pierreo.com – Join me on my journey

pierreo May 6th, 2012

I am not going to try to cover this trip chronologically.  We made several passages through Thimphu and Paro and I will cover these as a separate topic now.

But still, this starts at the continuation of the previous post.  After Chuzom, we headed directly into Thimphu where we had lunch in Clock Tower Square, the center of town.  Compared to Paro, Thimphu is a very big city and growing quite fast.  A short walk in the city gave us much more of an urban feeling that we had seen anywhere else.

After lunch, we headed for “Monk University”, or Tango Gompa.  On the way there, we stopped in front of this huge rock painting of Guru Rimpoche.  Guru Rimpoche is a very important character in the history and folklore of Bhutan – there is not always a very distinct line between the two.  He is credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan and in his travels across the country founded several temples and monasteries. The painting is relatively recent but already a very important location as evidenced by the number of prayer flags that surround it.

Tango Gompa (as the name indicates – Gompa is only used for temples and monasteries that are located on the side of a mountain with steep climbs to get there) is reached by hiking up for about 1 1/2 hour.  On the way, we see more rhododendrons in bloom.  These are very different than the ones I was used to in Belgium.

We are now used to climbing at this altitude and therefore are able to do it relatively easily, but still breathing hard.  It is very nice though when you finally get your first glimpse of your destination.  Here is the final approach to Tango.

Before going into the monastery, Kipchu explains more to us about the history of this temple.  It is a good opportunity for me to get a general view.  Tango Gompa is the oldest and largest college for Buddhist Studies in Bhutan.

Lebo and Kipchu have once again put on their more formal attire and we are ready to go in.

The main courtyard is accessed through a rather narrow passage.  The shoes are there because of a small temple on the left of the entrance – we did not forget to take ours off!

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pierreo May 3rd, 2012

I do not know how to say this any other way. I have been in Shangri La!

I have just made the most incredible trip ever, and I am going to have a very hard time trying to help you share this with me with just a few of the most memorable sights that I was priviledged to see and just a few photos to try to make you enjoy these as I did.

We flew from Bangkok to Dakka (in Bengladesh) and then to Paro on Druck Air – the National Airline of Bhutan which boasts a grand total of three airplanes. On the road between the airport and the town of Paro, we ran into a goup of people playing ‘darts’ – but not the pub game most of us are familiar with. The darts are much bigger and heavier and the target is smaller and much further away. As you can see from this photo, it takes quite a bit of effort to throw the dart.

Whenever a player hits the target, which you can see below, all competitors do a short celebratory dance. You can see the target behind the player in the foreground – it is on the ground with a red and blue circle – yes, that is the target. You can also see a dart in his hand.

We continued our journey into Paro where we stopped for lunch. Paro is not a large town, just two or three parallel streets and 10-15 cross streets in all. Most of the budingsarerelatively new, but they are still built in the local, very distinctive style, like this house where we had lunch.

After lunch we went to visit the National Museum which provides an excellent introduction to Bhutanese history and culture. The entrance is very impressive.

The building where it used to be housed is even more impressive. This is the old watch tower of the Paro Dzong,  which is located a few meters lower down the hill. However, the building was significantly weakened by a strong earthquake that occurred in 2011 and can no longer be used for the museum.

It is very strange that I do not remember hearing about this earthquake. It was quite significant (6.8 or 6.9) but fortunately very few people died because it happened in a sparsely populated area between India and Bhutan – there was only 1 fatality in Bhutan. Unfortunately, it caused a lot of damage to many historical monuments and still now there are some that will have to be significantly rebuilt to be made safe.

It is sad, however, that the media does not seem to attach much importance to some event, just because not enough people died.

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pierreo April 25th, 2012

On my way to and from Bhutan, you will see more on this later, I made whistle stops in Singapore and Bangkok.

I only stayed three days in Singapore, but had a great time thanks to my old Dragon Boating friends who all came to a party at Patrick’s Restaurant!

There have been quite a few additions to the team since I left Singapore!

