The Seventh Mattoni Olomouc Half-Marathon

The seventh Olomouc half-marathon took place on the 25th of June, 2016 with around 6200 participants including top athletes from abroad. 

The race started at 19:00 under sizzling and humid conditions with the temperature reached 32 ℃.

The winner of the race is Kenyans Stanley Biwott, the Kenyan long-distance runner. His personal best record in a half-marathon is 58:56, according to his Wiki and he clocked 1:00:46 this time in Olomouc.

Stanley BIWOTT from Kenya, the winner of the race

He was alone after 10 km and finished his race more than 4 minutes ahead of the second place, Richard MENGICH who clocked 1:05:17.  

Richard RONOR, 6th place

Stuart ROBINSON from GBR, 11th place

Give me five -1

Give me five -2

Give me a water

Czech team

Paper cups...

Sponges...

Anthropoid

Swastika and old-fashioned tram

No No No, I am not talking about Apes, cranes or the assessment of the female pelvis in this entry...

In October last year in Prague, I happened to encounter the footage, Anthropoid. 

Official poster-Image from Wiki

When I was in front of the Jubilee Synagogue (Jeruzalémská Synagoga in Czech), a bizarre scene caught my eye. The Hakenkreuz flags were everywhere, streaming in the wind... 

My jaw was about to fall off... Well, my first thought was "Is the Buddhist temple exhibition taking place in Prague???" I finally realized that movie filming was going on when filming crews grabbed my arms and said "You can't cross the street. Hang on here"

The movie is based on the true story of "Operation Anthropoid", the code name for the assassination of SS-Obergruppenführer and General der Polizei Reinhard Heydrich, who is a head of the Reich Main Security Office, RSHA, the combined security services of Nazi Germany and acting Reichsprotektor of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.

The operation was carried out in Prague on 27 May 1942 after having been prepared by the British Special Operations Executive with the approval of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile. 

Although only wounded in the attack, Heydrich died of his injuries on 4 June 1942. His death led to a wave of merciless reprisals by German SS troops, including the destruction of villages and the killing of civilians.

The film has its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on the 1st of July, 2016, and will be released on the 12th of August this year by Bleecker Street.

It looks like the military alliance between Nazis and Japan. Where is Italian Empire??

Old trams, classic cars, and posters written in German decorated the street.

Kostel svatého Tomáše

The Church of Saint Thomas and the Annunciation is a historic church located in the city center of Brno. The church was founded in the middle of the 14th century by John Henry of Luxembourg, and Margrave of Moravia. 

 Recently the statue of a knight holding a spear sitting on a long-legged horse appeared.

The knight is named Jobst of Moravia, a son of John Henry, is buried here together with his father.

Gallery and cafe are located at the right arm of the church building.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Kirkstall Abbey Part Three

This is the last entry of Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds.

Suddenly British lass appeared in front of me while shooting...

Bobrava river valley in Brno

My knees hurt!!!

In the morning on the 29th of May (Saturday) I was in Brno hl.n. (main station) to join the monthly event organized by Marta, ambassador in Inter Nations Brno Community. It was my first time joining the event but I am glad that I did.

Community Ambassadors organize events monthly and the one in May was trekking along the Bobrava river in the southern part of Brno... Altogether we had around 14-15 km pleasant walk, thanks to the nice weather.

Encountering animals and pretty flowers were refreshing and entertaining moments.

Besides, we had such a wonderful companion, a female Siberian husky named Kira! She is very calm with a wonderful personality. We all fell in love with Kira!

At last, I would like to thank Marta and the wonderful community members for providing me with such a wonderful opportunity to enjoy beautiful nature in spring!!!

More photos Marta took can be found here.

Kirkstall Abbey Part Two

This is a part two entry of Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds. Only photos.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Kirkstall Abbey

Long time no see. Sorry for that...

Yes, I am still alive.

Western Elevation

As you're already aware of, I am obsessed with ruins - a beauty of destruction... 

Lay brothers' dormitory

Kirkstall Abbey, founded in AC 1152 by Abbot Alexander, is a ruined Cistercian monastery in Kirkstall northwest of Leeds city center in West Yorkshire, England. It is fortunate that the abbey buildings escaped the wholesale destruction and plunder that took place elsewhere, which made Kirkstall abbey the most complete set of Cistercian ruins in Britain. 

Novices' quarter

The abbey today is a Grade I listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument. It is now home to a visitor center with interactive exhibits after a £5.5m renovation program.

Unlike most of the famous abbeys, it is free of charge!!!

It's open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 16:30 (April to September), and from 10:00 to 16:00 (October to March).

Infirmary

It is situated in a public park on the north bank of the River Aire. For more info, please visit the visitor's information.

Olomouc Town Hall

Zoom-Zoom-Zoom while the shutter is open...

Bizarre Sky In York

I've lived in New York for 3 years but this was my first time visiting York in England... 

Clifford's Tower at night

I rambled downtown and spent time in York Castle (commonly referred to as Clifford's Tower).

York Castle Museum at night

It was an almost full moon when I was there and the sky was covered with the bizarre shape of clouds.

Clifford's Tower at dusk