MyLife

Oriental rugs, Turkish rugs, Persian rugs & Soumak

2010-01-27T14:47:00.004Z

So that's it I am here in Turkey and enjoying the sun, the lovely food and the warm welcome of people.

I would like also to share a website where you can see & buy magnificient Turkish rugs.

CarpetView.com has great selection of Oriental Rugs, Tribal rugs, Soumak rugs and Afghan rugs.

They ship all around the world really quickly and have a great service!

Ляпота! и беззаботное лето

2009-08-06T21:19:00.000+01:00

Тимур в образе женщины Востока

2009-08-06T21:17:00.000+01:00

Каникулы в Кападокии! у дедушки и бабушки

2009-08-06T21:14:00.000+01:00

Веселое купание! Тимуру год

2009-08-06T21:09:00.000+01:00

Лето в Стамбуле с любимимы!

2009-08-06T21:06:00.000+01:00

Апрель в Дублине, редкие солнeчные деньки

2009-04-23T17:04:00.002+01:00

На встречу новым мировым рекордам: готовмся к бассейну, Тимур 9 месяцев

2009-04-23T17:02:00.000+01:00

Озеро Комо, Италия

2009-04-23T16:58:00.000+01:00

Озеро Комо, Италия

2009-04-23T16:55:00.000+01:00

Италия, Лайнате, провинция Милана

2009-04-23T16:51:00.000+01:00

На виноградниках в Асти, Италия

2009-04-23T16:47:00.001+01:00

На виноградниах в Асти, Италия

2009-04-23T16:45:00.000+01:00

В парке под Миланом, Италия

2009-04-23T16:38:00.000+01:00

Тимуру 9 месяцев, отдыхаем под Миланом с друзьями

2009-04-23T16:36:00.000+01:00

Вечер с друзьями в Милане

2009-04-23T16:34:00.000+01:00

Италия, Милан, с друзьями в гей пабе

2009-04-23T16:29:00.000+01:00

Милан, Италия

2009-04-23T16:26:00.000+01:00

Комо, Италия

2009-04-23T16:21:00.001+01:00

Путешествие в Италию, Комо.

2009-04-23T16:19:00.000+01:00

Timur 8 months

2009-03-19T15:29:00.003Z

Timur can scrowl, sit and trying to stand up

.

Timur, @7 months

2009-02-12T22:10:00.001Z

Timur, @7months

2009-02-12T22:08:00.000Z

Playing

2009-01-23T16:46:00.000Z

Timur, 6 months

2009-01-23T16:44:00.000Z

Timur, 5 months old

2008-12-17T16:37:00.003Z

Descover Ireland 2008: Greystone, Co. Wickow

2008-12-07T19:23:00.001Z

Our evenings

2008-12-07T19:18:00.002Z

Тимур, 4 месяца

2008-11-26T16:50:00.000Z

Тимур, 4 месяца

2008-11-26T16:47:00.000Z

Kilkenny, Ireland

2008-10-27T16:02:00.003Z

Kilkenny, (Irish: Cill Chainnigh, meaning Church of Cainneach), is a city and county town of County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore, at the centre of County Kilkenny in the province of Leinster in the south-east of Ireland. The city of Kilkenny is administered by a borough council and has a Mayor. The population of the city and its environs is approximately 25,000 making it the smallest city in the Republic of Ireland both by area and population. The majority of the population of Kilkenny city live outside the borough boundary.

From an ecclesiastical foundation, Kilkenny was the ancient capital of the kingdom of Ossory. The town was established, then a city in 1609. Kilkenny was the capital of Confederate Ireland between 1642 and 1649. The seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ossory and the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cashel and Ossory are in Kilkenny.

Kilkenny is famous for its medieval building and castle. The city has been referred to as the "Marble City" for centuries. People from Kilkenny are often referred to as 'Cats'.

