Kaleidoscope

Thailand - Railay Beach

2011-02-20T17:12:00.003-04:00

Thailand - Ko Phi Phi Islands

2011-02-20T17:06:00.003-04:00

Thailand - Ao Nang, Krabi

2011-02-20T16:57:00.004-04:00

Thailand - Chiang Mai

2011-02-20T16:41:00.008-04:00

Thailand - Bangkok

2011-02-20T16:28:00.003-04:00

Obladee Wine Bar

2010-12-06T13:23:00.013-04:00

Obladee is a wine bar on Barrington Street in Halifax, owned by siblings Heather and Christian Rankin. Their bar offers plenty of good wine by the glass options. The character of the place is warm and relaxing, making it an ideal spot for a drink after work or to meet friends before heading out to dinner.

There are a variety of seating options for larger groups and intimate parties alike, with fun little nooks and crannies tucked throughout the space. The bar has several unique features including two enclosed glass window seating areas, a spiral staircase and tables made from Glenora Distillery barrels.

Although Obladee focusses on wine rather than food they do have delicious cheese and charcuterie boards. There are also three good local beer choices on tap for those who prefer to sip a cold one.

Obladee is a fun spot to gather for drinks. The staff are friendly and more than willing to give suggestions. I quite enjoy the vibe here and the bar has quickly generated alot of buzz. The only downside to its popularity is that it can be challenging to find seats during peak times, so if you plan to meet a group for drinks it is best to arrive early. Another good option is to make your way there during the week when things are less busy.

The Film Rangefinder Experiment

2010-10-19T18:07:00.020-03:00

Over the summer I was given an opportunity to shoot two rolls of film with a Contax G rangefinder camera. The camera, in near mint condition, was loaned to me by twitter follower Chris Jones (@betterlftunsaid), an avid black and white film shooter. Chris handed over his Contax loaded with a roll of Kodak TRI-X 400 ISO film, a spare roll and a promise to develop the images in his darkroom. Nice!

The Contax G series remains one of the most advanced, high quality 35mm film rangefinder cameras ever made. In the 90s it was marketed to the rich, but today with most people spending money on digital the G1 can be found used for an affordable price. The standard lens on this camera is the renowned Zeiss 45 mm f/2 planar, one of the sharpest lenses made for 35mm. This titanium beauty is built like a tank and the rangefinder design makes picture taking a simple pleasure.

I quickly became addicted to the simplicity of the camera and fell in love with the rangefinder design. The small size is easy on the shoulder and people are more relaxed as subjects when you bring the camera to your eye. Seeing the world through a finder vs single mirror reflex design is more immersive. Moments and expression are captured quickly, no fiddling through menus or buttons. The G series may just be the highest quality, easiest to use point and shoot camera ever made.

I forgot how fun it is shooting film. The creative process is different. Rather than the rapid-fire, machine gun approach one gets used to using digital, film requires a more intentional, reflective approach. A day of shooting often resulted in only a handful of exposures. In fact it took me most of the summer to get through a mere two rolls of film.

My favourite aspect shooting with this camera is its portability. After lugging around a heavy Canon 5D for an entire year as part of my daily photo project it was a joy to throw the rangefinder over the shoulder, wander the city and just shoot.

I would enjoy shooting regularly with the digital equivalent of this camera. Unfortunately, the only rangefinder design in digital format, that has a comparable-sized 'full frame' sensor size as 35mm film, is the Leica M9. At a mere $7,000 (without lenses!) the M9 is sadly out of reach. I am hopeful that in time more manufacturers will create affordable, interchangeable lens, full frame rangefinders.

A big thanks to Chris for loaning me this very cool camera. Check out his excellent black and white images on his website.

Splash of Fall Colour

2010-10-13T18:50:00.002-03:00

Footsteps in the Sand

2010-10-07T20:34:00.003-03:00

Boardwalk to the Beach

2010-09-30T17:39:00.012-03:00

Cloudy Beach

2010-08-23T19:20:00.008-03:00

Yoga Practice on the Rocks

2010-08-22T14:17:00.005-03:00

Sleeping Baby

2010-08-20T12:35:00.004-03:00

A friend's baby sleeping away the day. Sleeping babies are very peaceful. I wonder if they dream? I prefer them sleeping over pooping, screaming, barfing on me and so on.

Drunk on Pollen

2010-08-13T16:13:00.005-03:00

This bee was moving very slow. It allowed for a clear shot.

Purple Flower

2010-08-12T14:14:00.000-03:00

I have no idea what the heck this is.

Gordie Sampson at the Carleton

2010-08-04T00:42:00.003-03:00

Gordie Sampson put on a great show at the Carleton tonight. He is an amazing songwriter, I have alot of respect for the guy. A few guest stars including JP Cormier (pictured).

Brown-eyed Susan

2010-07-30T16:41:00.006-03:00

Rudbeckia Hirta, variety pulcherrima, aka Brown-eyed Susan.

Wet Flower

2010-07-25T15:46:00.003-03:00

Wet Wire

2010-07-24T14:01:00.002-03:00

Tango

2010-07-15T20:42:00.003-03:00

This is Tango, my brother in law's new dog. He's still a pup and has lot of energy. It wasn't easy to get him to sit still for a few poses. Windows of opportunity are brief with animals.

PS. This is not another project. I'm just posting random shots of things, every once and awhile, just because.

