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April 2007
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personal
Pictures from Budapest
Budapest consist of two parts. Buda and Pest. The Danube devides the two parts. The castle in the background is on the Buda side. The chain bridge in the background is the first (real) bridge and was build about 100 years ago (if I remember correctly). The pretty girl in front is Sheri.
A “view” from the other side. The building in the background are the parlement buildings. Too bad of that big head blocking the rest of the view.
Apparently, this is me all day. Sheri claims that I don’t see anything because I’m reading in my guidebooks all day long. WRONG! I also look things up on my Blackberry.
I already miss the architecture in Budapest. And the courtyards. This is just a courtyard we found by walking into one of the enterances. No mention in any of my books.
Communist public art has almost completely disappeared from Budapest. But somebody was thinking ahead when they decided to collect most pieces and put them on display in a special park. I love social realism myself, I couldn’t get enough. The pieces were so over the top, with this one as a favourite.
Also in statue park. Stalins boots are all that’s left of this huge statue. It wasn’t the fall of communism in the early 90s that toppled him, it was the 1956 uprising. They never bothered to replace the statue but the parade balcony was still used.
Yes, it is possible to fall in love with a building. The Elephant House is the Zoo. I couldn’t get enough of it.
The dome inside the Elephant House. Look at the decorative art. The gold is the chandaleer, also with little elephants. I’m tempted to paint my ceiling like this at home when Sheri’s away for a few days.
One of the enterances into the Elephant House.
No, I’m not always looking in my guidebooks. The rest of the time I’m writing in my journal.
The Széchényi Spa where we spent our last afternoon is more like a giant palace. Picture is taken from the tower of the Elephant House by the way… -
personal
Spa in Budapest
We’re in one of the many thermal spas in Budapest. Its one of the must do’s. It was a little intimidating because you have no idea what the procedures are but everybody is very friendly and helpfull. It’s our last day here and I’m going to miss this city a lot. It’s an Art Nouveau Disney Land and I thouroughly enjoyed discovering some great buildings just by wandering around the city.
The highlight of Budapest was the zoo. Sheru refuses to go to zoos so I went alone. Not for the animals but for the architecture. I’m jealous of the elephants in the elephant house. They have the coolest Art Deco building! I loved it. I took dozens of pictures, but not of the elephants. The people must have thought I’m nuts. They gave me some funny looks. But I didn’t care, I was deeply in love with the building. When I find an internet café I’ll put some pictures up.
Another very cool thing was statue park. This is where all the statues and placks of the socialist area reside now. Typical communist statues. Massive and glorifying the soviets.
Terror house provided us with the realities of this and the Nazi era. Its a museum in the formar headquarters of the secret police. It was impressive, moving and very well done.
A few more hours and we’re off take take a night train to Poland.
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Elvira and Lisa, this one if for you.
Elvira and Lisa, this one if for you.
Originally uploaded by wilhelmus.
We’re in our second full day in Budapest. Its a great city and the weather is hot again. Twice above the normal temperature we’ve been told. We’re at gerbeaud, an 150 year old cafee, famous for its pastries.
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First full day in Ljubljana
Ljubljana is a great little city. It reminds me of Salyburg a little bit. Old streets, castle on the hill. Salyburg is a lot more touristz tought. Ljubljana hasnt completely transfered itself into a tourist Mekka, but that time will probablz come because it has a lot going for it. Its a tourist town so there are hip young people everzwhere. The streets are lined up with cafes and patios. The weather is great so we spend a lot of time sitting on patios, drinking coffee or a beer.
Sheri at the river. In the background the market designed by Jože Plečnik. This architect transformed the city in the early 20th century and did some really cool stuff.
Interesting artwork inside our hostel.
William on one of the bridges. In the background the tripple bridge, also created by Plečnik.
The staircase up to the castle tower.
Sheri on top of the castle tower. Beautiful views. -
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Celebrations in Zell am See
OK, a few more pictures from Zell am See. These are from the last couple of days.
Sheri, Kevin and another Sheri, one of the other parents during a team dinner.
A video of the Canadian team singing O Canada during the winners celebrations.
Nolan with the cup.
Packs on and readz to move on.
Sheri waiting for the train.
On the way to Ljubljana. The train ride was only 4 hours and went through the alps, beautiful views everywhere.
Arrival at our hostel. The inside is a lot better then from what it looks like on the outside (it has free Internet!). Its also in the middle of the old town, on the river. We had a long night the night before so we crashed and slept for 14 hours. -
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Last picture from Zell am See
Last picture from Zell am See
Originally uploaded by wilhelmus.
We’re in the train on our way to Ljubljiana.
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Canada wins!
Canada wins!
Originally uploaded by wilhelmus.
The tournament is over. Canada won every game with all shut outs. It was very cool and I’m sure all these kids will carry the experience with them for the rest of their lives.
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Team dinner
Team dinner
Originally uploaded by wilhelmus.
So Canada made it to the final round robin. The winners of this will win the tournament. No championship game. Canada won both games today. The first one was hard fought and the second was the usual walk-over. One more game tomorrow and its over. The team will make its way back to Germany to fly home. Sheri and I will continue to ljubljana.
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Salzburg
This is my first post from an actual computer and not my Blackberry on this trip. It´s very cool to post directly from my cell phone when something happens. It´s a sign of things to come for sure. I´ve been using my Blackberry for many things. Google Maps for directions, the internet for looking up train schedules, my email to stay in contact of course, and in Salzburg, the tourism office offers phone tours, you dail a number to get information about certain sights over the phone. Very interesting.
Sazburg is a very nice city and we enjoyed our two days a lot. We´ve been there before but I don´t think it will be the last time. There´s something very authentic about the city. Everything is kept in the style of days gone by. The people are extremely friendly and the sights are great. The weather was excellent so we spend a lot of time sitting in the sun of one of the many outdoor patios.
Sheri made friends in a local pub, including this old man.
Everywhere you go in Salzburg, you see the Mozart Balls. Mozart came from Salzburg of course and over 100 years ago somebody made a chocolate delicatesse and named it after it´s famous citizen. We found the store of the inventors great, great grandson who sells the original and tried them out. Excellent.
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William Bakker is Chief Strategist at Destination Think!. These are my personal thoughts.