Kilkenny is 117 km (73 miles) from the capital Dublin and 48 km (30 miles) north of the nearest city Waterford. Wexford is 80 km (50 miles) to the south-east and Limerick is 122 km (70 miles) to the west.[1]

Traveling to Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland

2008-10-27T15:58:00.002Z

In early Norman times, up to the late 12th century, Kilkenny was the capital of the colony in Ireland. It also became the home of a preceptory of the Knights of St Thomas. By the late thirteenth century Kilkenny was under Norman-Irish control. The Norman presence in the town is still very evident. Kilkenny Castle was built on an outcrop of rock offering a natural vantage point at a prominent bend in the River Nore. This lies on the site of earlier wattle and mud structures and was the site of the fortifications of the Fitzpatricks and the O'Carrolls (AD 840), amongst others. A series of walls was built to protect the burghers. There were two townships Irishtown, and Englishtown. Irishtown had its charter from the bishops of Ossory and Englishtown which was established by William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke.

A account of the Black Death from a monastery in Cill Chainnigh, by Friar John Clyn in 1348

The pestilence gathered strength in Kilkenny during Lent, for between Christmas day and 6 March, eight Friars Preachers died. There was scarcely a house in which only one died but commonly man and wife with their children and family going one way, namely, crossing to death.

Octoberfest arrived in Dublin, 18th October, Timur's birthday, 3 months

2008-10-18T18:39:00.002+01:00

Timur, 2 months

2008-09-21T22:25:00.002+01:00

Our Timur 2 month old: weight 6.65 rg, length = 63 cm!

Timur, 2 months old

2008-09-17T18:07:00.001+01:00

Timur is 2 months old. He has planty of emotions, he plays with his hands, holds toys and the head! Our lovely son!
Happy birthday.

Timur discovers his hands

2008-09-15T15:52:00.000+01:00

Ice-cream cafe, Istanbul, 14th September

2008-09-15T15:43:00.002+01:00

Это чего это? мороженое? и мне пожалуйста!!!!!

My son Tımur 1 month

2008-08-29T12:03:00.007+01:00

Two cousines: Teo and Timur with parents, Urgup, Cappadokia, summer 2008

Young generation Guzelgoz family, evevning relaxation with shish-kebap:

Cappadokia, summer 2008, Urgup

2008-08-26T08:52:00.002+01:00

Timur. 4 weeks. Istanbul Turkey

2008-08-23T20:34:00.002+01:00

Жара сморила нашего малыша-крепыша!

А что у нас на ужин?????

Summer 2008. Istanbul. Turkey, on the wedding of our friends

2008-08-23T20:20:00.004+01:00

Timur: seven days old

2008-08-05T22:08:00.000+01:00

Timur, the first week

2008-08-05T22:03:00.001+01:00

We are at home! Finally!!!!!!!!

2008-08-05T21:47:00.001+01:00

Two days after, Hakan and Timur work under new website

2008-08-05T21:40:00.001+01:00

Our son Timur, the birthday, 18th July 2008, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin

2008-08-05T19:07:00.001+01:00

42 weeks pregnant: overdued queen!

2008-07-14T18:07:00.006+01:00

Timur finally will be born on the 18th July!!! Due to my doctor efforts...unless the miracle heppens... Time to celebrate!

Powerscort garden & piknic on waterfalls

2008-07-14T17:46:00.006+01:00

My mum-in-low is helping us to overcome difficult pregnancy

2008-07-14T17:26:00.004+01:00

She can do everything: from collecting the sea clamps and cooking, visiting local beaitiful places to being the best friend! Thanks, Mum for your great support!

Us: me, Timur and Hakan

Томительное ожидание, 42 недели, делаем восхождение на клиф в Howth

2008-07-14T17:18:00.003+01:00

Street theatres festival and Violene's visit, Marion Park, Dublin, 38 week pregnancy

2008-06-23T16:44:00.004+01:00

Turkey and Russia got in semifinal! June 2008

2008-06-23T16:08:00.003+01:00

Yes, we have made it! Turkey and Russia passed semifinal matches! we hope to see these two team in the final struggling between each other! Ole, Russia.

Timur seems suppoting Turkey by kicking desperately while his papa screams! Unfare!!!!!

Sweet preparations, me, Hakan and Timmy on 35 weeks

2008-05-28T10:16:00.007+01:00

Let's our live will be full of flowers! Baby's coming soon...

Mum-to-be and grand-mum-to-be competition! Lucky Timmy...

2008-05-28T10:09:00.011+01:00

Works of Bernadette Guzelgoz!

Works of Irina Guzelgoz!

