All posts by chaput@live.com

A few days in Ávila Spain

September 7, 2024 chaput@live.com

We went to explore the historic city of Ávila Spain. It is located in the autonomous community of Castile and León and is the capital of the province of Avila.

We explored the narrow streets and historic centre of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Winding our way along some of the unique streets inside the walled section of the city.

We walked along the streets and came across many interesting architecture buildings and churches.

The 17th century Convento de Santa Teresa

The city is located more than 1,130 m above sea level and ther enclosed old town is located within 11th -14th century medieval walls. The walls are very impressive and one of the main landmarks in the city. We walked along the perimeter of the wall which is approximately 2,5 Kilometers (2,734 yd). The imposing walls with its semicircular towers and 12 m (39 ft), high walls is quite impressive.

One of the nine gates into the walled section of the city.

There are 9 gates in the fortified walls with some providing access to the top walkway of the walls. We went up to the top of the wall and were greeted with stunning views of the city and area.

Ray and Shelley on the walls of Ávila Spain

We walked along the top of the wall exploring the views and fortified sections of the wall.

View of the 12th century Basilica of San Vincente

It truly was amazing to think of the history and time that has passed on these walls.

View of the walls of Ávila from the top walkway.

Ray climbing to the top tower section on the wall

View from one of the towers along the wall

The sun was setting and we were able to see a spectacular sunset on the wall of Ávila.

We walked the wall partway then headed down for a well deserved break and something to eat. Back in the main plaza we found ourselves a nice spot to enjoy a meal and drink.

A great way to end the day of exploring and adventure.

“Todos los días puedes emprender una aventura grande o pequeña si quieres”

Austria

Schönbrunn Palace

August 12, 2024 chaput@live.com

Today we decided to go and visit the UNESCO world site the Schonbrunn Palace. The Baroque palace is a massive building with 1,441 rooms and has a long rich history spanning over 300 years.

view of a section of the Schonbrunn Palace

Ray, Janice, Scott and Shelley at the front of the Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna

We began by walking along the front of the palace until we reached the side entrance to view some of the interior rooms of the palace. We explored three of the main rooms which had some impressive features.

The ceilings were works of art and made the rooms seem almost alive.

Massive wooden and gilded Chandelier in the Great hall of the Palace

We walked along the corridors admiring the baroque designs of the palace

After walking through a small portion of the palace we headed outside to the gardens. We began in the garden pavillion then headed towards the main garden area.

The garden Pavilion at the Schonbrunn Palace

The gardens were immense and had stunning features. we walked through the main garden area and headed towards the Gloriette on the hill top.

View of the gardens from the rear of the Palace with the <Gloriette on the hill in the background.

Along the way towards the Gloriette we stopped at the Neptune Fountain called the Great Parterre area of the gardens.

At the rear of the fountain was an area where you could see through the fountain and see the Palace in the distance.

Scott, Janice Shelley and Ray at the Neptune Fountain with a view of the palace in the background

We continued our walk up the hill and we came to a small pound in front of the Gloriette.

We continued up the hill until we reached the Gloriette.

The Gloriette which is the garden axis points towards a 60-metre-high (200 ft) hill.

From here there were beautiful views of the Palace and Vienna in the background. It was truly worth the long walk up the hill.

View of the Schonbrunn Palace and Vienna from the Gloriette

The Gloriette structure is one of the iconic parts of the garden. Erected on the top of the 60-metre-high (200 ft) hill, it is a focal point of the garden.

Built in 1775 with stone recycled from another site, the military-themed columns and arches are made to represent to glorify Habsburg power.

We stayed at the Gloriette for a while enjoying a well deserved rest and admiring the views before heading back. We walked down through a hedged area of the gardens. There were sculptures and statues along the way.

We worked our way to the exit and then headed back. It was a long day but quite enjoyable.

“den Tag zu genießen”

Austria

Vienna, Austria

August 10, 2024 chaput@live.com

We arrived in the centre area of the city of Vienna by train . The city which has a population of over 2 million is the capital of Austria.

The Schmetterlinghaus, The Butterfly house, Vienna

Donnerbrunnen Fountain in the Neuer Market Square, Vienna.

We walked into the historic centre of Vienna and we were greeted by spectacular architecture and a lively atmosphere.

Emperor Franz I, The Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, and the ruler of the other states of the Habsburg monarchy

We explored the centre weaving our way through the timeless streets and sites.

Arches of the State Opera Building in Vienna

A caryatid on one of the Vienna buildings in the old quarter

The rich history of Vienna could be seen in the architectures of the buildings.

Hochstrahlbrunnen Fountain and monument in Vienna

Statue out front of the Albertina Museum, Vienna

Along the way we came to a museum called Time travel. We decided to try something different and went into this museum.

Inside the museum we experienced an array of multimedia displays and 3D virtual experiences that were truly amazing.

In the Time Travel museum with 3D virtual glasses

Ray with statue of Roman in the Time Travel Museum

It brought to life the history of Vienna in a way that was truly enjoyable and memorable.

