Park and will be fun to swim in as the serious winter weather sets in. This is my kind of NYC!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, an essential start was our stay was a trip to Union Square farmers market where the product was so fresh it was almost jumping off the tables! We also delighted in watching an expert "pumpkin artist" carve a portrait of a man into pumpkin - he was incredibly good and I am surprised how seriously they take the whole pumpkin carving (ie, Halloween) artistry! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fabulous arrival timing, as I was thrilled to be in town for a very exciting visit from my Godson George and his Mum Steph, who were visiting from San Francisco to celebrate George's 8th birthday. My gift was a surprise helicopter ride over NYC - the absolutely best way to see NYC (why fight the crowds at Liberty island when you can see it from the air?) and a huge hit with George! It takes alot to impress an 8 year old but I think I managed it with this gift. Cupcakes from Magnolia bakery were a pretty good follow up (though I admit I think it was more for the adults than George... we LOVE that frosting!) and then a lovely wander around Greenwich village which was Steph's old 'hood' when she lived here years ago. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed an 8th birthday as much as this! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rest of the week was very busy indeed - a visit to the new Renzo Piano designed Whitney Museum of American Art, with a interesting guided tour of some of their special pieces. A fabulous walk on one of landscape architecture's world masterpieces (my opinion, but trust me I am correct) - the Highline - the re-purposed elevated cargo train track. The clever thing about this space is the very well considered textural planting that responds to seasonal change, the integration of public seating and extensive artworks that surprise & delight. I love the vision & passion that turned this into such a loved space in NYC - without doubt I will </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">visit at least once a week over the next 2 months as there is no better space to soak in the change of season than this elevated 2.33km public walkway - it will definitely make you smile!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NYC also has seemingly unlimited entertainment </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">variety - so in the past week </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we have enjoyed 2 very high quality jazz shows that kept us tapping our toes for hours after the shows finished and a very good off Broadway play called "Barbeque". We have also been cycling in Central Park, visited Ellis Island (despite many previous visits to NYC we had not been to see USA's immigration entry point - just a tip, I think it is better seen from the helicopter - many exhibits have been removed since Hurricane Sandy 3 yrs ago as they wait to build the climate controlled spaces they require, so wait till they do!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have also eaten at the iconic Oyster Bar in Grand Central station, with its original 1920's architecture, visited the very groovy Gansevoort food market in the eclectic meatpacking district and eaten at one of Frank Sinartra's favourite Italian restaurants, Patsy's, (plus booked to attend one of his 100 year birthday celebrations in December). A week in NYC would not be complete without several hours in our favourite bookstore, The Strand, (& a purchase of a dozen+ books... this time, more to follow I am sure, books here are very well priced and the options seemingly endless) and somewhere in the midst of this week I have even managed to squeeze in some retail therapy (limited so far, but the days are young.....).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am always surprised how quickly one settles into a routine wherever you are in the world, and ours begins with opening our apartment door to collect the delivery of our New York Times. I know we probably appear 'old school' but not much beats opening the NYTimes first thing in the morning as the cafeteria begins to percolate. This is shortly followed by a visit to our favourite Italian coffee shop 1.5 blocks away, then the day can truly get underway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Across the past week we have walked hours and hours each and every day and yet only covered a fraction of the boroughs which constitute NYC, so..... lots done but way more to go..............</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initial nerves, then absolute delight!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellis Island Processing room - one could almost feel the equal measure of relief & fear</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the balcony of the Whitney museum onto the Highline</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ganesvoort Food Market - cool fitouts, equally cool food</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art is a every turn along the Highline</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iconic 1920's architecture still exists in the very busy Oyster bar in Grand Central Station</td></tr>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-10376473245589380212015-11-01T02:38:00.001+10:002015-11-02T12:51:42.504+10:00Cruising Montreal to New York<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes the intensity of colour that nature delivers appears almost unbelievable if you were not seeing it with your own eyes, and its display mesmerizes. Our recent cruise which began in Montreal and ended up sailing into New York Harbour, delivered a rainbow of spectacular Autumnal colour in many of the towns and cities along the way. We also experienced a wide variety of cultural diversity as we sailed through Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Novia Scotia, Maine, Boston and Newport.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quebec city was a beautiful surprise - visually very pretty, and although I was aware of its bilingual French culture I didn't realise that French is really its first language with little English being heard from the locals on its streets. Quebec city was the backdrop of the global forces of the French English conflict in the maritime era. Its imposing Chateau Frontenac was the venue for the 1943 Quebec conference at which Winston Churchill and Franklin D Roosevelt discussed the strategy for WW2. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In (freezing) Sydney, Novia Scotia, we were welcomed with a traditional smoking ceremony by the very friendly indigenous Mi'kmaq people, its first nation people. Dressed in their deer hide clothes they spent time explaining their heritage, culture and survival in what is a pristine but very harsh climate. We also learned about the migration of thousands upon thousands of Scottish Gaelic people between 1760 & 1860 to this part of the world and today's efforts to continue their language far from its original birthplace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Halifax we cycled 18kms across severely windswept causeways crossing tidal wetlands and heavily graveled paths cutting through forests, to arrive at its fishing harbour where we feasted on well deserved mussels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in gorgeous Boston we visited the beautiful Harvard campus and met the curators of an impressive display of Magna Carta manuscripts owned by the university, as this ancient tome celebrates its 800 year history as the first bastion of the rule of law.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With still vivid memories of Australia's 1983 triumph for the America's Cup in Newport Rhode Island, we took a sailing trip in its harbour which allowed us to view some of the race's original 12 metre sailing yachts, such as "Weatherly" & "Intrepid", still working today. We also viewed the magnificent summer mansions, known locally as "cottages", built along this stretch of coastline. Newport is a very attractive sea port with sprawling architectural displays of wealth and power - it definitely warrants a return during summer months for more exploring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the end, sailing into New York harbour just before dawn gave us an appreciation of the awe that the immigrants of past must have felt as they viewed the lady of liberty holding centre stage. USA's symbol of hope peace and freedom.