And ETC ! – Page 11 – Travel + Lifestyle + Architecture Blog

Day Trip to Vienna Austria

Published on January 26, 2016January 25, 2016 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

A visit to Vienna, Austria was part of the packaged tour arranged for us by Travel Expert, Inc., Poland (https://www.facebook.com/Travel.Expert.BP/?pnref=lhc) Vienna is merely 3 1/2 hours from Prague. Here are some snapshots from our day visit.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

The vicinity of St. Stephen’s Cathedral is one of Vienna’s Posh shopping districts.

Hopfburg Imperial Palace

Schönbrunn Palace is a former imperial summer residence located in Vienna, Austria. The 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in the country.

Authentic Chicken Schnitzel perfectly paired with Hansy Beer

Vienna Sausages =)

Easy Walking Tour Around Prague (Plus Czech Foodies)

Published on January 26, 2016January 25, 2016 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

Apart from being declared as a city of love, Prague probably is one of the best destination for any medieval architecture junkie, with its well preserved Gothic and Romanesque monuments. Here are some of my best snap shots while walking around Prague’s old district.

A massive, fortified complex of churches and palaces, the UNESCO-listed Prague Castle is definitely on top of the list. Located on top of the hill across the Vlatava River, the complex offers the best panoramic views to see the lovely city.St. Vitus CathedralThe Rose window of this cathedralThe two guys below the rose window were the architects of this Palace complexDrinking fountains can be found around Prague old district. This on the photo with two holes is an interesting one.A commemorative medallion installed outside the house of a victim during Prague’s Nazi regime. This memoir can be found Though out east and central Europe.Prague’s Old Town Square. See the impressive St Nicholas Church, Tyn Cathedral and Old Town Hall and pause to admire the world-famous Astronomical Clock, with its mechanical procession of 12 apostle figurines.Wenceslas Square is one of the business centre of old Prague. The Dancing House building by Ar. Frank Gehry has a very non-traditional design, and was controversial at its time because the house stands out among the Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings for which Prague is famous.

Street Food and dining around Prague. The Trdelnik rolled – grilled pastry is a stable.

Roasted Pork Butt is a famous dish of Prague. (Seriously, it is!)

Baguette is also a thing in Prague for its French influence.

The Prague Crew at dinner time =)KOLENO is roast pork knee (or knuckle) in big portion, a dish that’s also common in Czech cuisine. VEPŘO-KNEDLO-ZELO – roast pork (vepřová) with bread dumplings (knedlíky) and stewed cabbage, or sauerkraut (zelí), a classic Czech dishFish dish in vegetable-laden gravy, typically made with herbs and root veggies like carrots, celeriac, parsley root.Other fun stuff in Prague =)

Never miss Prague without having local beers, at least two brands =)

Budapest Hungary In A Day

Published on January 25, 2016January 25, 2016 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

A side trip to Budapest was part of the tour packaged arranged for us by Travel Expert, Inc. (https://www.facebook.com/Travel.Expert.BP/?ref=br_rs) Here are some of my best snap shots of this charming bohemian city by the Danube River.

See Budapest from the top. Take in the beautiful panorama from the top of Gellert Hill.A Walking along the Danube River as well offers the best view of Hungarian Architecture.The Chain Bridge is one of the rustic links between the west bank of Buda and and the east bank of Pest.

The Hungarian Parliament Building is just across the Chain Bridge. Perfect for Photo Ops.The Budapest Opera HouseSt. Stephen (Budapest Cathedral)Walk around the artsy – bohemian neighborhoodA Bathhouse that has been standing even before WW2 and is still perfectly beautiful ’til today.

Spicy and rich, Hungarian Dishes are worth trying in Budapest. Almost everything has paprika. Here are the majestic Hungarian Sausages WTF!Goulash is a staple food for Hungarians. It is basically beef (or chicken) in paprika and other seasonings.Pörkölt and Paprikás -The word pörkölt literally means ‘roasted’ and the dish is made of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, pork or liver (varieties depend on the region) cooked with onion, paprika and other spices, resulting in a juicy dish served with another Hungarian gastro-curiosity, the nokedli (egg noodle dumpling). (Wiki)Never leave a country without tasting a local bee. Here are Soproni and Arany of Budapest.

