What attracts me and lens are locals - people, foods, markets and places where locals are abundant
Visiting the places along the Danube river is different experiences the same trip by air, train or car.
The river cruise trip on the Danube begins the sailing from Budapest, Hungary and ends in Passau, Germany.
The sail docks in Bratislava [Slovakia], Vienna, Krems Linz [Austria], Cesky Krumlov [Czech Republic].
The cruise ship approaching Vienna at sun rise and sun through the tree line reflects on the river. One of my favorite frames and images.
Framed from the boat’s top deck. This area on both side of the Danube is absolutely grandiose [Budapest]
Sunset over the Bastion [Budapest]
The statues and the structures are in the fortification of Fisherman's Bastion[Budapest]
The City of Budapest along the Danube, framed from the Fisherman’s Bastion.
One of the streets in the Fisherman’s Bastion. Street design between the structures on both sides is majestically straight and commanding.
BRATISLAVA, the capital of Slovakia, walking distance from the river bank and dock. This is the first city scene encountered by walking into the city
Impressive contrast created by timing of sun’s position and building structure [BRATISLAVA]
The best ice cream and gelato store in BRATISLAVA. Had a bite of ice cream and it was good, very good.
The boat approaches towards Vienna early morning with forecast of sunny, breezy and warm day
The village on the way to Krems, Austria
Ceiling painting in one of building of the Kremsmünster Abbey [Krems, Austria]
It may be the eternal places for those whose live been or related to Kremsmünster Abbey [Krems, Austria]
One of the buildings in Kremsmünster Abbey complex.
One of the buildings in Kremsmünster Abbey complex.
Village right outside of the Kremsmünster Abbey. Krems is well known for wine, especially grown and harvested by the monks.
Magical integration of old castles or fortress with modern village [Austria]
Ruins of old fortress once active several hundred years ago
Frame from the Český Krumlov State Castle, 13th century renaissance village. It is small, clean, well organized for visitors and pretty as well. [Czech Republic]
This cafe is located inside the state castle. Locals are killing time over drinks.. relaxing and comfortable [Český Krumlov]
It is always exciting to see youngsters. Their smiles are greatly and positively toxic to spread smiles to those around them [Český Krumlov]
Passau is little tiny town known as university town. High energy felt everywhere through the students and narrow streets in form of maze are immense fun to walk through [Germany]
It is amazing that small town of Passau has kept this magnificent baroque church for more than 300 years. [Germany]
Train ride of the Bernina Express from Tirano, Italy to St. Moritz, Switzerland outrightly gets me into unconditional natural beauty in pristine environment of the Alps.
Most of the images were taken from the moving train and I wish I were driving a car where I can make stops for making ideal frames at my leisure.
Absolute breathtaking gorgeous natural amazes have its own characters and is one of top ten in the world in my book like Patagonia, South Island (New Zealand), Shangri la (western China) to Tibet, a few national parks in the US to name a few.
This is the Bernina express train perpetually ascending from Italy to Switzerland
It is the village in valley of high altitude Swiss Alps mountains. Definition of picturesque is what is shown here.
Huge dam structure between two peaks. It ruins the Alps’ nature scene but assumed the million reasons for the need were justified
Small village in the giant meadow in the valley. Only recognizable is the church in background..
My preferred way of traveling through the Alps.
This station [Ospizio Bernina] lies on the shores of Lago Bianco, near the Bernina Pass at 7,600 ft elevation
Grüm is one of several stations on the Bernina Express route
The lake collects snow melting water flow from the mountains. The waterbody gives sensation of giant slab of jade.
Aerial perspective of the Alps from higher elevation. Wondering about the life in this part of the world.
Mt. Titlis is 3,238m elevation and has overpowering and majestic views
Small village passing near the border with Italy
St. Moritz is designed for winter activities. Most of stores were closed in August
A man minding own business in the morning [Tirano, Italy]
Just about everyone whom I know has fantasy and love for France, especially Paris. So I visited Paris four times over the years and am yet to locate the attributes of the love and fantasy. However Paris offers plenty of its own unique characters that are good for photography.
