Tag Archives: Ray Chaput

Hungary

Highlights of Budapest -Part 1

We arrived in Budapest and over the next four days explored this beautiful city. We took the Hop on and Hop off bus to get a feel for the city and to see the main sites.

After staying on the bus for a while we got off to check out different areas of this amazing city. We stopped near the Hungarian Parliament building which is located on Kossuth Square in the Pest side of the city.

Hungarian Parliament Building
Janice and Ray in front of the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest

It is a large and impressive building, which was opened in 1902 . It is the largest building in Hungary and has ornate facades. We walked around the perimeter admiring the sheer size and detail of its construction. There was security so we could not get to see the inside of the parliament building. After exploring the area we stoped to relax in the shade and enjoy the view of the parliament building.

Scott. Janice and Shelley in the courtyard of the Hungarian Parliament Building.

We then walked along the Danube river exploring the bank and sites along the way. We came to a world war two memorial .

Near the Hungarian Parliament buildings there is a memorial on the bank of the Danube River and it is a monument to the Hungarian Jews. This memorial known as “Shoes on the Danube Bank” gives remembrance to the 3,500 people, 800 of them Jews, who were shot on the edge of the Danube river during the time of the Arrow Cross terror in the winter of 1944-1945.

The 60 iron pairs of shoes on the bank of the Danube River in Budapest

The victims fell into the water and drifted down the Danube River. The sculptor created sixty pairs of period-appropriate shoes out of iron.These shoes represent the Hungarian Jews and victims who were shot on the banks of the Danube River. 

This monument really moved us. The image of the shoes which included men, women and children really hit home at the cruelty of war and that period in time. 

We took a river cruise that gave us a beautiful view of some of the major landmarks of Budapest.

On the cruise boat getting set for our cruise

The city has a different look from the water and has impressive landmarks and scenery.

Buda castle view from the Danube River.

 

After our river cruise we went to explore the Heroes’ Square, which is one of the main squares in Budapest. It is known for its iconic Millennium Monument with statues featuring the Seven chieftains of the Magyars and other important Hungarian national leaders.

Photo of Heroes Square in Budapest By Paul Mannix – https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulmannix/345388204/sizes/l/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5574955

 

Statues of several of the Magyar chieftains of Hungary

The statues are very detailed and impressive in size. 

Andrew II King of Hungary, He is known as the king that leads a crusade to the Holy Land.

The Heroes Square is known for large events, rallies and sometimes protest.

Janice at the base of a section of heroes statues in Budapest.
The Millennium Monument in the centre of Heroes Square

After exploring Heroes’ Square we decided to take a well deserved rest before heading on to our next adventure. 

“Az utazás táplálja a lelket és megvilágosítja az elmét”

Hungary

A unique restaurant in Budapest

When we arrived in Budapest we settled into our AirBnB and then decided to go our to get something to eat. We saw an interesting and unique Budapest restaurant called Púder Bárszínház. It was decorated in a very colourful decor and the menu had a diverse international foods. So we decided to go and check it out. The outside of the restaurant had colourful hexagon boxes and a large bear.

We went inside and were bombarded by unique quirky decorations including antique items and large statues. One of the walls of the restaurant had a large metal frog hanging above the servers station. Everywhere we looked we found unique and interesting stuff.

We sat down at our table and ordered drinks. One of the drinks was called a “Hugo Spritz” which contains, Prosecco, elderflower, mint, lime and club soda. It was quite tasty and had a unique flavour with the elderflower in it.

We ordered our meals and enjoyed looking around the restaurant at all the different items and art. Some of the walls were peeled away to the raw bricks or plaster below while other sections had murals or other paintings on them. It made for an interesting time looking at the different things.

Janice and Scott in the Púder Bárszínház restaurant

We had a great first day in Budapest and enjoyed a relaxing and unique time at the Púder Bárszínház Restaurant. It was a great way to start our adventures in Budapest.

“Szerezz örömet minden napból”

Spain

Alicante in June with Family

We had a visit from family and we were so excited to have Janice and Scott here in Alicante. They arrived in Madrid and we met them at the airport and then came back to Alicante by train. They arrived at the perfect time because Alicante has a large fiesta called the Hogueras de San Juan, which is an annual event in June. Each day we tried to explore and see different things of Alicante. There is much to see and do here. One day we walked and explored some of the different hogueras that were being set up throughout the city.

The large pieces of art work and sculptures are made with wood and paper mache and are truly amazing to see. We walked along the different streets checking out the various hogueras. 

 

 

After walking and exploring the hogueras we stopped along the way to enjoy some refreshments.