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall Colours on Harvard campus</td></tr>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-72431165544658716782015-07-14T20:24:00.000+10:002015-07-15T07:18:35.975+10:00Sammlung Boros - Berlin's privately owned Contemporary art gallery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A visit to the private art collection of Christian & Karen Boros, is as much a insight into the future as it is into the past, for this extensive contemporary art collection is set in an historic WW2 air raid bunker in what was East Berlin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Standing 6 floors high,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> t</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he imposing building, was built in 1942 to protect German citizens during the bombing of the city and its exterior still bears extensive scars of the brutal period. Immediately after the war, the concrete bunker was used to house political prisoners in East Berlin, then became a storage house for tropical fruit from Cuba and earned the name 'The Banana Bunker'. After the wall fell in 1989, the building became a venue for techno music and fetish parties until it was f</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">inally closed due to safety concerns.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2003 the bunker was bought by art collectors Christian & Karen Boros, and unable to be torn down, it underwent an extensive 5 year renovation, deconstructing the small rabbit warren rooms. The end result is a space which stills maintains its original austere feeling, yet is more suitable for displaying the collection. Graffiti and wall signage from its previous incarnations remain, now an appropriate backdrop, seemingly artworks themselves. The owners crowning glory is the addition on the top of the building of what appears to be a very groovy glass walled penthouse apartment. All in all, a very clever re-purposing of the space by a very creative couple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gallery Visits are only conducted by guided tours and one must pre-book via the website - current wait is about 5 weeks <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.sammlung-boros.de/boros-collection.html?L=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Sammlung Boros</span></a>. </span>The art exhibited varies from photography to performance based installations, canvases and sculpture, and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">include such renowned names names as Ai Wei Wei, Wolfgang Tillmans, and Danh Vo. O</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ften collected early in the artist's careers prior to fame, it shows a clever & well trained eye by the owners. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Contemporary art can be challenging for some because it does raise the question of what actually constitutes art - some may query whether a stick leaning against a wall or a popcorn machine continuously producing popped corn over a period of years, have artistic merit, but I feel eliciting a reaction is often a portion of its intention - a reaction, positive or negative means engagement and involvement by the viewer. Furthermore, contemporary art exhibited in this harsh space appears entirely appropriate - the rigid structure of the Nazi built bunker completely contrasts the freedom and self expression of the art within, serving to heighten the appreciation of both.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-35726523120798736102015-07-10T21:41:00.001+10:002015-07-10T21:41:05.803+10:00Australia's new Pavilion at the Venice Biennale & Fiona Hall's Art <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sitting in the midst of Venice’s lush green Giardini grounds,
Australia’s new 'black box' pavilion is the perfect container for Australia’s biennially
chosen artists to shine. The small canal it sits alongside is the only
indication that one is in this water bound city, because summer’s maddening crowds are
replaced with an open, cool, green space that absolutely surprises &
delights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the opportunity to take the final permanent space in
the Giardini was offered to Australia, it was one too good to refuse, and with
the generosity of mainly private donations, Denton Corker Marshall won the
competition to design the building. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The black granite clad cube, a mysterious & contemporary
container, opens like a gift box presented on your birthday, eliciting the same
delight and excitement. To my mind, good Architecture must always stir the
emotions, and be a visual representation of people, place & purpose, so
Australians can be very proud of what this well executed building says about us
– quiet sophistication abounds. Ultimately though this pavilion is about what
lies within, so it is right that this pavilion possess an ability to sit
quietly and regally in its own skin, presenting the gift inside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And indeed the gift this box delivers is definitely one worth
devouring. Fiona Hall’s enormous body of work, seemingly, randomly combines
disparate elements that become incredibly intricate and thought provoking
sculptures. Entitled “Wrong Way Time’ it is presented as a series of vignettes
that relate, yet also sit independently, challenging the notions of three
interconnecting concerns: global politics, world finances and the environment. Ordinary
materials, found objects and images are given new life and in the process
elicit powerful meanings as she questions the impact on culture & tradition
in our pursuit of money & power. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this dark, still space each element takes on heightened
significance, the silence punctuated only by the occasional call of a lonely bush crow, contrasted
with the man-made call of the cuckoo clock – environment versus occupation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of all the intricate vignettes, 2 really stood out for me –
the beautiful woven forms of endangered Australian desert animals made in collaboration
with women from the Tjanpi Desert Weavers are, at a glance, beautiful
sculptures, but on closer inspection reveal a more sinister meaning. Woven with
a mix of desert grasses and torn shreds of British & American military camouflage
gear, supplied by Hall, they speak volumes of the impact of European occupation
on this region of our country. The region also endured the ‘hidden’ post WW2 British nuclear testing, known as the Maralinga
tests – the impact never really acknowledged by the British but clearly still felt by
the Aboriginal communities to this day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My other particular favourite, situated in the heart of the
installation, were the suspended sculptures depicting traditional people in
stripped out military clothing. Hanging in an almost ‘totem pole at the gallows’
format, these figures are traditional and very raw. The heads are intricately woven
from military clothing modeled over life like forms, with bones and teeth set into them, depicting a frightening, yet also defiant and very proud demeanor. The military ‘clothes’ they wear, some with decorative
military epilates still intact, have been stripped of all except the seams, reinforcing the theme of the effects occupation on traditional people, land and
environment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One can also not pass the beautifully made bird nests – made
with shredded American dollar notes, nor the series of painted cuckoo clocks detailed
