Showing posts with label Europe traveling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Europe traveling. Show all posts

WW: The Amazing Mezquita, Cordoba, Spain

A little #throwback trip to the amazing Mezquita, Cordoba, Spain

Our 9-day-turn-to-12-day in Spain surely brought a lot of fond memories, unforgettable experiences and photos. Here are some of them, took around 7 years ago during one of our road trips in Europe.

I know I should come back with more stories from those trips, because the historical background of all these amazing places are astonishing indeed!
And our trip to see the trace of Islam in Europe was so rewarding.
Not only we witnessed the grandeur Islamic architecture in this continent, but also read and know more about the history of Islam and how devotion can be amazingly showcased in various forms. 

Here are some examples of those beautiful architectures, the amazing Mezquita (or mosque, in English and masjid in bahasa Indonesia), Cordoba, Spain



The Mihrab
The alley

the amazing details from one of the mihrabs

One of the doors..with elaborate details


The tower and the gate

Stick around for more stories about the amazing Mezquita, Cordoba, Spain

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and enjoy the link party!

Homey Casa Battló, Barcelona, Spain



"What is that, maman?" asked Bo, pointing to the façade outside of the famous apartment redesigned by Gaudi.
Those windows are indeed extraordinary.
"It looks like bones! Like fish bones!" exclaimed Bo. 
"You're right! Those windows remind me of fish bones," my hubby said.
That morning, we were stepping into out-of-this-world architecture situated in one elegant corner of Barcelona, Spain.
And our trip to Gaudi's world has just started.

***
 
So, it's time for #throwbacktuesday.
I kind of miss a few posts for these series due to the crazy schedules of meetings at UNGA High Level Week.
Let me now, take you to Barcelona, Spain, then.
To be exact, another trip to Gaudí's out-of-this-world creation.
And what I have here is Casa Batlló.

inside the fish bone hall :)

We visited beautiful city of Barcelona back in 2009.
Flying from Geneva with Bo et Udi (Obi hasn't been born yet), we stayed for 10 days in Spain and our road trip started in Barcelona. It was our end-of-winter trip, escaping the cold weather Geneva and heading south to Spain.
We had planned 9-day road trip starting and ending in Barcelona, exploring Madrid, Toledo, Zaragoza, Sevilla, Granada, Valencia, and back to Barcelona.
Quite ambitious but my hubby and I were super excited!

The cute roof we have here..
So, any of you are familiar with Antoni Gaudí?
Or you have visited Casa Batlló yourself?
 Who's Gaudi?

To me, Gaudí's brilliant, one-of-a-kind technique is a vivid example of his incredible imagination. This architect was born in 1852 in Reus and has long been famous for his indigenous creations. Claimed to be 'prodigious' on his era, Gaudi had been presenting unique works of art which beautifully blend into functioning designs and details inspired by nature. His original works in creating those concepts and spaces have won the hearts of many important figures in Spain and his works can now be enjoyed in many forms.
 
 The first time I saw his work in many parts of  Barcelona, including the one-and-only Parc Güell, Casa Millà dan Sagrada Familia, I can't help but admire his works.


The windows! super cute right...and look at the 'bones' structure

Only a few blocks from La Pedrera,
Casa Batlló ,- a lavish yet unique apartment, is another proof of Gaudi's amazing interpretation of Art Nouveau.
And this time, it's reflecting the 'underwater world' in a broader sense.
Underwater world.
My fave!
Underwater world duly applied to the apartment design.
Well, at least that's what I heard on the audio guide .



the lights...
The roof has a lot more interesting shapes, colors, and textures

So, I wouldn't mind at all to stay in this wonderful apartment.

And of course, the details are amazing.
Still with Gaudi's signature, no straight lines.
Can you imagine...one incredible building with no straight lines!

It took us around 1.5 hours to see many parts of this apartment.
From the main hall, the Noble Floor, bedrooms, kitchen, staircases and ceilings, to the laundry room and the roof!
I have to admit the great attraction was the roof, with  a lot more intereting shapes, colors, and textures.
Somehow the chimney and the top of the roof reminded me of garlic and the dragon!
Weird combination, I know, but it's strikingly reminding me of these 2 items as we spend some times and take tons of pictures on the roof of Casa Battló.

Let's take a look at it closer.



the lights on the ceiling.. you see the ceiling is nothing ordinary


Bo having fun at the roof..




The chimneys :)..with garlic-inspired cross.
Don't miss Casa Batlló if you get a chance to visit Barcelona
Its address is





Have you seen Gaudi's works before?
Do you like them? 

I hope you enjoy traveling and happy to share #myitchyfeet story.
Bon voyage!


Throwback Tuesday: Catching Clouds at Nendaz, CH


"Qu'est-ce que c'est, maman?"
What's that, Ma?
Bo, my almost 4-year-old-son (at that time) asked me.

