Brimham Rocks Part 2

This is part 2 entry of Brimham rocks in England.

As you already noticed, I was blessed by the God of weather when I was there:) The sky was astonishingly blue and it was not so hot.

I guess I had chuckles on my face and kept moving from one weird rock to another. 

The place is owned by National Trust, which is a conservation organization in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The place is part of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Yes, I agree. The place is outstanding, indeed!!!

Although the place is owned by National Trust, entry is free of charge but car parking is charged if you're not a member of the National Trust. It's open all year round from 8 AM until dusk.

The place can be seen in BeeGee's video, "You Win Again (1987). 

Well, I personally prefer "Stayin' Alive"

Variations of rock formations are caused by Milestone Grit being eroded by water, glaciation and wind, some of which have formed amazing shapes. Many formations have been named, though imagination and the correct viewing angle are required. 

Since it's very popular place among children, kids were everywhere.

Brimham Rocks

Brimham Rocks are balancing rock formations on Brimham Moor in North Yorkshire, England. I fell in love with these rocks when I first saw photos of the place!!! 

I was stunned by the variations of rock formations there and the weather was beautiful.

I will post more photos. Stay tuned!

This is a Skywatch Friday entry.

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

The Jerónimos Monastery/Hieronymites Monastery is located near the shore of the parish of Belém in Lisbon. This is probably the most impressive symbol of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of Discovery. In 1983, along with Belém Tower, it was classified a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The construction of the monastery and church was inaugurated on the order of King Manuel I in 1502 and the initial planned construction period was only 8 years, however, in reality, it was completed 100 years later!!! Thanks to the unprecedentedly rich influx of tax on commerce from Africa and the Orient, the architects were not limited to small-scale plans.

Soon after entering the western portal of the Church of Santa Maria, there are two stone thumbs, Vasco da Gama and  Luís de Camões who is the greatest poet and chronicler of the Age of Discoveries. Both tombs were sculpted by Costa Mota, tio in a harmonious neo-Manueline style. The mortal remains of both were transferred to these tombs in 1880.

On December 13th, 2007, the Treaty of Lisbon was signed at the monastery.

Whitby Abbey Part Three

This is the last entry of Whitby Abbey!

This is The Weekend in Black and White entry, 15th May 2015. 

   

Have a wonderful weekend.

Whitby Abbey Part Two

This is a part two entry of the beloved Whitby Abbey ruin in England.

Whitby Abbey Part One

I love ruins. I don't know why I am more attracted by ruins than fully restored structures... 

Taken by Infrared camera

The ruined Whitby Abbey belonged to the Benedictine monastery that was a center of prayer and study for over four centuries. It is located on the East Cliff above Whitby in North Yorkshire, England.

The first monastery was founded in 657 AD by the Anglo-Saxon era King of Northumbria. In the 7th and 8th centuries it was the site of a thriving Anglian town and a famous religious community.

Again, taken by Infrared camera

Open from 10:00 to 18:00, 7.5 £

To be continued.

Corn Exchange

Prior to visiting places I've never been to, I go to Flickr, find photogenic images, and try to visit places where photos were taken. Leeds Corn Exchange caught my eye.



Corn Exchange, one of Britain's finest Victorian buildings designed by Cuthbert Brodrick, was completed in 1864. This Grade 1 listed structure is now just one of three Corn Exchanges in the country, which still operates in its traditional capacity as a center for trade.

After the restoration, it was renovated in 2008 as a boutique shopping center. It is also the place for coffee (or tea?).

Among the cozy shops there, my favorite one is WY Cameras, selling vintage film cameras, lenses, and else.

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

This is part 3 entry of Belém (Lisbon).

The fifty-meter tall Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) shaped like a ship's prow, can be found on the northern bank of the Tagus River estuary. For sure, it represents a romanticized idealization of Portuguese exploration!

That's where Vasco da Gama embarked on his voyage to India in 1497 and also where Christopher Columbus had to anchor his ships due to the storm on his way back to Spain after his triumphal discovery of the Americas. It's around 900 meters away from Belém Tower, BTW.

The monument was built in 1960 on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator's death. It should be noted that the monument we see today is the replica of the original one that was built for the Portuguese World Fair opening in June 1940. The original monument was demolished after the exposition. 

Great people on the western side

In total, there are 33 figures along two sides of the monument. That includes great people with a variety of occupations and each idealized figure is designed to show movement toward the unknown sea.

This is The Weekend in Black and White entry, 16th January 2015. and Shadow Shot Sunday 2. 

       

Have a wonderful weekend.

Museu da Electricidade

Photos taken in Belém (Lisbon) continue...

The electricity Museum was established in 1990. After going through rehabilitation, buildings and interiors were renovated in 2006. Since then visitors can experience and enjoy various cultural and scientific exhibits as part of the museum's initiatives to make science more fun and exciting. The permanent exhibition shows original machinery and educational spaces with demonstrations that can entertain visitors of all ages. 

When I got there, the museum was already closed, however, this was the first building that caught my attention while taking the tram. It is located just in front of a tram stop.

It's free of charge, and opens from 10 AM to 6 PM (closed on Monday).

Torre de Belém

Happy New Year!

The 1st entry of 2015 is from Lisbon. The photos were taken during my Christmas vacation in my beloved country, Portugal!

Torre de Belém is located in the southwesternmost civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém in the municipality of Lisbon. Belém is derived from the Portuguese word for Bethlehem. 

Along with Jerónimous Monastery, the Tower of Belém is registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tower was built on a small island in the Tagus River near the Lisbon shore in the Age of Discoveries.

I enjoyed what the parish of Belém has to offer. There are numerous architectures and places for shooting - Padrao dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries), Museu Nacional de Arqueologia (National Archaeology Museum), Museum da Marinha (Navy Museum), Centro Cultural de Belém (Cultural Centre of Belém), Museu da Electricidade (Electricity Museum) and so on...  

Image from Wiki

Pastel de nata (egg tart pastry) was very yummy, BTW! It is a "must-visit" shop! 

Gare do Oriente

Instead of coming back to Japan, I decided to head to Portugal for Christmas vacation this year. The view of the Oriente station, one of the main transport hubs in Lisbon, is just stunning! Loving it!

Oriente Station is one of the world's largest stations which makes it as busy as Grand Central Terminal in NYC, according to Wiki, however, when I took photos around 10 PM, it was almost empty...

Merry Christmas!

St. John of Nepomuk

The Prague Castle (or Wiki site) is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records... This is also the official residence and office of the president of the Czech Republic. It took almost one day to explore the Castle. As I have zero knowledge about Christianity architecture (Gothic style? or Renaissance style??), please visit the links above...

This is the tomb of John of Nepomuk in St. Vitus Cathedral. You have to pay to see it... It's Prague, you know.

It caught my eye as I like shiny metallic colors.

You can also meet him in Charles Bridge. He is a national saint of the Czech Republic and is often portrayed with a halo of five stars, the palm of martyrs. He also carries s cross (crucified Jesus). This statue is the oldest on the bridge.

In 1393, he was thrown into the Vitava river at the site where his statue is currently standing.

Iron Forged Grid with St. John Nepomuk carving

The great majority of tourists come to touch him, anticipating to bring good fortune and ensuring to return to Prague soon.

Me? 

Of course, I did not touch him.