I will always love Poland, and Gdansk is one of my favorite cities in the world.
Strolling along the water and the beautiful Mariacka street is a feast for all your senses.
I keep returning…about every second year. This year, the Sharpei beauty was sitting on his steps the whole day. Posted this one before, I am sure…
We came for the WWII museum this time, very well organized, but so depressing that I returned to Mariacka afterwards, to heal.
Details that intrigue me – the Gargoyles, the steps and stairs – and the beautiful doors.
Guess who was waiting there?
Until next time! ♥
This week we are happy to have Viveka of My Guilty Pleasures as our guest host – and she has chosen Capital for us – to interpret our own special way. Maybe capital!
”Capital cities are a lot more than famous landmarks, squares, parks and monuments.” And indeed, they are. Being a former language teacher, when I travel, I always try to learn some useful phrases of that country’s language, and I enjoy very much the written language in countries that still treasure the art of calligraphy. These stones above, lie on the right side of the paved path up to the Pothala temple in Lhasa, Tibet.
I also treasure their open doors, and the friendly Tibetan people.
Peeping into the next gallery, I guess you know where I am – in Wellington, New Zealand.
With its fantastic nature, loving people and everyone being aware of how much we have to work to preserve our world and its biodiversity – NZ has its own special place in my heart. (Only Bhutan can compare. They are carbon neutral since long, even carbon negative.) The map…? Well, in Wellington and its vicinity, many scenes from the LOTR (Lord Of The Rings) were filmed – which also is a great plus in my book!
In Quito – the colourful capital of Equador, I lost myself in their Naïve art, which spoke to me as simple and frank as good children’s books do. Magical fantasy.
Edinburgh is a place to return to – great accent, festivals and all…but I met up with a dear blogging friend there – Seonaid of Breathofgreenair. I had some unforgettable days with her and her lovely family. Including her adorable dogs!
A capital I keep returning to again and again is Reykjavik, Iceland. I don’t know of any church in the world more impressive than Hallgrímskirkja. Especially when walking up to it on a snowy day like this – it’s towering like a giant spaceship.
In the end… I must agree with Viveka – Tbilisi, Georgia, stole my heart too – I believe many stolen hearts are resting there, beating there… warming Tbilisi’s friendly, hospitable people. Despite the chaos, the tearing down and building up – Tbilisi opens its warm heart to everyone, of every colour, of every culture, of every faith.
Remember to link to Viveka’s original post, and tag it with “Lens-Artists.” If you’re new to tagging, click here for an explanation of how and why.
As always, we are all looking forward to seeing your creative responses to the challenge – and thank you for your support!
For One single day this”winter”, we had a frosty delight (yesterday’s post) – all the others are grey. Here’s to cheer myself up – and you too I hope! From Croatia with love.
And the goat? He was the biggest goat I have ever seen, I would guess a mix with Alpine breed. Weight at least 75-100 kilos. Glad he was on the other side of that fence…
Cheers!
I guess Dubrovnik does not need any presentation to most of you – renowned for its beauty and millions of visitors every year. Dubrovnik, Croatia, is one of the most prominent tourist attractions here. First built in the 7th century, now with a population of about 43,000. In 1979, the city joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites.
Personally I think I enjoyed the views from a gull’s perspective even more! But the steps were numerous…,I would never have tried this in the summer heat…
You can still see traces of the war – not everything has been rebuilt yet.
I was so fascinated by that little house on top – overlooking both the sea and the old city. This lovely, early morning I could imagine sipping my coffee up there… (and the beauty of a sunset as well…)…my feet dangling from the wall. Maybe you would care to join me?
”Be creative – there are lines everywhere. Footsteps in the sand, train tracks, the walls of a town on a narrow street, a row of arches on a building or of lights at night, a babbling brook or a winding river – it’s up to you to see and shoot them.” Tina’s challenge this week is Leading Lines.
