19-07-2011
Reached Budapest in the evening. Loved the excitement in my Grandmother's face, a holiday !
Nice hotel in Central Pest. Have brought the rain with us, sadly. Walked around at night, beautiful buildings around. More exploring tomorrow.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
England- Leeds
18-07-2011
Relaxing day.
Another movie, a bit of shopping and a visit to the Leeds Art Gallery ( creepy art piece of a sheep in formalin! ).
Spent the evening at my uncle's place where he finally cooked me a meal. What a meal, multiple starters , mains and lovely dessert. He cooks so well, just wish he did it more often.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Relaxing day.
Another movie, a bit of shopping and a visit to the Leeds Art Gallery ( creepy art piece of a sheep in formalin! ).
Spent the evening at my uncle's place where he finally cooked me a meal. What a meal, multiple starters , mains and lovely dessert. He cooks so well, just wish he did it more often.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
England- National Coal Museum
17-07-2011
The rain didn't cease for a moment so spent the day indoors.
Visited the Coal Mining museum. It is at the site of an old coal mine. Good history along with recuperating ponies and a tour of the baths but the best bit was the guided walk through the underground mine itself. That is one job I could not have done, even going down for the hour was a little scary for me ( held my mother's hand, more for her claustrophobia than mine). The lift that takes you down has no light so it's like plunging down in the dark,though relatively well lit up underground. It's drafty, cold and slippery too. One of the ex miners took us around and gave us quite an insight into their lives, not very pleasant though it did improve over the years.
Went for Delhi Belly that night. Had heard good things about the movie but I enjoyed it way more than I had expected. It is like no Hindi movie I have seen, laughed throughout.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The rain didn't cease for a moment so spent the day indoors.
Visited the Coal Mining museum. It is at the site of an old coal mine. Good history along with recuperating ponies and a tour of the baths but the best bit was the guided walk through the underground mine itself. That is one job I could not have done, even going down for the hour was a little scary for me ( held my mother's hand, more for her claustrophobia than mine). The lift that takes you down has no light so it's like plunging down in the dark,though relatively well lit up underground. It's drafty, cold and slippery too. One of the ex miners took us around and gave us quite an insight into their lives, not very pleasant though it did improve over the years.
Went for Delhi Belly that night. Had heard good things about the movie but I enjoyed it way more than I had expected. It is like no Hindi movie I have seen, laughed throughout.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
England- hiking
16-07-2011
Rained most of the morning , as the clouds dispersed we were off.
First stop the Brimham Rocks. Clambered up on a few to get great views of the surrounding areas, including the massive golf ball like structures which make up a US surveillance station. There is one where a massive rock is on a tiny base, could fall any moment , tried pushing it over, unsuccessful.
Next was Malham Cove. It was a good walk to the top and back for us as well as the three dogs. We enjoyed the top with the clints and grykes not the dogs as they kept slipping through the gaps.
Dinner plans had to be changed as Toby, the 10 month old puppy went berserk on seeing other dogs, barked loud and hard. The racket was just outside the pub so we were too embarrassed to enter with him. Great Chinese take away instead.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Rained most of the morning , as the clouds dispersed we were off.
First stop the Brimham Rocks. Clambered up on a few to get great views of the surrounding areas, including the massive golf ball like structures which make up a US surveillance station. There is one where a massive rock is on a tiny base, could fall any moment , tried pushing it over, unsuccessful.
Next was Malham Cove. It was a good walk to the top and back for us as well as the three dogs. We enjoyed the top with the clints and grykes not the dogs as they kept slipping through the gaps.
Dinner plans had to be changed as Toby, the 10 month old puppy went berserk on seeing other dogs, barked loud and hard. The racket was just outside the pub so we were too embarrassed to enter with him. Great Chinese take away instead.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
England- Sculpture Park
15-07-2011
We were discussing Henry Moore in the car and it was decided some cultural education was necessary.
The Yorkshire Sculpture Park has a variety of interesting things spread over acres and acres of greenery. Had a lot of fun trying to figure out the " Moorish" ( Henry Moore's ) sculptures. There was an area with movement sensor music so the more we jumped, more the music. One end is a picture perfect countryside of a bridge with flowing water underneath, swans gliding along and pretty wild flowers all around.
Jaime Plensa had an exhibition on display. Some very unusual pieces, a pair of large of human faces made of stainless steel mesh ( which faced you as you walked along, loved it) tree huggers and sitting humans. In the gallery were two noteworthy rooms, one filled with alabaster faces, they were in various stages of being craved and gave the room an eerie feel. I expected one to open it's eyes any moment, also seemed more like a movie 3D effect than actual 3D. The other room was the Gong room, each gong makes a different sound as you hit it, a dull boom rather than a clang. The last room had a video playing, soft porn in the name of art, don't think my grandmother liked that too much.
Spent most of the day there, the rest of it at the beach. Eating the fish and chips was a defensive game as you saved them from the ferocious seagulls. Had mine been attacked I would have screamed, dropped it all and run for sure.
Ate some ice cream and watched children trying to walk on water in large blown up plastic/rubber bubbles. An unusual thing here is that all the park benches are in the memory of somebody or the other. Found a secluded rose garden with benches , one of which had a bouquet on it for the death anniversary of the person " who sat here and loved the view" .
Seems like today is the last sunny day for the week ( as per the weather forecast), glad it was spent all outdoors.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
We were discussing Henry Moore in the car and it was decided some cultural education was necessary.