Day 365 - Stick a fork in me I'm done

2010-06-28T18:24:00.006-03:00

Wow! I can't believe this is the end. It has been quite a journey. Although it felt like a marathon at times each day was its own special blend of interesting sights and fun adventures.

Photographing something different every single day did help keep my mind off cigarettes (one year smoke free) and it was a great way to get off the couch and out of the house.

From a technical standpoint my skills didn't improve much but I do think my vision sharpened. The project required me to slow down, study subjects more carefully and try different perspectives. Daily creative exercise is quite addictive.

Thanks everyone for the kind words and encouragement along the way, I really appreciated it. I'd like to thank my wife Leah in particular for her patience and creative input during this project.

Now that Project 365 has finished I'm going to rest for a bit. I will likely start up another project someday but for now I need a break.

Day 364 - Sangria

2010-06-27T15:09:00.004-03:00

Sangria is a wine punch made for sunny afternoons and patios. It normally consists of a light, fruity unoaked wine; sliced fruit; sweetener; spirits; ice and in some cases carbonated soda. In spain we had our fair share of good sangria, though on the whole found them a tad too sugary. The ones we liked best had less sugar or were sweetened with spirits.

Day 362 - El Mercado de San Miguel

2010-06-27T10:25:00.011-03:00

One afternoon we stumbled across El Mercado de San Miguel, a fantastic market in downtown Madrid. The market is essentially an enormous tapas bar with a fine bodega that sells wine by the glass. And mist machines to cool down. Nice. The rest of the afternoon turned into an impromptu tapas/wine tasting.

The bodega had a good selection of interesting bottles covering broad price points. Staff were friendly and helpful, and let you behind the counter to look through their selection.

We settled on a 2007 Garnacha from Bodega Alto Moncayo. Located in Campo de Borja, Alto Moncayo is known for making high quality wines of limited production. This 2007 Garnacha had a lovely nose, intense and layered, bright fruit, long finish, matched a wide variety of food.

We secured a seat at a standing table (not an easy task) and took turns bringing back food. One surprise came in the form of a pickle stuffed with tuna and olives on the side. Basically, it was a tuna sandwich without the bread. Simple. I've never been a fan of tuna spread but this combination was quite good. The Garnacha and dill pickle were surprisingly compatible.

Day 361 - Museo del Jamón

2010-06-26T19:08:00.004-03:00

Spaniards have a serious obsession with pork. Everywhere you look, there is ham. A fun place to sample yummy cured spanish ham is at the Museo del Jamon. When we first saw their sign we thought it was an actual museum of ham, but on closer examination found out that it was in fact a store. It is part restaurant, part bar, part butcher, and 100% serious about ham.

The atmosphere in this ham utopia is quite vibrant. It offers exceptional value, the place has a wide selection of cured ham and beer that is among the cheapest in Madrid. It's a great place to grab a sandwich and beer, but is not really the kind of spot to have a sit down meal. The place was packed when we went for lunch.

Day 360 - Tapas

2010-06-26T14:46:00.004-03:00

One of our favorite activities while in Spain was enjoying tapas. Tapas (derived from the Spanish verb tapar "to cover") is the name given to a wide variety of appetizers in Spanish cuisine. In Spain dinner is usually served quite late - between 9-11pm. This leaves alot of time between work and dinner. To fill this gap Spaniards often go to a bar or restaurant and eat tapas.

Bars and restaurant typically have a dozen or so different kinds of tapas on display. Ordering tapas takes some getting used to as it is self serve - just go up to the counter and get it - and the bill is derived at the end from counting the number of toothpicks on your plate. Once we got the hang of it, sampling tapas became a regular part of our daily routine.

Day 359 - The Hunt for Vega Sicilia

2010-06-25T13:55:00.009-03:00

On our third afternoon in Madrid we went wine shopping. We were interested in finding a wine or two to 'lay down.' A friend told us to keep an eye out for any wines from Vega Sicilia, one of Spain's most iconic estates. A google of 'where to buy wine in Madrid' lead us to Lavignia, a huge store with an enormous selection of wines from across the globe. The bottom floor space is dedicated to Spain (displayed by region) and the top floor, all other countries.

Jackpot. Vega Sicilia's two traditional wines, Unico and Valbuena, were both available to taste at Lavinia - a '99 Unico and a '04 Valbuena. The '99 was well out of our price range to buy so we tried a nip of the Valbuena 2004, a blend of Tempranillo, Merlot and Malbec grapes.

We liked it. Lots of juicy fruit. The tannins are smooth yet have plenty of grip. It had an open, airy mouthfeel. This seems like a subtle, refined wine that will age nicely. We bought a bottle and look forward to seeing what it tastes like on our 10 year wedding anniversary.

Day 358 - Plaza Mayor

2010-06-24T18:19:00.006-03:00

One of the most popular and pretty squares in Madrid is Plaza Mayor. Since its creation, the plaza has hosted bull fights, held royal coronations and even had executions. The square today is largely used for public celebrations. It is very popular among tourists as a resting place for lunch or dinner.

At the center of the square is a bronze statue of King Philips III, constructed in 1616 by the Italian sculptors Giovanni de Bologna and his apprentice Pietro Tacca.

The square is a popular place for artisans and buskers to sell their work. It is also a fantastic place to sit back and people watch.