Works of Marcelle (Hakan's teacher):

Weekend with Rocco family

2008-05-26T14:28:00.003+01:00

My boss's leaving party at Dicay Rilay's pub, Dublin

2008-05-26T14:24:00.002+01:00

Sunny May in Dublin,

2008-05-12T12:22:00.005+01:00

Enjoying the strall on the beach, Timmy is 33-34 weeks.

Visiting Jonny Fox's Pub, co. Dublin

2008-05-12T12:13:00.002+01:00

Situated in Glencullen on top of the Dublin mountains, Johnnie Fox's is one of Ireland's oldest and most famous traditional Irish pubs - and it is also famed as the highest pub in the country.

The area itself is steeped in history with "The Colonel's House" in Glencullen (listed as a hideaway) for Michael Collins in the history books, with monoliths galore and even a "Giant's Grave" on the scenic walks around the area.

The famous Daniel O'Connell (the great Irish Liberator) was a regular patron of Johnnie Fox's when he lived here in Glencullen. In 1823 Daniel O'Connell gave his blessing to one Christy Fitzsimons to marry his daughter, and the family have lived through generations in Glencullen to this day.

In the early 1950's programmes of Irish music and story telling were recorded for radio on Sunday nights in Johnnie Fox's and broadcast to the nation from this elevated site.
In the 1960's Johnnie Fox's Pub was famous for the session - An Séisiún - travelling musicians would gather to play and trade songs with local people - a tradition which prevails to this present day with the music and song still emanating from the famous location, song and banter is always vibrating through the air.

Молодо-зелено и...so Irish!

2008-05-12T11:48:00.005+01:00

Reptile Raptor! Fossilised from Ice Age...

Pwerscourt forest, May 2008

2008-05-12T11:44:00.002+01:00

2008-05-12T11:31:00.004+01:00

I have got Selin visted us this weekend. She came from Paris to spend a weekend with us, before Guzelgoz junior arrives. The fist destination which had been chosen to entertaine her was Powerscourt Waterfall, co. Wicklow.

Powerscourt Waterfall (Irish: Eas Chúirt an Phaoraigh) is a waterfall near Enniskerry, County Wicklow, in Ireland, located in a valley surrounded by Djouce Mountain and the Great Sugar Loaf. At a height of 121 metres, it is the highest waterfall on the island. In August 1821, during the visit of King George IV to Ireland, Richard Wingfield, 5th Viscount Powerscourt decided to dam the waterfall, so that he could release a torrent while the two stood on the bridge below the falls. The king was unable to leave a banquet at Powerscourt House; however when the water was finally released, the bridge was washed away. Funny enough!

May BBQ and diner with friends

2008-05-06T11:05:00.006+01:00

Poulaphouca lake, Co. Wicklow. Fishing

2008-05-06T10:53:00.008+01:00

A tormenting waiting....

...and our catch :-)

Сматываем удочки!:-)

Poulaphouca (Irish: Poll an Phúca, meaning The Devil's Hole) is a tiny village located in County Wicklow, Ireland, on the border with County Kildare. It is primarily known for its hydroelectric generating station and artificial lake, known as Poulaphouca Reservoir, Poulaphouca Lake, or Blessington Lake.

We went fishing & picnicing with our friends Elena, Stefano, Vincentio and Karolina.
20C! Nice May bank holidays.

Federica's visiting party, I am on the 30th week! Oh!

2008-04-16T16:05:00.005+01:00

NEMO, Amsterdam, April 2008

2008-04-16T15:39:00.005+01:00

NEMO is the largest science center in the Netherlands. The architecture is by Renzo Piano. NEMO is located right next to the Amsterdam central station and the Maritime museum.

