My Euro Travel To The Tower of London in London, England

This post should be written some hours ago but there was an interesting program in the television that hinders me from writing it. Below is a part of the Tower of London which is also called Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress. This is one of the pictures I took during my vacation last November 2008. This palace is located along the River of Thames and was built in the Middle Ages. It's primary function before was a fortress, royal palace and also as a prison. This was where the royal class and the high status people were imprisoned.

I wish to visit this palace again because during our visit last time, we don't have the chance to go inside it.It has also served as a place of execution and torture, an armoury, a treasury, a zoo, the Royal Mint, a public records office, an observatory, and since 1303, the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

Today the Tower of London is cared for by an independent charity, Historic Royal Palaces, which receives no funding from the Government or the Crown. wikipedia

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Searching for Cheap Europe Trips

My friend from the United States already informed me last year that she plans to visit me in Germany this year. I received an email from her yesterday telling me that she is coming sometime in August this year and will spend a three weeks vacation. She was also asking on how we can travel in Europe for a cheaper price. I spent my whole afternoon today trying to search online on how to obtain cheap travels in Europe. There I go, I stumbled on Travelocity coupons. Here you can get travel coupons and discounts on hotels and package vacation of any kind and in any place. They are also giving Southwest promo code where you can avail of cheap vacation deals and packages.

I believed that most people especially travelers like me are always looking for the cheapest possible vacation and trip packages especially with the economic crisis that is still going on right now. Thanks to the promotional codes that are offered by some travel companies wherein we can avail of budget vacation. I already have a partial itinerary for my friend who will visit me and want to see part of Europe in August. I am also researching which European countries are the greatest for sightseeing for my friend. Thanks to all the sites that I visited this afternoon who also gave me some insights on how to have a cheap and budget travel in Europe.

I am also looking to travel to any European countries that I have not visited yet like Belgium, Netherlands, Vatican in Rome, Switzerland and some other more. I will see what will happened to this 3 weeks Europe trip in August. For sure, I will give you updates about it.

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The Biggest Cathedral Organ in St. Stephan's Cathedral in Passau, Germany

Have you seen the biggest Church Organ outside of United States? If not this is the chance for you to see it now. I visited Passau twice already and St. Stephan's Cathedral is one of our target. St. Stephan's Cathedral, or "Dom St. Stephan" in German, is a baroque church from 1688 in Passau, Germany. It is the seat of the Catholic Bishop of Passau and the main church of his diocese.

I was amazed by the architecture of this Church especially the inside part of it. Watch out for more pictures next time.

Behind me is the biggest Church Organ outside of US and the biggest Cathedral Organ in the world.

Since 730, there have been many churches built on the site of the current cathedral. The current church, a baroque building around 100 metres (328 ft) long, was built from 1668 to 1693 after a fire in 1662 destroyed its predecessor, of which only the late gothic eastern side remains. The cathedral's overall plan was made by Carlo Lurago, its interior decoration by Giovanni Battista Carlone, and its frescos by Carpoforo Tencalla.

Over time, the Passau Cathedral has acquired the largest organ outside of the United States. It is also the largest cathedral organ in the world. The organ currently has 17,774 pipes and 233 registers, all of which can be played with the five-manual general console in the gallery.

The cathedral has eight large bells in the bell rooms in the north and south towers. The heaviest,"Pummerin" at 7550 kg cast in 1952 and "Sturmerin" weighing 5300 kg cast in 1733 hang in the south tower. The other six bells hang in the north tower. They include: "Misericordia" weighing 6000 kg, the Angelus bell, "Predigerin", "Elfuhrglocken", the Choir bell, and "Dignitar". A ninth bell, the "Zeichenglocke" hangs near the sacristy door. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Stephan%27s_Cathedral,_Passau

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I Spent Halloween in Warwick Castle, England

I had the chance to spent Halloween in Warwick Castle in England last 2008. I am always thankful to my friends who accompanied me in my travel especially in taking my travel pictures. I also would to thank their generosity during my three weeks vacation in England. Finding cheap vacation rentals can be very difficult sometimes. I am lucky to have all friends around the world who offers free accommodation during my travel. I am truly blessed having good friends.

You can see in my background Warwick Castle. To give you a little information about this medieval castle, please continue reading. It is a castle located in Warwick in the county town of Warwickshire. It is located along River Avon. Its construction started last 1068 by William the Conqueror. This castle is full of history and interesting facts. We also had the chance to tour inside it and around the castle. I am hoping to share more pictures next time.

