Saturday, November 07, 2009

Cyprus: The Western Side

Cyrus has it all...

Monks building Monasteries

The last divided city (since the fall of the Berlin wall)..

Mountainous forests with endangered species (there was almost only 9,999 left after one wild sheep raced in front of our car)..

Byzantium Chapels hidden on the edges of cliffs..

Crystal blue Mediterranean waters..

... and orderly traffic ques.

Saturday, September 05, 2009

Dubai Metro Development Pictures


With only four days left until the UAE gets it's first rail system it's amazing how quickly it rose from nothing.

One Week in Brisbane

I was fortunate enough to be able to visit my family for a week in winter and meet my niece.

Although it my look like we're lost

and are stumbling aimlessly in the jungle

We eventually found our way out of the rain-forest of Mt Glorious.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Riyadh: Architecture and Food.


My recent visit to Riyadh involved the famed local hospitality of the locals.

This included a visit to a traditional house that serves regional food. All was delicious, including the camel.

The visit was short, so I was unable to spend much time site seeing. I did manage to fit in the airport...


and the famous Norman Foster designed Al Faisaliah Tower. Riyadh is a surprising green city with crocked streets suited more for pedestrians than cars. This gives the city a beautiful and lively atmosphere, even if there isn't a woman to be seen.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Oman







Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Jordan: Jerash by Day


Not far from the modern city of Jerash, lies the Roman civic cnetre of Jerash. The modern town is sited above the Roman residential quarter and all that remains of the old Roman city are some ruins.

However, because the city was smaller than the Western Roman Empire city of Rome, the runis left behind are far more readable than the expansive Roman Forum.

Some of he buildings demonstrate the inginuity of Roman construction techniques, combining excavtion into hillsides with post and beam construction.

The main streets were colanaded and the sense of grandure they created is still evocative.

The spring time is an excellent season to visit Jerash due to the wildflowers growing amongst the ruins.