Category: Travel
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An unexpected treasure
I stumbled across this gorgeous painting, almost by chance in Florence. I popped into this church – Santa Trinita – on a whim to have a quick look around. I noticed that the people inside were congregating around one painting in a small chapel (Sassetti Chapel) to the right of the altar. The main painting…
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Hand-made pasta in Florence
This girl was making pasta in the window of a restaurant in Florence. I took a grab-shot and then made eye-contact afterwards. She smiled and waved and did not seem to mind. I noticed that a number of restaurants in the city had people making pasta in front of a window onto the street; I…
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Sublime Tuscan sunset
People say that the light in Italy is special, and you only have to look at the art to appreciate the truth of this. One evening in Florence however, I witnessed this for myself. The light had been bright all day on 17th March, with a strong north wind blowing. Walking along the south bank…
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The gentle monk’s masterpieces
Fra Angelico (born Guido di Pietro; c. 1395 – 1455) has a confusing number of names. He was known to his contemporaries as Fra Giovanni da Fiesole (Brother John of Fiesole) as well as Fra Giovanni Angelico (Angelic Brother John). He is now called il Beato Angelico (Blessed Angelic One) in Italian, although he is known to the art…
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The White Temple: Wat Rong Khun
Wat Rong Khun (วัดร่องขุ่น) is a unique temple situated near Chiang Rai. It is the life work of a Thai artist called Chalermchai Kositpipat – with an army of assistants – and is an extraordinary creation of buildings, statues and murals, all of which are very modern but nevertheless in the Buddhist tradition. It is…
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Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
The Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden is located in the Mae Sa Valley, on the edge of the Doi Sutep-Pui National Park, about fifteen km north of Chiang Mai. The park is large (1000 ha) and there are a number of different sites and glasshouses linked by a perimeter road (see map). Perhaps the most impressive exhibits…
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Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market
The Sunday night walking street market in Chiang Mai has become very popular in recent years. Once a week, a colourful traditional market bazaar takes place along the length of Ratchadamnoen Road (and other side roads) in the Old City. The area is closed off to traffic and hundreds of market traders set up shop selling…
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Tomohon traditional market
I love visiting traditional markets in the tropics, both to enjoy looking at – and occasionally purchasing – local produce, but also as a an opportunity to take photographs. I am primarily interested in taking photographs which are interesting in terms of colours, as well as (hopefully) in terms of content. I like blocks…
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Boat launch
When I was staying on Bunaken Island, in North Sulawesi, I saw and photographed the launch of a new dive boat. The boat had been build using traditional methods, just above the beach just below Bunaken Island Resort where I was staying. The boat was to be launched using manpower alone, and so people (men!)…
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