Archive for April, 2011

April 26th 2011

Gardens of Vence

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April 22nd 2011

Driving the Italian Riviera

One of the most scenic motorways in Europe is that of the Italian Riviera.  With a rugged coastline and the blue sea on one side, you are treated with sights of hilltop villages, mountain ranges, Mediterranean vegetation, farms and much more…

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Spring is the best season for the flower industry in Italy.

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Greenhouses abound along the Ligurian coastline

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April 15th 2011

Villefrance sur Mer images

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Rue Obscure

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The image of Saint Roch with the dog who saved him from death.  He would have perished had not a dog belonging to a nobleman named Gothard Palastrelli supplied him with bread and licked his wounds, healing them.

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The clocktower of Church of St Roch

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Chocolates for Easter

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April 11th 2011

Shopping in Ventimiglia

I went shopping alone in Ventimiglia market this morning so with my huge rucksack, and my camera bag in tow, I caught the trenitalia train at 8:30am hoping to get back home three hours later.

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Walking to the train station is such a delight, it’s like nature-tripping.

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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.

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The water reflection of the old town is another postcard beauty.

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The ham market in miniature

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To pass the time, I went walking to the beach and saw the stone sculptures on display.

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Another stone artwork entitled:  High Tide.

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The palm trees are starting to grow flowers which will turn into fruits later.

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April 9th 2011

It’s the Sailing Season!

Well, actually, it’s the “Learning How to Sail Season” for the young. Everywhere I went, by the sea, I see this long line of tiny sailing boats gliding in the water and I thought, I could make a good photo collection of them. You see them in the Spring when it is not too hot and it is not too cold. So here they are:

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Italian Riviera

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Italian Riviera

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Menton, France

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Monaco

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And the real thing….in Lake Geneva, Switzerland

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April 6th 2011

Shrines of Genova

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April 6th 2011

Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno

Genova, Italy

 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….

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April 6th 2011

Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato

Genova, Italy

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!

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The neo-classicist facade dates to 1830-1840

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Gilded frescoes cover every square inch of the church!

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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.

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The cupola dome

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On close-up, the cupola fresco shows the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

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April 3rd 2011

A Sunday walk in Ventimiglia

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ahhhh…spring flowers!

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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.

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Even the little pets came along

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and because it was still a cold day despite the bright sun, they must wear something warm to protect their thin bodies

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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

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    About me

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    Mariadams

    "Pinay" is slang for a woman born in the Philippines.

    Through my lens, I love to capture the everyday life of Europe and through this blog I hope I could serve as your window to this fascinating continent.

    Enjoy reading and please feel free to ask questions about the pictures and my stories. If you see yourself on this site, please contact me so I could send you the raw copy, or if you do not wish to be there, so I could remove your photo.

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