Archive for Architecture
The Mughal Empire ruled the Indian subcontinent from about 1526 to 1757. Currently, that region is now divided into India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Although the Mughal Empire is no more, their legacy lives on. Taken out and about India, here are a few shots of Mughal architecture:
The Temple of Heaven, also known as the Altar of Heaven, is a temple complex in Beijing built by the Yongle Emperor. He is the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty in China and is the same guy responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City. Personally, I think he’s one of the best real estate developers during the 1400s.
As somebody who’s afflicted with temple-itis (ie. an inexplicable fascination with temples and ruins), Central Java is a must see destination. Most people are familiar only with the more famous Buddhist temple of Borobudur but Central Java is also home to the largest Hindu temple in Southeast Asia—Prambanan.
Yes. This fourteen point silver star is believed to be the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Located under the altar in the Church of the Nativity, hundreds of pilgrims line up for hours just to glimpse and genuflect upon this sacred spot.
Unlike some people, I’m really not big on theme parks. This is hugely because I’m terrified of the rides. Yep, I’m a wimp so shun me now! One of the things I do like about theme parks though is their attention to detail. They say the devil is in the details but as with Hong Kong Disneyland, apparently so is Mickey! Safety handrails with Mickey We should all see the world through Mickey shaped windows– and slowly go insane. Mickey blatantly discredits the expression “Poor as a mouse”. He’s worth billions of dollars! He does however, give joy to thousands …
It took me a while to make up my mind on whether I should post this photo or not. Maybe because the past few days have been an especially trying time for this region and I don’t know exactly what to say but an exasperated “Can’t you all just get along?” To hear about all the aggression going on in the news after having been there only a few weeks earlier is partly sad but mostly maddening. Like most people in the world, what I know of the Israel-Palestine region is whatever the news feeds me. I had a lot of …
The thing about travelling is that you get a taste of different lifestyles and you end up imagining yourself living or heck even retiring in some of these places. It may be a bit premature but when I think of retirement (and I honestly do) these tropical seaside huts come to mind. A simple shack by the beach Built using sustainable and locally sourced materials With a great view of the sea. Ah wishful thinking. What about you? Which places would you like to move to and why?
It can’t just be me right? I mean, the similarity is uncanny. Notre Dame de Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Perhaps one of the few advantages of old world colonialism is the fusion of architecture styles. The Notre Dame de Saigon was built by French colonists to establish Roman Catholic Church in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). During its construction, red bricks were imported from Marseille and the glass windows from Chartes Province in France. Luna Park in Sydney, Australia This is an amusement park on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour. Luna Park was originally opened in 1935. …
If you are a fan of megastructures and excessive living then you must check out Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands. It is the world’s most expensive standalone casino property and a night in one of the hotel’s 2561 rooms is enough to cover my monthly rent. Argh! Aside from the casino and hotel, the Marina Bay Sands also houses a theatre, shopping mall, museum, skating rink and several high-end restaurants. The photo above was taken from the DNA bridge leading to the development. In case you were wondering, that thing on top of the three towers is a 340m long ‘Skypark’ …
The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul wins the award for most adaptable structure. Throughout its life, it has been a basilica, a mosque and since 1935, a museum. Most people assume that it means Saint Sophia but Hagia Sophia literally translates into “Divine Wisdom”. The chandeliers above date way back from the Ottoman Empire. If you look closely, the interiors are an eclectic mix of Biblical mosaics and Koranic calligraphy. Two different beliefs from two different eras, seamlessly meshing with each other to create one of the greatest examples of Byzantine Architecture.
