Shadow Shot Sunday 21 - Croatia

Some simple reflections this week.... I am still experiencing sensory overload from my recent travels this summer which took me to the States, Europe and Britain, and thus still feel the need to post about these places before I get back to writing about Mexico.

These shots were all taken in the beautiful harbour of Dubrovnik's Old Town where it is impossible to ignore the postcard-like picturesque qualities of the place...

Croatia is a most rewarding travel destination - and the blue of the water, green of the shutters, white of the stone will stay in your memory long after you have returned home.

For more shadow shots around the world click here and enjoy!!

Colours of Croatia 1 - White

It is hard not to be dazzled by the colour white in Croatia, from the marble pavements of Dubrovnik, the marble palaces of Split, and the marble churches and cathedrals of Trogir. Indeed marble was transported from the Croatian island of Hvar to build the White House, USA.

What also is so striking, is the beauty and delicacy of the stonework - from winged lions to sulky cherubs to fragile flowers, the carving is intricately subtle...

Stone architecture from churches and cathedrals to tall Venetian style houses, loggias and Roman ruins plus forts and Medieval citadels will accost you wherever you turn...

The beauty of Croatia is absolutely pure and stunning in its impact- Photographs shown were taken in Split, Trogir, and Dubrovnik on the mainland, as well as the islands of Hvar and Korcula. What are the other colours in the upcoming series?? Blue and Green....

The Photogenic Perfection of Prague..........

Prague has to be one of the most beautifully picturesque cities in the whole of Europe always requiring multiple return visits. I first went shortly after the Velvet Revolution in 1991 when there was still no such thing as private enterprise, marketing consisted of three tins stacked in a pyramid in a shop window, and you had to eat at lunchtime otherwise the food would have all run out. Supermarkets were stocked with aisles and aisles of pickled gherkins and Bohemian champagne, but there was no fresh fruit or vegetables in sight, and every morning we played Russian roulette with the eggs - only one out of six was ever edible. Only trabants and skodas were on the roads................Oh how times have changed!! (and obviously in many ways for the better)

Now on my fourth visit this summer almost twenty years later, it seems all very reminiscent of the film "Goodbye Lenin" as I gaze in wonderment at this chic cosmopolitan upmarket city with fresh strawberries and grapes stacked on every stall, extremely efficient tourist infrastructure including Skoda tours of the Old Town, and restaurants ranging the entire International gamut from Indian to Thai. Of course there is more than a hint of nostalgia for times gone by as I wander around camera in hand trying to decide which suits Prague best - monochrome, sepia or colour?? What do you think??

Are some cities more photogenic than others or is it simply in the hands and eye of the photographer??

For more views around the world click here

Shadow Shot Sunday 20 - New York - Roxy Paine on the Roof

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in the heart of Manhattan not only has fabulous views from its rooftop terrace in the summer, but always manages to stage some kind of dramatic exhibition of art. This stainless steel structure entitled "Maelstrom" is this year's offering by the artist Roxy Paine, and its tentacles, branches and alien-type pods spread over the entire terrace to create an interactive installation....

The installation also works beautifully against the blue sky and clouds over New York...

and also becomes an interesting lense through which to view the famous Manhattan city skyline..

Here is a final shadow shot of one of the alien pods...

"Roxy Paine on the Roof" is at the Met in NY for the rest of the summer - Enjoy! For other shadow shots from around the world, click here and enjoy the views...

ps: I would just like to add that whilst creating this post, I have just sat through a 3 minute earthquake, with my apartment lurching and creaking somewhat ominously around me - surreal!! 8.24 am Mexico City - You heard it first here!!

Small Fish Leaves the Big Taco.....

Only temporarily!! It is the summer holidays and I am taking off, sadly (or not) without my laptop! My itinerary for the next 7 weeks is:-

Mexico City, New York, Washington DC, London, Prague, Split, Croatian Islands, Dubrovnik, London, Stratford-upon-Avon, Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, Mexico City..........

So no time for blogging myself, but will have time, of course, to check in with and comment on all my favourite blogs. Will be back blogging in the Big Taco from mid-August....

Jeff Koons - Sacred Heart on the Roof of the Met, NY, 2008

I am sure that in true Aztec style much of my heart will remain here in Mexico City over the Summer. Happy Holidays everyone!!

Shadow Shot Sunday 19 - Huamantla - Four lamps and a Corona sign....

Huamantla is another charming "pueblo magico" in the State of Puebla about two and a half hours East of Mexico City. It has a picturesque zocalo and colonial historic centre, and is perhaps most famed for its August festival which includes a Pamplona style running of the bulls through the cobbled streets. It should perhaps be famed for the highest number of colonial lamps attached to walls anywhere in Mexico, which coupled with the very long afternoon shadows of a very hot day, create this week's shadow shot post...

For more interesting shadow shots from around the world this week click here for Hey Harriet....enjoy!

Magical Malinalco...El pueblo magico

Mexico has a wonderful system of designating charming tucked away places as "los pueblos magicos" (Magical villages) and Malinalco most certainly falls into this category. Only a couple of hours from Mexico City, few people have heard of it, as it is truly off the beaten track, and thus, I am just a little reluctant to let you in on this best kept secret...but oh well...here goes!!

Snuggled in an alluvial valley with its own microclimate, Malinalco is surrounded by tropical flowers, lush greenery and temperate forests; a veritable verdant natural paradise...

Everywhere conveys a sense of space, green fields, volcanic crags and beautiful views...


You can start an ideal day by having a leisurely traditional Mexican breakfast...

Wandering through the market full of carefully stacked pyramids of tropical fruit and vegetables...

Meandering along quiet cobbled streets past colonial buildings, churches with bunches of bananas hanging over the doors, and traditional cantina bars with swing saloon doors...

Don't forget to pop in and visit the 16th century Augustinian convent...

before heading up the winding stone path fragrant with bougainvillea, jacarandas, and both pine and palm trees, that leads to the hilltop 16th century Aztec archaeological site with commanding views of the whole valley...

If you are lucky you can be treated to a conch-blowing ceremony that a local guy just likes to perform here, communing with Nature and the ancient history embedded in the site...

Malinalco is the perfect chilled weekend retreat from Mexico City easily reached in two hours from Observatorio bus station. Boutique hotels and trendy restaurants are beginning to creep in but it is still essentially right off the tourist map. You can visit.....but ssssssssssssssshh please don't tell absolutely everyone!!!