The Red light district, Amsterdam, April 2008

2008-04-16T15:32:00.004+01:00

From brothels to sex shops to museums, the Red Light District leaves nothing to the imagination. It is very likely that you will have heard about this neighbourhood and to be frank, everything you will have heard is probably true , but to really put rumours to rest, you have got to check it out for yourself. The Rossebuurt, as the locals know it, is unlike any other place. Guaranteed. Certainly, the Red Light District that everyone knows about is the one where women, of all nationalities, parade their wares in red-fringed window parlours, many ready to offer more than a school boy peep-show in a private cabin. Another familiar image of the Red Light District is of packs of men, young and old , couples holding hands and pointing in shock of it all, giggling groups of women celebrating a hen night , and busloads of Japanese tourists toting cameras (except not in the direction of the female entertainers! Strictly banned!). This is proof enough that the RLD deserves a visit, if not a little look in.
Some say the origin of the red light comes from the red lanterns carried by railway workers, which were left outside brothels when the workers entered, so that they could be quickly located for any needed train movement. Others speculate that the origin comes from the red paper lanterns that were hung outside brothels in ancient China to identify them as such. It was said that the lights were thought to be sensual. The color red has been associated with prostitution for millennia: in the Biblical story of Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho aided the spies of Joshua and identified her house with a scarlet rope. During World War I there were many brothels in Belgium and France; blue lights were used to indicate brothels for officers, red lights for other ranks. Funny enough!

Amsterdam, flower market, April 2008

2008-04-16T15:14:00.007+01:00

The Bloemenmarkt is the world's only floating flower market. Founded in 1862, it is sited in Amsterdam, on Singel between Muntplein and Koningsplein in the city's southern canal belt. It includes 15 florists and garden shops as well as a range of souvenir gifts.

Van Gogh inspiration

Vincent Van Gogh, the best works I liked.

2008-04-16T11:30:00.005+01:00

Green ears of weat (Зеленые колосья пщеницы)

Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night (1888)(Терасса кафе на форум плэйс в Арли, ночь)

Sunflowers (Подсолнухи)

Seascape (Морской пейзаж)

Weatfield (Пшеничное поле)

V. Van Gogh museum, Amsterdam, short travel, April 2008

2008-04-16T11:01:00.007+01:00

Starry night (Звездная ночь)

Irises (Ирисы)

Blossoming Almond Tree (Цветущее миндальное дерево, 1890)

Weatfield and crows (Пшеничное поле с воронами)

The Van Gogh Museum is the most popular museum in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, featuring the works of the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries. It has the largest collection of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings in the world.
The main exhibition chronicles the phases of Van Gogh's life, from his childhood to his various emotional stages through his death. Highlights include "The Potato Eaters" which I didn't like at all, "Bedroom in Arles" (so-so) and one of the three "Sunflowers" paintings with a yellow background.
It is interesting to track how the style and the mood of Van Gogh works change over the time and influenced by different stages of his life. But from all I have seen I prefer his the most colurful works, landscapes and seascapes, flowers and his Japanese period.

Special thing - bicycles in Amsterdam!

2008-04-15T16:03:00.004+01:00

Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world and is a centre of bicycle culture with good provision for cyclists such as bike paths and bike racks, which are ubiquitous throughout the city. There are an estimated one million bicycles in the city. However, bike theft is common, so cyclists use large secure locks.
In the city centre, driving a car is discouraged. Parking fees are steep and a great number of streets are closed to cars or are one-way.The local government sponsors carsharing and carpooling initiatives such as Autodelen

Therefore, there ...millions of bicycles in Amsterdam, we questioned ourselves what is bigger the number of bicysles or people who ride them? Look at the pictures above.

Pity, we couldn't use one due to my late pregnancy! we decied to come back altogether three of us sometime when Timur is quiet big to understand the beauty of cycling!

Short trip to Amsterdam, we relax in the evenings, little Timur is 30 weeks old

2008-04-15T15:58:00.002+01:00

Guard towers of Amsterdam, Montelbaanstoren

2008-04-15T15:47:00.003+01:00

Montelbaanstoren (hard name to spell) is a red brick tower typical to those seen in Amsterdam. While taking the mandatory boat cruise on the canals you can't miss that tower and you might wonder what's it's story. Well, the tower was built back in 1512 purely for defence reasons. It was to protect the Latage, the basin for repairing and storing big Dutch ships. In 1606, Hendrick de Keyser added it's spire (the upper part). Today the tower houses the offices in charge of the closing of canals and water flow in Amsterdam. The funny thing that this tower was called "Crazy Jake" because the tower clock chowned the wrong time and long time masters could do nothing about it.

The cities of Medieval Europe were at constant risk of pillage and plunder, so a number of them surrounded themselves with tall walls in an effort to protect against invaders. Towers were also constructed at strategic locations along the walls where guards would stand on constant lookout for approaching enemies.