We had a really good time, and before any of my (so called) friends make a regrettable comment about this picture, we did not, I repeat DID NOT do anything that we should not have – just having a good time.  Jessica certainly thought so …

Freddy does not need any instructions … but mother is watching carefully!

It was right around my birthday and so I was rewarded with a green cake! This is my skeptical look – wondering what it is made of.

The problem is that as you get older, the simplest things become harder and harder to do.  I am glad there was not the requisite number of candles on this cake or it would have (1) burned down the place and (2) taken me all night top blow them off!

I want to thank the photographer who obviously did not consider that memory, while cheap, still has a cost when you are traveling far from home and have to back-up each and every photo that is taken (with a size in excess of 30 mb each! in raw format)

I was a great evening that could only conclude with a family portrait with the whole (almost) gang.  Too bad that Ben and Vincent could not make it!

Patrick and Geraldine, you have a great place and the food is fantastic! Everything I remembered and better.  Please keep it up so that I can come again next time I am in town.

On the way back from Bhutan, I spent just one day in Bangkok, and one night at the Hilton right on the river.  The view from the room was great.  Too all the photography buffs out there, this is a composite of 10 shots taken late at night, though the hotel window and without a tripod or a remote control!

No other pictures from Bangkok as I spent most time shopping! Yes, I caught the bug (well actually not, but there were very important things I Needed to get while in Bangkok, and did get).  Had a really great meal not far from the hotel in a restaurant right by the river.  A mixture of Tourist and Local place with really authentic Thai food! Yum just thinking about it.  Just a very quick entry to keep you ‘amused’ while I sort and improve the picture from Bhutan.  They will be coming later … soon … when I get to it OK?

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pierreo February 22nd, 2012

I have accumulated a little backlog keeping my blog updated.  I do apologise to all my readers.

My last trip was a short week (it sounds better than a long week-end when you talk about 5 days) in Barcelona for New Year.  After much considerations, Bee and I settled on the Hostal Goya as the right place to stay.  It is a high recommendation in the Lonely Planet, and is located right in the heart of Barcelona, just a few minute walk from the Barri Gotic, the historical center of Barcelona.  The hotel was a success but you have to know the exact address in order to find it as there are no visible signs on the outside.  It is one floor in a 5 story private building – never stayed at a hotel like that.  More details about it and the restaurants where we ate at the bottom of this post.

Here is a panorama of the city from Parco del Mirador de Migdia on Montjuic Hill.  We actually went there on the last full day, but it is a good way to start exploring the city.  In the forefront, you can see the top station of the cable car we took to get there.  The Mediterranean Sea is on the right, with the Marina District.  Barcelona is surrounded by hills and you can see some of them in the background.

Here is a more focused view with, in the center, the Sagrada Familia, without a doubt the most ‘interesting’ building I have ever seen!

Getting closer and closer, the rear facade of the Sagrada Familia, still being constructed more than 70 years after the death of Antoni Gaudi who designed it.  This is the “Nativity Facade” facing East.  Construction began in 1882 with the crypt under the direction of Francisco De Paula del Villar who had designed it as a standard gothic church.  Gaudi began work on it in 1883 and quickly replaced Villar. Needless to say, he changed the design somewhat.

The visit of the Church begins with a trip up one of the completed spires.  You can move up and down in staircases that are built around the hollow core of the towers.  This is looking down from about 1/2 way up.

The details are incredible.  There are fruit ornaments everywhere, in most cases, nobody will ever be able to see these.

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pierreo December 19th, 2011

It has been another year of events and adventures and there is a lot more in prospect for next year. Fortunately, I do not have to send you, my readers, and ‘end-of-year’ letter with what I have done this year, as the most important events are already listed in these pages.
It has become a tradition that I share with you my favorite Calvin and Hobbes snowmen at this time and I plan to continue the tradition. Here are a few that I do not remember seeing before …

To everybody out there in the wonderful world of Internet, I wish you and those you care for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year full of successes and, of course, great trips.

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pierreo November 6th, 2011

Unfortunately, I had to leave Venice.  While I was there, I discovered that a new exhibit about painters who lived in Paris in the twenties was opening soon in Ferrara.  I had one night of unplanned stay and so decided to head South.

