Italy - Venice

(Above Image from a Travel Brochure)
I was told that some of the buildings I saw there as 1st storey was actually the 3rd of fourth storey of the buildings!!!
Because the 1st few storeys of the buildings were already been submerged into waters.
The people famous transport is of course the Gondola.
Upon arrival at Venice, everyone has to stop at Piazzale Roma.
The Piazzale is built in 1933.
A water transport would them bring is into the heart of Venice - Grand Canal.
Venice is made up of 118 islands, intersected by 160 canals and connected by 400 bridges.

RIALTO BRIDGEThis Rialto Bridge is the oldest one within the canal.
Suprising, it was originally made of wood but it collapsed in 1440.
Then it was rebuilt again...wood again!!!
Only in the 16th century it was then properly built by Antonio da Ponte.
He completed it in 1592.
Rialto is a single span bridge, 28 m in length and with a maximum height of 7.5 meters in the middle.
It has two rows of shophouses on it!



The view opposite the Rialto bridge - Grand Canal.
It's a very beautiful place.


We walked into the small alleys in the busy streets of Venice.
The distance between the houses apart were mostly builted very closely to each other, about a full arm length apart.


In the photo, you can see the "BRIDGE OF SIGHS"
The bridge was designed by Antonio Contini in a 17th century Baroque style.
Joins the Doges Palace to the Prigioni Nuove (New Prisons).
The name is derived from the fact that the prisoners were being taken across it before being sentenced by the judge.


BASILICA OF ST. MARK'S
The mortal remains of St. Mark was brought into Venice in 828.
Thus a church was built to house this precious relics.
Built between 11th and 15th century by many different people but the result is a harmonious blend.
Standing in the middle of PIAZZA SAN MARCO
An open space where pigeons fly around, people enjoying art works, relax...etc.
Can also buy seeds to feed the pigeons when I was there.
But recently I've heard that this practice is banned!


At the Side of Basilica of St. Mark's


Venice In High Water!
Sometimes San Marco will be flooded...
Image from a Postcard.


Streets of Venice.
People are able to take Gondolas from here.
If you are there, I would highly recommend you to try a Gondola ride.


DOGES' PALACEA magnificent example of 14th century architecture.
It is a great museum containing works by many famous artists.

Venice... A place that I like very much beside Bavaria, Germany.
Surrounded with waters.
It a place where it is able to give one a romantic, exciting and yet also quiet and calm feelings...

Italy - Florence & Pisa Tower

An Overview of the City of Florence up on the hills.
Florence is also known as "Cradle of the Renaissance" or "Athens of Italy"
We arrived in the morning hours still feeling rather sleepy.


A place with very good view of the city.


Piazzale Michelangelo
Here in the centre of the square is Michelangelo's David
One of the world's most reproduced statue.


Giotto's Belltower and Cathedral
This belltower started it's construction in 1334 by Giotto but was completed only after his death by Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti.
This tower is 85 metres tall.
The Cathedral construction started in 1289 and since many alterations have been added.


At the bell tower!
The streets around it is also quite busy, full of people walking around...


Piazza Della Signoria
This is a lively square and have many statues on display.
A very artistic place.


At the south side of the square that has three great arches of Loggia Della Signoria.
Built in 1380s by Benci Di Cione and Simone Talenti for public ceremonies and later became an open air sculpture museum.


Streets in Florence, Italy


The Leaning Tower of PISA
Construction begun in 1174 by Bonanno Pisano and completed only in 99 years later by Giovanni di Simone.
This monument is 55.863 meter high.
Has 8 floors and a slope of 4.500mt.


Pizza del Duomo
The "Square of Miracles" consist os the Cathedral, the Tower, the Baptistry and the Monument Cemetery. Built by different people over a time span of more than 300 years from the 11th to 14th century.


The Cathedral at Pisa Tower was built from 1063 by Buscheto.
Consecrated in 1118 by Pope Jealaus II and only finished in the late 18th century by Rainaldo.


Picture from a Postcard

Italy - Rome and The Vatican

When I was in Italy in 1999 before year 2000.
Many of their historical buildings were under going some repairs and renovation works.
I was always interested in the history of Rome... anicent Rome!
Their medival times soliders and armors!
It's a pity I didn't take much pictures on the ancient ruins.
Especially the Roman Forum, I just managed to caught a glimpse of it as the tour bus passed!