The most prominent building on the Plaza Mayor is the Casa de la Panaderia. Its current design with symmetric towers dates from 1790. The colorful murals were only added recently, in 1992.

Day 357 - Royal Palace

2010-06-23T17:17:00.005-03:00

The Palacio de Madrid, aka the Royal Palace, is one of the most popular tourist sights in the city. The Palace is the the official residence of the King of Spain. There are many interesting sights around the palace, and we particularly enjoyed strolling around the west side gardens and hanging out in the Oriente Square. The picture below is the east facade of the Royal Palace seen from Oriente Square.

Below the palace are the gardens of the Campo del Moro (Field of the Moor, named because a Moorish army camped here in the 12th century). The gardens were made into a public park in the 19th century, and includes interesting plants, fountains and curving paths.

Day 356 - Retiro Park

2010-06-23T16:45:00.003-03:00

Retiro Park is the most popular park in Madrid. Located in what is now the heart of the city, the park was originally designed as a retreat for the royal family in the 17th century. The park was later opened to the public in 1868. The park covers 320 acres and offers ample space for a stroll, lovely gardens, restaurants, a crystal palace and an artificial lake, among other things.

The 'lake' is close to the north entrance of the park. You can rent a row boat for paddling around the lake. We were going to rent a boat and stroll through the rest of the park, but the weather was just way too hot. At 35 degrees plus humudity about all we could handle was a nap in the shade near the lake.

A pretty feature in the park is a statue of King Alfonso XII, which overlooks the lake. The monument features a semicircular colonnade and an equestrian statue of the king. This also makes for a great napping spot in the shade. Did I mention how hot it was?

Day 355 - Puerta de Alcalá

2010-06-22T16:42:00.003-03:00

In the center of the Plaza de la Independencia in Madrid sits the Puerta de Alcalá, a large granite structure that used to be the main entrance gate to Madrid. The structure (in its current form) was rebuilt in the 18th century by KIng Carlos III.

Day 354 - Gran Via, Madrid

2010-06-21T16:56:00.004-03:00

For the last leg of our trip we flew to Madrid, Spain's largest city and capital. After coming from small villages in Mallorca (i.e. Deia had 850 residents) the hustle and bustle of this city of 3.5 million took some acclimatizing. But it was well worth it, we loved this city, which has much to offer in terms of sights, shopping, eating and drinking.

We stayed in a hostal on a side street just off Gran Via, one of the main streets running through the downtown. Sometimes referred to as the broadway of Spain, Grain Via has theaters, plenty of shopping and is the main route through the downtown. The main feature is the architecture, which showcases an incredible array of 20th century architecture. Walking down this magnificent street for the first time is a jaw dropping experience.

Day 353 - Cala d'Or

2010-06-20T09:25:00.003-03:00

Our last destination on Mallorca (before flying to Madrid) was Cala d'Or, on the east coast of the Island. Cala d'Or is a slightly larger resort town that offers fine sandy beaches and plenty of accommodation choices, restaurants and shopping. The town is more crowded than the places we stayed on the west coast but the beaches were still quite nice.

Day 352 - Cala de Sant Vicenç

2010-06-19T15:08:00.005-03:00

Cala de Sant Vicenç is a tiny resort town on the northwest coast of Mallorca. Although largely a tourism destination the town retains a great deal of charm given its small size. The area consists of three small coves with crystal clear blue water. We spent a couple days relaxing on one of the three small beaches in town.

There is little in the way of nightlife in Cala de Sant Vicenç apart from a handful of small restaurants. The mantra of this town is relax, relax, relax. If you're looking to get away from it all the village is well worth consideration.

The hostal we stayed at was named Los Pinos. It was the best value hostal we found during our entire trip: cheap, overlooking the beach and it had a pool. Sweet! Hard to beat in terms of value.

Day 351 - Serra de Tramuntana

2010-06-18T18:04:00.004-03:00

The Serra de Tramuntana is the highest mountain range and the most impressive natural feature of Mallorca. The range is approximately 90 km long, stretching through the various towns we visited on the northwest coast. The Tramuntana is an outdoor aficionados dream - wide open spaces, tranquillity and magnificent scenery.

Driving was a mixed blessing of incredible views and jaw-clenching, nerve-racking moments as we navigated the many twists and turns up and over steep, ragged cliffs. There was a scary moment or two but overall the experience was worth it.

According to the guide book the mountain range is one of the training grounds for the Tour de France. In fact we did see quite a few (professional looking) bikers huffing their way around the trail. There were also some interesting tunnels through the stone cliffs (safety reminder: before you start driving a rental car be sure you know how to turn the lights on).

Day 350 - Sóller

2010-06-17T18:52:00.006-03:00

Sóller is a small town on the north west coast of Mallorca. The town is 3km inland from the Port de Sóller, in a large valley. We stayed in Sóller (the town) for the night and visited the port during the day, which is connected via a tram (the Orange Express). In hindsight we would have done it the other way - stay in Port de Sóller overnight and visit Sóller during the day. Parking in Soller, a town made up of endless, narrow one way streets, proved to be a hastle.

The center of Sóller has a pleasant square, the Plaça Constitució, which is surrounded by cafés and restaurants. The tram regularly passes through the Plaça on its way back and forth from the main station to the port. It seems that relaxing, sipping wine and watching the tram ramble by is the order of the day in this town.