Lyon is another major city in France and has greatly different persona and characters for my liking, and not to mention local’s passion and love about their food. Italian food made with French passion creates great gastronomical sensation as good as those in Italy.
On the way to the tower by foot from the Opera district
Tourist without taking this image would not be the tourist for Paris
Frame from the 3rd tier of the Eiffel Tower
Frame taken from the 3rd tier of the Eiffel Tower
A street in middle of bustling commercial and retail section between the Opera and the Eiffel Tower
Walking towards Grand Palais from Arc de Triomphe
Tourist without this image would not complete the tour of Paris
The Opera district from hotel balcony
Commercial and retail area near Galeries Lafayette Haussmann [Paris]
A lady resting in early Sunday morning... It was a bit chilly morning…
Jetlag caused early rise at pre-dawn… Quiet street was well lit by the store’s window lightings
Thalys train boarded on Amsterdam was approaching to the Nord station
A man going to Gare Saint-Lazare station at sunrise [Paris]
The museum’s lobby and no shortage of tourists and art enthusiasts with common but different anticipation
An exhibit space being prepared in the Louvre
One of many impressive statues displayed outside the Louvre museum
A group of statues with authoritative expression and pose that occupies a large exhibit area the Louvre
Repeat patterns and plenty of space in between create sensation of draw-in
Hotel buildings are connected through effectively by tunnel [Lyon]
Hotel lobby decorated by light bowls, looking up at them was mesmerizing {Lyon]
Reminded me of my elementary school time and activities [Lyon]
A local wine shop [Lyon]
There are plenty of old and narrow streets in old city of Lyon and the stores are small and often offer unique merchandises.
Old friends get together at their usual hangout place [Lyon]
Plenty of restaurants are everywhere in Lyon
Beautiful and quiet city streets are plagued by signs and displays
A man, probably retired, enjoying his coffee, wondering his state of mind [Lyon]
Big and old cathedral in old city of Lyon
Rental bicycles available through the city of Lyon
American busking singer singing 1980’s pop music in front of the Opera house [Paris]
Early winter is the best time to visit Holland.
Most of overflowing tourists are dissipating, streets are walkable without bumping into others, admission lines for favorite museums have little or no wait, dinner reservations at local favorite eateries are easier, and weather is still manageable.
There probably be more bicycles than people in Amsterdam. Everyone is on bicycles, and sometimes with babies and children.
Walked out of a hotel near Amsterdam Centraal and a few minutes of stroll is consumed by canals after canals
One of major commercial areas in Amsterdam
Heineken appears to be the pride of most of Dutches in all bars and restaurants
Bicycle storage area outside of Amsterdam Centraal
Film museum EYE [Amsterdam]
The Zaanse Schans outside Amsterdam has several windmills and the area has great deal of past time history
Street leading to St. Bavo church from Haarlem train station
School band heading for St. Bavo Cathedral and open market church for church festival
Old catholic church and it has big and clean open market around it
The festival was held in the Grote Markt where the St. Bavo church is located
At the St. Bavo festival
Great way of bonding with a child in celebratory mood for the festival
Impressive band costume, especially screaming raw color coordination
Raw herring in a bun topped with sliced pickles. First byte justifies the trip to Netherlands. Some of these herring stands have been in business for many years plus more
For those Jews murdered during WW II.
Consistent and predictable are the words repeated in my mind during visiting Germany. Most of my visits have been mainly in Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg and Düsseldorf.
Keep eating at non-German food while in Germany are the tell tale sign about German local food. But, the beers are one of the best in the world, and abundant diverse kinds, tastes and brands are also plus.
Name “Berlin” gives me indescribable and unmanageable sensation inside of my mind. It must’ve been related to modern history events created in, around and by Germany
World famous German Christmas market, and especially the one in Berlin. It was cold and damp evening filled with great fun.
Silly, funny and comic performance in Christmas Market [Berlin]
The memorial is located in walking distance from the Brandenburg Gate [Berlin]
November Am Main Frankfurt is miserably bone chilling cold, raining, damp and ugly gray.