Rome, named as Capital of the World or Eternal City
It is Italy's capital and largest city.
As the legend says, Rome was founded in 753 B.C.
A republic was declared in Rome in 509 B.B.

The COLOSSEUM (Colosseo)Built in A.D. 72 by Vespasian and later in A.D. 80 by his son, Titus.
Once the Colosseum was able to seat 50,000 people.
A place where men combats with men or with the animals.
Its area is 188 x 156 meters and 57 meters tall.


I did not enter the Colosseum.
There were lots of people there.
Street vendors, Food carts, people dressing up as Roman soliders for photography...etc.
The place was rather lively.


ARCH OF CONSTANTINE
A Triumph Arches.
It was erected in honor of Constantine's for defeat of the pagan Maxentius (A.D. 306).
It is 21 metres tall with 25 meters long triple arches.


CASTEL SANT'ANGELO
Located just east of Vatican City. Built in 130 A.D. as a tomb for Hadrian Emperor.
Was used as a fortress in the middle ages
Now an Art Museum, display the history of Rome, their ancient weapons and armors.



VATICAN CITYVatican is an independent state from 8th century.
It is the world's smallest independent state of approx. half a square kilometer of territory.


ST. PETER'S (San Pietro)Greatest Church build it 324 as a shrine for the mortal remains of St. Peter.
The Circus of Nero is where St. Peter was crucified.
This building took hundreds of years to complete.


Standing in the the middle of St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro).
The doric-pillared colonnade reaches out surrounding the square was built in 1937.
It is 240 meter wide open. Composed of 284 pillars with 140 statues and martyrs.
The St. Peter's Square is able to hold 300,000 people!!!


The exteriors was going through extensive repairs to prepare for the 2000 year!
Luckily, the inside were still open to visitors.
I took many photos inside but many came out of focus and dark.
That's the cons of using film camera.
I should have brought along a camera stand.
It's a pity because the interior of the church and it's statues were all so grand and well maintain!
I especially like the ceilling works! Mostly it's all beautifully painted.


SPANISH STEPSDesigned & built in 1723 by Francesco de Sanctis.
Located in Piazza Di Spagna.
The steps got it's name from a Spanish Embassy that was built nearby in the 19th century.


See how it the steps were flooded by people there, no wonder it's one of the city's favourite spots!
When I was there, I was quite surprised to see Horse carriages there for hire.
The carriages were all very nicely decorated.
I think it romantic to sit in the horse carriage to go round these places near sunset...
There were many cafe opposite the Spanish Steps.
Even though there were lots of people sitting and eating on the steps, the entire place was very clean. No litter bugs!


TREVI FOUNTAINThis enormous fountain occupies most of Piazza di Trevi, a charming place off Via Del Corso.
Built in 19 B.C. by Agrippa but was abandon.
In the 1400s, Pope Nicholas V requested to design it to have its waters be collected.
Decorative elements were added in the 18th century by Niccolo Salvi.
This fountain has drawn many tourists there to Make A Wish.
Not sure why but it seems like a custom to stand with your back facing the fountain, make a wish and then throw the coin backwards!!!

St Andrew Cathedral

ST ANDREW'S CATHEDRAL
11 St Andrew's Road,
Singapore 178959
Official Site : http://www.livingstreams.org.sg/

22 March 2008, Saturday, Cloudy Day.
I was out for some photo shooting and since I was near to Raffles City, I decided to visit this church.
This is my very first visit in this Church.
I've always like this church very much but has never enter it.
To my suprised, there are free guided tours around the church to explain about the history of the church.
Luckily, a tour just got started and I joined in the group.
Inside the church, many helpers were busy decorating the church with flowers.
The entire place is very well kept.

The Lectern : During worship services, bible passages are read from the Lectern. This Lectern is made in the shape of an eagle perched on a globe to represent God's word is to be proclaim to the world.


The East Windows & Lord's Table : In the east windows, the centre light is Sir Stamford Raffles dedicated to him in 1861, the north light is Sir John Crawford, Governor of Singapore (1823-1826) and the South Light is Maj, Gen. William Butterworth, Governor (1843-1855).

Christians would gather around the Lord's Table to eat the bread and drink the wine.


The lady in the black T-shirt and jeans was giving a guided tour of this church. She is very polite and all smiles. It was a pleasant visit with much knowledge gained about the church.