One such wall was built around the city of Amsterdam, a popular target for plunder due to its status as one of Europe's wealthiest ship-building and trading ports. Today, only bits and pieces of Amsterdam's wall remain, most notably the Montelbaanstoren tower. The Montelbaanstoren was constructed way back in 1512 beside one of Amsterdam's famous canals, and today she is not only still standing, she is still in service as the city's Water Office.

Amsterdam architecrure

2008-04-15T14:48:00.008+01:00

These two house have name "sister twins"

These two buildings are named "fanther and son"

Throughout the year Amsterdam is one of Europe's foremost architecture and design city, not only because of 17-th century rings of canals. Amsterdam is where modern architecture developed organically between facades of historical buildings. Since it is not a very big city, all sites of interest are within acceptable distance, this is why Amsterdam is so popular with lovers of architecture.
The old centre was formed by rings of canals with unique mostly 17th century residences of wealthy merchants, financiers, craftsmen, doctors, lawyers, politicians and artists. Because of lack of space, these houses were mostly narrow, not more than 30ft wide (9 meters). They are are characterized by big narrow windows, decorative gable tops, very narrow stairs inside and pulley outside to transport larger objects to upper floors. Very often the residences served also as businesses. Merchant’s houses had their storage in attics and cellars. Sometimes the lift was installed in the middle of the house plan, to transport the goods between floors. The office of the merchant was usually on the ground floor. Like in Venice the canals were the main way of transporting the goods.

The interesting fact is that all houses and buildings were so nerrow built due to lack of the space so the staircases were so steep that they couldn't fit the dimentions of the furniture or goods moved in and out. In this cases the origianl old Amsterdam houses have a spetial gilder on the "ginger" facade of the building closer to the roof. This gilder surved the held a rope by which the furniture wre lifted up and down the building! Now these gilders are left to be a historical attraction on the houses facing the ring canals of Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Canals

2008-04-15T14:32:00.008+01:00

This place is called "9 bridges canal" because sailing over you can see all 9 bridges in the arck of the first one!

This is the nerrowest canal in the city, houses face the water and its width is about 1 meter only!

Much of the Amsterdam canal system is the successful outcome of city planning. In the early part of the 17th century, with immigration at a height, a comprehensive plan was put together, calling for four main, concentric half-circles of canals with their ends resting on de IJ bay. Known as the "grachtengordel", three of the canals are mostly for residential development (Herengracht or ‘’Gentleman's Canal’’; Keizersgracht or ‘’Emperor's Canal’’; and Prinsengracht or ‘’Prince's Canal’’), and a fourth, outer canal, the present Nassau/Stadhouderskade, for purposes of defense and water management. The plan also envisaged interconnecting canals along radii; a set of parallel canals in the Jordaan quarter (primarily for the transportation of goods, for example, beer); the conversion of an existing, inner perimeter canal (Singel) from a defensive purpose to residential and commercial development; and more than one hundred bridges. The defensive purpose of the Nassau/Stadhouderskade was served by moat and earthen dikes, with gates at transit points but otherwise no masonry superstructures.

Construction proceeded from west to east, across the breadth of the lay-out, like a gigantic windshield wiper as the historian Geert Mak calls it – not from the center outwards as a popular myth has it. Construction of the north-western sector was started in 1613. After 1656, with the canals in the southern sector also already finished for some time, building in that sector too was started, although slowly. The eastern part of the concentric canal plan, covering the area between the Amstel river and the IJ bay, was never implemented. In the following centuries, the land went mostly for parks, old age homes, theaters and other public facilities – and for waterways without much plan.

Over the years, several canals have been filled up and are now streets or squares, such as Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and Spui.

Short trip to Amsterdam, April 2008

2008-04-15T14:18:00.004+01:00

National monument with the Hotel Krasnapolsky in the right background, Dam Square, Amsterdam

Dam Square lies in the historical center of Amsterdam, approximately 750 meters south of the main transportation hub, Centraal Station. It is roughly rectangular in shape, stretching about 200 meters from west to east and about 100 meters from north to south. It links the streets Damrak and Rokin, which run along the original course of the Amstel River from Centraal Station to Muntplein (Mint Square) and Munttoren. The Dam also marks the endpoint of other well-traveled streets, Nieuwendijk, Kalverstraat and Damstraat. A short distance beyond the northeast corner lies the main red-light district, de Wallen.