The Yorkshire Sculpture Park has a variety of interesting things spread over acres and acres of greenery. Had a lot of fun trying to figure out the " Moorish" ( Henry Moore's ) sculptures. There was an area with movement sensor music so the more we jumped, more the music. One end is a picture perfect countryside of a bridge with flowing water underneath, swans gliding along and pretty wild flowers all around.
Jaime Plensa had an exhibition on display. Some very unusual pieces, a pair of large of human faces made of stainless steel mesh ( which faced you as you walked along, loved it) tree huggers and sitting humans. In the gallery were two noteworthy rooms, one filled with alabaster faces, they were in various stages of being craved and gave the room an eerie feel. I expected one to open it's eyes any moment, also seemed more like a movie 3D effect than actual 3D. The other room was the Gong room, each gong makes a different sound as you hit it, a dull boom rather than a clang. The last room had a video playing, soft porn in the name of art, don't think my grandmother liked that too much.
Spent most of the day there, the rest of it at the beach. Eating the fish and chips was a defensive game as you saved them from the ferocious seagulls. Had mine been attacked I would have screamed, dropped it all and run for sure.
Ate some ice cream and watched children trying to walk on water in large blown up plastic/rubber bubbles. An unusual thing here is that all the park benches are in the memory of somebody or the other. Found a secluded rose garden with benches , one of which had a bouquet on it for the death anniversary of the person " who sat here and loved the view" .
Seems like today is the last sunny day for the week ( as per the weather forecast), glad it was spent all outdoors.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, July 14, 2011
England - Sturry
14-07-2011
Spent the day at Jeevan's Grand uncle. Having never met this side of the family I was a little apprehensive, quite needlessly as I had an amazing day. The grand aunt is one of the loveliest and liveliest 80 year olds I have met. Some of their grandchildren were there too, one was setting up their new 3D TV.
Saw pictures of Jeevan's great-grandparents and grandparents weddings. The grand aunt drove us around and we visited her children's houses, they both live close by.
I had a lovely day and am looking forward to being at their 50th wedding anniversary celebrations in December.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Spent the day at Jeevan's Grand uncle. Having never met this side of the family I was a little apprehensive, quite needlessly as I had an amazing day. The grand aunt is one of the loveliest and liveliest 80 year olds I have met. Some of their grandchildren were there too, one was setting up their new 3D TV.
Saw pictures of Jeevan's great-grandparents and grandparents weddings. The grand aunt drove us around and we visited her children's houses, they both live close by.
I had a lovely day and am looking forward to being at their 50th wedding anniversary celebrations in December.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
England- London- Day 3
13-07-2011
A visit to the Westminster Abbey started the day. So much history contained within these walls. Coronations, weddings and funerals of people that have had major contributions in making the world as we know it today. The funeral monuments fill a large section not only for people of royal heritage but also Thomas Hardy, D.H. Lawrence, Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton among the many others. An array of pictures of the recent Royal Wedding are on display, nice for me as I had not watched it on TV. There are two coronation chairs present as well, both have graffiti on them thanks to 18th century school boys ( things don't change overtime, do they? ).
Rushed across St. James park to see the change of guard at the Buckingham Palace , amazed at the throngs that awaited us. Got to see glimpses and then moved along.
The National Gallery was next,could have spent a day there but instead did the highlights tour. There are so many masterpieces here and amazingly the entrance is free.
Took the train to Windsor Castle. Joined the last tour of the day, the lady was not as funny as the others we have encountered recently but her love for the Queen shone through. Admired the St. George's chapel, learning about the Order of the Garter. Visited the Doll Collection, some are quite life like , followed by an exhibition celebrating Prince Philip's ninety years ( some of the family pictures have a very personal touch). Last was the Royal Apartments, now only if I could actually see the Queen's actual bed. There is quite an impressive art collection including a Rembrandt's self portrait , they are everywhere. Took pictures with the poor guard standing outside, it surely must be a form of punishment for them, constant stream of tourists flocking their sides.
For the evening we went separate ways to utilize our time well. We each met up with our own school friends. I spent the night with one of my best friends from school , it was so nice to chat half the night away.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
A visit to the Westminster Abbey started the day. So much history contained within these walls. Coronations, weddings and funerals of people that have had major contributions in making the world as we know it today. The funeral monuments fill a large section not only for people of royal heritage but also Thomas Hardy, D.H. Lawrence, Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton among the many others. An array of pictures of the recent Royal Wedding are on display, nice for me as I had not watched it on TV. There are two coronation chairs present as well, both have graffiti on them thanks to 18th century school boys ( things don't change overtime, do they? ).
Rushed across St. James park to see the change of guard at the Buckingham Palace , amazed at the throngs that awaited us. Got to see glimpses and then moved along.
The National Gallery was next,could have spent a day there but instead did the highlights tour. There are so many masterpieces here and amazingly the entrance is free.
Took the train to Windsor Castle. Joined the last tour of the day, the lady was not as funny as the others we have encountered recently but her love for the Queen shone through. Admired the St. George's chapel, learning about the Order of the Garter. Visited the Doll Collection, some are quite life like , followed by an exhibition celebrating Prince Philip's ninety years ( some of the family pictures have a very personal touch). Last was the Royal Apartments, now only if I could actually see the Queen's actual bed. There is quite an impressive art collection including a Rembrandt's self portrait , they are everywhere. Took pictures with the poor guard standing outside, it surely must be a form of punishment for them, constant stream of tourists flocking their sides.
For the evening we went separate ways to utilize our time well. We each met up with our own school friends. I spent the night with one of my best friends from school , it was so nice to chat half the night away.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)