Travelogues

> Short trip to Abu Dhabi

2010-02-09T00:23:00.006+05:00

> Calke Abbey (Derbyshire)

2009-08-05T21:39:00.005+06:00

Located near the village of Calke in Derbyshire, Calke Abbey is a "great house in decline". Unlike many restored mansions one comes across, Calke Abbey has been painstakingly preserved in a state of disrepair. Everything in the house is kept the way it was found by the National Trust when it got its ownership. The place is full of clutter ranging from old paintings to kitchan utensils, wooden boxes, a magnificent four-poster bed, garden implements to an amazing collection of stuffed animals. Unfortunately photography inside the house is not allowed.

Calke Abbey photo: SAR

Calke Abbey photo: SAR

Calke Abbey photo: SAR

A view of the reservoir near the Calke Abbey photo: SAR

A view of the garden, Calke Abbey photo: SAR

> Moira Furnace (Leicestershire)

2009-06-12T18:07:00.005+06:00

19th century blast furnace, Moira, Leicestershire, photo:SAR

A path leading to kilns, Moira, photo: SAR

Part of the canal that was used for shipping materials to and from the furnace, Moira, photo: SAR

Another view of the furnace, photo: SAR

A view of the canal, Moira, photo: SAR

> Ashby de la Zouche (Leicestershire)

2009-06-03T16:13:00.009+06:00

A church, Ashby de la Zouche, photo: SAR

A square in the city center, Ashby de la Zouche, photo: SAR

World War-I memorial, Ashby de la Zouche, photo: SAR

Asby de la Zouche Castle (15th c.), photo: SAR

Asby de la Zouche Castle (15th c.), photo: SAR

> United Kingdom

2009-05-28T17:42:00.005+06:00

Driving "in" the train, Coquelle, photo: USA

Lost in London-I, photo: USA

Lost in London-II, photo: USA

Lost in London-III, photo: USA

Lost in London-IV, photo: USA

We thought we were in South Hall!!, photo: SAR

> France: From Irun to Calais

2009-05-25T18:00:00.010+06:00

One of many toll stations, this one near Tours,photo:USA

Passing through Rouen, northwestern France, photo: USA

Somewhere between Rouen and Calais, photo: USA

"Aire de repos" (Rest area), photo: USA

A shopping mall in Calais, photo: SAR

Our hotel (Etap), Coquelle photo: USA

Ticket point at the Eurotunnel, Coquelle photo: USA

> Spain-A road trip

2009-05-18T17:21:00.007+06:00

Irun, the last Spanish town before France, photo:USA
Heading north towards Bayonne, photo: USA

Entering San Sebastian, photo: USA

Near San Sebastian, photo: USA

Savila, Ring Road, photo: USA

A lone biker, near Cadiz, photo: USA

The bull country, Cadiz, photo: USA

> Bernina Pass

2008-05-24T22:26:00.000+05:00

The Bernina Pass (el. 2328 m.) is a high mountain pass in the Bernina Range of the Alps.

The Bernina Express from Davos to Poschiavo and Tirano is one of the most impressive train travel in Switzerland.

Waiting for Bernina Express.

Frozen lake near the top of Bernina Pass.

> St. Moritz

2008-05-24T22:19:00.000+05:00

> Julier Pass

2008-05-24T21:53:00.001+05:00

Julier Pass (el. 2284 m) is a mountain pass in Switzerland, in the Albula Range of the Alps. We crossed this pass while traveling from Davos to St. Moritz.

> Landwasser Viaduct

2008-05-24T21:16:00.001+05:00

65 m high and 136 m long - the Landwasser Viaduct is probably the most famous railway bridge in Switzerland and is seen in most Swiss travel brochures. The viaduct has six arches, each spanning 20m. One of its ramps exits straight into the Landwasser Tunnel.

To reach the bridge we had to walk for about 800 metres from the car park. The trail is not clearly marked and we had to ask the local people for directions.

One video from youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqiUOKlvz8M

> Wiesen

2008-05-24T21:04:00.001+05:00

We stayed in the little village of Wiesen near Davos.

> Flüela Pass

2008-05-24T21:00:00.001+05:00

Flüela Pass (elevation 2383 m.) is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps. The pass road connects Davos and Susch in the lower Engadin valley.

> Lago di Resia, Italy

2008-05-24T20:22:00.001+05:00

Reschen Lake (Lago di Resia) is situated a short distance from the Austrian-Italian border in southern Tyrol.

Since about the middle of last century, the town of Graun lies under the lake´s surface. In 1950 a dam was built by an Electric Company Montecatini which burried Graun under water. The inhabitants had to move and the houses were buried by the water.

The top part of the town's church tower is more or less visible today, depending on the water level.

> Die Leutascher Geisterklamm

2008-05-12T00:14:00.006+05:00

The Leutasch gorge crosses the border between Austria and Germany between Leutasch and Mittenwald.

A smaller version of the Leutaschklamm gorge walk has existed for years and has been available from the Mittenwald end. The newer version (opened in 2006) has been largely funded by the EU and is accessible both from the Mittenwald end and from the Leutasch valley.

The 3000-metre-long Gorge Trail runs for part of the way on an exciting 800 metre long man-made section. The walk is relatively easy and suitable for families with children.

> Tangier April 2008

2008-05-02T16:54:00.001+05:00

"Hercules Cave" Tangier photo:SAR

City square, Tangier photo: SAR

Tangier at sunset photo: SAR

> Fez April 2008

2008-05-02T15:07:00.001+05:00

A view of the old city (Medina) photo: SAR

Handicrafts, Fez photo: SAR

A street in the old city photo: SAR

> Alhambra, Granada

2008-03-28T03:42:00.004+05:00

The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex of the muslim rulers of Granada in southern Spain.

