A Photo a Day

February 27, 2005

Ksar Ouled Soltane

Filed under: — lbobke @ 9:26 pm

Ksar Ouled Soltane
One of the most striking archtectural achievement in Northern Africa are the “Ksour” (plural of “Ksar”), fortified Berber strongholds consisting of many rooms called “ghorfas” used for storing grain.
The structures look so outlandish and bizarre that Geaorge Lucas used them as the backdrop for his planet Tataouine (actually a small city in Tunisia) in star Wars, home of Anakin Skywalker.

February 26, 2005

Pashupatinath: Ghats of Kathmandu

Filed under: — lbobke @ 10:53 pm

The ghats of Kathmandu at Pashupatinath
Pashupatinath is the site were the dead are cremated in Kathmandu.
After all, the Bagmati river flows into the holy Ganges!
Pashupatinath, dedicated to the “lord of animals” is the holiest Hindu temple in the Nepalese capital.
There are lots of shops selling colourful powders, incense, holy beads and other offerings.
Cremations take place on the small platforms.

February 23, 2005

Inca fortress at Pisac

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 7:42 pm

ceremonial center of Pisac
Pisac is about 30 km from Cusco. The place is well-known for two attractions: the colonial village with its market and the Inca fortress overlooking it.
The setting of Inca Pisac is truly spectacular with fantastic views of the Urubamba valley. The site is smaller than much more famous Machu Picchu, but very well preserved and much less touristy.
Like in Machu Picchu, there is a ceremonial centre with a sacred stone (Intihuatana) used for tying the sun to the Earth.

February 22, 2005

Wiesbaden: Park in the Fog

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 10:02 pm


Thick fog hides the park of the palace in Biebrich.

February 21, 2005

Place Igor Stravinsky, Paris

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 6:57 pm

Fountain by Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely, Paris
Right next to the gigantic Centre Georges Pompidou, there is the small Igor Stravinsky place with a very colourful fountain.
The sculptures of the fountain are by two well-known modern artists: Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely.

February 19, 2005

Colosseum at El Jem

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 12:34 pm

Amphitheatre of El Jem (Tunisia)
Although this colosseum very much looks like the one in Rome, it’s actually located in the Tunisian city of El Jem.
The contrast between the third largest amphi-theatre of Roman times and the smallish city below it couldn’t be greater.

February 15, 2005

Aswan Sunset

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 9:43 pm

Sunset in aswan
Seen from the park beside the Old Cataract Hotel, Aswan.

February 14, 2005

Coast at Paracas, Peru

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 1:52 am

Coast at Paracas
Incredible colours…

February 13, 2005

Whirling Dervish

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 6:49 pm

Whirling Dervish performs at a Christmas Dinner in Aswan
This whirling dervish was truly amazing - spinning forever his clothes being coloured wheels.
Here, I stopped his movement combining a fill flash with a relatively long exposure.
As to dervishes: this originated as a sort of Sufi-prayer in Turkey - but I guess such tourist performances do not really have a religious significance.
Still, a remarkable experience!
more Egypt pictures.

February 12, 2005

Early morning in Paris

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 11:00 pm

Seine at Sunrise
The Seine, shortly after sunrise. Getting up that early surely was worth it: the light was truly magical.
Again (see my evening bridge with train), I waited for a train to cross the bridge before pressing the trigger.

Guest photos from Greece and Canada

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 7:51 pm

There are new photos in the Canada and Greece sections of the guest gallery.
The photographers are Benny Everaerts Eleni and Robert Calvé.

February 11, 2005

Rodin Museum

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 7:30 pm

Musee Rodin, Paris
The Musée Auguste Rodin its holds many sculptures by the famous artist, but the main attarction is its garden where you can see some of Rodins most important masterpieces in beautiful surroundings (including “the thinker” and “Eve”).
You can visit the museum building and the sculpture garden separately.

February 9, 2005

Lago Atitlan

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 7:12 pm

Lago Atitlan, Guatemala
Another view of Lago Atitlan.

February 8, 2005

Xochimilco

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 9:43 pm

Xochimilco
When you are in Mexico City, it seems that the noise and the traffic are going on forever. However, just about 20 kilometres from the city centre, there is a totally different place:
Xochimilco was the agricultural centre of Tenochtitlán, the great city of the Aztecs.
In Xochimilco, you can still see the so-called Chinampas - floating islands made of weeds, and earth on which the Aztecs used to grow their agricultural produce.
Actually, this is somewhat similar to the floating islands of the Uros on Lago Titicaca.

Nowadays, Xochimilco is a huge tourist attraction: you can take a boat on the canals and enjoy the atmosphere - while vendors on their boats offer you drinks, food and souvenirs. There are even restaurant boats and swimming Mariachi bands!
By the way: the name Xochimilco means “flower garden” and indeed you’ll see many flowers and bossoms here.

February 6, 2005

Biosphere Reflection

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 9:59 pm

reflection of the Biosphere, Montreal
Reflection of the Biosphere in Montreal.

Lantern at the Louvre

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 7:47 pm


The shadow of a lantern against the walls of the Louvre, Paris.

February 5, 2005

Sacré Coeur

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 9:12 pm


One of the landmarks of Paris, the Basilique du Sacré Coeur looks down on the city from its hill on top of the famous Montmartre quartier.
Looking at the white building that combines romanic and Byzantine styles, it is hard to believe that it was only officially opened after the first World War.
Sacré Coeur is only a very short walk away from Place du Tertre, where you can get a portrait of yourself painted by one of the many artists preying on the truckloads of tourists.
When I visited this time, Montmartre, Sacré Coeur and the Place du Tertre were quite enjoyable - winter is a good time to visit the more touristy attractions of Paris.

February 4, 2005

The Key to Abu Simbel

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 9:18 pm

The temple warden holds a key in the form of an anch
It is a good idea to be at the site even before the temples open. This gives you time to enjoy the atmosphere and take some shots of the temple walls in the red morning son.
Eventually, the temple warden (here seen wielding a huge key in the form of an “anch” will unlock the door to the temple.
Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take pictures inside…

February 3, 2005

Blue Water

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 6:12 pm


Seen on a birdwatching trip near Capetown.

February 1, 2005

Clown in the Fog

Filed under: — Laurenz @ 7:21 pm

sculpture of a clown in Wiesbaden Biebrich
The sculpture “Froschkönigin” (”The Frog Queen”) by Birgid Helmy in Wiesbadem-Biebrich.
It is currently the time of the “5th season” - carnival. Just across the bridge from Biebrich is the city of Mainz, one of the most important centres of carnival celebrations.
Birgid Helmy was born in Wiesbaden and is known for her dynamic sculptures.



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All photos on Travelphoto NET: Copyright Laurenz Bobke.
Republication only with my written permission, and only with proper credit (including a link back to this site if shown on the web).

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