In the afternoon we took the Orange Express down to the Port de Sóller and strolled along the waterfront. The port basically feels like a giant resort, comprised of many restaurants, bars and shops strung out along the bay. That being said it is quiet and has a peaceful feel, it does not have the same feel as the concrete jungle and heavy tourist areas seen elsewhere on the island.

Day 349 - Deià

2010-06-16T18:00:00.009-03:00

Deià is a coastal village on the northwest side of Mallorca, nestled in the Tramuntana mountains. The village is known for its idyllic landscapes, olive groves and nearby cove. The beauty of the landscape, and the relaxed vibe of the village, has made Deia a popular place that has inspired many writers, poets and musicians over the years.

We only stayed here for a day, but it was certainly one of our trip highlights. Although the town, traditionally dedicated to agriculture and fishing, has increasingly become a tourist destination, it has not lost its simple charms.

Deia has a small accommodation choice. We stayed at the Hostal Miramar, a 19th century farmhouse converted into a guesthouse. The simple yet tranquil pensión style hostal is set in in a lush jungle-like setting, high above Deià. Sitting on the terrace, sipping wine, listening to the sounds of the birds and water, inhaling the smells of fresh flowers, admiring the view of the village below as the sun broke through the clouds, was a moment we'll always treasure.

Deià also has a nice but small selection of bars and restaurants, mostly in the middle of the town. A stroll down the hillside brought us to a funky fusion style sushi restaurant (cannot recall the name). We passed on sushi and went with the chef's suggestions. Best sea bass and home made gnocchi ever.

The next day we drove down to the 'Cala de Deia', the cove where fishermen still go out at dawn to cast their nets, and locals go to swim during the day. We ate at the restaurant Can March (above the rocks left in the picture), where we had another delicious meal of fresh fish caught by the fishermen of the cove.

We quite enjoyed Deià, easily a trip highlight. Any visit to Mallorca would be incomplete without a stay in this lovely village.

Day 348 - Valldemossa

2010-06-15T21:03:00.009-03:00

We decided to rent a car for a week and tour Mallorca. Our first series of stops were along the west coast, in the Tramuntana Mountains. The first town we stopped in was Valldemossa, a quaint village. It has a famous monastery where Chopin lived during the winter of 1838/39. The houses are constructed of stone and the village provides a pleasant backdrop for an afternoon stroll and lunch.

All the houses have ornamental entrances with flowers, green shutters and small ceramic plates at the main entrance. Apparently the plates contain a prayer message to La Beata, the saint protecting the village. This village is very relaxing and well worth the visit.

After lunch we decided to check out the Port de Valldemossa, located several kms away. The guide book described the drive to the port as 'tortuous.' That is quite an understatement. Barely wide enough for a single car, the road is a long, twisting, narrow journey of frayed nerves - the longest 7km drive of my life. Not for the faint of heart.

After the crazy, stressful drive down the side of the mountain to get to the port we were hoping for something amazing (magic dancing unicorns?), but there isn't much there except a restaurant and half naked fishermen. Huh. So the port was a bit of a letdown.

Day 347 - La Seu Cathedral

2010-06-15T17:26:00.008-03:00

The main attraction in Palma, Mallorca is La Seu Cathedral, a magnificent gothic cathedral, constructed between 1229 and 1601, with reconstruction work ongoing through the early 20th century. Situated an a hill along the coast, the cathedral dominates the landscape. It is an impressive sight when it first comes into view.

There are many interesting features of the cathedral, but the most impressive is the sun falling through the stained glass windows, filling the cathedral with mysterious, soft, warm light. My attempt to capture the light quality, handheld at high ISO, does not do the interior justice. Nonetheless, it is understandable that the cathedral is commonly referred to as 'The Cathedral of Light.'

Day 346 - Bellver Castle

2010-06-14T21:17:00.006-03:00

After Barcelona we decided to take in some downtime on Mallorca, a Spanish Island located in the Mediterranean, part of the Balearic Islands. We booked a cheap flight to Palma, the lone city on the Island. Before renting a car to escape to more serene settings we took some time to explore the island's capital.

Compared to the beautiful northwest coast of the Island Palma is less impressive. It is a port city and its charms less obvious. However, we were only passing through, so we did not expect much. The Island's capital does have two noteworthy sights, the Bellver Castle and the Cathedral. First up is the Bellver castle.

The Belver castle is a gothic style castle on a hill overlooking the city. The view of the city from the castle is quite lovely and the castle design itself is interesting. Built in the 14th century, it is one of the few circular castles in Europe. It served as a military prison throughout the 18th to mid-20th century, and now mostly serves as a history museum. I enjoyed shooting the various archways throughout the interior.

Day 345 - Palau Musica de Catalana

2010-06-13T18:21:00.004-03:00

The Palau Musica de Catalana is a concert hall designed by architect Lluis Domenech Montaner (not Gaudi!) that opened in 1908. This building is the headquarters of "Orfeó Catala", a prestigious institution founded in 1891 to support Catalan music and culture.

The concert hall of the Palau is an awesome spectacle. It is illuminated virtually entirely in natural light, via ornate stained-glass panes. The centerpiece is an enormous inverted dome skylight designed by Antoni Rigalt, in shades of gold surrounded by blue, that suggests the sun and the sky. The acoustics in the room were quite good but it was the soft magical lighting in the hall that impresses the most.