with sinister images and profound words. ‘Wrong way time’ seems indeed a very apt title for the intersection of her concerns and the materials chosen to depict them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My only disappointment was, that my targeted visit did not allow me to visit over several days, because I have no doubt that like all good art works, multiple visits would reveal even greater depth.</span></div>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-11761124445556092402015-04-21T23:00:00.000+10:002015-04-22T01:03:42.249+10:00The Architectural brilliance of Frank Gehry shines in Paris<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have long been a fan of the architectural brilliance of Frank Gehry, the shapes and forms of
his buildings have a playfulness that makes my heart sing, so my recent visit
to the new <span style="background: white;">Louis Vuitton Foundation building in Le Jardin
d'Acclimatation in the <span style="color: #282828;">Bois de Boulogne</span> </span>Paris,
was always going to be a homage. Gehry is the ultimate modern day a<span style="background: white;">rchitectural conjurer and this incredible building is proof
beyond doubt. Visually it is absolutely stunning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">First
opened by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_III_of_France" title="Napoleon III of France"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Napoléon III</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span><span style="background: white;">and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eug%C3%A9nie_de_Montijo" title="Eugénie de Montijo"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Empress Eugénie</span></a>
<span style="background: white;">in 1860,</span> <span style="background: white;">Jardin
d'acclimatation, has delighted generations of children with attractions that
include a zoo, water garden and puppet theatre so it is quite fitting that this
exuberant building has been built in this exterior space that has entertained
for well over a century. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Architecturally
there is a similarity to other Gehry buildings, though I feel this is more in
the overall mood of the building and manner in which one responds to it rather
than the materials used or the architectural form. This time the hero material
used is glass (as opposed to titanium in the Guggenheim Bilbao, or Brick in the
new UTS building in Sydney) which creates a ‘lightness’ in the 12 sails as they
soar towards the sky, yet simultaneously it feels grounded and solid. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One can almost feel the sails billowing as if it is about to set sail. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These
sails of curved glass, steel and timber act as an exoskeleton, protecting the
11 white tile-clad galleries beneath and subsequently create a wonderful array
of architectural juxtapositions of curves & angles. As an Australian one cannot help but be reminded of our own iconic architectural masterpiece, the Sydney Opera House - in all the reading I have done around this building I have not seen anyone (</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">including Frank Gehry himself) </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">refer to similarities but to me it seems obvious - could it be atavistic?</span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
interior spaces are large yet intimate, light filled and calm. They house the Louis
Vuitton Foundation’s contemporary art collection as well as the delicious ‘Le
Frank’ restaurant at which we were lucky enough to secure a table. The food was exceptionally good, made even better by
being able to absorb the spectacular surroundings with a glass of wine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While
I admit limited time meant we didn’t view the art collection as my main focus was
the architecture, this is not an issue as I will definitely return soon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall
the building has a modernity that is entirely appropriate for the contemporary collection
it houses plus the precision and attention to detail for which its namesake is renown. </span></span></div>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-5537723105449066412015-04-01T22:54:00.000+10:002015-04-21T23:09:54.136+10:00ANTARCTICA - MAJESTY & OVERWHELMING BEAUTY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The silence is deafening, the scale overwhelming and the kaleidoscope of
“whites,” hypnotic. Antarctica exceeded all my expectations …. and then some
more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Our 10 day G Adventure conference trip was enlightening, educational
& an enormous amount of fun. Much to our delight, the Antarctic sea was
bursting with marine life. Penguins galore, seals of all varieties and whales
enjoying the last of the summer before they began their migration north were
just a few of the wildlife we were able to view in their natural habitat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There is nothing quite like rounding a bend to see thousands of penguins
scattered across the snow & ice, some as still as statues as they gather
all their effort for the catastrophic malt of their summer coats in preparation
for the winter months ahead. Others playing games or tobogganing on their
stomachs down a snowy slope looked like a group of children getting into
mischief. The penguin chics, were so inquisitive that they would often venture
right up to us as they waited for their parents to return with more krill
parcels to satisfy their endless demand for food. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Watching the majesty of the whales thrusting their huge aviation like tail fins into the air (often at close range) as they take their deep dives was exhilarating. They would disappear leaving only their wet breath of cold air like a geyser rising from the sea. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We became quite expert at spotting the difference between a leopard seal
(spotted fur), a crab eating seal (pale grey in colour) and a fur seal (visible
ears). Often luxuriating on a slab of ice floating in the middle of the sea,
the seals looked like they were recovering from a heavy night – checking us out
as much as we were them, they were natural performers for our cameras.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We have a huge appreciation of the fortitude of the Polar explorers -
Scott, Amundsen, Creen & Shackleton - heroic adventurers in the true sense
of the word. The immense bravery they displayed to venture into unknown
territory with such extreme weather conditions – without the thermal jackets,
neoprene boots and technical gear we wore which still left us feeling cold at
times. 100years ago these great explorers saw largely the same things I saw
last week - a statement that can't really be made about anywhere else on the
planet. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I went to Antarctica wanting to see abundant sea life, but I left being
in awe of the mammoth ice, snow, icebergs & glacial structures – there is a
majesty & serenity that speaks volumes to the soul. They were immense,
dwarfing our zodiacs with their volume. It is truly an incredible region of our
planet and my overwhelming feeling during our expedition was one of immense