On the west end of the square is the neoclassical Royal Palace, which served as the city hall from 1655 until its conversion to a royal residence in 1808. Beside it are the 15th-century Gothic Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and the Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. The National Monument, a white stone pillar erected in 1956 to memorialize the victims of World War II, dominates the opposite side of the square. Also overlooking the plaza are the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky and the upscale department store De Bijenkorf. These various attractions have turned the Dam into a tourist zone. The square abounds with city pigeons, popular for birdfeeding.

The first known record of Amsterdam is 27 October 1275, when the inhabitants of a late 12th century fishing village who had built a bridge with a dam across the Amstel were granted freedom by count Floris V from paying a bridge toll .[10] The certificate's wording (homines manentes apud Amestelledamme - people living near Amestelledamme) gives the first known use of the name Amsterdam, which by 1327 had developed into Aemsterdam.[10] A local tradition has the city being founded by two fishermen, who landed on the shores of the Amstel in a small boat with their dog. In any case, Amsterdam's origin is relatively recent in comparison with other Dutch cities such as Nijmegen, Rotterdam and Utrecht.
Amsterdam was given city rights in 1300 or 1301
The 17th century is considered Amsterdam's "Golden Age". In the early 17th century, Amsterdam became one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Ships sailed from Amsterdam to the Baltic Sea, North America, Africa and present-day Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and Brazil, and formed the basis of a worldwide trading network. Amsterdam's merchants had the biggest share in the VOC and WIC. These companies acquired the overseas possessions which formed the seeds of the later Dutch colonies. Amsterdam was the most important point for the trans-shipment of goods in Europe, and it was the leading financial centre of the world. Amsterdam's stock exchange was the first to trade continuously.

The 18th and early 19th centuries saw a decline in Amsterdam's prosperity. The wars of the Dutch Republic with England (see Anglo-Dutch Wars) and France took their toll on Amsterdam. During the Napoleonic Wars, Amsterdam's fortunes reached their lowest point. However, with the establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815, things slowly began to improve. In Amsterdam new developments were started by people like city planner Samuel Sarphati, who found their inspiration in Paris

Short break in Amsterdam, Netherlands, April 2008

2008-04-15T12:27:00.004+01:00

Amsterdam is the capital and the largest city of The Netherlands. Its name is derived from "Amstel dam",[6] pointing to the city's origin: a dam on the river Amstel. The city is known for its historic port, the Rijksmuseum, its red-light district (de Wallen), its liberal coffee shops with canabis, and its many (more then 1000) canals which have led to Amsterdam being called the "Venice of the North". And it really looks like venice. During the Dutch Golden Age, Amsterdam was one of the most important ports in the world, with innovative developments in trade, and became the leading center for finance and diamonds.
The city, founded in the late 12th century as a small fishing village, has grown to become the largest city in the Netherlands with a population of 743,104 inhabitants, containing at least 172 nationalities.
Amsterdam and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of 1 million to about 1.5 million people, depending on definition, and is part of the Randstad conurbation, which has a population of 6,659,300. Also, Amsterdam is a six-point Gamma Global City

Все ближе и ближе. Тимуру 27 недель. Папа балует испанской тортийей! Апрель 2007

2008-04-02T09:24:00.001+01:00

The best present on the 8th of March

2008-03-11T12:41:00.002Z

Our son is 23 weeks of age! Looks like a little alien:-) I Love you!

White whale on the beach, find two distinctions?!

2008-03-06T16:27:00.002Z

Valencia, total relaxation night and day, March 2008

2008-03-06T11:24:00.000Z

Paella... and after! Laziness on the beach, Valencia 2008

2008-03-06T11:20:00.002Z

Valencia, Paella e Sangria, wow!

2008-03-06T11:16:00.002Z

Paella (IPA: [pa'eʎa]) is a typical valencian rice dish from Spain. The name paella is the word for "frying pan" in Valencian (from Latin patella). Paella is usually garnished with vegetables and meat or seafood. The three main ingredients are rice, saffron, and olive oil.
Legends about its origin:
* There is an old story of how the Moorish kings' servants created rice dishes by mixing the leftovers from royal banquets in large pots to take home. In the Arab countries, it is often wrongly believed that the word paella originates from the Arabic word baqiyah, meaning leftovers.
* The story about the word paella deriving from para ella (for her) is obviously wrong too, even though it is said that most paellas are made by men cooking once a week for their wives.
* It has been noted the similarity in name and method of cooking with the Pilaf dish. The word paella has amazing resemblance to other rice dishes made from Greece to Iran: Pilaf, Pilau, Polo. All prepared in similarly shaped cookware.
* Nevertheless, the origin of the name paella is in the Catalan word for frying pan. This word in turn derives from Latin patella and is akin to French poêle, Italian padella, Old Spanish padilla and New Mexican Spanish puela.