I was disappointed that photography inside the concert hall is not permitted. That the owners choose to limit photography of such a magnificent building, which is virtually a shrine to light and creative artistic achievement, is a shame in my opinion. A more reasonable policy has been adopted in the Gaudi exhibits, which allows photography but restricts usage of images for commercial purposes. I took the image above 'from the hip' so it is not well composed, and will take it down if asked, but I maintain that such a policy is just plain silly - I have no intention of selling this image.

The facade of the exterior of the building is interesting but very difficult to photography given the narrow streets that surround the building. The exterior is mostly memorable for the floral designs. The appearance was a bit too much like a wedding cake for my taste, but still quite interesting.

Day 344 - Las Ramblas

2010-06-13T17:43:00.010-03:00

La Rambla is a popular 1.2 km tree-lined street in central Barcelona. La Rambla is actually a series of shorter, connected streets, and is thus referred to as 'Las Ramblas' in Spanish.

Las Ramblas is a crowded street that increasingly caters to tourists. You will likely find more tourists than locals, and thus the street has lost much of its authentic, local character. Food quality is poor, prices are very high, and the street is filled with a carnival type atmosphere. Despite its popularity among tourists, I disliked this street more with each walk, and we eventually avoided it altogether. The best part of the street are the trees, which are very pretty.

At the bottom of La Rambla is a bike station, which showcases Barcelona's latest public transit system, a community bike program called 'bicing.' With over 200 bike stations located across the city, local residents can grab a bike just about anywhere in the city. For 30 euros a year, residents get a card and can access the bikes for travel in the city up to 2 hours at a time. Genius! Unfortunately bicing is presently only available for local residents. We could have used one of these bikes on a number of occasions.

Day 343 - Casa Milà

2010-06-13T16:53:00.007-03:00

Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera, is a building designed by Antoni Gaudi, built between 1905-1910, located in the Eixample district of Barcelona. The house was built for built for a married couple, Rosario Segimon and Pere Milà.

Like much of Gaudi's work, the building was controversial in its day. The municipality objected to much of the project, fined the owners for various building code infractions and ordered various aspects of the project to be demolished. The building grew into disrepair until the 1980's but has since been restored and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The highlight of the building is the rooftop. The surface of the roof is covered with undulating slopes and odd chimneys designed in fantastical shapes. They remind me of scary, gothic comic book figures.

Day 342 - Font Màgica

2010-06-13T15:01:00.004-03:00

Font Màgica is Barcelona’s largest ornamental fountain. It was built in 1929 for the International Exhibition, and offers a spectacular display of light, music and water.

I have been fortunate to see two amazing water, light and music shows this year. Font Magica is not quite on par with the water display at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, which I saw on day 54, but is still quite impressive.

Day 341 - Barri Gòtic

2010-06-13T13:09:00.013-03:00

Our favourite area to stroll in Barcelona was the Barri Gòtic ('Gothic Quarter' in Catalin). This area in the center of the old city is a laybynth of narrow streets, where you can see many buildings dating back to the medieval times.

The maze of streets that make up the Barri Gotic make navigation all but impossible, and we got lost nearly every time we went for a walk, but that was part of the fun. Sooner or later you end up at a familiar square, and along the way you get to see interesting buildings and shops.

There are many historic points of interest in the Barri Gotic. One of the most amazing sights is the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, constructed between the 13th-15th centuries. Unfortunately, the cathedral's exterior had alot of staging and was not great for photographing, but the inside did not disappoint. It is visually stunning and immense in scope. No shortage of photos ops.

Another pretty church is Santa María del Pí (Blessed Lady of the Pine Tree), a 14th century gothic church situated on the Placa del Pi.

Carrer del Bisbe Irurita is a charming street that runs alongside the cathedral. This narrow street, like many streets in the Barri Gòtic, is closed to traffic and is designated for pedestrian traffic only. There is a beautiful archway/walkway that crosses the street.

Plaça Reial (Royal Plaza) is one of the most famous squares in the Barri Gòtic. It is a well-known tourist attraction, especially at night. Dotting the square are a large number of restaurants and clubs. In my opinion the cost of food is high and the quality is not that great so I consider this area best only for enjoying the ambience.

The Barri Gotic is also a great place to stroll at night. So long as you stick to the main streets there are many good tapas restaurants and bars to choose from.

Day 340 - Parc Güell

2010-06-09T21:16:00.008-03:00

Parc Güell is another popular tourist destination in Barcelona designed by Antoni Gaudi. Built from 1900-1914, the park was originally intended to be a city-garden with houses built for aristorcrats. It failed as a real estate project (only two houses were ever built) and in 1923 the space was transformed into a public park.

The main entrance is at the lowest part of the park. The double staircase has sides with checkerboard tiles and crenelated tops. It is a rather striking staircase in appearance and offers a few colourful sculptures along the way. The downside is that the park is at its most crowded along the staircase, and navigating the crowds of posing tourists can be a bit taxing.

Halfway up the stair, looking back towards the main entrance, you can see two buildings that flank the entrance, the porter's lodge and the office. Both buildings have a gingerbread house appearance (to my eye anyway), with undulating roofs and tall towers. Typical freaky Gaudi.

