I find taking night shots a challenge especially when the camera is handheld and it is windy but I really enjoy this challenge. Paris is one of the best places to take night shots. These photos were taken on top and around Eiffel Tower and at the Montparnasse Tower. It felt so amazing taking these photos and one of the reasons why I wanted to visit Paris in Winter. And of course, I love Paris and there is really not much to say about it.
I found it interesting that I haven’t written about Cambodia, a country that I call my first country love and where I’ve lived for almost 9 years. Cambodia has never been a place for holiday for me. It was always about work – meeting, workshops, consultancies. But let me get over it and share a bit of my after workshop and before meetings visit to Angkor Wat.
I’ve been to Angkot Wat many times before. Those times when you can actually climb the stone steps and you can wander around. I even remember driving the truck inside. It was that Tom Rider like kind of feeling which is not there anymore.
It was a long day after the workshop. But I didn’t really mind arriving in Angkor Wat a little bit just before the sunset. It was already closed but the sunset is always there to experience.
So this was the plan. On Saturday before heading to Phnom Penh was the time to go inside. I had to wake up at 04:30. But guess what, my alarm don’t go off on a Saturday! Happy for friends who knocked my door. Arriving in Angkor Wat, I saw this many people. Here you would never feel alone! If you can count how many people there were, then you are a counting expert. If you can count how many cameras, then you are a super counting expert with super sharp eyesight! People were waiting for the sun to rise behind Angkor Wat.
Even this pig was taking its chance!
But what can I say, the sunrise is beautiful!
This girl is my favourite model.
And a trip is never complete without the roadside shopping.
There was no other way but to stay at the Van Gogh Hotel. Of course, where else? This hotel is located, where else, but across the Van Gogh Museum! The wall has the Red Vineyards near Arles 1888. I saw the real one in March at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow.
But no, that was not the most important for the first evening in Amsterdam. It was the 10 kilometres walk in the rain, looking for Jaime’s Fifteen. The entrée was so worth the walk. So you can imagine how the main course and the dessert went. It was glorious. Jaime, you never fail to deliver! But it was not cheap. And no, it was not this meal. This is a painting of a photo I took at Rijksmuseum, painted by Willem Claesz Heda.
And guess if I didn’t gasp for air at Rijksmuseum? I didn’t know that The Night Watch by Rembrandt is huge.
There were many things I loved about Amsterdam. I did lots of sketching and lettering by the canals and at the park. The houses by the canals are pretty. I had a try at sketching them. Now I know that I don’t have to draw them straight because they are not. Some are worst than the others like in the verge of collapse. But not really. They are just a bit too tilted. One time, an old man politely approached me and asked if he can see my drawings. Well…
And of course, there was Van Gogh. I love his Japanese inspired paintings.
Here are some of the night shots that I love to take.
And lastly, I met Super Dog. Of course, I have to meet Super Dog. probably his name is Cal!
There are countries that I have been ignoring. I don’t know why. Maybe there is not enough attraction within me to imagine visiting them. But when I arrived in Prague, I immediately overcame this feeling. I was charmed. I was captivated, to be honest. Here are some of the reasons why:
There were many other enjoyable things in Prague. It was lovely to dine by the river and try the local food. Walking up the hill soaked in the rain was memorable too. The trip ended by being upgraded to Business Class on the way home.
It was never enough to stay in Firenze. Other cities are easily accessible by train from Firenze. Poggibonsi, Siena, Livorno, San Gimignano and Pisa are beautiful places to see. Siena is pretty. Livorno is by the seaside. San Gimignano is a medieval city with skyscrapers. And Pisa, you know Pisa!Of course, one morning was spent looking for tickets to see David, Venus and Primavera. When they told me that there were no more tickets available for the days I was there, that reality could never surpassed me. I had and got the tickets that I wanted. I was awestruck to see Venus!
But one frustrating thing though was to see shops after shops of leather goods and none selling leather jeans except those they made in the 80’s. You can imagine how they look like! I also have a new favourite word – Arrivederci. I also love saying Poggibonsi and Nocciola. Nocciola Gelato!