Krakow, Poland Day Tour.

Published on January 22, 2016 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

During my visit to Poland, me and 8 others were hosted by friends Kacper and Alia, who are based in Warsaw. We flew to Poland all the way from the Philippines to attend their wedding day. We also took the chance to see nearby cities before the big day. Alia arranged a mini tour for us to see Krakow, Budapest, Vienna and Prague in a 5 day, with our own private van. The arranged tour cost us around 620 Euros, inclusive of breakfast, dinner and very nice hotel rooms. Though I must admit that arranged tours can be really stiff (laging kulang ng time), but seeing 4 countries with such comfort and privacy is already worth the cost. Poland is a relatively inexpensive country in Europe. Considering that they have the vastest of farmlands, food in Poland is fairly cheap. Say, a kilo and a half of strawberries in a basket costs only around 1 Euro (50 Pesos). I could eat that all day, seriously.

Anyways, here are some snips from the first stop of our tour, Krakow. Dating back to the 7th century, Krakow City of Southern Poland in one of the oldest cities, and second most important city in Poland as center of history and academic. Today, the town center of Krakow still has this old world, charming and laid back feel, worthy of the Unesco World Heritage seal it holds. A nice leisurely walk from the square to the riverside Wawel castle is definitely a must do.

What to see in Krakow?

The Wawel Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church located on Wawel Hill in Kraków, Poland. What makes this basilica unique are its domes and chapels that undoubtedly look different from each other. These were built on different eras and of different royal bloods that aims to surpass its predecessors.

The Wawel Castle complex imposingly sits on top of the hill with a great view.

After hiking across the enormous Wawel Castle, it was nice that we spent the evening at the main square. The main square of the Old Town of Kraków, Lesser Poland, is the principal urban space located at the center of the city. It dates back to the 13th century, and at roughly 40,000 m² is one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe. (Wiki)

Feast on Polish carnivorous meals right at the main square. Dinner was included in the tour cost.

Nice interiors of Wesele, which happens to be a Michelin Star restaurant

Heavy meat platter, fit for a king. By far this is the best meat platter that has ever appeared in front of me.

Bigos , a traditional Polish dish of fermented cabbage with pork and sausages.

We stayed at Hotel Alexander, which is also part of the tour.

Warsaw,Poland: A Photoblog

Published on January 17, 2016 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

Warsaw’s Old Town as you see it today was almost totally rebuilt after the war, mostly based on 18th century paintings. But the people of Warsaw did such a meticulous job rebuilding it from scratch that the Old Town was honoured with a place on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980. (wikipedia.com)

Some are pieces made of Gold have been passed on by generations and are kept inside the museum.

Unique floras around the old town of Warsaw

Bus 175 takes you from Warsaw International Airport to the Old Town Square, which is its last stop.

Warsaw Street Scene

DSC01909 copy — White bread sold like rings.

Pierogi (Polish Dumpling) is a popular find, and are best served with buttery sauce from Bacon Fat

This cheap pasta and salad platter was my first meal in Poland

DSC01861 copy — Tyskie Beer has been my fave beer in Europe from the first sip, with a whopping 10% alcohol content. Polish enjoy beer as much as the neighbouring countries. There are 97 Breweries around Poland as of 2013.

Here are some of my friends who enjoyed Polish beer and Pierogis as much as I did. =)

Must See’s in Barcelona(And some Must Eat’s)

Published on January 9, 2016January 13, 2016 by iamjosemanuel1 Comment

From an architecture junkie’s point of view, Barcelona is an urban sprawl of breathtaking architecture. With a peculiar modernist style known as the”Catalan Art Noveau”, experiencing the streetscape of Barcelona can never be compared to all other European cities I’ve visited.

Art Noveau is an architectural style during the early 20th century characterized by intricate linear designs and flowing curves depicting nature’s form. Samples of this artsy architecture can be found around Europe. However, the most preserved samples stand tall and proud ’til today along the well paved streets of Barcelona.

Every block of this city is Instagram worthy.