He just heard Alphorn, the famous traditional long trumpet played by a grop of men on top of Nendaz Terrace, overlooking the Bernese, Valais, and Vaud Alps afar.
"Do you like it, Bo? That's Alphorn, Bo and we will hear more soon." I smiled to him and walked around the terrace while enjoying the breathtaking view.

Mashallah... my Rabb is a maestro indeed.

Welcome to Nendaz, Sion, Switzerland.





My Throwback Tuesday will take us to Nendaz, a beautiful city situated in canton Valais, Switzerland.

Nendaz, or also known as Les 4 Vallées, or the 4 valleys, is beautifully located in Sion, canton Valais, Switzerland 🇨🇭.

We drove around 2.5 hours from  Geneve to  Nendaz.
We wanted to see the International Alphorn Festival held that day, in a wonderful Seiss summer day. We were not pretty sure whether we could make it on time bu we went there anyway. It becomes sort of a habbit for us to drive around in Switzerland whenever we can. This country has  one of the most beautiful scenic views all over the country.
So while posted there, we took the liberty to explore it whenever time, weather and health permit.




So, long story short (after 2.5 hour drive filled with incredible view), we arrived and parked our car at the parking lot. We needed to go up and took the funiculaire or teleferique up to the top, where they held the Festival. On the way up, Bo really enjoyed the scenery, although he was a bit fidgety when the car stopped in the middle of the way.




Up there, the Festival has almost finished.



one man standing..

The International Alphorn Festival held in Nendaz is one of the biggest events celebrating the beauty of this traditional musical instrument in Switzerland. As My Switzerland website mentioned, there were approximately more than 100 players of all nationalities when they had this festival last summer. Rad, right.



Once the Festival was done, we strolled around to enjoy this beautiful spot.
We were blessed with clear blue sky and again, amazing vista.
Wherever we looked, we felt so peaceful.
Abundant.
And blessed.



Well, that's one of the beauties of traveling and exploring the nature, right.
You feel oh-so-relaxed while at the same time we're so grateful for having the opportunity to enjoy God's creation. 



Needless to say, Udi, Bo and I took pictures of this wonderful place.





That's my #ThrowbackTuesday at Nendaz, Switzerland.
What's your memory today?







p.s : I will keep my Throwback Tuesday features but will post it every Wednesday or Thursday :).

Throwback Tuesday: A Day in Milano

Time for another Throwback Tuesday!
This time my snaps from my second visit to Italy and first time visit to Milano.


And Bo was still a cute toddler.
This is the city where Bo first learned to run, chasing the doves :).


It was back in 2008, when I was posted in Geneva, Switzerland, for my first assignment.
My mom stayed with us for 6 months and we managed to travel around whenever we had time. 
I remember  vividly that it was our first Easter Break trip in Europe.
Good thing about Easter Break in Europe is that it lasts for 4 days.
Yuup..Friday to Monday it is.
And we practically stayed in the central of the continent, where traveling around Western European countries are super easy.
We took the liberty to visit Lugano and Mendrisio in Switzerland, before heading to Milan and stayed day for a day.

First destination:  the Duomo.
The one in Milano is the third largest Gothic cathedral in the world and many have been captivated by its intricate details. 
When we went there, the Cathedral was undergoing quite a major renovation.



The next stop was Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle II.
Window shopping only  it was, as we had just had a crazy shopping session at Mendrisio Factory Outlet :).




We went to Castello Sforzesco, an imposing architecture full of history as well.



 And as I said, this is the place where Bo started running around chasing the birds.
The flocking birds around those magnificent buildings!




That's my #throwbacktuesday.
What's your wonderful memories today?

p.s : I will keep my Throwback Tuesday features but will post it every Wednesday or Thursday :).

Throwback Tuesday: Duomo, Firenze, Italy





Right before we were heading back to Indonesia from Geneve, we managed to have our Easter Break trip to Firenze and Pisa, Italy.
It was back in 2011.
Bo was merely 4 years old at that time and Obi, my daughter, was a happy 4-month old baby when we made this trip.

Firenze, or Florence, is indeed one of my my favorite Italian cities!
The trip in 2011 was actually my second visit to this fantastic city, as I first came here in 2004 while I was having my internship in Brussels. The magnet of the incredible history, remarkable architectures, top-notch art, delicious culinary and warm-hearted people lured me back to Firenze, this time with my petite family.

Of course, those visiting Firenze can not miss the Duomo.
Florence's most famous Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore.

Please enjoy some photos before I share more stories and details about it.



















Here are a few family (and close up) photos we took from our hotel room in Duomo, Firenze, during the trip. We were so lucky we got this room right across this magnificent building.








So that's my little Throwback Tuesday this week.
Have you been to Italy and/or Florence?
Which one is your favorite city?

p.s : I will keep my Throwback Tuesday features but will post it every Wednesday or Thursday :).