Entrance to a museum & exhibit hall [Frankfurt]
Vantage point from near Messe Halle [Frankfurt]
Schloss Landau is 13th century castle located in Bad Arolsen
Streets down from the Schloss Landau. All closed and quiet by 7:00 p.m.
Hotel Schloss Landau has twenty rooms or so after complete renovation of the Schloss Landau. One of the best boutique hotels and fine food… the best was the service
Creative building deign on the Rhine river in Dússeldorf
This building has limitless imagination in design and is also on Rhine river. And it is real office building. [Dússeldorf]
Leipzig at Dortmund. Final score 3:3 [Dortmund]
I’ve been going to Prague and other major cities since 2003 and the city has tremendously been changed.
Prague provides more than adequate ingredients like misty rain, wet and damp air, gray cloud and locals with facial expressions of the dead that are for the sensation of getting the flu.
What keeps me coming back is the history well preserved over many hundred years of turbulent history.
A plaza between old town hall and church of our lady. One of major attractions draws great deal of people and events for tourists and locals alike
This bridge is filled with people most of the day. For framing the bridge with no one, ultra early morning rise and wait in cold rainy weather paid off the dividends
Then wedding photo team showed up with same idea - framing while no one is on the bridge.
Waiting for next bus to the destinations
Rest area provided in walking through an old castle
Often sensing German culture in Austria but the country is contrastingly different. Locals’ tolerance and respect for commingling of past and present are markedly impressive.
Had great pleasure to listen Mozart music at the Opera house but still look for the opportunities of Vienna Philharmonic music and Vienna Boy’s Choir.
Dessert is the thing in Vienna and all loves Sachertorte (chocolate cake). The cake is awesome and also luckily available in duty free shops in select airports in Europe. It is “must” purchase item upon returning home from Europe.
Street leading from Michaelerplatz (shown in far) to st. Stephen’s Cathedral. Many shops would be frequented and loved by fine women
Impressive is the word for the church whether external or internal.
Anchor tower of a museum which was converted from old historical building structure [Vienna]
Kohlmarkt (market street) where a fine jeweler attracts passers
Vienna has world famous vinegar brewery and therefore best vinegar. Drinking vinegar? foreign concept to me.
Naschmarkt is the largest local market for produce and others in middle of Vienna. The market has just about everything and anything one needs
Natural light into a hotel room for better than perfect shadow
Horse carriage shares the road with tramps on city roads. Opportunity for peeking into the minds of Austrians.
The country I badly wanted to see with hope for recovery from the regional conflicts in 1990’s. Some of the countries in the conflicts recovered reasonably well and some have been prosperous.
Mostar is the city visited and about two hour ride from southern part of Croatia. Main roads still have abandoned buildings showing the scars of the conflict.
Hopefully the deep-rooted dividing difference for religions and ethnics slowly dissipate in future but my hope is low unfortunately.
Stari Most, also known as Mostar Bridge, is a rebuilt 16th-century Ottoman bridge in the city of Mostar that crosses the river Neretva
Roadway view from Croatia to Mostar, Bosnia
Unhealed scars from the conflict in the 1990’s
It would more than likely from large calibre machine gun from the ground or air.
This tombstone sent chill through my body. If the condition is right, the conflict can easily be occurring again. Sad.
Artful skill in glass work that are shown in souvenir shops.
Anticipating restaurant hostess… pleasantly great and yummy food - variety of produce and meat.
These two came along with a tour group, appearing from a place in Asia. Intimate friendship and love are shown in outfit coordination.
The country has been thriving through tourism and takes no brain to figure it out by traveling along and through well-preserved history, natural beauties and yes, good food.
I wish the countries around Croatia would have been developed in fair and equitable speed and ways after the breakup and the conflict.