Here are some of the snap shots I took during my 2 days stay in Barcelona. Feel free to follow my easy must see’s and must do’s. =)

— Enjoy a leisurely walk around Playa Catalunya, which is the center of Downtown Barcelona, where bus rides from the airport terminates. Passeig de Gracia (A Main Street originating from Playa Catalunya) holds a number of buildings designed by the famous Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi.

One of Antoni Gaudi’s iconic creations, the Casa Batlo, can easily be spotted along Passeig de Gracia. This structure is a stand out with its “deep sea” feels and bone-like columns and balusters. The Facade is cladded with random mosaic of broken tiles.

Another amazing creation of Gaudi, the Casa Mila Apartment, completed 1912, and is still a functioning building ’til today.

A close up view of the intricately weaved iron railings as designed by Gaudi

A Typical facade you’ll see around Barcelona

The center of Barcelona is composed mainly of low rise blocks. I haven’t seen any high rise building anywhere near Playa Catalunya.

A clever facade style to avoid the direct afternoon sun.

An interesting modernist facade. The grilles cleverly hides the Air conditioning unit condensers.

— Visit the Sagrada Familia late in the afternoon. Several blocks further (yet still walkable) from Passeig de Gracia is the famous Basilica de Sagrada Familia. Entrance fee to this Unesco protected site is 15 Euros, including the Museum (non-agency purchase). Lines for the ticket can be long, but as read from other blogs, I lined up at around high noon, about 12, when tourists are likely to have lunch. True enough I only waited for around 15 minutes. Entry to the basilica is regulated to every 15 minutes. I took the 4pm slot, as advised, to get the full experience as the sun sets on the west, pouring much light to stained glass windows. late afternoon visit is also ideal to be able to catch the daily mass at 6 pm at the crypt.

The Facade and interior details of the Basilica ( Refer to my previous post on this) https://iamjosemanuel.com/2016/01/05/a-peek-inside-the-sagrada-familia/

Apart from its imposing structure from the outside, what really amazed me is how the interior achieved a truly magnificent play of light and color as produced by the stained glass windows from all corners.

— Walk around the Passeig La Rambla, and towards the pier. This area is the liveliest from day to night. Affordable buffet style restaurants can be found when walking towards the pier.

The Barcelona Cathedral is also worth a visit.

— Range over Mercat de Santa Caterina. This public market is stone throws away from Barcelona Cathedral.

CHEAP EATS AROUND PLAYA CATALUNYA

Dining on a budget is easy in Barcelona. Here are some of the cheap finds around Playa Catalunya and La Rambla.

A proof that Barcelona isn’t over priced. These pastries here are only half the cost as compared to Paris or Florence.

Cheap family sized pizza at 1.99 Euros. They’re not gourmet though, but good enough for quick cheap snacks

— Indulge in Spanish cuisines, buffet style. Buffets are a common thing in Barcelona, and are fairly affordable at around 9 to 12 Euros, usually including unlimited beer. I had buffet style lunch for two straight days. haha. Lunch buffet start late at around 1pm. Maybe it is of a cultural thing since Spanish people often enjoy afternoon siestas. Some stores even close around lunch time.

— Sample Some Tapas and beer for some Spanish Style pre-meal. Beer and Tapa set is usually a late afternoon thing in Barcelona. Not pricey really if you are keen on finding one. I had a plate of tapa and two bottles of beer for only 7 Euros at a Bar near Sagrada Familia.

The usual morning thing, Tapa Sandwiches on the go. Its good and it is cheap.

Cheap tapa sandwiches are usually available for breakfast on the go. 1 Euro Sandwiches are 8 – 10 inches long.

I only had two days stay in Barcelona and I must admit that I was not able to fully explore the amazing city. Well, that then gives me a good reason to go back. =)

A Peek Inside The Sagrada Familia

Published on January 5, 2016January 8, 2016 by iamjosemanuel2 Comments

Any architecture junkie would identify this massive church at one glance. Truly, the Basilica de Sagrada Familia of Barcelona is incomparable.

Taken almost two blocks away to get a full shot, the Sagrada Familia’s imposing structure is more than 100 years in the making(and is yet to be completed). Currently at 70 meters high, Barcelona aims to complete the Basilica with towers 180 meters high, as designed by Antoni Gaudi, making it the tallest church in the world.