The 'hypostyle' chamber at the top of the stairs is called the Chamber of the Hundred Columns, although it only has 96. The roof supports the floor of the public square above it. It was originally intended to be a market. To create more space Gaudi eliminated random columns. Josep Maria Jujol, the collaborator on all of the tile work, designed large medallions for the empty spaces in the ceiling.

The wall surrounding the public square above the chamber twists around the plaza and is designed as a long bench for seating. Brightly colored broken tiles create mosaic designs - a technique called trencadis. It is very relaxing to sit and rest on the bench, taking in the vibrant colours and shapes. This bench is probably the most relaxing part of the park.

Circling the outer section of the park are the roadways which were originally intended to service the houses. Separate footpaths formed under these structures, marked by oddly shaped columns.

Day 339 - The Boqueria Market

2010-06-08T18:39:00.012-03:00

The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria (aka La Bouqueria), is a popular market in central Barcelona. With an entrance directly off the popular Las Ramblas street, an excellent selection of every food imaginable and a vibrant atmosphere, the Boqueria Market is a 'must see' when visiting Barcelona.

La Bouqueria is by far the largest and busiest markets I have seen. The market is huge, a labyrynth of endless food displays. The selection is fantastic, you can find everything - fruits, vegetables, meats (hanging ham!), fish, nuts, candies, chocolates, wines, coffee, basically everything you can imagine is on display.

The selection of fish in the market was also excellant. There were the familiar selections - Salmon, Prawns, Lobster, Herring, Cod, but also a variety of fish that I did not even recognize. All very fresh.

We couldn't resist buying a couple fruit juices, which we had cravings for every day thereafter while staying in Barcelona.

Despite the size and the hectic crowds the market is very well organized. What struck me the most was how colourful it was, especially in the area of the fruit and vegetable displays. Every single piece of fruit or vegetable seemed strategically placed in a way to make you drool and want to buy something.

There are many stalls selling tapas of authentic Catalin dishes from fresh local ingredients. We felt like a coffee so we decided to kick back and enjoy a cafe con leche (made with strong coffee or espresso with equal parts scalded milk added). The quality of the coffee in Spain is excellent.

Day 338 - Barcelona Beaches

2010-06-07T17:04:00.007-03:00

One of Barcelona's jewels is the long stretch of seven golden, sandy beaches. Sant Sebastià and Barceloneta beaches are the largest, oldest and the most frequented beaches, and are closest to the city center. The Olympic port separates them from the other city beaches: Nova Icària, Bogatell, Mar Bella, Nova Mar Bella and Llevant.

For sun worshippers you could do worse than renting an apartment or hostal for a week along one of these beaches. The beaches are clean (but VERY crowded) and filled with partygoers. Much of the late night party scene happens along the beach bars as well, making this a good location for young travellers looking for fun.

For those who simply want to enjoy a stroll along the beach during the day, there is plenty of activity and people watching to keep you entertained. You will even find strange architecture on the beach, not surprising for Barcelona.

We didn't go swimming. After seeing the crystal clear waters of the north western Mallorca coast, let's just say that I am glad that we stuck to strolling along the boardwalk, taking in the sights and sipping the occasional cerveza at one of the many 'restaurants that lined the beach.

There is no shortage of sights along the boardwalk. One highlight is the giant copper fish sculpture, designed by architect Frank Gehry for the 1992 Olympic games.

The boardwalk that lines the beaches is perfect for rollerbladers and bikers. The lanes are flat and cover a nice distance over 4 kms in length. They have separate lanes for bikers (pictured), rollerbladers and pedestrians.

Day 337 - Sagrada Familia

2010-06-06T18:37:00.012-03:00

La Sagrada Familia is Gaudi's most famous work in Barcelona. It is a giant temple that has been under construction since 1882, and is not expected to be completed for another 30-80 years.

Much controversy surrounds the building. After Gaudi died (ran over by a Tram!) many Barcelonins felt the church should have been left as it was. Anarchists destroyed models of the remaining structure during the civil war, but spared the building. Many people think of it as just plain ugly (hence the origin of the word 'gaudi'). The design for completion and the materials to be used have been hotly debated. The picture below highlights the contrast in building materials from the original completed section vs. the new section.

Whatever your impression of this building it is a remarkable visual experience and full of surprises (is that a tree? is that fruit? is the building melting?).

I was also impressed with the interior, particularly the ceiling. Unfortunately, very little of the interior was accessible for viewing due to ongoing construction.

Day 336 - Casa Batlló

2010-06-06T17:13:00.006-03:00

Apologies for my project 365 absence. For the past few weeks I have been travelling with my wife in Spain. We stayed in Barcelona, the Island of Mallorca and Madrid. I decided to finish my project 365 by showing some images of our favorite sights we enjoyed while traveling.

First up, in Barcelona, is Casa Batlló. This is one of the incredible buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi, situated in the Eixample district of Barcelona. Like everything Gaudí designed, the building is remarkable. The façade of Casa Batlló looks like it has been made from skulls and bones, which explains the local nickname "La Casa dels Ossos," the House of Bones. The little balconies appear to be masks. The facade is decorated with broken ceramic tiles in colours resembling marine life.

The interior of Casa Batlló is equally fascinating as the exterior and worth the price of admission. In the Modernist style he used wood, iron, glass, ceramics and stone combined in creative, interesting ways, producing vibrant features throughout the house. Below is the swirling ceiling in the living room on the main floor.