I thought I was going to the zoo but I ended up in another country! But this is how it is. It is very easy to get on a cruise ship from Helsinki and go to Tallinn. I am not sure what I like about going to Tallinn. Maybe just the idea of being in the open sea. And when I get to Tallinn, I get to walk. I’m the walking type!
And of course, there was the nice lunch and the obligary coffee break at the oldest cafe in Tallinn built in 1864.
I also love the sunset departures at 22:30 and arriving past midnight in Helsinki.
The cruise terminal is only some 25 minutes walk from the flat. So I get to walk again…
I must say that one of the reasons I decided to visit New York in April was to take night shots. I really didn’t mind the cold and the wind on these April nights. I was determined to shoot these amazing views. Aren’t they stunning? Can you name some of these famous landmarks?
It was in New York where I stayed in the tiniest hotel room ever. And yet, it was the most expensive room that I’ve ever stayed in. The hotel was located in Times Square by the Broadway and along Wall Street.
Nothing can beat this breakfast. Really, what can! There was an actual piano with an actual guy playing it. He played the Godfather theme song Speak Softly, Love and many other classics. But the best part was when he played As Time Goes By…
I highly recommend visiting Moscow. It was said that Moscow is the most unfriendly city in the world. But to my experience, people were not only beautiful and stylish but very kind, friendly, helpful and they care. I saw a very clean and safe Moscow.
Of course, lunch was at Jaime’s Italian. It was so good! And that truffle pizza… I need not say more. Cappuccino and Tiramisu, anyone? Great 70’s music too!
One interesting place was the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts where it is full of plaster cast reproductions.
A huge plaster cast reproduction of David is there. It survived the World War II. Also a plaster cast reproduction of Pietá. I have seen the original one many years ago at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Then there is the opera. What a great performance of the Phantom of the Opera. I was sat at the
Then lastly, two contrasting photos of Moscow…
As soon as I was able to check in at the hotel, I was in a state of panic. I wanted to see the Scream. I panicked not because of the Scream itself and how it looks like but because I have no internal compass. No sense of direction. How will I ever locate the Scream?
I had a map which doesn’t really help a person who has the tendency to go to the opposite direction all of the time. I could stare endlessly at the enlarged map on the hotel wall with all the markings on it hoping to make it easy for tourists. But to be honest, none of this will help. I need to speak to a living soul.
So I headed out of the hotel gathering all the courage from within my entire being. I was glad for the rain to stop momentarily. At least, I don’t have to be carrying around my pink umbrella. I asked a by-passer if she knew where the Munch Museum is. She was really helpful to stop and to say no. She had no idea. Then I saw a young father holding the hand of a boy while carrying another one on his back. I said to myself, “For sure, they have seen the Scream.” And so I asked. He slowly shook his head and said no. With all this asking, I had to get to the kiosk to buy a bottle of water. At the counter, I asked the cashier the same question. In turn, she asked the other girl, then the other, then the other. Then almost in unison, they came back to me and said, “No.” This made me suspicious. I thought Edvard Munch is famous. I thought Scream is well known. I almost wanted to recreate how Scream looks like to make a point which may or may not help.
My last resort was to ask the receptionist at the nearby hotel. This man who was double my size in length and width revealed an enormous map. He pointed here, there and everywhere on the map. But the most helpful tip was to point to me where the Metro station is. There I will take the underground train that will lead me to the Munch Museum.
Finally at the Munch Museum, I was going back and forth. I might have dizzied the guards just by looking at me. But really, where is the Scream? This can’t be the Scream. It should be in colour. Not this Lithograph in black on thick tan card! How can I explain that to myself?
I was so disappointed. I was about to scold the guard. But then it’s not his fault, is it?. So I spoke to him gently because in a way, I should speak softly in the museum.
I said, “So the Scream is not here.”
He replied, “No.” (That word again!)
I said, “So it is in the National Gallery.”
He answered, “Yes.”
I asked, “How will I get to the National Gallery?”
He replied, “You can goggle it.”
My conclusion, he doesn’t know where the National Gallery is, like the others who don’t know where the Munch Museum is.
And so another adventure began for me. But to make the long adventure short, I did find the National Gallery and sat in front of the Scream for the longest time with a group of people recreating the Scream expression. I must say, I had fun!
And about the coffee. Well, they served it in a bowl.