Scott and Janice enjoying a refreshment with a view of the Santa Barbara Castle behind them

Another day we went to explore and see the 9th century fortified Santa Barbara Castle which is located on Mont Benacantil and overlooks Alicante and the Mediterranean sea. 

View of the Santa Barbara Castle from the Marina in Alicante
Janice and Shelley at Santa Barbara Castle
View from the Santa Barbara Castle
View from the Castle overlooking the Sea

We walked along the promenade and the beach enjoying the view of the Mediterranean Sea. There were parades and music everywhere we went.

We had friends come and visit with us from Sweden. We had a BBQ and enjoyed time together. We even decided to play a Virtual reality game together. It was a great experience involving a scenario of aliens invading Alicante and we had to save the city. It was a lot of fun, here is a short video of our game, spoiler alert, we saved the City.

 

 We so enjoyed our time in Alicante but before we knew it, the time had come for us to head to our next adventure.

We packed our bags and headed to the airport, Budapest here we come.

“hasta Pronto”

Morocco

We went for a visit to oldest hand made tile factory in Fes Morocco

We were fortunate to be able to take a tour of the oldest tile factory in morocco, which is located in the city of Fes and is called the Art Naji. We were met by one of the workers who was happy to take us for a tour of the facility which has maintained the art of the ancient craft of pottery and mosaic (Zellige) since 1930.

Our tour guide at the Fez factory

This family run business is known for its amazing craftsmanship and has proved its artistic expertise in the field of pottery and mosaics. All the tiles and work is done completely by hand using ancient processes that makes the tiles unique. The workers were very proud and happy to show us the process and their work. 

One of the workers stopped and showed us how he makes the hand painted pottery which is completely made on site.

The work begins with clay that is located in a special area that is used to make the pots. This clay is apparently special and provides a quality product.

Art Naji is a 3rd generation family business and has been working on handicraft pottery and accessories for decades. It is also the biggest facility of handmade pottery in Morocco with over 4000 square meter space dedicated to a pottery studio for different workshops in Morocco. It was interesting to see how each small individual tile is handmade and cut individually. It is long and painstaking process which they take pride in doing.

Worker forming and shaping the small individual tiles

There are rows of workers each making unique and special handmade tiles for different projects that are being made.

The small tiles are then constructed into larger designs making everything from tables, pots, fountains and even building tiles for  facades. We walked through the different areas of the factory looking at the many different processes being done.

Forming clay pots
Hand painting of the clay pots and bowls

Some workers have over 40 years working in the factory and are known as the most talented and professional tile makers in Morocco.

Worker making a tagine pot

It is truly amazing to think that they have adapted to modern life and yet they have maintained the traditional tile making as a viable business. Fountains are made by inserting each small handmade tile into a mold system which is then used to create the fountain.

Back part of the fountain being molded and prepared for hand made tiles
Some of the finished fountains and tiles

We saw some spectacular pieces of pottery and tile work. Everything was made with exact details and you could see the quality of the pieces. 

Some finished pieces

The tiles are specially made for different projects including the facade of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. They ship their tiles and products globally around the world. 

We truly enjoyed exploring and visiting this factory. It was a very unique and interesting tour. Their focus of handmade and quality tiles has survived over the generations in this world of mast production. It truly is a piece of art!

“السفر يجعلك متواضعا ، ترى ما هي القطعة الصغيرة التي تشغلها في العالم.”

 

Morocco

The Hassan II Mosque in Cassablanca Morocco

We went to Casablanca and explored the Hassan II Mosque located on a 9-hectare (22-acre) complex that is situated between the harbor and the El Hank lighthouse. It is located beside the Atlantic ocean shoreline. 

It is the second largest functioning mosque in Africa and is the 14th largest in the world. The outside of the mosque is quite impressive and large. The mosque was built over a seven-year period and was completed in 1989. It was ready for Hassan II’s 60th birthday.

Arches on the exterior of the mosque
View of the Mosque with the plaza area in the forefront.
View of the plaza from outside the mosque

The minaret stands impressively high and is the second tallest minaret in the world at 210 metres (689 ft). 

Shelley on the plaza near the Atlantic Ocean

We were fortunate to be able to enter this amazing mosque and explore the interior. We removed our shoes and entered into the mosque. 

Shelley in the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca

The interior was quite large and with large ornate pillars that made it look even more impressive. 

The marble floors were like a mirror and beautifully maintained. 

We walked around the mosque admiring the architecture and exploring the different areas. There were  an area where worshipers washed and prepare before the prayers. 

Fountain area for washing before prayer
Ceiling area above the fountain area.
One of the doors of the mosque

It was fantastic visiting Hassan II Mosque and exploring the interior. It was a memorable day and a great experience.

“استمتع بالحياة – تحصل على واحد فقط”