Came across this recently. Forgot how nice it is
Countries visited: updated
Been back to www.world66.com
Here's the current countries I've visited.
Here's the current countries I've visited.
Yep, looks right. China is deceiving... I've been to HongKong, but not mainland PRC.
They also have a section for US States:
Iceland is on the list to see the ice, the volcanoes and the Northern Lights.
They also have a section for US States:
And one of Europe - I'm surprised at how few countries I've been to. Does include Albania just after the fall of communism which was interesting.
Iceland is on the list to see the ice, the volcanoes and the Northern Lights.
Terminal 4, Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain
The Terminal 4 at Barajas Airport terminal was designed by Richard Rogers and Antonio Lamela. Quite a building.
Unicycling in Hyde Park, London
Its a good way to commute.
Hyde Park, London.
Bought by Henry VIII in 1536, its 350 acres in size.
Potted history from www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde_park/history.cfm
- Henry VIII acquired Hyde Park from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1536; he and his court were often to be seen on thundering steeds in the hunt for deer. It remained a private hunting ground until James I came to the throne and permitted limited access. The King appointed a ranger, or keeper, to take charge of the park. It was Charles I who changed the nature of the park completely. He had the Ring (north of the present Serpentine boathouses) created and in 1637 opened the park to the general public.
In 1665, the year of the Great Plague, many citizens of London fled the City to camp on
Hyde Park, in the hope of escaping the disease.
Towards the end of the 17th century William III moved his court to Kensington Palace. He found that his walk to St James's was very dangerous, so he had 300 oil lamps installed, creating the first artificially lit highway in the country. This route later became known as Rotten Row, which is a corruption of the French 'Route de Roi' or King's Road.
Queen Caroline, wife of George II, had extensive renovations carried out and in the 1730s had The Serpentine, a lake of some 11.34 hectares, created.
Hyde Park became a venue for national celebrations. In 1814 the Prince Regent organised fireworks to mark the end of the Napoleonic Wars, in 1851 (during Queen Victoria's reign) the Great Exhibition was held and in 1977 a Silver Jubilee Exhibition was held in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's 25 years on the throne.
In 1866 Edmund Beales' Reform League marched on Hyde Park where great scuffles broke out between the League and the police. Eventually the Prime Minister allowed the meetings to continue unchallenged and since 1872, people have been allowed to speak at Speaker's Corner on any subject they want to.
The Lido was set up by George Lansbury, the first Commissioner of Works, in 1930 and in warm weather is used for sunbathing and swimming.
Singapore
In August 2010 I got to go to another new place, Singapore. I've been _through_ there before on stop overs at the airport, but not made it landside.
I wasn't there for very long, even so I can remark on a few things:
- With a GDP per head higher than Wales, if you thought it was in any way developing, think again. Its developed and its ahead of you.
- It is super clean and super safe. You could be an unaccompanied female walking home at 3am and be safe.
- Leaving the airport and stepping out of air conditioned comfort is like walking into a suana.
- A Singapore Sling isn't bad.
- Singaporeans love to shop
- I'll be back!
East Sussex
Here's a stitched panorama of the East Sussex countryside I first
rendered a few years ago, before I had AutoPano. So I've returned to the image file and
re-rendered it.
The observant will note its the banner image on this blog
Wellington New Zealand
Been to "Windy Welly" a couple times now, and yes its rather windy.
Although it is the capital of New Zealand, its not the largest city, thats Auckland, and its not even very large at around 400,000 people. Auckland has around 1.4M people.
If you like steak, you should try the Green Parrott on Taranaki Street.
I was only there overnight on this visit, so not much chance for photography.
Sydney June 2010
More catching up to do on places I've been.
Everyone knows what a truly great city Sydney is. Friendly people, nice climate, and stunning location.
This was one of my very first goes at a photowalk, well it was sort of successful.
View Sydney June 2010 in a larger map
The City's modern history started in 1770 when Captain Cook landed in what is now called Botany Bay. In January 1778 Arthur Philip arrived with the first convict ships, found that Botany Bay was unsuitable for a colony and so went one inlet further north.
There he founded Sydney, named after the then British Home Secretary, Thomas Townshend, Lord Sydney. Sydney Harbour is more properly called Port Jackson. Sydney became a real city when it incorporated on 20 July 1842.
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