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My Euro Travel in Paris, France

Weekend is almost here again. I am still not on the mood for weekend escapades because the weather is still very cold. Let's go and visit this time the so-called "City of Lights" which is Paris in France. The picture above was taken right in front of the entrance of Louvre Museum. Last night, I read a travel book and one traveler shared that every time he travels, he always buy collectible pens. That is quite interesting. If he have that hobby, I also have my own. I always collect postcards, fridge magnets, key holders and books about the place. If I forgot it, I don't have to worry because I can surf it at Amazon books. I just remember that it is almost a year now since our visit in Paris. During that visit, I bought a lot of postcards, key holders, fridge magnet and two travel books. That was a very interesting trip and I still want to go back there.

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The Astronomical Clock in Prague Czech Republic

I never thought that the astronomical clock mounted on the wall of the Old City Hall of Prague is one of the famous attraction of this city until our travel guide mentioned about it. Thanks to him if not, I might miss taking pictures of this. We visited this city last September 2008 and it was truly very interesting. Here is my below showing some evidence that I was there.

thanks to dear HB for taking this picture. that is also the reason why you do not see him together with me in my travel images because he is my photographer. Thanks mein Schatz!

The Prague Astronomical Clock or Prague Orloj is a medieval astronomical clock located in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The Orloj is mounted on the southern wall of Old Town City Hall in the Old Town Square and is a popular tourist attraction.

The Orloj is composed of three main components: the astronomical dial, representing the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky and displaying various astronomical details; "The Walk of the Apostles", a clockwork hourly show of figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures; and a calendar dial with medallions representing the months.

HISTORY
The oldest part of the Orloj, the mechanical clock and astronomical dial, dates back to 1410 when it was made by clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and Jan Šindel, the latter a professor of mathematics and astronomy at Charles University.

Later, presumably around 1490, the calendar dial was added and clock facade decorated with gothic sculptures.

In 1552 it was repaired by Jan Taborský, clock-master of Orloj, who also wrote a report on the clock where he mentioned Hanuš as maker of the clock.

The Orloj stopped working many times in the centuries after 1552, and was repaired many times. In the 17th century moving statues were added, and figures of the Apostles were added after major repair in 1865-1866.

The Orloj suffered heavy damage on May 7 and especially May 8, 1945, during the Prague Uprising, when Germans directed incendiary fire from several armored vehicles and an anti-aircraft gun to the south-west side of the Old Town Square in an effort to silence the provocative broadcasting initiated by the National Committee on May 5. The hall and nearby buildings burned along with the wooden sculptures on the Orloj and the calendar dial face made by Josef Mánes. The machinery was repaired, the wooden Apostles restored by Vojtěch Sucharda, and the Orloj started working again in 1948, but only after significant effort [1].

There exists a good deal of misinformation relating to the construction of the Orloj . For a long time it was believed that the Orloj was constructed in 1490 by clockmaster Jan Růže (also called Hanuš) and his assistant Jakub Čech. Another fictitious story involves the clockmaker Hanuš being blinded on the order of the Prague Councillors. more infos here

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My Funny Travel Images

Can you imagine visiting Vancouver Canada to witness 2010 Winter Olympics? How I wish I was there. You might be wondering about the picture above. I was there through this photo funny thing I found in the net! Actually guys, I am laughing at this moment while uploading this picture at Picjoke.com. Isn't it cool? I also have a funny photo taken somewhere out there in the second picture. I know this place is somewhere in Europe but I just can't figure out right now. If I have to guess, this might be in Germany, Netherlands, Italy or maybe in Bulgaria? Any information out there would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Did you see me in the third picture here? I know this is in Paris, France at the famous Moulin Rouge. I did visited Paris last year in March and I love it there. You can see me pointing at Eiffel Tower in Paris at the last image. If you want to create photo funny, feel free to visit Picjoke. They have new photo effects everyday and you can create it in less than 60 seconds. Feel free to choose the many photo effects in their websites. I know for sure you will have some fun just like me!

Any idea where this place is ? I just visited this through Picjoke. I hope to visit it one day.


I already visited Paris, France last March 2009. We also passed-by Moulin Rouge but sad to say I was not able to take a picture of it. Maybe next time again!

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