I made my first stop in a town I first visited in 1971 and again in 1980.  Ravenna is not well known amongst international tourists and yet it should be.  There is a lot to see here.

I first stopped at the Basilica San Vitale.  This, I believe, is the oldest church I have ever visited.  It was consecrated in 547 (I did not forget the 1 in front!).  It’s design is octagonal as most early churches were and the walls are feet thick.  However, it is an unbelievable edifice!

The inside is sparsely decorated, but there is a very nice mosaic right over the altar.  In a place like this, it almost seems as if time has stopped.  I can only imagine the 1000′s of people who have come here over the many many years to pray, to gain some comfort, to believe and to admire.  One can easily understand the power that the church had at that time considering the available choices.

A detail of the extremely intricate mosaic over the altar.

Next to the Basilica is the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia – the half-sister of Roman Emperor Honorius who reigned between 395 and 423 and died in Ravenna.  I could not find out when it was built, but probably in the first half of 400AD!  It is small and cramped, and poorly lit, but quite exquisit…  Galla Placidia is not actually burried here (she died in Rome) and no one is sure who was intended to be in the three sarcofagi (their contents were apparently burnt in the 1500′s).

You know you are in a “special” place when the “New Church” was built in the 6th century!  That is the case of the Basilica di Sant’Appolinare Nuovo.

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pierreo November 1st, 2011

In September, it already seems like that was ages ago, I went on a 2-week trip to Northern Italy.  The first part of the trip gave the first opportunity my car has had to “stretch its legs” – I went down the German Autobahn from the Belgian border to the Austrian border towards Innsbruck.  Even with the traffic, there were opportunities to see how well it performs.  I discovered that at 220 km/hr, my fuel consumption goes up significantly, over 8 liters per 100 km!  When the road was clear, I would cruise at 180-190 km/hr, very comfortably and therefore I made it to Innsbruck in the early evening.  Even though I had driven through the city once or twice, I had only stopped there on a dark wintry day in 1969, the first time I drove with my parents back to Belgium for Christmas.  This time I had the opportunity to visit this very nice city a little bit.  The old quarter is very pleasant and from the window of my hotel, I had a great view on the Olympic Ski Jump, used in the 1964 and the 1976 Winter Olympic Games.

One of the reasons for me to stop in Innsbruck was to have the opportunity to do the ‘Old Road’ on the Brenner Pass between Austria and Italy.  There is now a highway and a tunnel that by-passes this road that did not exist in 1969.  I did not want to do this after driving 1000 km so I did it first thing in the morning.  There was not a whole lot of traffic and therefore I had good fun.  From the border, on my way to San Daniele in the Friuli, I decided to detour via Cortina D’ampezzo, coincidentally host of the Winter Olympic Games in 1956.  It seems that I was touring the Old Continent’s classic winter locations!  During a walk above the town, I caught a glimpse of the Ski Jump from the earlier Olympics…

I also had beautiful views of the valley and mountains around Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the most glamorous ski destinations in Italy – at this time of year, it is a sleepy little town, especially on a cold and cloudy September day.  This is the top of the Cable Car that takes visitors into the main ski area.

I took a short walk and found an even better view further along the path.

The town of Cortina is completely surrounded by mountains.  It is hard to get to as there are only a few, small roads heading there.  So I had a lot of fun driving in and out of it as well.  A closer look at the town itself.

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pierreo October 10th, 2011

At the end of June, I went on a great cycle ride with a few friends.  I did not tell them exactly where we were going, other than the starting point, but I knew that, like me, they would be fascinated.  I had not been able to plan the weather, unfortunately, and so it was cold and we had a littl;e rain, but fortunately nothing serious.  We started riding along the Canal du Centre, which soon branched into two section, the old canal and a new canal that was built in the early 90′s.

I have borrowed photos from my friends as well – not all photos below are mine.

As I said, the weather was not great, but we were still having fun.