What struck me the most about the building was a complete absence of straight lines. Below are the stairs to the roof and a ceiling of the hallway leading to a storage room.

The roof is arched and has an appearance of the back of a dragon. Pictured here are the colourful tiled chimneys.

Day 335 - Tulips. Sun. Punch of Colour.

2010-05-18T21:17:00.001-03:00

Day 334 - Purple Leaf Sandcherry

2010-05-17T18:10:00.005-03:00

I like the flowers on these bush. Anyone know what this is?

Day 333 - Extending Lines

2010-05-16T16:17:00.000-03:00

Day 332 - Tropical Reflections

2010-05-16T16:16:00.003-03:00

Day 331 - Peeling Paint

2010-05-16T16:12:00.003-03:00

Day 330 - Inside of Tulip

2010-05-13T20:22:00.003-03:00

I had a very busy day and did not have much time for photos. A quick grab shot of a tulip on the way home was all I could muster.

Day 329 - Bleeding Hearts

2010-05-12T20:38:00.001-03:00

Day 328 - Skywalk

2010-05-12T20:36:00.003-03:00

I didn't get outdoors much today so my picture taking was limited to indoor walkways and airports. I didn't miss much, it was cold and windy in Toronto on Tuesday.

Day 327 - CN Tower and Steam Whistle Brewery

2010-05-12T20:32:00.002-03:00

I was in Toronto for two days of meetings. Most of my time was indoors attending meetings but I did get out for a stroll Monday afternoon.

Day 326 - Flowers

2010-05-09T15:55:00.003-03:00

Not sure what these are. Anyone..?

Day 325 - Unoaked Chardonnay

2010-05-08T22:40:00.011-03:00

My wife and I have never really taken to chardonnay. The buttery, rich, vanilla flavours created by being in oak barrels, has never appealed to us, so we do not tend to buy chardonnay.

Unoaked chardonnay, fermented in stainless steel tanks, no oak, results in a wine that appears to me to be lighter, cleaner, more refreshing. We recently discovered this style aligns more with our palate preference. Since then we have been on the lookout for good unoaked values.

Anakena produces a great quality unoaked chardonnay for only $9.99 at major NSLC outlets. Aside from the unattractive smell (wet dog rolls in spilled fruit juice?) this chardonnay is pretty good. It has a pleasant mouthfeel, zesty melon and grapefruity flavours, has a crisp acidity and is nicely balanced.

On a side note we visited Anakena in 2008. Anakena is a lovely winery in Chile, in the Rapel Valley, in the foothill of the Andes. We enjoyed a nice tasting on the lawn and had a pleasant stroll through the vineyard as the sun set.

Day 324 - Fuzzy flower

2010-05-08T22:32:00.005-03:00

Day 323 - St George's Round Church

2010-05-06T19:33:00.002-03:00

Day 322 - Hipstamatic for Iphone

2010-05-05T19:54:00.021-03:00

There are a ton of camera apps for the iPhone. Most apps replicate the functions of the built-in camera app or add in a few additional functions such as adjustments, special filters and so on.

The Hipstamatic app takes a much different approach, turning your fancy iphone into a retro toy camera. From the moment you launch the app to viewing your first 'print' you soon realize that this app is much different than other phone apps, and a hundred times more fun.

The interface of the app is quite interesting, mimicking the back of an actual camera. The display requires you to rotate your camera to landscape mode, and suddenly your iPhone is a toy camera, complete with viewfinder.

The entire iPhone display is made to look like the back of a camera, with a variety of virtual options for lens, film and flash. The app comes with several film and lens presets and additional options can be purchased.

Once you have taken a picture the app 'prints' your photo and saves it to your photo roll. The image itself becomes heavily altered, most taking on a heavy cyan cast with serious curve adjustment baked in. An old style frame is added to a square format, which I find is the most attractive feature, giving the images the signature artsy retro look.

After work I dropped into several places that I have frequented during my daily photo project. I must say it was tremendously fun. An entirely new perspective opens up, very much like getting a brand new camera or lens. Not bad for a $1.99 app.

The app is certainly not perfect. There is no focus ability, at least that I could find (the flower shot below was pure luck to get in focus). And the viewfinder is not full frame, making framing and visualization a trial and error process.

Lastly, I wish there was a way to make a 'hipstamatic' image from an existing image in my photo library. But in terms of 'fun for the dollar' you are hard pressed to find a more enjoyable iphone camera app on the market today.

Day 321 - Stare Down

2010-05-04T19:20:00.002-03:00

Day 320 - Harbour Hopper Graveyard

2010-05-03T17:35:00.004-03:00

There are several Harbour Hopper skeletons residing at the corner of Maynard and Charles St in the north end.

Day 319 - Harbour Queen Wheel

2010-05-02T16:21:00.002-03:00

Day 318 - Mimi

2010-05-02T16:11:00.003-03:00

Saturday we attended my friend's 40th birthday celebration. His cute daughter Mimi stole the show.

Day 317 - Italian Wine Tasting, Bishop's Cellar

2010-05-02T15:49:00.003-03:00

On Friday we attended an Italian wine tasting at Bishop's Cellar. In my view Bishop's Cellar offers the best valued wine tastings in Halifax. Typically held each Friday, with prices normally in the $10-$30 range (depending on the wines served), you can always count on sampling 8-10 very high quality wines in a casual environment. I encourage anyone with an interest in wines to check out their newsletter and attend a tasting. Pictured is Retail Manager Alanna McIntyre pouring a decanted 2005 Paulo Scavino 'Carobic' Barolo.