gratitude that I was able to witness it myself. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-45956914805145283892015-01-20T09:09:00.000+10:002015-01-20T09:15:05.152+10:00Photos from the past 8 months of travels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post showcases a smorgasbord of photos over the past 8 months of travel</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Global travels for work and conducting a large renovation and extension of your home in Australia do not seem likely partners, but that is exactly what I have been doing for the past 12 months, so posting photos here on my blog has suffered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So to rectify that now here are photos of our travels since June 2014 - with a brief description about where they have been taken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>JUNE 2014 - WALKING CAMINO DE SANTIAGO FROM ST JEAN PIED DE PORT TO LOGRONO</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My good friend Ann & I walked the first 8 days of the Camino de Santiago - about 170km in total - with the remainder of it to be completed over the years ahead when we can fit it into our lives. It was a fabulous experience which I would totally recommend - we met some wonderful people and loved the appreciation of natural beauty at a walking pace. We both look forward to the time when we can continue our journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>JULY 2014 - AT THE CONCLUSION OF OUR CAMINO WALK, WE SPENT SOME TIME BEING MESMERISED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL BRILLIANCE OF FRANK GEHRY </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upon completion of our camino trek in the town of Logrono, we drove to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the small town of Elceigo in the midst of the Rioja wine region and stayed </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at Hotel Marqués de Riscal</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> designed by Frank Gehry.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The hotel is an absolute architectural masterpiece - with swirls of titanium reminiscent of chocolate curls on the top of a cake. One can't help but smile as you admire the playful way the shapes swoop & interact with each other. The fabulous spa and pool area and superb food & wine were also a perfect end to our 170km walk!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>THEN WE TRAVELED TO BILBAO TO SPEND TIME APPRECIATING THE SUPERB GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM AND THE COLLECTION WITHIN</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another Gehry masterpeice - I love this building and the collections it houses. I particularly admire the way it showcases the power of architecture to transform a city. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its form is more serious than the Gehry designed hotel in Elceigo - the imposing shiny exterior, simultaneously both fluid & solid, commands attention. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The art collection totally compliments the architecture and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jeff Koons' 'Puppy' at the entry is a delightful taste of more inside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>JULY 2014 - POSITANO & THE ISLAND OF CAPRI</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We ran our 3 yearly conference in the spectacular Italian coastal region of Positano & the isle of Capri walking the incredibly scenic "Walk of the Gods" and visiting the ruins of Herculaneum </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AUGUST 2014 - CITTA DELLA PIEVE</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent time in our Umbrian town, Citta della Pieve & enjoyed the centuries old tradItion of the Palio which included parades through the streets in traditional costume & fire breathing, then culminated in an archery event where the 'terziere' (the 3 divisions of the town)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">competed for the honour of being crowned the winner!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>SEPTEMBER 2014 CORTINA D'AMPEZZO & VENICE</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We ran a conference, initially in Cortina D'Ampezzo where we hiked a difficult but exhilarating 'Via Ferrata' mountain climb, rode Bicycles down the 40km path from Cortina to Calazzo and spent time walking the paths in the mountainous local area. This area, better known for its winter snow sports, was millions of years ago under the sea, and the resulting monumental rock formations were created from the movements of the continental plates. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following this, in Venice where we learnt the art of rowing a gondola and visited an ancient Gondola building yard which now acts as a gondola museum </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Via Ferrata Hike was actually easier than this photo makes it looks - great guides & a great location <br />
made this one of 2014's highlights! </td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OCTOBER 2014 - CROATIA</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We ran a conference on the beautiful Le Soleal Du Ponant Cruise line that began in Venice, sailing through the Guidecca canal, and then traveled down the Croatian Coast to Dubrovnik, Monteneggro</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">& the scenic island of Korcula</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Following this it was time to return to Australia to complete my house build!</b></span></div>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-23996831413635974322014-06-15T02:59:00.000+10:002014-06-15T02:59:00.091+10:00ALASKA'S NATURAL BEAUTY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Compact snow so intensely blue it appears painted, frozen peaks of silt
stained glacial ice and large chunks sheared from a tide water glacier adrift in
the sea, will forever define my thoughts of Alaska after our Silversea cruise.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><br />Over the past week we have visited the isolated towns of Ketchikan,
Juneau, Sitka and Skagway enjoying a variety of activities designed to showcase
the natural beauty of this part of the world. These small coastal towns swell
from May to September each year as people come to experience the abundant
glacial ice and marine life.<br /><br />In Juneau we soared high above the Mendenhall glacier in a helicopter
ride which helped give perspective to its enormous scale and dramatic beauty - glacial
ice hung over cliff precipices forming a deceptively fragile topography, while
surface ice peaked in patterns reminiscent of icing on a birthday cake. The
glacier itself appeared pockmarked – wave like peaks of ice stained by glacial
silt ground from the rocks – a result of the froes of gravity across its
surface.<br /><br />On our ascent to the landing area high on the glacier, our highly
skilled helicopter pilot nonchalantly flew so close to the shear mountain rock
face that we felt we could reach out and touch it. (Not surprisingly he had read
‘Chickenhawk’ the non-fiction epic about a Vietnam helicopter fighter pilot at aged
14).<br /><br />Landing high on the glacier enabled us to trek across its surface to gain
a closer view of the deep crevasses and blue lakes. Seeing the graduating
intensity of the blue ice at close range was so picturesque that even
consistent rain could not dampen our enthusiasm – the “liquid sunshine” an
obvious necessity for longevity of a glacier! We also lay on the ice to sample the
pure glacial water directly from the summer stream – crisp, cold and devoid of
any man made additives.<br /><br />Overall the clarity and graduating intensity of the blue ice will be a
lasting memory. We usually think of snow and ice as being white in colour, but
as it compacts, density and thickness increasing, the absorption of blue from
the colour spectrum decreases, thus the deeper the ice the more the intense the
blue.<br /><br />In Skagway we took a catamaran ride to a remote island where we paddled
across Davidson lake to walk on the Davidson glacier. There was a group ice
climbing on the glacier and their presence enabled a scale comparison to appreciate its
enormity. On our way there we saw whales playing in the ocean plus a large
sea lion colony whose boisterous males were using their impressive bulk to aggressively
defend their female pack from younger males sea lions. <br /><br />In Sitka we rode bicycles along a quite forest lined inlet to hike
through rainforest with a gushing glacial fed stream. An enjoyable way to
appreciate the peaceful natural beauty of this location.<br /><br />Then on our final sea day we rose early to marvel at the tide water
Hubbard Glacier. A snowflake that falls on its surface today will take about
400 years to reach its base – a fact which makes its huge scale even more impressive.