Playa de Malvarossa - City Beach in Valencia, Spain

2008-03-06T11:13:00.001Z

Malvarossa is what the locals usually mean by "going to the beach". It is a full-flung city beach in all respects.
The water is decent and the fine sand is great. During the summer weekends the whole Valencia comes down on this beach. It is a noisy, busy atmosphere with people doing just about everything that can be done on the beach - sunbathing, playing games, socialising, eating, drinking, reading etc.
This is not the place for some desolate loneliness, but if a lively beach is your thing, this is a great place.
There are restaurants at intervals all along the beach but about them I'll tell later! :-)

This part of Malvarossa also comes deliciously alive in the summer nights. It hosts a potent cluster of nightlife which happily spills out onto a beach botellon (a piss-up with booze bought in a shop) until 4am. Although you are not advised to go too far into the beach and from the crowds at night.

Playa las Arenas / Cabanyal - City Beach in Valencia

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This beach is the start of the beachline in the Valencia city itself. The beach joins with the walls of America's Cup Port, it is the closest, the most built-up and the most accessible to the city, and as such it is the official city beach for activities and events, so to speak. Meaning it is more of a backdrop for leisure activities and events, rather than the place for sunbathing crowds.
Whenever there is a sports event on the beach, or a public event (e.g. the Night Landing of the Moors during the Feria de Julio) it happens here.

This beachline is also popular with promenades - for a romantic sunset watching with a special one or socialising with a group of friends. The luxurious alley of Paseo Maritimo facilitates that. In the summer the alley also hosts a market to buy clothes, accessories and souvenirs.

The Playa de las Arenas is also a famous gastronomical reference point. A good half of it is lined with restaurants, typically Valencian to the bone. Here you find some names famous nationwide, like Pepica. This beach is where you are sent to try genuine Valencian paella.

Amonst the restaurants are also a few bars and cocktail lounges, such as Vivir Sin Dormir and Cabbana Beach.
Arenas.

Naturally, some people do choose to spread out in the Sun on the sands of this beach, but it is not as popular as further along. usually people choose this stretch for a walk or a game on the sand.

Las Arenas blends into Playa de Cabanyal. Here, you already notice the crowds. The Cabanyal beach, in turn, gradually evolves into the Playa de Malvarossa - the main beach of Valencia.

Valencia, Spain, modern and old city

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UNESCO has recognised the Late Gothic silk exchange (La Lonja de la Seda) as a World Heritage Site. The modernist Central Market (Mercado Central) is one of the largest in Europe. The main railway station Estación Del Norte is built in art deco style.

World-renowned (and city-born) architect Santiago Calatrava produced the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències), which contains an opera house/performing arts centre, a science museum, an IMAX cinema/planetarium, an oceanographic park and other structures such as a long covered walkway and restaurants. Calatrava is also responsible for the bridge named after him in the center of the city. The Music Palace (Palau De La Música) is another good example of modern architecture in Valencia.
The Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (Valencian), Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (Spanish) or City of Arts and Sciences is an ensemble of five areas in the dry river bed of the now diverted River Turia in Valencia, Spain.

Designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava and started in July 1996, it is an impressive example of modern architecture.

The "city" is made up of the following, usually known by their Valencian names:

El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía — Opera house and performing arts centre
L'Hemisfèric — Imax Cinema, Planetarium and Laserium
L'Umbracle — Walkway / Garden
El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe — Science museum
L'Oceanogràfic — Open-air oceanographic park
Surrounded by attractive streams and pools of water, it and the surrounding areas of the "city" are typically used as a relaxing place to walk day or night, with an open air bar outside El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe during the evening (especially during events).