In order to build the new canal, engineers had to ‘improvise’.  They could not necessarily follow the lay of the land (a canal needs to be rather flat!) and so there were places where they had to build a canal-bridge over streets and other obstructions.  Here is the larger of these bridges.  It is nice to notice that technology can co-exist with traditions: there is a shepherd watching a flock of sheep grazing on the side of the pond below …

The first major stop of the ride, and also the reason why the new canal had been built: The new Ship Elevators at Strepy-Thieu.  These are now the highest such elevators in the world with a height of 73 m; as a comparison, the world’s highest standard locks are on the Irtysh River in Kazakhstan and are 42 m high (the 6 Gatun Locks at the end of the Panama Canal only lift ships a total of 25.9m).  I had recce’d the ride in March, when the weather was a lot better and took this photo.

We approached from the other side.

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pierreo October 6th, 2011

The long week-end of 15 August gave me and a friend a perfect opportunity to go spend a few days in Budapest, a city she had never seen and where I had only been very briefly.  We left Brussels on Friday evening and therefore arrived late at the Hotel, which was right in the middle of the Castle District in Pest.

There is a fantastic view of Buda from Castle Hill and this is also a way to orient everybody who knows the city … The parliament Building is at the far left, behind the Chain Bridge.  The St Stephen’s Basilica is at the center of the picture and there are several cruise ships moored on either side of the river – this was not the case when I went there in 1995 (or at least I do not remember these at that time)

Early Saturday, I had booked a city tour.  I find this a very good opportunity to go around the main attractions of a city, with plenty of opportunities to see more of them in the days to come.  What I had not told Bee is that the tour would be on a Segway.  There were 4 of us on the tour and we spent the first few minutes learning how to manage the Segway.  Bee was very amused while ‘others’ were learning – or is that a nervous smile?

She did learn quite easily (most people do) and off we went on a 4 hour tour.

I needed to practice standing on the Segway with “no hands” so that I could later take pictures.

Photo by Bee

We had a great local guide (on the left in this picture) and we stopped several times for her to explain the history and local culture.  Here we are along the Danube, across from Castle Hill.

We stopped in many places, near the Parliament Building and near the Basilica, which we intended to visit later.

We also stopped in front of the monument ‘honoring’ the Russian Army who ‘saved’ Hungary during WWII and later during the uprising in 1956.  One of the buildings on this square is the US Embassy – that provides balance!

We finished the tour at Heroes Square – it is quite a long way from the center and therefore it was nice to do that on the Segway.  We were also able to test the speed of the machines.  I was surprised that mine was not that fast … is I tried to accelerate more, it would refuse, forcing the handle up and preventing me from leaning forward! I hate it when a machine tries to control what I do …

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pierreo September 4th, 2011

At the beginning of July I went sailing in Holland, on the Greevelingenmeer.  This is a big moment for me as it was the first time that I am skippering an outing with the EM Sailing Club.  I started sailing with the club in 1995 and that is what gave me a taste to go for more.  However, I left Belgium before I could get my license and only now did I get back and get another opportunity.

The Greevelingenmeer is actually fully closed and should be very calm.  However, I have never sailed here, so I am discovering the area as well as the new function.  We also have a small and inexperienced crew with two members not having sailed before.

The weather forecast calls for low winds so there should not be any problems.

We set out at a reasonable time on Saturday and immediately everybody got a chance to steer.

Janice was very quick to learn how to enjoy steering.

The wind kept increasing making it more and more difficult though, so I decided that we should stop for lunch.

We had a great, uneventful sail up to the point where we could stop for lunch.  Unfortunately, our landing was not as uneventful – we survived, and so did the boat, and there are  no pictures to show the excitement…

We had a very leisurely lunch on an island (here are Dave and I relaxing…) and then set back for the return trip to Bruinisse.

We ran into a beautiful old (restored) canal boat.  These have a flat bottom so they can sail in tight to the edge and use movable side-boards on each side to stop drifting.

On a broad reach, we were doing over 8 knots but very relaxed.  The wind was just perfect so we also rigged the boat for “wing-on wing” and were able to maintain that rather well on a few tries.

Not a very intense afternoon!  Only one person doing any work as the fourth member of the team is taking these pictures…

We ran into one flat bottom boat under sail too…

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