We went to see the St Stephen’s Cathedral in the heart of the old quarter of Vienna. The Romanesque and Gothic styled Cathedral was constructed starting in 1138 and is spectacular to see.

View of the roof tile design of the church

One of the features of St. Stephen’s Cathedral is its ornately patterned, richly coloured roof which is covered by 230,000 glazed tiles.

The inside of the church is decorated in ornate Gothic and Romanesque styles.

After a long day of exploring the city, we decided to go and have a nice meal before heading back to our room for the night. We enjoyed our first day in Vienna and look forward to tomorrow and more adventures.

“Wir sind hin- und hergerissen zwischen der Sehnsucht nach dem Vertrauten und dem Drang nach dem Fremden und Fremden. Oft haben wir Heimweh nach den Orten, die wir noch nie gekannt haben.”

Hungary

Our last day in Budapest

July 29, 2024 chaput@live.com

Today was our final day in Budapest before heading on to Vienna Austria. We decided to take in a visit to the Hungarian National Museum.

Scott, Janice and Shelley in front of the National Museum of Hungary

What a beautiful Museum and very detailed history of Hungary from its creation to its current time.

We walked through the museum learning all about the rich and troubled history. The torments of the wars and their break from the soviet union.

The largest piece of the Stalin monument which was torn down during revolution and destroyed.

It was very interesting how this country has evolved from behind the Iron curtain to become the modern country of today.

It was very special to us to experience the National Hungarian Museum and learn in detail about the history of Hungary.

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Here are some of the other neat and interesting things we experienced during our time in Budapest.

There is a detailed replica of the moon’s entire surface, including its far side located in the Piarista köz passageway. The moon floats in the air on very thin wires at a height of 3.5 meters.

The moon is an accurate replica and you can see the details of the moon up close. At night it is lit up and provides a spectacular view.

We came across a transparent statue which was very unique. The photos do not give it justice. As we walked around the statue it was semi-transparent and would come into and out of view.

There was a lot of unique or interesting buildings and monuments including signs and graffiti.

Sign outside a bubble tea shop in Budapest

One of the many anti Putin stickers in Budapest

We headed to the train station and took the two and a half hour train ride to Vienna. Saying good buy to Budapest and hello to Vienna Austria.

“Nem számít az úti cél, de az utazás és az, hogy ki van melletted, az számít.”

Hungary

Highlights of Budapest -Part 2

July 27, 2024 chaput@live.com

We really enjoyed taking the relaxing cruise on the Danube River. It was a nice way to relax in the heat of the day and get a feel for the city landscape.

We went to visit the Buda Castle which is located on the Buda side of the Danube river. The castle also known as Royal Palace or Royal Castle was very impressive.

View of Buda Castle from the Danube River

We walked up the castle hill through the medieval quarter that leads up to the Castle. Once we reached the top we could see the Buda Castle from there.

In the plaza near the Buda Castle is the Church of the Assumption of the Buda Castle, more commonly known as the Matthias Church.

Shelley in front of Saint Stephen statue near Buda Castle

The Saint Stephen statue has been located in Buda Castle next to the Fisherman’s Bastion. Saint Stephen was the founding King of Hungary. It is one of the focal points as we walked towards the Fisherman’s Bastion. We went up onto the top of the Fisherman’s Bastion and were greeted with amazing views of Budapest.

View from Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest.

View of Budapest from the Fisherman’s Bastion at Buda Castle.

Shelley, Ray, Janice and Scott on the Fisherman’s Bastion

After exploring the Fishermans’ Bastion we went to see the Matthias Church.

Janice and Ray with Matthias Church in the background.

The inside of the church was impressive with stained glass and ornate construction like most romanesque style churches in Europe.

However what was quite unique and interesting to us was the Coat of Arms of the Hungarian Knights of Malta. They are on display within the church.

Shields of deceased members of the Hungarian Association of the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

Some of the Shields of Coat of Arms of the deceased Hungarian Knights of Malta.

After visiting the church we walked along the walls and explored outside areas of the castle.

Janice stopped to have a quick rest and get her photo with one of the locals.

Entrance gate to Buda Castle in Budapest

We came across a bronze bunny overlooking the Danube River.

There was a Hungarian TV show written in the 1970s by Veronika Marék and animated by Zsolt Richly. The show called the (checkered-eared rabbit) became very popular. The artist Mihály Kolodko created this bronze statue in November 2018 at the top of the Castle Hill Funicular. This bronze floppy-eared rabbit has a bird’s-eye view of the city and some people rub his tail or ears for good luck. Of course Ray could not resist.

Shelley and Janice at one of the look out over the Danube River at Buda Castle.

It was a very long but enjoyable day and we managed to explore a lot of Budapest.

So we decided to take a well deserved break and have a meal before heading back for the day. We ate at the Jamie Oliver Restaurant and had some very tasty Italian food. It was a full day and we saw some interesting places. We had one more day left in Budapest before heading on to our next adventure. We headed back for the day and to rest up for tomorrows adventures.

“Az élet túl rövid ahhoz, hogy megbánással ébredjünk fel “

Ray and Shelley's Retirement Adventures