Autumn Leaves In Olomouc

Czechoslovak Independence Day in 2015 Part Two

This is part two entry of the Czechoslovak Independence Day featuring ceremony and fireworks.

After the military procession with marching orchestra bands, they arrived at Žižkově náměstí.

The ceremony was solemn and touching...

You may find participants, especially kids, holding lanterns.

Then it's time for fireworks!!! 

It's a lot of fun taking photos of fireworks because my camera, Olympus OM-D EM-5, has a very cool function called "Live Bulb" Please watch the video below if you're interested in.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Czechoslovak Independence Day in 2015

October 28th is a public holiday in the Czech Republic. Rather, it's Independence day. On October 28th in 1918 Czechoslovakia declared its independence from Austro-Hungarian Empire.

In Olomouc, starting at 17:40 there was a military procession leaving from Horní náměstí and headed for Žižkově náměstí where the ceremony took place. 

This is my 3rd time taking photos of a military procession. Until last year female soldier led the procession, however, this is not the case this year...

In 2013, there were cheer girls in the procession but all I could see were male soldiers this year...  

That's how it was in 2013

Something happened??? Rules changed???

Happy Independence Day!

To be continued...

Sir Nicholas Winton

It was almost three years since the first time I arrived at Prague railway main station (Hlavní nádraží), however, it was very recently when I noticed the statues of a gentleman and two children on platform 1. The statue, created by Flor Kent,  was unveiled on the 1st of September 2009 as part of a larger commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the last Kindertransport train (also called the Winton train).

The name of the gentleman in the statue is Sir Nicholas Winton (19 May 1909 – 1 July 2015). 

Who is he?

That was my first stupid question when I found his name. Then looked him up and I was stunned! He is a British gentleman born in a Jewish family. Later on, his family converted to Christianity and he was baptized. 

If you are interested in him, please visit his Wiki site and/or his HP.

In brief, he organized the rescue of 669 children, most of them Jewish, from Czechoslovakia on the eve of the Second World War in an operation later known as "children transportation". Prague railway main station was the embarkation point for the children who were evacuated to London Liverpool Street station via the Port of Harwich.

Due to his exploits, the British press dubbed him the "British Schindler", however, Winton's humanitarian exploits were recognized over 40 years later by his Danish wife, Grete Gjelstrup. In February 1988 his exploits were broadcasted in the BBC television program "That's Life!". 

Winton was awarded the highest honor of the Czech Republic, the Order of the White Lion, by Czech President on 28 October 2014.

Street Performance in Prague Part Three

I still can't figure out how it works.... Any idea???

For those who are curious about previous street performances in Prague, click the photos below.

Part Two

Part One

Brimham Rocks Part 3

This is part 3 entry of Brimham rocks. All images are taken with an Infrared camera!

Let's Go Home!

Street snapshot in Leeds, UK...

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.

Unidentified Flying Object...

I got A LOT of goosebumps and shivers when I first took a glance at the first image below... An image captured inside the church in an old town in the UK...

Please look carefully at the two similar photos below and compare them... I always take photos in RAW format and enjoy playing RAW images with photoshop, however, these two photos are straight out of my camera. I tell you that my photoshop skills aren't good enough to trick people. All I did was shrink the image size and embed the logo of this photoblog...

The above one was taken at 15:38 on xx of August 2015 at St John the Baptist in Knaresborough, UK and the one below was at 15:56 on the same day at the same place with a different angle...

I am generally heedless of spiritual matters or occults. I try to understand the universe based on science. I believe (or want to believe) that the floating mold in the first photo heaved into sight due to multiple reflections of lights within the lens (=camera lens flare) under a particular light angle and source. 

I got down on my knees when I took the second photo. Nothing happened. Whew!!!!

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.