Un paseo por la capital del país vasco

Vitoria (enlace, link, lien)

If you ever go the basque country Vitoria-Gasteiz is a must stop either on your way to the Rioja region or back or on your way to Santiago de Compostela. Vitoria-Gasteiz is the capital city of the province of Álava and of the autonomous community of the Basque Country in northern Spain. Within the city Santa María Cathedral is the visit not to be missed. Santa María de Vitoria Cathedral was built by King Alfonso VIII of Castile after the conquest of Vitoria in the second half of the 12th century. Alfonso X was responsible for expanding and modifying the structure with Gothic details in the 13th century.

Due to a lack of funds and political unrest, the cathedral had been poorly maintained for years, and suffered from structural and conservation problems, including the destabilization of the foundation and walls, which had shifted over time. In 2002, a conservation master plan was developed and its implementation was carried out as funds became available by the Ayuntamiento (Municipality) of Vitoria-Gastéiz. The site Excavations during the restoration of the cathedral revealed layers of history dating back to the eighth century, including countless pottery fragments and almost 2,000 graves. The original settlement of Gasteiz was built around A.D. 800. In the eleventh century, the first city wall was erected and the first church was later built against it.

I could go on but this isn't the purpose of this blog.

Enjoy those snap shots taken along my visit. 

(photos taken with my Fujitsu XE-1 18-55mm lens)

Vitoria (enlace, link, lien)

The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken

Royal Greenhouses of Laeken (link, enlace, lien)

The Royal Greenhouses are a vast complex of monumental heated greenhouses in the park of the Royal Palace of Laeken in the north of Brussels. It is one of the major tourist attractions of the city.

Every spring, the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken are open to the public for 3 weeks. It is an excellent opportunity to see the wonderful architecture of Alphonse Balat, the mentor of Victor Horta, and the many plants in the greenhouses.

Royal Greenhouses of Laeken (link, enlace, lien)

Early Pictures from Bir - Hakeim bridge

Early Pictures (link, enlace, lien)

One more early morning. The first pic was taken at 6:20 am. To my surprise 3 other photographers had already their tripods set up and shooting. The sun was supposed to rise at 6:50 am, supposed because the horizon was very cloudy like the rest of the day has been. Anyway I enjoyed my early morning and I believe those few shots were worth it.

Enjoy.

Early Pictures (link, enlace, lien)

Sunset at La Pyramide du Louvre

Sunset at La Pyramide du Louvre (link, enlace, lien)

That day I wanted to check what would be in April a sunset on La cour du Louvre. Most of the day has been sunny and I thought that the weather would hold for the rest of the afternoon evening but it turned out not be cloudy.

I arrived a little too early thinking I could scout for original views and try to snap some shots. But man, it seems that half of the tourists visiting Paris come to visit le Louvre and then sit everywhere. Anyway, I had no other choice than to sit and wait, quietly watching all those tourists posing for the family picture in every pose there are able to think of. Then finally came the hour that they thought it was diner time, slowly we had less and less people but still … The sky was still very cloudy and it was getting cold. I was determined to take my chances up to the end. 

I believe I’ve been rewarded with at least 2 good photographs.To put you into the mood I’ve included few less interesting pictures :) . Last word: when it comes to sunset, be patient.
Enjoy

Sunset at La Pyramide du Louvre (link, enlace, lien)

End of the afternoon, between Le Louvre and la Concorde

between Le Louvre and la Concorde (link, enlace, lien)

with a sunset on Mercury riding Pegasus, (1701–02) by Antoine Coysevox (1640-1720).

enjoy

between Le Louvre and la Concorde (link, enlace, lien)

Hoping for a sunrise at La Butte Montmartre

Hoping for a sunrise at La Butte Montmartre (link, enlace, lien)

The night before I checked the weather forecast and decided it was worth getting up early.
I arrived well on time and guess what! Although it was still night we clearly see a cloudy sky, see the first photo of the slide show. So no sunrise but some others photos of Montmartre Le Sacré Coeur.
Enjoy

Hoping for a sunrise at La Butte Montmartre (link, enlace, lien)

Swan Ally Island, Paris

West part of the river Seine (link, enlace, lien)

In the afternoon of this day I decided to explore the west part of the river Seine not known by tourists, more specifically the Île des Cygnes (Swan Ally Island), an island in the river Seine where you find a replica of the Statue of Liberty ,11.50 m (37 feet 9 inches) high. This exact Statue of Liberty replica monument was offered to the French by the American residents of Paris as a remembrance to commemorate the Centennial of the French Revolution. It was inaugurated on November 15, 1889.

Enjoy

West part of the river Seine (link, enlace, lien)