Showing posts with label Explorer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Explorer. Show all posts

Sunday, 14 September 2014

Madeira

Madeira, Funchal, 04/09/2014 to 08/09/2014

Not a bad 3 and a half hour flight time spent as always in the middle of the plane sitting on a wing with no view and a screaming baby for company.

We jumped on the Areobus that took us directly into the city, what a view from the top as you approach too! Weather hits you pretty bad when walking into the day light sun, just what i needed!

As for the hotel, what a gorgeous place to call home for four nights. Very well maintained, some stunning views wherever you walked, friendly staff and all the amenities you could ask for.
They are very serious about looking after the environment here, separate bins for different waste, do we really need to wash your towel every day? although the showers are not limited to how much water a guest can use!

1st time using the self passport scanner, defiantly still a human role over a computer, too many idiots going through and not reading the signs properly.

There was plenty to do, I particularly liked the cable car ride to the top of the city, monte. With a stunning yet short walk around a corner to jump on a wooden toboggan, where you are dragged down the hills for 2km by two men dresses in white with funny hats. The CR7 museum was also really good, tonnes of medals, photographs and hat trick footballs, all confirming who the best player in the world is, Cristiano Ronaldo. Also on offer are day trips around the island, wine tasting sessions and loads of boat trips on offer with Funchal being a harbour town to.

Food was fantastic, although nothing regional, national to scream about. Although there national cake and wine where exceptionally good. Night life, there wasn't any, this is a place for the older at heart to come and unwind and chill away from the youths of today.


Fantastic time away, some photos below for you all.








Sunday, 17 November 2013

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

10/11/2013 - 12/11/2013

Surreal moments in beautiful surroundings.....

There are 88 canals in Amsterdam, try saying this in Dutch, what a tongue twister! but honestly there are so many canals, so many opportunities for a picture.

What a beautiful city, no wonder my friend visits at least once a year, or could that be due to the hundreds of coffee shops with extremely potent smells coming out of them....

Be very careful of the cyclist, they are not afraid to run you down if you are in the way. When crossing the road, 1st look out for bikes, then cars, then the trams......

Cheese shops all over the place
Van gosh was inspiring
Anne frank made me sad
No specific Dutch cuisine
Very impressed so many Dutch Speak English. Is the due to BBC being shown on their national TV
Using those red doors must be quite embarrassing! 'red light district'
Enjoy the pictures, I think I have capture everything there is to do in Amsterdam, although I wasn't aloud any evidence of the cities 'coffee shops'














Photographers are not the photographed


Sunday, 20 October 2013

Rochester Castle




Rochester Castle

20/10/2013

Inspiring, well built, rock solid, empowering, challenging, historic, victorious, protecting, damaging, powerful









Friday, 11 October 2013

Neo Bankside

Neo Bankside

09/10/2013

What a fabulous building and there are 3 of these monsters. Situated in the massively developing Southbank site, such a lovely area but it is slowly turning into a metropolis. Each structure contains luxury apartments worth between 1.5 and 6 million pounds. 

We were invited to the penthouse suite (not sure how much this one was worth!) on the 22nd floor for a blueprint magazine 30th birthday bash. Filling this very minimalist and modern dwelling were architects and designers, all with a passion for the magazine, and of course the free champagne. One of which, a Sir Richard Rogers, who was awarded the very 1st blueprint award for his innovative involvement to the architectural scene. 

Once the speeches were done we were treated to 360 degree views around central London, over looking iconic buildings like the shard, St Paul's and an illuminated London Eye. I wouldn't want to live here but I would very much spend a weekend here!!








Saturday, 7 September 2013

Hever Castle

Picture taken with an iPhone 5

Light has helped create something quite dramatic. Taking all of the colour out of the ground and highlighting the white in the clouds. Leaving the weathered fortress exposed to all the elements.

Such an impressive place to see, so well maintained and looked after.

I must be getting old....

www.hevercastle.co.uk