April 26th 2011
Archive for April, 2011
April 22nd 2011
Driving the Italian Riviera
Spring is the best season for the flower industry in Italy.
Greenhouses abound along the Ligurian coastline
April 15th 2011
Villefrance sur Mer images
April 11th 2011
Shopping in Ventimiglia
Walking to the train station is such a delight, it’s like nature-tripping.
In the coastal town of Ventimiglia, although the sun is shining bright, the snowcapped mountain of the Alps in the background make a good postcard shot.
The water reflection of the old town is another postcard beauty.
The ham market in miniature
To pass the time, I went walking to the beach and saw the stone sculptures on display.
Another stone artwork entitled: High Tide.
The palm trees are starting to grow flowers which will turn into fruits later.
April 9th 2011
It’s the Sailing Season!
And the real thing….in Lake Geneva, Switzerland
April 6th 2011
Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno
Built in 1851, the Staglieno cemetery was described by Ernest Hemingway as “one of the wonders of the world”.
It is one of the largest cemeteries of Europe covering an area of more than one square kilometer.The masterpiece-quality of the sculptures makes it like an open air museum. But unlike in Paris’ Pere Lachaise and Montmartre cemeteries, the sculpture pieces in Staglieno are arranged in an orderly fashion inside the galleries.
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And the children’s graves….
April 6th 2011
Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato
I was walking along Piazza dell’Annunziata when I noticed the most amazing golden interiors of this church peeking out through its open door as if inviting passers-by to come in. I saw a couple of tourists inching their way so I followed them curiously. As soon as I was inside, the sight simply blew me away! I thought it was the most beautiful church interior I have ever seen! Indeed, as I researched later, it is truly labeled as the most beautiful church in Genova!
The neo-classicist facade dates to 1830-1840
Gilded frescoes cover every square inch of the church!
This 16th century church overlaps nine hundred years of art history. The frescoes and the sculptures are works of the greatest artists of the seventeenth century: Van Dyck, Strozzi, Piola, De Ferrari and Guidobono. It was heavily damaged during the 2nd World War.
On close-up, the cupola fresco shows the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
April 3rd 2011
A Sunday walk in Ventimiglia
ahhhh…spring flowers!
The city is packed with families and children today. They came to give support to their sons and little brothers who are taking part of the Bicycle Race.
Even the little pets came along
and because it was still a cold day despite the bright sun, they must wear something warm to protect their thin bodies
Sunday, being almost a traffic-less day is also a good day to drive your 1934 Fiat car that has been sitting for ages in the garage

























