Day 316 - Water Drops on Tulip

2010-04-29T17:51:00.005-03:00

Day 315 - Water Drops on Lily Leaf

2010-04-28T18:16:00.001-03:00

Day 314 - Flowers from Marie's Garden

2010-04-27T20:56:00.005-03:00

Today after work I stumbled on the St. Patrick Church Restoration Society sidewalk garden on Brunswick Street, dedicated in memory of Marie A. Gordon. Marie's Garden had some nice flowers covered in rain drops.

Day 313 - Rust Scar

2010-04-26T19:02:00.002-03:00

Public Gardens Gate.

Day 312 - Magnolia part 2

2010-04-25T14:45:00.005-03:00

Today was another cloudy, overcast day. Ideal lighting conditions for creating a white canvass backdrop for the nearby magnolia.

Day 311 - Dandelion

2010-04-24T17:41:00.005-03:00

Most people view dandelions as a pest. That is unfortunate because the dandelion is considered one of nature's best herbal remedies. The roots and leaves of the dandelion have been used in many cultures throughout history as medicine to treat digestive disorders, bloating, breast maladies, fever, aching joints and skin disorders. It is even used in wine. Sounds like a cool weed to me.

Day 310 - Magnolia

2010-04-23T18:31:00.004-03:00

Day 309 - In Need of Up

2010-04-22T21:44:00.002-03:00

Background on this building can be found here.

Day 308 - Pile of Rock Meets Graffiti Wall

2010-04-21T20:15:00.001-03:00

Day 307 - Quinpool Colours

2010-04-20T19:40:00.005-03:00

Key Lime Pie Salon Spa's painted brick is a welcome change from the blandness that lines Quinpool road. I would be happy if more business owners painted their buildings fun colours.

Day 306 - Raindrops on Tulips

2010-04-19T18:03:00.004-03:00

Day 305 - Snow on Forsythia

2010-04-18T20:22:00.004-03:00

Day 304 - Public Gardens revisited part 2

2010-04-18T19:59:00.004-03:00

On Saturday the lack of wind and soft warm lighting - ideal conditions for flowers - led me once again to the Public Gardens.

Day 303 - Public Gardens revisited

2010-04-18T19:44:00.009-03:00

Dropped into the Public Gardens on the way home from work on Friday. Ah, the return of nature's magical colours.

Day 302 - Public Gardens

2010-04-15T20:09:00.006-03:00

Yessss! The Public Gardens opened yesterday.

Day 301 - Shootings

2010-04-15T19:53:00.003-03:00

Queen St. crime scene. There have been 11 shootings in the past several weeks in Nova Scotia. This needs to stop.

Day 300 - Maple bud

2010-04-13T21:14:00.004-03:00

Day 299 - Light Boxes on Oland Brewery

2010-04-12T18:34:00.006-03:00

Since day 242 I have been keeping an eye out for reflected light as a subject. The resulting shapes can be intriguing. Today after work, while driving past the rear of the Oland Brewery, I noticed this checkered pattern dancing on the side of the building. The box shapes danced for 15 minutes or so and were gone.

Day 298 - Cat

2010-04-11T20:27:00.004-03:00

Neighborhood Cat. He/she/it looks unimpressed with me.

Day 297 - Nature's Remnants

2010-04-10T15:37:00.004-03:00

Day 296 -Gloom

2010-04-09T20:47:00.008-03:00

Sad grave stone carving. Old Burying Ground.

Day 295 - Caution Noir

2010-04-08T19:18:00.002-03:00

Day 294 - Tiny Bubbles

2010-04-08T19:16:00.001-03:00

Day 293 - Path on Citadel Hill

2010-04-06T21:57:00.001-03:00

Day 292 - Film

2010-04-05T19:55:00.003-03:00

I just came across an old roll of (now discontinued) Fujicolor Reala film and Delta 4X5 film (for my view camera). I am tempted to give the digital camera a rest and get out the old film cameras. I miss the look of film. I was peeved when the Reala line ended, it had exceptional colour accuracy and just the right amount of punch.

Day 291 - Mini Eggs

2010-04-04T15:08:00.002-03:00

Happy Easter! Cadbury mini eggs, our favourite Easter treat.

Day 290 - Easter Lily

2010-04-04T15:06:00.002-03:00

Day 289 - Pink Daisy

2010-04-04T15:05:00.002-03:00

Day 288 - Out of Commission

2010-04-04T14:50:00.002-03:00

I sprained my ankle playing hockey on Wednesday so it will be Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation for a few days. I am not a fan of frozen peas but they do come in handy as an ice pack. Ho, ho ho! Green Giant. I must say the early Green Giant commercials were really creepy.

Day 287 - Water droplets on crocus

2010-03-31T21:48:00.001-03:00

Day 286 - Warped bike tire

2010-03-30T16:59:00.002-03:00

Day 285 - Yellow orchid at Hamachi Kita

2010-03-29T20:40:00.008-03:00

For dinner we had sushi at Hamachi Kita. We had current favourites the Hamachi House Roll and the Chef's Spicy Tuna Roll. The window seat to the left side provides a nice view of the street and an orchid.