Finding serenity in our bustling day-to-day is often challenging. Yet there are a few things that will do the trick for me every time without fail: the loving embrace of my boyfriend after a hard day, the crackling fire in an open fireplace and the seashore. The coast is but a place where the land …
Do you know that feeling when you’re on the way to some destination but then inadvertently stumble upon something that you did not expect and the experience leaves you utterly awestruck? Well, I do. Cue in Buachaille Etive Mòr, a Munro in the Scottish Highlands. Even though Buachaille is almost iconic, one of the most shown Scottish …
Art has a long and painful history. Many ancient artifacts have been illegally removed or poached throughout the ages and many sacred architectural structures have been disrespected or destroyed so they finally fell into ruin over the centuries. The Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens is no exception. The temple was originally dedicated to the goddess Athena …
Bruges is the capital of the province West Flanders in Belgium and its historic city centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Bruges’s beauty can be contributed to the fact that, although it’s been raided several times throughout history, most of the city’s medieval architecture remained intact, making it one of the most well-preserved and …
The mere mention of the words “the time of the year” invokes thoughts of the holiday season. The commercial perception of the three end-of-the-year holidays is now an inherent part of bustling city life and is projected at us from nearly every window, and the season becomes a blurred whirlwind of pumpkins, turkey stuffing, fairy lights, …
This week’s challenge hits close to home. This is one of my favourite pictures I’ve taken recently, just as the trip to Wales was one of the best trips we had in a long time. Freshwater West beach in Pembrokeshire was almost entirely deserted in May, apart from the few people walking their dogs and …
Life threw a few job-related curveballs at me recently. After the initial panic the dust settled and I graciously adopted a “devil may care” attitude while tending to my photography. I simply cannot fathom why you’re not allowed to take pictures of the tempting curves of an architectural wonder, such as St Paul’s Cathedral, the world’s …
Tea is a simple thing really. Add hot water to dried leaves, let it steep for a while and there you have it. Yet independent cultures have built ceremonies and occupations around the idea and practice of consuming said refreshment, countries fought wars over it, and transporting it helped establish important and coveted positions among trading nations. Therefore it’s …
I grew up in the Eastern Block behind the Iron Curtain. I was only 13 when Berlin was reunited, and I remember the events leading up to it. I remember visiting Berlin when the Wall was still standing, right after the checkpoints between East and West Berlin were opened. I remember walking along the plaque near Checkpoint Charlie that marks where the … Continue reading
As I promised to give you 5 reasons to visit Brussels, I was going to go through architecture and major sights, but since all that information is readily available in any guidebook, I decided to deviate from the pattern. So instead of telling you about the best of Flemish renaissance on the iconic Grand Place, and give … Continue reading
Admittedly life has been a tad depressing of late. No need to mention the sad occurrences in Paris that still keep half of the world on its toes, and the other half in mourning. After the Paris attacks Brussels is now on lockdown and on high alert, due to a “serious and imminent threat” of terrorist attacks … Continue reading
My mother always taught me to walk with my head raised high, to “look at what’s flying instead of what’s crawling”, the way she put it. And there is indeed so much to see up there. Architecture is a wonderful marriage of functionality and great beauty, a testament to being unique and technologically savvy before that expression even … Continue reading
What could be a better treat than a picnic on the potentially last sunny weekend of the year? In these neck of woods you’re grateful for any sun you get. So, if you’re a savoury food lover like me, why not top it with some delightful treats of the edible variety, like these sun-dried tomato muffins with homemade fresh … Continue reading
Postcards from the Country 