Lake Malawi

It's been a while since the last time I posted photos I took in Olomouc. When I heard the sounds of live music and the audience ovation, I decided to head for Horní náměstí Olomouc to shoot what was going on.

When I was there, Lake Malawi, a Czech indie rock band, was ready to rock on. 

To be honest I knew nothing about this band, Lake Malawi... It appears that they are quite popular among lass!

This is Our World: 14 September entry.

Ostrava - Vitkovice

I visited the 3rd largest city in the Czech Republic, Ostrava, located in the northeastern area that is close to the Polish border. I was there just to take photos of the National cultural landmark, including the Hlubina coral mine, coking plant, and blast furnaces. They are located in Vítkovice. 

Although it was only a night stay there, I visited twice - daytime and at night. When buildings were lit up after the sunset, they looked like Moon bases. When I got off the tram at Vítkovice vys. pece, I immediately fell in love with the area!!! The view was just breathtaking.

When I was there, there was an opera concert taking place. I am not sure if you can see an audience in the photo below. As I did not have a ticket I could not walk around during the concert... Well, I should not complain because I could take photos by listening to opera songs like BGM. It was free of charge.

Although I haven't explored the Czech Republic thoroughly yet, Vitkovice is by far my favorite place! I promised myself to visit there once again, expecting that there is no more events.

This is Our World Tuesday entry.

Street Performance in Prague

No wording necessary. 

Kinds had a lot of fun playing with soap bubbles in the sizzling summer.

This is Our World Tuesday - Bastille Day entry.

Christmas Tree Is Coming To Town!

Last weekend has been thickly foggy that turned mundane scenes into an utterly mysterious vibe. I had lots of fun shooting this opportunity.

Then I happened to encounter a Christmas tree set-up.

Day one - fixing the tree

Obviously, the Christmas season is coming and the town is getting ready to cheer inhabitants up.

Day two - decorating with illuminations

The following day I saw guys decorating over the ten-meter-tall tree with Christmas illuminations. Fortunately, it was not windy that night.

Note that these images are not hijacked by flares.  It was just plain foggy conditions.

This is Our World Tuesday November 18, 2013 entry.

Have a wonderful week.

Czechoslovak Independence Day

October 28th is the anniversary of the establishment of Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovak declared independence on the 28th of October, 1918, against the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

When it comes to celebrating Independence Day, having fireworks is mandatory. I found info regarding the celebration in Olomouc and went downtown with a tripod.

I expected to see tons of national flags overwhelming the city but I was wrong... Rather I hardly see any national pride but the soldiers looked so cool.

The ceremony was solemn and took place at Žižkově náměstí.

View Larger Map

Since this was my first time to be there, my positioning for shooting fireworks was so bad...

This is Our World: 28 October entry.

Have a wonderful week.

Hradisko Monastery

It's time to post photos taken in Olomouc.

Taken by an infrared camera

It was my second visit to the Hradisko Monastery last weekend. The first visit was one week after my arrival in Olomouc (11 months ago). I had an appointment to see a doctor for a health check and I was taken to this Monastery... Hradisko Monastery has served as a Military hospital since 1802, according to Wiki. Now it's open to non-soldiers.

While wondering "A Japanese citizen visiting Monastery to see a doctor???", a doctor - aged over 80 with completely white hair - appeared and asked questions.

Doctor: How tall are you? 

Me: 173 cm

Doctor: Your weight? 

Me: 53.5 kg

Doctor: Oh, you are Bantamweight.  

He, who appears to belong to the WBC Heavyweight class, must be lefty as his slow jab came from his right hand and left upper with a pen...

Doctor: What is your blood type?

Me: O

Doctor: Do you smoke?

Me: Never in my life.

Doctor: Very well.

He opened a book for the color blindness test.

Doctor: Can you see the number?

I answered what was seen.

Doctor: OK, you can drive a car in the Czech Republic if you have a driver's license. Have a good day, Bye-bye.

He did not examine my heart rate, blood pressure, no blood and urine tests, no X-ray, nothing but I was proven healthy... It was a bizarre experience, though the building was awesome.

Since my current apartment is located just across the river, I decided to visit there again. With the camera not as a patient.

This is Our World Tuesday, 30 September, 2013 entry.

A Visit to Moravian Karst Part Two

This is a part two entry of our Moravian Karst trip. For those who missed part one entry, here is the link.

Since underground rivers run through karst, the tour consists of a boat cruise. The sailor must be a great entertainer because all the passengers had a great laugh at it, except me:( So it appears that lots of Czech jokes kept going on during the cruise and I felt like an idiot not to get it...  But the colors of the water were just stunning!

At the next stop, you encounter terrific sceneries again and again. Simply stunning!

When your eyes are used to dim light conditions, Macocha Abyss comes in sight. What a drastic change!

Then we all walked home...

No no, we went trekking after the tour.

This is Our World: 19 August 2013 entry.

Have a wonderful week.

Pedestrians

On my way home two pedestrians passing by me and heading to St. Michael's Church...

This is a Our World Tuesday Week 76 and NF Inspiring Photography/Catching the light 32 entry.

                

Have a wonderful day.

St. Michael's Church

These two photos were taken inside St. Michael's Church.

I kinda like a virtual tour of the ground floor.

This is Our World Tuesday, week 73, and Tina's Wordless Wednesday #71  entry.

              

Ceremony

At St. Wenceslas Cathedral.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

This is an Our World Tuesday entry.