Like all glaciers it is constantly moving – evident by the large chunks of ice adrift
in the surrounding sea and the occasional sound of it shearing off at the edges.<br /><br />On each of our shore trips we were warned of what to do in case we
happened upon a bear in the wild and it was the only disappointing aspect to my
trip that we didn’t encounter any! - However with no "bear mace" (the locals really do carry it - they tell me it is like normal mace but on steroids!), in
our backpacks perhaps that was not such a bad thing.</span><o:p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mendenhall Glacier seen from the helicopter</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cravass on Mendenhall Glacier</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinking the Glacial Water directly from the stream</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddling across Davidson lake to Davidson Glacier</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in the glacial fed rain forest at Skagway </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubbard Glacier</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice chunks adrift in the sea at Hubbard Glacier</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubbard Glacier as seen from the deck of our Silversea ship</td></tr>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-74354422851690250392014-05-21T15:20:00.001+10:002014-05-21T15:20:15.700+10:00Portugal's magnificent history of tiles <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leonardo mainly used canvas, Michalangelo often marble, but for
the past five centuries, the main foundation of artistic material in Portugal
has been ceramic tiles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Known in Portugal as ‘Azulejos’, derived from the Arabic word
‘Azzelij’, or 'Al zuleicha' meaning small polished stone, this custom of painting bright artworks onto ceramic tiles originated
in Egypt, then moved to Persia where it was adopted throughout the Moorish world, before moving up to Southern
Spain and the Iberian peninsula. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Portuguese embraced this art form and it is used extensively on both exterior facades and interior spaces in public & private buildings across the country. The brightly, and often ornate tiles decorate everything from walls of churches to metro stations and public toilets with subject matter as varied as Religious figures, geometric patterns and historical events. It exudes a richness of cultural iconography that has become a symbol of the country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was very interested to learn more about the manufacture of these tiles and the process of dating them, so we organised a private guided visit to one of Lisbon's original tile manufacturers. <strong>Fabrica Sant'Ana </strong></span><a href="http://www.santanna.com.pt/en/quemsomos"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.santanna.com.pt/en/quemsomos</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> has a showroom in central Bairro Alto and their factory is a little further away in the suburbs. Fabrica Sant'Ana began manufacturing tiles in 1741 and the process is exactly the same today with the exception that the ovens are now electrically powered rather than wood fired! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We watched the entire process of manufacture from the throwing of the clay, pressing into the moulds (all done by hand), to drying racks & kilns, application of a milky glaze with fine glass particles to achieve an end shine, and then the meticulous hand painting process. Each and every single tile is done like this! The day we visited, the painting artists were working on reproducing a centuries old panel, and the process involved trace, charcoal and very fine paint brushes. It was absolutely beautiful to witness a process which has remained the same for centuries and gave us an incredible appreciation for the workmanship in the tiles we saw adorning buildings across the city. (Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photos)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since one of my favourite things to do in cities we visit is to discover unusual items in flea markets, we visited <strong>Fiera da Ladra</strong> the city's Saturday market. Many websites I read said it was full of junk, but I suppose all of those things are certainly in the eye of the beholder, because I think they show a slice of the cultural life of a city - & we loved this one! Although tile facades across the city are protected from demolition, there are still many being uncovered as building occurs or from warehouse supplies, so there is significant number of antique dealers selling them. One of the best value was a dealer at this flea market. Laid out on an old sheet, the man in this market had quite an array of options to purchase. I bought 4 matching tiles which date back to 1650, and Lorenzo and bought 4 dating to 1750. The ages are authenticated by colours used, colour intensity size and brushwork. I plan to make perspex boxes to display these tiles as they are definitely a work of art worth preserving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are on the hunt for antique tiles in Lisbon another well known shop is <strong>Solar</strong> Rua Dom Pedro V, 68-70, </span><a href="http://www.golisbon.com/sight-seeing/bairroalto.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bairro Alto</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. This shop has an enormous array of tiles well displayed for sale in period of manufacture. Any tiles with people, in particular faces, are considerably more expensive due to the exertise requires to achieve this but they are divine!. This shop is much more expensive than you will find in the flea market, but the quality and choice is extensive. Even though I had bought a set of 4 dating around 1640 in the market, I still fell in love with one in Solar so bought it - just the side of a face (less than a front on version and within my budget!). You also receive a certificate of authenticity stating the age of your tile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Then to top off my total tile immersion, I visited the fabulous National Tile Museum in Lisbon. This place is extremely interesting, a very well curated museum, especially if you like cultural iconography. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is housed in the monastic buildings of the Madre de Deus Convent, which was founded in 1509 and renovated to its former glory after the Great Earthquake. The museum is housed in the rooms around the cloister and at the far side of the cloister is a magnificent chapel filled with superb ornately painted tiles. This church is so richly decorated because it belonged to the household of Queen Leonor who in the years after the death of her only son Prince Afonso in 1491, spent much of her time praying and living in this convent.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the catalogue system used at Fabrica Sant'Ana to chose your tile colour & pattern</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This dealer at Feira da Ladra had a very good selection of tiles at a very fair price for their age and hand made execution</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar Antique Tile Shop in Bairro Alto - a huge range of tiles</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the tile I bought from SOLAR and it is authenticated as being made between 1720-1750 </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chapel in the convent of Madras de Deus which now houses the National Tile Museum</td></tr>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-817078688120467102014-04-08T21:19:00.001+10:002014-04-08T23:47:10.288+10:00Fontesecca Wines, Citta della Pieve<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To discover and uncover is one of the great delights of
travel – as much today as in Marco Polo’s, Captain Cook’s or Vasgo da Gama’s
time. Whether the discovery is in unchartered waters or close to where one
spends much time, it is always a delight to unearth the unexpected. So, after
drinking many bottles of a local biologically produced wine called "Fontesecca" </span></span><a href="http://www.fontesecca.it/en/"><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.fontesecca.it/en/ ">www.fontesecca.it/en/</a></span><a href="http://www.fontesecca.it/en/ w"><a href="http://www.fontesecca.it/en/ wh"><a href="http://www.fontesecca.it/en/ whe"><a href="http://www.fontesecca.it/en/ when"><a href="http://www.fontesecca.it/en/ whe"><a href="http://www.fontesecca.it/en/ wh"><a href="http://www.fontesecca.it/en/ w"><a href="http://www.fontesecca.it/en/ "><a href="http://www.fontesecca.it/en/"></a><a href="http://www.fontesecca.it/en/ w"><a href="http://www.fontesecca.it/en/"> </a><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when we enjoy our countless meals
