Ancient city of Bukhara

Location: Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Date: 20-21 July 2013

A prominent stop along the old Silk Road linking China to the Mediterranean, this 2000+ year old ancient city where the dominant religion is Islam, was also the center for Islamic theology and culture. There are so many mosques, madrassas, caravanserai etc that are centuries old, yet still well preserved. The city centre of Bukhara has the most complete example of a medieval city in Central Asia and it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bukhara ...here we come...show us your Silk Road bazaars....and ancient architectures...

1. Ark of Bukhara

The Ark of Bukhara is a 5th century fortress and it is the oldest structure in Bukhara. This imposing structure was the seat of the rulers / emirs right up to 1920 when the Soviet took over. Today, the fortress houses a museum.

Krakow, Poland (30 Apr 2013)

Kraków is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River , the city dates back to the 7th century. The Market Square is the site of The Cloth Hall, a Renaissance time trading post. St Mary's Cathedral is also in the vicinity 

Krakow’s Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site including the entire Old Town.

It is also one of the most beautiful cites in the Europe. With its majestic monuments,cobbled lanes and streets,antiquated shops and restaurants ..

n 1978, Karol Wojtyla, archbishop of Kraków, was elevated to the papacy as Pope John Paul II – the first Slavic pope ever, and the first non-Italian pope in 455 years.

Walking Tour of Krakow

Crespi d'Adda, Italy (7 Nov 2012)

We left Verona to make our way to the city of Milan. On the way, we stopped at Brescia for lunch and a visit to Crespi d'Adda, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Spaghetti Cabonara and Lasagna Bolognese with a couple of coffee and a hot chocolate drink.

Autumn at Plitvice Lakes National Park (27 Oct 2012)

Here we are at one of the largest national park in Southeast Europe and a UNESCO world heritage site.

Founded in 1949, the park is made up of 16 cascading lakes.

 

Kotor, Montenegro (17 Oct 2012)

The coastal town of Kotor was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Today, the bay of Kotor attracts cruise ships and luxury yachts of all sizes to its shores.

Street in Kotor

   

Street in Kotor

Fier, Llundjier, Berat and Elbasan–Albania (11 Oct 2012)

We were up early at 6.30am and spent some time observing the city of Fier as it comes to life. Street vendors selling from their car boot came early to book a parking spot or a spot along the pavement/side walk. If you happen to park in one of their spot, they are quick to shoo you away. We see school children of all ages walking to school. On the street, cars, vans and buses move along with no real rush. Several cars were going slow causing a trail of cars behind them. Yet, none of the drivers honked. Albanian drivers are really patient.

Today we were going to Berat, city of a thousand windows. The roads were alright but can be narrow at some sections and uneven with potholes every now and then. There were also a few lorries though none of them were driving like maniacs.

 

Road from Fier to Llundjier (or Lushnje)

 

Road from Llundjier to Berat – not so smooth but still bearable.

Greek Orthodox Monasteries in Meteora, Greece (28 Sept 2012)

METEORA AND GREEK ORTHODOX MONASTERIES:

We arrived at Meteora, a UNESCO world heritage site, and was greeted by steep cliffs and interesting rock formations. Meteora is home to more than 20 Greek Orthodox monasteries built centuries ago; only six remained today. These monasteries were built high on the rock cliffs only accessible by long ladders as the monks in those times found the rock cliffs to be safe from threat. When they felt threatened, the long ladders would be pulled up, cutting access to the monasteries by any unwelcomed visitors.

The Monastery of the Holy Trinity on top of a cliff – built in 1475 and was remodeled many times in 1684, 1689, 1692, 1741.