Lines natural or man made – or both! In the header, a church in Stettin.
Lines on the ground I am walking – a hike to Svartisen glacier, Norway.
Lines from more than one direction, still leading your eye to the target.
A spectacular lamp fills the room at Kosta Boda Spa Hotel – its lines are also reflected in the windows.
The Concert Hall of Stettin – lines striving for the camera window high up on the wall.
An exhibition in Denmark – but lines are leading to the lady in red!
Vadstena, Sweden – a foggy morning – how close are the trees at the end of the bridge?
Drying fish in Norway – a classic leading lines shot.
Of course I had to finish with my cats again…The Balkans tour in December brought some different leading lines – but still, I hope they are leading your eyes the right way. Click them up full size to follow them all the way!
We invite you to join us this week and explore Tina’s wonderful theme. As usual, Tina, Amy, Patti and I value your creative responses and thoughts. Thanks for joining us!
Remember to link to Tina’s original post, and tag it with “Lens-Artists.” If you’re new to tagging, click here for an explanation of how and why. Remember your post will get more views and comments if you tag. If you’ve not seen our Tag Section yet in the Word Press Reader, click here to see it.
It will be Patti’s turn to host Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #81 on Saturday, January 25, 2020. Hope to see you then!
In the header, the Orbeliani bathhouse, Tbilisi.
According to the legend, the king of ancient Iberia, Vakhtang I Gorgasali, (5th C) once hunted in the forests near the first capital of Georgia – Mtskheta. After some time, he saw a pheasant, then shot and killed the bird. The king sent his falcon to find the prey, but the falcon flew away, and the king lost sight of him. In search of the two birds, the king and his hunters finally found them – in a hot water spring. Amazed with this find of sulphuric hot springs, Vakhtang decided to build his city here.
Thus, according to legend, the city of Tbilisi was founded. The word «Tbilisi» is translated from Georgian as a city of ”warm location”.
Since then, the baths have been of great value to Tbilisi – also depending upon the city’s proximity to the lucrative Silk Road. In the 13th century there were 60 baths here, but today they are reduced to less than 10.
Famous people who took baths here are Alexander Dumas and the poet Alexander Pushkin. A plaque on the entrance to the Orbeliani Baths shows a quote from Pushkin, where he describes the baths as ‘luxurious’. The bathhouse also has got a Pushkin Suite.
You are not allowed to walk on the domes… but many children did. And grown-ups taking selfies, of course setting good examples…
If you ever visit Tbilisi, I recommend you try the baths – for the feeling and for the beauty of the interior! If you ask, you might be allowed inside just for a look.
Keep creating new windows from which to look at your world. Never accept your current view of the world as the only view. Let new awareness help you to alter your view and motivate you to be the force of change in your life. – Don Shapiro
A window can stand for so many things… and windows are attractive to any photographer. This time, Amy’s inspirational choice is A Window With a View. My windows offer very different ideas of a window view – depending on the perspective, who you are, where you are and maybe how you are.
Set wide the window. Let me drink the day.
– Edith Wharton
Windows hold a different dream for each of us.
―
If you want the people to understand you, invite them to your life and let them see the world from your window!
You have the nicest window, you know? None of the others can even compete. It´s not flashy like the others, or bleary, your window gives of this nice, quiet light.
– Banana Yoshimoto
Open the window of your mind. Allow the fresh air, new lights and new truths to enter.
– Amit Ray
These windows were found in Italy (Rome), Georgia (Tbilisi), Iceland, Poland, Sweden, Bhutan and Scotland. (My own old favorite, is in the header here. )
Thank you for sharing so many, very special spots last week! We hope you join us this week for Amy’s inspiring “A Window With a View” challenge. Just add your link to her post. (Links from the Reader are not working correctly.) Use the Lens-Artists tag to help us find you.
As always, Patti, Amy, Tina and I thank you for your continued support. Hope to see you again next week when Tina is our host for challenge #80!
Leya 
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