at our favourite family operated restaurant own town in Citta della Pieve, "Bruno Coppetta" <a href="http://www.en.trattoriabrunocoppetta.com/">www.en.trattoriabrunocoppetta.com/</a>, we decided it was time to
source the grower /producer! <o:p></o:p></span></span></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like with many hidden gems, it turned out to be in a place we
drive past regularly, but just slightly off the main road out of vision. Paolo Bolla the owner
of Fontesecca wines, has a 4 generational heritage in wine manufacture, and was
originally from the Verona area where he learnt his trade in the family business. In search of new unspoilt terrain, he and his
family moved to the Umbrian hills in 2004 and began an independent winery that today
produces a limited quantity of excellent wines plus extra virgin olive oil, all grown on their land. The
delightful part about their production methods is their organic farming approach,
a respect for the land, nature & time which seems to be a recurring narrative in this part of the world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wines we have previously tasted are a fabulous red wine
called "Pino" (named after Paolo Bolla’s father), which is made from 100% Sangiovese
grapes and exudes a spicy, slightly floral, full rounded taste
with which as Australians, we are familiar. It is absolutely delicious and with a dark ruby red colour, it looks as good as it tastes. The white wine, "Elso" (named after the man who planted the original vines 40years ago) also has a
wonderful 3 dimensional layered taste being a mix of local varieties of Trebbiano,
Toscano, Grechetto & Malvasia grapes. With a colour of wet straw, we can testify it is a superb wine to enjoy with lunch during the warmer months. They also produce several other wines
and needless to say we purchased the whole range to be sure! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The terrain from millennia ago used to be sea and we were told that when ploughing the soil to plant the new vines they found many fossilised shells which is where the symbol on their label is derived. Today these shells are proudly displayed to show the geographical history of the region and Paolo mentioned that these crustaceans add to the saltiness of the soil and contribute to the grape's end taste for the wine production. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Uncovering local gems like this, we feel are peeling back the historical layers that have shaped this Umbrian region for centuries.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Citta della Pieve seen from Fontesecca Vineyard<br />
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-2675087118333838112014-01-30T10:49:00.000+10:002014-01-30T11:00:00.095+10:00Jules Verne would be delighted!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">French novelist and playwright Jules Verne may be famous for "Twenty thousand leagues under the Sea" or going "Around the world in Eighty days" but I think he would be very happy with his namesake restaurant high in the sky! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower without the laborious wait in queues, is only one of the reasons to lunch at Alain Ducasse's "Jules Verne" restaurant on level 2, 125metres above the ground.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This gorgeous restaurant invigorates the senses in all ways - the interior design is sumptuous, mimicking Gustave Eiffel's iron lattice structure through the use of lighting, ceiling panelling and windows, the view is spectacular, not just of distant sights of the city of lights but also of the closer workings of the tower itself, and the food by head chef Pascal Feraud is subtle with very clever taste pairings. Most of all this restaurant it is not at all pretentious, just an overall memorable experience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As with many European restaurants, the fixed price lunch menu is the best value - 3 courses with choices in each, with or without wines to match, and exceptional service by a league of wait staff. With additional 'tastes' between courses and delicacies with coffee, the meal is very substantial. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">What a piece de resistance it would be to have Mr Verne as our lunch guest! We could quiz him on his profound influence on science fiction genre in a setting that, although he would have seen in his lifetime (he died 15years after the Eiffel Tower was erected for the world Trade fair in 1889), he probably never imagined would house a restaurant of such magnificence.</span></div>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-55280473269347926992014-01-29T12:57:00.000+10:002014-01-30T08:17:47.690+10:00Paris by the Sea - a favourite place to visit!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paris by the sea..............Restaurants in Paris may come and go, but after 15years the seagulls are still squawking daily at one of our favourite haunts in Paris's 1st arrondissement. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Australians we are spoilt when it comes to exceptional quality seafood, so I think very hard before choosing to eat seafood when abroad, however, the French grow the most fabulous oysters and as one of my favourite foods, this is definitely an exception to my rule! As a nation, the French are Europe's largest producer of oysters and the 4th largest in the world with almost all consumed domestically, so, as for many food products in France, the craft of producing, consuming and selling oysters, is taken very seriously indeed! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like wine, oysters reflect the terroir (area) of where they are cultivated and have been part of the French diet for centuries. Since Roman times they have been farmed in the Lagune de Thau, in the Mediterranean and in the Bay of Arcachon, where they are still farmed today. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will certainly plan a trip to these regions in the future to samples their varieties, but in the meantime, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>L'Ecume St Honore</strong> oyster bar on <strong>6 Rue du Marché Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris,</strong> offers me samples from across the country and is a fabulous spot to punctuate my day. A plate of oysters, a glass of wine and the traditional basket of brown bread and butter - all enjoyed while the seagulls fly above your head (painted on the ceiling) and squawk continuously (a looped audio tape) - a perfect way to rest your feet from arduous task of the Paris sales and spectacular art galleries. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oysters in France are sold by size - I think the smaller sizes often have a more intense taste but are perhaps not as 'full bodied' or 'well rounded' as the larger sizes. At L"Ecume they are always freshly shucked by men who look like they have just departed the fishing trawler, and the presentation is superb - simply delivered on a bed of fresh seaweed with fresh lemon. I am a fan of all oysters but if I had to make a French choice it would be the large creamy and intense flavour of the Blanches variety - succulent & sweet with the delicious briny aftertaste of the juice that they are ensconced in - though I certainly intend to continue sampling all the possible varieties just in case there are better varieties I may have missed!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If Oysters are not your thing then they also sell delicious platters of smoked salmon, expertly hand sliced, and other beautifully fresh seafood product. And as for dessert..... don't expect cake or macaroons here, their treat when we were there a few days ago, was superb, finely cut raw St Jacques scallops! </span></span></div>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-22080260028273910002014-01-20T18:32:00.000+10:002014-01-20T18:32:16.118+10:00I've never met a Paris food market I didnt love!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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de Gaulle once stated "How can anyone govern a nation that has two
hundred and forty six different kinds of cheese". Maybe when he said that
in 1953 he was correct, but today, France has well over five hundred different
kinds of cheese, and I think I saw them all today at Sunday's Marché Richard
Lenoir food market. </span><o:p></o:p></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
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place is a foodie’s delight! Whether you are renting an apartment in Paris and
need to stock the fridge, or simply want to spend a colourful and fun Sunday
morning enjoying a very typical French way of life, this market has got it all!