Valencia, old city centre, March 2008

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Our trip to Valencia, Spain, March 2008

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Valencia is the third largest city in Spain. It forms part of an industrial area on the Costa del Azahar. The original Latin name of the city was Valentia (/wa'lentia/), meaning "Strength", "Vigor", the city being named after Emperor Valens, who ordered the foundation of a new colony in Hispania, taken care by later Emperor Theodosius I. During the rule of the Muslim Empires in Spain, it was known as بلنسية Balansiya) in Arabic. By regular sound changes this has become Valencia (/ba'lenθja/) in Castilian Spanish and València (/va'ɫɛnsia/) in Valencian. One possible pronunciation in Valencian /va'lensia/.

Traveling at weekends, Rosslare Strand, Co. Wexford, Ireland

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Rosslare Strand is located 12km south east of Wexford town and 4km north west of Rosslare Europort on the southern edge of Wexford Harbour. The beach itself is comprised of sand and stone running the length of the southern peninsula which
protrudes into Wexford Harbour. The main beach is accessed by various walkways and its main access point is from the main car park.The beach is segmented by a series of timber breakwaters which are designed to retain sandy deposits along the beach

Our little baby_20 week

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It is very exciting! We so that our baby has becone big enough since the last US!
this time we saw him sucking his thumb and .. even yawning:-) We LOVE you, baby!

Real St. Valentine's, our baby is 20 weeks, half way to go!

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Chinese New Year, with Turkish friends, Ireland 2008

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I'm waiting for the our first baby

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6th January 2008, Orthodox Christmas in Istanbul

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Yalova, winter 2008, Turkey

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Yalova, winter forest, Turkey 2008

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Yalova, enjoying the baths! Winter 2008

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...similar? Japanese monkeys in the water :-))))

Yalova, hot springs resort

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We are going to Yalova one snowy morning, Turkey 2008

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We took a ferry from Istanbul which in 1 hour joney brought us down to Yalova, small sity with thermal hot spa located in 8 km far from the city centre.

The Yalova hot springs have a natural water outlet, flowing at a rate of 15 liters per second with the potential capacity of 1,651 person/day/bath and 1651 beds on the basis of 600 liters per person l day l bath.

The hot springs have a composition of sodium chloride, calcium sulfate and fluoride. With a temperature of 57 to 60 C, 7.3 to 7.6 PH, and 1,435 mg/lt total mineral content, the waters are suitable for both bathing and drinking. Yalova hot springs are known for their therapeutic qualities, especially for rheumatic diseases, digestive maladies, neurological and urological disorders and metabolic problems.

Yalova spa incorporates open and covered pools, baths, offers massage, underwater massage and drinking cures. The spa includes two hotels with a total of 202 beds, a first-class restaurant with typical Turkish meals , cafe , a very attractive park and forest.

Galata Tower, Istanbul, Winter 2008

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Galata Tower, Istanbul, Winter 2008

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The Galata Tower (Turkish: Galata Kulesi), also called Christea Turris (Tower of Christ) by the Genoese and Megalos Pyrgos (The Great Tower) by the Byzantines, is located in Istanbul, Turkey, to the north of the Golden Horn. One of the city's most striking landmarks, it is a huge, cone-capped cylinder that dominates the skyline on the Galata side of the Golden Horn.
The tower was built as Christea Turris in 1348 during an expansion of the Genoese colony in Constantinople. It was the apex of the fortifications surrounding the Genoese citadel of Galata. The current tower should not be confused with the old Tower of Galata, an original Byzantine tower, named Megalos Pyrgos, which controlled the northern end of the massive sea chain that closed the entrance of the Golden Horn. This tower was on a different site and was largely destroyed during the Fourth Crusade in 1204.

The 66.90 m tower (62.59 m without the ornament on top) was the city's tallest structure when built.

The upper section of the tower with the conical cap was slightly modified in several restorations during the Ottoman period when it was used as an observation tower for spotting fires.

In 1638, Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi flew as an early aviator using artificial wings from this tower over the Bosphorus to the slopes of Üsküdar on the Anatolian side.In the 1960s the original wooden interior of the tower was replaced by a concrete structure and it was opened to the public. There is a restaurant and café on its upper floors which commands a magnificent view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus. Also located on the upper floors is a nightclub which hosts a Turkish show. There are two operating elevators that carry visitors from the lower level to the upper levels