Thematic Photographic 152: Vertical

I  loved this theme - it sent me trawling through so many of my photo albums, and 

brought back many happy memories.

Don't forget, the shots look better if you click to enlarge them. 

Visit Carmi at Written Inc. to take part and see other verticalities.

So, here we go:

poles strategically placed so that kiwifruit vines will climb up them

the old pumphouse from the goldmine at Waihi, New Zealand

some of the many spires on La Sagrada Familia cathedral, Barcelona

columns at Corinth

and columns at Delphi

and MORE columns, this time at Pompeii

lovely spires here: the Duomo, Milan

one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen: the Blue Mosque in Istanbul

the beautiful facade of the library at Ephesus

finally, the flagpoles ready for the annual ANZAC ceremony at Gallipoli

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Thematic Photographic 140: By land, sea or air

This week over at Carmi's blog, the theme is "By land, sea or air". See other posts and join in here.  The title took me straight to the photos from my trip to Turkey last year.

Firstly, Carmi's photo of vapour trails meant that I just had to post this one. I had woken early in my hotel room in Bursa, and drew the curtains to see this:

Istanbul is such a fabulous place - I would love to go back there some time. The narrow 'sea' that runs right through the middle of the city divides two continents; Europe is on the western side, Asia on the east. This was taken through a bus window while crossing one of the many bridges. I guess it counts as 'by land' ... ?

By ferry we crossed the Sea of Marmara to begin our two weeks of travelling around central and southern Turkey:

In Antalya, on the Turkish Mediterranean, I took a 'cruise' on the harbour. This shot shows part of the Old Port.

Lastly, another ferry shot - crossing the Dardanelles, on the way to Gallipoli and thence back to Istanbul:

(click on photos to embiggen)

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More Strangers

I've found some more pics which seem to qualify for Thematic Photographic's 'Strangers' theme.
First, two shots of ceremonial guards at the Mausoleum of Ataturk, in Ankara, Turkey:

 

These people are engrossed in what the guide is saying at the National Museum in the same city:

 

A group of friends playing a Spanish version of boules in Barcelona:

"Good things happen when you meet strangers."   ~Yo-Yo Ma 

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Another TP favourite Pic

Little boys in Turkey are traditionally circumcised - it can be done at birth, but is often delayed until they are 7 or 8 years old. On Circumcision Eve they have a big party, receive gold coins and other gifts, and dress in a costume which is meant to look like that of a King or a Sultan.
In Istanbul this little chap was happy to pose for a photo, and his parents gave their smiling consent when I asked if it was ok.

 

I love his expression. Am I just being fanciful when I say that I can see excitement, pride, shyness and fear in that little frowning face?

See more entries in Thematic Photographic 128.

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Thematic Photographic 120: Savour

What a very intriguing theme this week.

If I were to post pictures of all or even a small percentage of the the things I savour, I'd be here till Christmas - and everyone would have lost interest and hitched a ride elsewhere.

So: pick one. What is better than music, or beautiful paintings, or the beach, or ciabatta, or a chilled glass of a good New Zealand white wine, or a warm apricot just picked ripe from the tree? What is more to be savoured than the smell of freesias, or the taste of espresso coffee? A good book, a perfect poem, an amazing movie? Can I choose anything which rates above my dog racing to greet me when I open the gate, a rib-crushing hug from my son, or the thrill I get from teaching clever, responsive young people?

Too hard.  But I have managed to finally decide that my post will be about something I really delight in, relish, enjoy to the full: travel. I really do savour the thrill of visiting other countries, finding out how people live, touching the past.

Turkey is one of the most interesting places I have ever been.

Shopping precinct, Bursa

Goreme: this woman was making a silk carpet in the traditional manner.

Cappadocia has some of the most amazing natural land formations you'll ever see:

 

This shot is of the Temple of Zeus at the ancient city of Corinth, in Greece.

 

At the Monastery of St Stephen, actually a convent, high high in the mountains of Meteora in Greece: this was such a beautiful, pleaceful place.

Thanks, Carmi and KBF, for giving me a chance to post some of my travel shots.

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