Tag Archives: cruise ship

December 6, 2013 · 5:35 am

Sagrada Familia — The Exterior

131 Years in the Making

In our previous travels to Barcelona Ursula and I had strolled past the Sagrada Familia several times, but the crowds waiting to access the interior were daunting to say the least. This time Ursula was determined that the sights within would no longer elude us. She ordered tickets in advance with a reserved time.

Flowing Structure

There is so much to see of the interior that I will be presenting it in two parts, along with a more in-depth discussion of this fascinating basilica that has been under continuous construction now for the past 131 years, and which still has between 13 and 15 more years to go until completion.

For now, however, click on any image below to view a slideshow of the incredible details that decorate this unbelievable structure:

Exterior Details

Modern Depictions of New Testamet Scenes

Statuary

Whopping Cranes

The Crucifiction

More details

Closeup of Details

Typical Gaudí Architecture

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Filed under Photography, travel

Tagged as Barcelona, cruise ship, Holland America, MS Ryndam, photography, R. Doug Wicker, Sagrada Familía, Spain, travel

December 4, 2013 · 5:35 am

Barthelona ith in Thpain

Christopher Columbus Pointing the Way

I don’t speak a lot of Spanish (taco, enchilada, chile relleno, and perhaps most importantly, cerveza), but I do know pretty much how to pronounce things . . . except apparently in Barcelona. Here, the “s” is pronounced as a “th” sound, resulting in some potentially harrowing situations.

Ham made a great sandwich for a quick lunch

For instance, I was practicing this rather unique Barcelona-ism in case I had to say something in the local Spanish (Catalon is the predominant language here, but good luck getting me to try that) when I noticed Ursula was about to make a major misstep.

I hurredly said, “Wath out. Dog thit.”

By the time she asked, “What?” it was far too late.

Ursula and I had been to Barcelona twice previous to this occasion, so I didn’t really take many photographs this time of the city. Rather, I was eagerly waiting for something we hadn’t done before — the interior of Antoni Gaudí’s incredible Sagrada Familia. That will be the subject of an upcoming three-part series with Parts 2 and 3 focusing on the unbelievable interior.

Meanwhile, below is today’s slideshow of Barcelona. Watch for the Arc de Triomf, the Torre Agbar Tower, the bustling and crowded Las Rambla pedestrian mall, a very interesting guard house, and other sights of Barcelona:

Arc de Triomf

Barcelona Traffic Circle

Barcelona

Guard House

This is a Post Office?

Barcelona

Torre Agbar Tower

Barcelona

Crowds of Barcelona’s Las Rambla

Example of Antoni Gaudí’s Work

Christopher Columbus

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Filed under Fun Photo Friday, Photography

Tagged as Barcelona, cruise ship, Holland America, MS Ryndam, photography, R. Doug Wicker, Spain, travel

December 2, 2013 · 5:35 am

Marveling at Marseille

Marseille Panorama

After Aix-en-Provence and Cassis our Mercedes minivan returned us to Marseille where we first visited Palais Longchamp for some quick photos, then onward to the harbor.

Palais Longchamp

At the harbor is where our little tour group temporarily separated for a little lunch and on-foot sightseeing.

Marseille

Photo tip: When travelling in Europe (and other places) remember to look well beyond photographing the ABCs (Another Bloody Castle/Cathedral/Church). Look for interesting textures and colors presented by the more mundane and everyday:

Fishnet

Shutters

The Rowboat

After our group rejoined our next stop was high above Marseille — the stunningly beautiful Neo-Byzantine (hey, if it ain’t Baroque, don’t nix it) Notre-Dame de la Garde — which overlooks the entire area from a height of nearly 500 feet (150 meters).

Notre-Dame de la Garde overlooking Marseille

The views from this exquisite basilica aren’t all outside, however. The interior is equally stunning:

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Another sight awaiting you at the entrance to the harbor is Château d’If, famous as the prison which held Edmond Dantès in Alexander Dumas’ classic tale The Count of Monte Cristo.