No camera equipments nor photography techniques be able to capture the beauties coming through eyes and mind [Plitvice Lakes National Park]
The lake formed from the waterfall [Plitvice Lakes National Park]
Vantage point from the hill inside of the walls of Dubrovnik
What’s in the walls of Dubrovnik that are a series of defensive stone walls surrounding the city of Dubrovnik
Stradun is the main street of Dubrovnik
The city is vibrant and growing and it is not difficult to see stressful scenes [Dubrovnik]
Tiny island is part of Korčula island in Adriatic sea [Primösten]
Evening view out to Adriatic sea. Can’t remember the village where the hotel was located.
Old building is thriving into current living environment. [Split]
Unique design for peeking into the house - abstract image of prison? [Split]
Brick tower with open window to sky near Diocletian’s Palace [Split]
one of many maze like streets which have stores and restaurants [Trogir]
Local cathedral in service. Small and wholesome tranquil church [Zadar]
Here is an open market where virtually all is available. Interesting is to see the way of toys and hanging decorations are designed in similar way to neighboring countries
Croatia produce great deal of olive oil and related products, and their pride is high.
Standard building structure of 1960’s Soviet’s influence on eastern block countries [Zagreb]
Center of Zagreb, Capital of Croatia
Slovenia is one of successor countries from former Yugoslavia breakup. It is small country and total population in several millions which are often smaller than a state of the US.
As a small country, it had historically gone through turbulent periods being governed and occupied by neighboring countries in recent history. It reminds me of my homeland’s past several hundred years of history.
The country is in mountainous terrain and therefore has beautiful nature and scenery. As a proof, Postojna cave is long and fantasy provoking underground scene created by river water stream.
Found a couple of hours and walked one half around the lake. It was October and simply the best time for strolling. Backdrop is Alps mountains.
Ljubljana is capital of Slovenia.
It is the entrance to a worship house.. First glance of it bears idea of entrance to inferno
I used to say I saw London on my 11th visit to this city. All business-related visits. Good and kind people are completely and consistently laced with arrogance and distance at the surface. Love fish and chips, and beer. Train systems in and out of London have been amazingly convenient.
Camden Town is where the average majority of Londoners live their lives over Soho, Hyde Park, or Picadilly Circle where a flock of above-average seemingly gathers.
Absolutely great place in the inhumane and busy city of London. It provides breathing space for Londoners.
Cool into cold temperature in late October. Crispy cool air was good enough to reset jetlag's sluggish mind.
Entertaining the baby takes effort and creativity
David Bowie’s estate sales were going in October 2016 in Christie’s Auction.
Bond Street is within walking distance from Hyde Park and is known for its luxury shopping stores. It is working hard to retain its old glory days and trying hard.
Double decker bus ride from Maida Vale to Camden Park
Poppie’s - One of the best fish and chips outfits in the UK per my limited trials. Cod was out and I had to settle with haddock.
Poppie’s officical vehicle parked at the restaurant
It was about 6:00 p.m. and the street was being filled by locals. Can’t avoid McDonald’s no matter where you go. Power of capitalism.
Different cultures and mind create unique names - Elephants Head
Exchange to Tube from the local train at the Euston station
Hanging out after work…
Transitioning process to become a Grammy winner in a few years
Iran and US see and think nothing on the same wavelength for many years. The UK at least figured out how to deal with politics and non-politics and keep them on separate channels.
Two shots of COVID vaccination plus a booster shot provided the credential to travel abroad. The trip begins with Greece, then Turkey and southern Italy.
This trip was the first personal trip abroad in more than two years due to the COVID pandemic and related restrictions and constraints.
Felt absolute authority over the ocean and how fearful respect shown by those whose life in waterways. It is located in Cape Sounion, south of Athens.
The face of sculpture of several thousand years. It appears to represent the sense of today’s Greeks
Greece is famous for octopus and delicious dishes over many years in just about every restaurant. It is apparent that the old vase has octopus on the surface.
This gentleman was pacing back and forth at the port while on the phone. I wonder what caused him pacing back and forth.
Early morning with thick clouds covering the island and felt heavy air and a gloomy outlook. Buildings showing in a bright while line provides quite a contrast.