Perhaps the most beautiful palace constructed by the Arabs.

Built towards the end of Muslim rule in Spain, the Alhambra is a reminder of Muslim culture as it was in Iberia 600 years ago.

The pond is 34 metres long and 7,10 meters wide.

One of the palaces of the complex.

The Court of the Lions is probably the most famous place of the Alhambra. It is so called because of the twelve lions that throw jets of water and which are part of the fountain in the middle of the patio. The big basin rests on top of these twelve lions that are around it.

To our disappointment, the lions had been taken away for restoration.

Another view of the court of the lions.

Islamic architecture at its best.

Islamic architecture at its best.

View of Alhambra from the gardens (Generalife).

The Alcazaba, a fortress, is the oldest part of the Alhambra.

The original construction had 24 towers but only a few remain.

The Alcazaba acted as military headquarters for the Nasrid dynasty. It was built on the highest point of the hill to defend the royal family and house their army.

View of the city of Granada (from Alhambra)

> Palacio de Generalife

2008-03-28T03:36:00.001+05:00

The Palacio de Generalife (Arabic: Jannat al-'Arif - Architect's Garden) was the summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid sultans of Granada.

The palace and gardens were built during the reign of Muhammad III (1302-1309) and redecorated shortly after by Abu I-Walid Isma'il (1313-1324).

The Generalife is one of the oldest surviving Moorish gardens.

The city of Granada an be seen in the background.

View of Alhambra from Generalife

> Tarifa

2008-03-28T03:21:00.001+05:00

Tarifa is a small town on the southernmost coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The town is located on the Costa de la Luz ("coast of light") and across the Straits of Gibraltar from Morocco, from which the lights of Tarifa are visible at night.

A view across the Strait of Gibraltar taken from the hills above Tarifa, Spain.

Another view

Atlantic Ocean

Mediterranean Sea

The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and separates Spain from Morocco. There are 13 km of ocean separating Europe from Africa at the strait's narrowest point. The strait depth ranges between 300 and 900 meters.

The coast near Tarifa is also popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers due to the stong winds of the straits. For this reason Tarifa is also dotted with hundreds of wind turbines.

> Rock of Gibraltar

2008-03-28T03:14:00.001+05:00

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. The territory shares a border with Spain to the north.

The name of the territory is derived from the Arabic name Jabal Tāriq, meaning "mountain of Tariq", or from Gibel Tāriq, meaning "rock of Tariq". It refers to the Ummayad Berber general Tariq ibn-Ziyad who led the Islamic conquest of Hispania in 711.

The territory covers 6.843 square kilometres. It shares a 1.2 km land border with Spain.

The Rock of Gibraltar was one of the Pillars of Hercules and was known to the Greeks as Mons Calpe, the other pillar being Mons Abyla or Jebel Musa on the African side of the Strait.

> Cordoba

2008-03-27T03:07:00.003+05:00

Córdoba is a city in Andalucía, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba.

Today a moderately-sized modern city, the old town contains many impressive architectural reminders of when Córdoba was the thriving capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba.

The main reason we visited the city of Cordoba was to see the Mezquita. The Mezquita of Cordoba is the only Great Mosque built under Islamic rule in Spain(700s AD) that still stands today.

Views of the Mezquita from the bridge

Adil and Zainab

One of several beautifully decorated entrances to the Mezquita.

Today, the Mezquita is the cathedral of Cordoba and no longer a mosque, but the vast majority of its architecture owes its origin to the Islamic architects who built it as a mosque in the 8th century.

The Mezquita de Cordoba is most notable for its giant arches and its forest of over 1,000 columns of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite.

Amazing views !!!

The Mahrab, considered one of the most beautiful in the world was built by Al Hakam II (961-76). It's decorated with golden mosaic designs and Arabic script.

Another view of the Mahrab.

The spectacular domed ceiling above the Mahrab.

Views of the bridge.

Alcazar (castle), another of the major attractions of Cordoba. The gate was closed so we could not go inside.

> Barcelona

2008-03-27T02:17:00.003+05:00

Barcelona is the capital and most populous city of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, with a population of 1.6 million.

The Sagrada Família church, Gaudi's masterpiece. Photo UFM
The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, often simply called the Sagrada Família, is a massive Roman Catholic church under construction in Barcelona. Construction began in 1882 and continues to this day.

Park Güell. Photo UFM
Park Güell is a garden complex with architectural elements situated on the hill of el Carmel in the Gràcia district of Barcelona. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1900 to 1914. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí".

Site of 1992 Summer Olympic games, Photo UFM

Barcelona Harbour, Photo UFM

Torre Agbar, Photo UFM
The Torre Agbar is a 21st century skyscraper in Barcelona. It was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. It opened in June 2005 and it was inaugurated officially by the King of Spain in September 2005.

> Prague

2007-12-25T18:11:00.000+05:00

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated on the River Vltava in central Bohemia, Prague has been the political, cultural, and economic center of the Czech state for over 1100 years. The city proper is home to more than 1.2 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 1.9 million.

Prague is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is among the most visited cities on the continent. Since 1992, the historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Prague Castle, Photo UFM

Old Town square, Photo UFM

The Astronomical Clock, Photo UFM

Photo UFM

Chales Bridge, Photo UFM

Chales Bridge, Photo UFM

TV Tower with crawling babies, Photo UFM

> Casablanca, Morocco

2007-11-21T17:47:00.000+05:00

King Hasan Mosque, photo: SAR

Inside the mosque, photo: SAR

Another view of the mosque, photo: SAR

Casablanca coast, photo: SAR