Brief History of St Andrew Cathedral (extracted from Church's Brochure)
1823 : Present site chosen for church by Sir Stamford Raffles
1834 : Foundation stone of 1st Anglican church in Singapore laid
1837 : First divine service conducted by the first chaplain, Revd Edmund White
1838 : St Andrew's was consecrated, but twice struck by lightning, declared unsafe and closed in 1852
1856 : Foundation stone of present building laid by Bishop of Calcutta
1862 : Present building consecrated
1870 : St Andrew's church became the Cathedral of the Diocese of Labuan and Sarawak
1909 : C.J. Ferguson-Davie became the first bishop of Singapore
1942 : Cathedral used as an emergency hospital before the fall of Singapore
1952 Completion of North Transept Extension
1973 : Cathedral gazetted as a National Monument
1983 : Completion of South Transept Extention
1989 : Construction of Baptistry
2005 : Completion of the Quiet Places Externsion : The Cathedral New Sanctuary and Chapel for all peoples

Malaysia - Melaka (Part 2)

After breakfast, we drove to Stadthuys & Christ Church.
Many buildings are painted RED.
Click on the bottom photo for an enlarge view of the map.



















Christ Church was built between 1741 and 1753. Orginally replacing a already shattered Portuguese Church. Bricks were shipped from Netherlands. Oldest church in Malaysia.












This is call "Red Square"












Many shops beside the church. Selling lots of interesting local stuffs. Most of which you can also find at the Jonker's walk night market.















This Tang Beng Swee Clock Tower was built in 1886.












Can also enter here to take a path up the hill to St Paul's Church.
The Church was built in 1521 by Portuguese.


















Cultural Museum is a replica of sultanate palace. Entrance fee is RM$1.00.But if you wish to visit the Dutch graveyard only, you can pass through without paying.



















The Dutch Grave Ground.
First used at in late 17th century.
5 Dutch and 33 british graves are sited here now.















Steps leading to Stadthuys.It is now a historical museum.
Stadthuys was built in 1660, one of the oldest Dutch buildings.
Entrance fee to Museum is RM$5.00.


















This is one of the finest museums I've visited.
It's big and houses many historical items.
Very well exhibited.
Highly recommended if you've extra time when visiting Melaka.



















I like above two pictures very much.
Big applause for the artist whom drew this.
Don't you find it's so real?What's real and what's drawn.
It's really take some time to figure it out.












Fruit stall at one of the R&R spot.
Our last stop over before reaching Singapore.












While travelling back, I recapped my 2 day trip to Melaka.
At first the only reason for visiting Melaka was wanting to eat Chicken Rice ball, visiting night market and see the dutch grave ground.
I didn't think there was alot to see.
But I was wrong.
We didn't even have time for shopping at some of their big shopping centres.
If you ask me if I would return to this place again.
My answer would be yes.
The people are polite.
Streets are very clean.
Food are good and cheap.
Roads are planted with tress and flowers.
I summarized my trip as "GOOD & FUN."












Melaka, Malaysia
Located South-Western Coast of Peninsular Malaysia facing the Straits of Melaka and between the states of Negeri Sembilan and Johor.
Occupy an area of 1,658 square kilometers, divided into 3 districts (Melaka Tengah, Alor Gajah & Jasin)
144km from Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 224km from Johor Bahru
Climate / Temperature : 21 - 33 dc
Time Zone : GMT/UTC + 08:00 hour
Currency : Ringgit (RM)
Country Telephone code / Area Code : 60 / 6
Electricity : 220-240V, 50 Hz, UK-style three-pin plugs are use.
Population: 713,000 (2005)
Ethnic Groups : Malay (60.9%), Chinese (26.8%), Indian (6.1%), Others (7.1%)
Languages : Malay, English, Mandarin

Short History of Melaka :Melaka was previously known as Malacca.
Founded by Parameswara in 1396.
Given its strategic location straddling the Straits of Melaka, it thrived as a port-of-call and a centre of entrepot trade with ships and merchants from China, Japan, India, Arab and South Africa…
In 1511, it fell to the hands of the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch in 1641. In 1795, Melaka was given to British. It was returned to the Dutch in 1818 under the treaty of Vienna but was later exchanged by the Brisith for Bangkahulu, Sumatra. From 1826 onwards, the British East India Company along with Singapore and Penang governed it, under the Straits Settlement.
The Dutch left many fine buildings marking their heritage . The Stadthuys for example is today the oldest Dutch building in the Far East.

For Melaka Post Part 1, please click here!