It is an eye-catching scene and that is just about it. Nothing impressive.
Interesting location selling all sorts of books in many languages.
So bright so colorful and wow! are the first impression of this store.
One local restaurant still keeps the stacked chairs in the corner. Economic hardship can be felt.
What a view over the Meditteranean sea but virtually no guests.
The Sacred Monastery of Arkadi in the island of Crete. It was established by a monk named Arkadio in the 11th century. It is still active with 7 monks.
Glimpse into an old quarter for a monk.
Active living area for those still work and live in the monastery.
Multipurpose storage area - wine for peacetime and weapons and ammunition for difficult times of being invaded.
Koreans often think that Italians have similar cultural and ethnical emotion values - rice based staples, short temper, loud, tend to exaggerate, big family is virtue, and both countries are located in peninsular in similar shape.
My likings about Italy begins with simple and authentic local food, their ability to use colors and the design breaking the common sense, and values around creation of the best.
I also have many displeasure amid Italy, culture, people and the likes but likings clearly carry overriding values.
View of the plaza and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping mall
Stain glass wall inside of the Duomo di Milano
Roof of the Cathedral Milano. Beyond the imagination how these big stones were assembled into beautiful and immense building several hundred years ago
The statue is in outside mezzanine area in back side of Duomo Milano. The posture clearly shows confidence
No expression is the way of expressing the state of mind… Most appropriate for monks?
Walking away from the train station for a few minutes and going through this section and further walk leads to a produce market
This street is filled with small and tiny designer stores [Modena]
Two contrasting Italian automobiles. Red is the color for locals. [Modena]
Steering wheel of one of the first Ferrari restored and exhibited in Ferrari museum [Modena]
Milano Centrale Railway Station
Spanish artist Dalí exhibition in Milan.
Rolling hill of country side of Asti
Trams in Milan style. Keeping old while inventing new color scheme.
Science center museum named after Leonardo Davinci
Probably most impressive cathedral that overpowers ones at the moment stepping in
Weekend morning of Brera section which is well known for vibrant scenes for restaurants well mixed with residential quarters
Streets turn into markets for books, paints or other junks over the weekend
Display of Italian design wanting you to buy it at the moment of sight.
The flutist at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle. Her play was so good with passion and purchased her CD for her music. I still listen the music while driving.
Pizza AM is more than likely the best pizzeria in northern Italy. Serving pizza with prosecco (bubbly wine) is perfect pairing
Excellent city transportation system among trams, subways and buses [Milan]
Trams navigate through just about everywhere in Milan and most of large municipalities.
Tiny outdoor sitting area for senior citizen housing [Milan]
Columns of San Lorenzo is ancient Roman ruins [Milan]
Public water supply for the village in Carrobbio section [Milano]
The Navigli were a system of navigable and interconnected canals around Milan and more famous for restaurants and bars.
Micro lodging facility
The bookstore (Libreria Acqua Altain Venice) is often flooded [Venice]
Living quarters of local Veneziani
Long-fascinated visit to the southern part of Italy. Imagination is strongly biased by the movie GodFather and turned out to be as such.
Thoroughly enjoyed different climates, scenery, and food of their own from their counterparts in northern Italy. Would love to go back and spend some more time.
Beautiful morning of the Messina located in north east corner of Sicily
Ancient Greek theater was constructed in the 3rd Century and it is still being used for concerts and events today. Views from the theater include Mt. Etna in distance and the coastal line is simply beautiful.
Many National Police were present in this service. The cap has impressive curve lines…. The Italian way of designing stuff.
Two ladies are in serious conversation and almost like argument per the tone of the conversation
Volcanoes are still active everywhere in the mountain
This man was so looking forward to smoke while being outside. The feeling of being freed from COVID and being able to be outside.
This store is located at the start of the main shopping street in Naples.
This man walking along the road towards the sea.. He might have sensation being trapped in narrow walls while walking
This could have been one of the pictures that I had seen during western European history. It is amazing how the town structure was kept relatively well.