Stretching about a kilometre from the monument at Bastille down Boulevard
Richard Lenoir there are three alleyways of deliciousness of French gourmet
products to delight your taste buds and cause havoc to your waistline! And I can
promise you we did well on the waistline!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A fabulous
busker who sang and danced with small children while balancing a goldfish bowl filled
with fish on his head entertained us while we ate the most delicious crepes expertly
made to order by a stall holder who had clearly done it many times before.
Breakfast doesn’t get much better than this – calories galore (my crepe was
goats cheese, smoked salmon grated cheese and an egg), colourful entertainment,
and a taste of true French life – all free of charge in a Paris winter that is pretending
to be spring!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We
bought an awesome Roquefort cheese that smells like a gym junkie’s dirty socks,
endive that was picked directly from the beds in which it was still growing (I
have never seen this before and food doesn’t get much fresher!) and small green beans that
were so expertly stacked they looked regimental and severe but were so crisp
& young that we ate them raw. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For a late lunch we bought San Jacques - the largest scallops I have seen and in our apartment we simply steamed them with lemon. The texture was meaty, the taste delicate and at 12.50Euro a kilo we thought they were a bargain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I LOVE a food market like this – to me it is shopping
in its most perfect form, exciting the senses in all formats. This makes me
want to move to Paris!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-76813294705339427072013-12-04T15:40:00.000+10:002013-12-04T15:40:05.203+10:00A Carpenter's Workbench gets a new lease of life as our kitchen table<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few months ago I posted a photo of a re-invigorated carpenter's workbench which we fell in love with at the Arezzo antique market. Well, here is a photo of a similar one which we also found recently at the same Arezzo monthly antique market, and, it has now become our 'new', but very old, kitchen table. A thick piece of glass has made what may have been an impractical bench into something completely usable, very comfortable, and indeed supremely beautiful. We love its character - the 2 timber vice that have tightly held hundreds of pieces of timber over the years, are still attached and working, and the visible recesses that held the tools of the carpenter's trade, bear the worn signs of their past life. It is a table that each time we sit at to eat a meal or drink a cup of coffee, it makes us smile thinking of its past history and new beginning. It looks very much at home in our beautifully imperfect ancient apartment! </span></div>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-4367803730517768072013-11-18T10:17:00.000+10:002013-11-18T16:16:15.101+10:00Verona - Aida in the Ampitheatre<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Verona is a delightful Italian city to visit only a short distance from Venice - many go just to see "Juilet's balcony", supposedly the balcony where Shakespeare's fictitious Juliet Capulet was wooed by Romeo Montague. It is always supremely busy in Juliet's corner of Verona, and I admit it is not a place I bother to go - too touristy for my liking and surely fictitious, so what's the point! - plus plastic souvenirs have never been my 'thing'... however, there are many other wonderful places to wander, discover and soak in the peaceful ambience of this beautiful city, so it is undoubtedly worth including it in your Italian itinerary. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We have visited many times but never been able to co-ordinate our trip to coincide with viewing Opera in their magnificent Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Bra .......... that is, until recently, when we specifically timed our visit to see Aida performed in the open air, and what a spectacle it was! The stage set designers used a large 'crane-like' structure to suspend people and create 3 dimensionality in the open void - a difficult thing to achieve when there is no roof or ceiling structure to work with. They also cleverly utilized the steps of the amphitheatre behind the stage as additional 3 dimensional height which significantly contributed to the ambiance of the production. I have to admit sound quality was not brilliant, but then we were sitting in a centuries old open air structure, so that was totally to be expected and it was the overall package of production, history of the structure and the pure spectacle that we loved. A wonderful experience that we will remember forever!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Also a beautiful and tranquil Veronese site is Giardino Giusti, a magnificent Italian Renaissance garden which was first planted in 1580. With a wonderful hilltop view back to Verona's main area, it is an Italianate mix of sculptural & natural and includes terraces filled with ancient Cyprus trees, fish filled ponds and Roman sculpture. It is the perfect place to quietly wander after one of those long lazy lunches we regularly partake in when in this part of the world!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Another interesting thing about Verona - they always seem to have some of the best buskers I have ever come across and we love strolling the streets enjoying the ambience they add to the city. When you see them do make sure you give them some money as without money they will not be there!</span></div>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-32589230651798102042013-09-25T18:42:00.000+10:002013-09-26T04:12:48.588+10:00Lacole Casa Italiana - surely the world's best warehouse of repurposed Architectural elements <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love researching far and wide to uncover interesting and intriguing places in our local Umbrian/Tuscan community, places that excite my senses with the quality and depth of what they offer, well '<u>PORTE DEL PASSATO' </u>Via della Liberta, Pistrino di Citerna (PG), and its sister store '<u>LACOLE CASA ITALIANA' </u>a few hundred metres down the road, both fit this category.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u>Lacole Casa </u>Italiana is an enormous warehouse with the most amazingly indepth product display of beautiful recycled architectural & interior design elements imaginable. Do you require a jaw dropping marble fireplace surround to finish your home?...or 70yr old majolica wear concrete tiles for that family room renovation?.....or perhaps a centuries old marble sink to complete your bathroom, or an antique stone archway - my list could go on and on, - well this is undoubtedly the place to find them, and not only will you find them, but you will also have a bevy of choice! I love these type of warehouses but never have I seen the quantity and quality of repurposed architectural items that this place has to offer - nor have I ever seen the items displayed and catalogued with such precision and attention to detail - this place is most definitely a labour of love by its owners and the photos I took below are truly just a fraction of what they offer - it did feel a little like an elaborate movie set, yet everything we saw was certainly available for purchase. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I admit to seriously eyeing off the majolica ware concrete tiles - can definitely see them in my soon to be started house extension as an integral element of the kitchen/family room - just currently working out how I can get them back to Australia, but where there is a will.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u>Porte del Passato</u>, its sister store down the road, cleverly uses these collected old materials and up-cycles them into useful and beautiful furniture/kitchen units/internal doors - in fact I have no doubt they could work around what ever you required to complete your space. Their craftspeople repaint and rework the pieces to rejuvenate them on a scale I have not seen previously and their attention to detail seem to know no bounds! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Both places are inspiring and I feel certainly worth going out of your way to visit if these type of things interest you ....... you will definitely find unusual and exciting product, but just don't expect to find a bargain... though I have to point out that with the obviously enormous effort the owners have put into breathing new life into these old items, the prices are totally understandable.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Internal doors repainted and rejuvenated at PORTE del PASSATO</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old cupboard repainted & fitted with rejuvenated marble sinks in a Carrara marble <br />
benchtop makes a beautiful bathroom unit for a refurbished ancient home</td></tr>
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-85719869564428432362013-09-23T21:42:00.000+10:002014-01-14T19:25:05.098+10:00Museo Atelier Canova Tadolini - one of our favourite restaurants in Rome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fancy sharing a table with religious royalty in Rome? Well, amidst the busy high end shops around the base of the Spanish steps you can at one of our favourite restaurants - a theatrical & bohemian haven which transports you to another world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Originally the atelier of sculptural artist Antonio Canova who bought the space in 1818 to favour his prized pupil Adamo Tadolini, it remained as a sculptural workshop until 1967. Re-created into a restaurant in 2000, <u>Museo Atelier Canova Tadolini Via del Babunino 150 Rome</u>, is a wonderful place to enjoy a very Roman lunch or dinner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dwarfed by huge plaster, bronze and marble sculptures the tables are nestled into the space in a casual manner that creates a feeling of secret inclusion in Canova's and Tadolini's brilliance - and my favourite table, (photo #3 below) ensures not only will you never dine alone but your guest may very well be the custodian of church secrets, though unfortunately he will not be in a position to reveal them to you! The original layout and a large amount of the workshop tools have been retained so the space has a feeling of authenticity which is captivating and intriguing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With such surroundings one may consider the food is not the main event, however we have always enjoyed delightful fresh pasta dishes and exceptionally good seasonal food, washed down with fabulous local wines. I feel strongly that when one travels, sometimes a wonderful long lazy lunch can introduce you to a city every bit as much as an important monument or art gallery, but with Canova's sculptural works exhibited in such lofty arenas as the Hermitage and the Louvre, here at this restaurant you can do both!</span><br />
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Eclectic Discoverieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996601596442349393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252716487525762682.post-14142154575196888332013-09-22T12:42:00.000+10:002013-09-22T12:42:05.283+10:00Fresh Porcini Mushrooms & Black Truffles directly from the farmer - Ahhhhh....... it's good to be back in Italy!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Europe, autumn begins tomorrow and the produce markets in Italy are brimming with the most beautiful looking, and delicious, tasting fruit & vegetables. So our arrival to our home in Citta della Pieve at midnight last night, was perfect timing to fill our baskets at this morning's Saturday market. Although our town's market is small in comparison to many others in the area, it still has food stalls that always deliver exceptional quality seasonal products which we stock up on in large quantity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition to innumerable fruit & vegetables, today we purchased some huge fresh porcini mushrooms which I prepared for lunch by thickly slicing them, then frying in a little garlic infused olive oil and served with fresh thyme and cracked pepper. Simple, quick and incredibly delicious - couldn't be better really! As L would say, all knowledge is acquired, and I discovered this method of cooking them a few moths ago when we ate at our favourite restaurant in Arezzo, "Antica Osteria L'Agania" - the strong but delicate taste of the Porcini mushrooms shines through and delivers a meal so delicious it belies the simplicity of its preparation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then later in the day in another quest to uncover some more local knowledge, we were out driving in the Arezzo area when we came upon a little hut selling freshly gathered large black and white truffles. The aroma in the little timber cabin which is open Saturday only, was overwhelming and their product - only white or black truffles in varying sizes, had been collected directly by them the previous day - hard to beat buying directly from the farmer, particularly in the case of truffles where the length of time out of the ground diminishes the strength of the taste. We chose 2 of the large black truffles for only 15Euro, then bought fresh pasta which we simply grated the truffles over for the most amazingly delicious dinner - now that is what I call fabulous fast food! The remainder of the truffles currently sit in a jar with our eggs as we are told the aroma will seep into the porous egg shell and give us truffle tasting eggs for our omelette tomorrow morning - though with the cost and availability of fresh truffles I think we will just shave them into the omelette instead! </span></div>
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