The intricate art nouveau details of the Basilica up close. This entrance way depicts the birth of Christ.

Cubist sculptures made of sandstone, depicting the life of Christ.

Manually carved text on the solid door panel

Apart from its imposing structure of the basilica, what really amazed me is how the interior achieved a truly surreal play of light and color as produced by the stained glass windows from all corners. Bone-like columns twist their way to the ceiling, reaching upwards like branches of trees, creating the impression of being in an enormous forest.

The main altar cross is designed to have a floating feel

Every corner of the basilica has been installed with contrasting colors, as a result, an incomparable ambiance is achieved.

I entered the basilica late afternoon, to get the full experience of the place as the sun sets on the west, pouring much light to stained glass windows.

The expressionist columns that represent trees and foliages, as envisioned by Ar. Antoni Gaudi.

The stunning ceiling works made of stone

The Architect’s tomb at the Basilica’s crypt, below the main altar

Entrance fee to this Unesco protected site is 15 Euros, including the Museum (non-agency purchase). Lines for the ticket can be long, but as read from other blogs, I lined up at around high noon, about 12, when tourists are likely to have lunch. True enough I only waited for around 15 minutes. Entry to the basilica is regulated to every 15 minutes. I took the 4pm slot, as advised, to get the full experience as the sun sets on the west, pouring much light to stained glass windows. late afternoon visit is also ideal to be able to catch the daily mass at 6 pm at the crypt.

Backpacking Marrakesh,Morocco: What to expect?

Published on January 3, 2016July 2, 2016 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

Any travel enthusiast would most likely agree that one of the best feelings in life is having a visa application approved.It was my first time to apply for Schengen Visa, which I consider a power visa (with personal interviews and all). Seriously, I can still recall today how it felt like having my passport in hand, with the lovely Schengen Visa sticker. Not only that, I was also granted a multiple entry visa. Though only valid for a few months, but still, I was overjoyed. And all thanks to Alia, a friend based in Warsaw who paved the way smooth and clean; as well as some travel veteran friends for the helpful tricks. (Segway lang, here’s my article on how I got my Schengen Visa https://iamjosemanuel.com/2015/06/16/applying-schengen-visa-through-the-netherlands-embassy-in-the-philippines/

Knowing that Europe can never be as easy as merely going to HK (and with a limited budget), I seriously did a lot of research to prepare. My trip was scheduled June, but as early as February, I already had a plotted route on a spreadsheet (thanks to skyscanner and some experienced friends). But then, my route changed the moment I got my visa approved with multiple entry. I said to myself that it was already an opportunity to cross over North Africa and visit one country I have always been fascinated with, that is Morocco.

Having only a month long stay in Europe, I squeezed in a quick 4 days to Morocco after Rome. My 2 hours flight from Rome to Marrakesh was around 2,200 pesos with Ryan Air (online Promo, no baggage). Though I could have had a cheaper ticket with a red eye flight, I opt to get a 7 am instead so I would arrive in broad daylight, for safety purposes. Prior to the flight, I already had some dollars changed to dirham in Rome.

And yes, Filipinos are Visa Free in Morocco. I passed by their immigration swift as a bird.

Anyways, here was how my trip to Morocco went…

I’d definitely say that Marrakesh has the most intricately decorated airport I have ever visited. Though small in size (I would say like NAIA T3) the aluminum and glassworks were super, and clearly reflects their cultural character of love for foliage details and lattice works.

Stunning Latticeworks of the Airport Structure

Backpacking in Morocco can be pretty cheap and easy with proper research. From the airport, I took a public bus to the Medina (Old Marakkesh district) for around 0.5 USD. I booked at Equity Hostel, which was around 500 pesos for a Dorm Bed with heavy breakfast. As any backpacker would recommend, book a hostel at the Medina for that old world Moroccan feel (But if you are maselan, 5 star hotels are at the CBD).

The minaret seen from the bus is the sign that you are almost at the Medina. The bus ride was only about 20 minutes.

The bus stops near the minaret, and there is a KFC branch opposite this.

spme views of the city along the way

more views of the urbanized streets before reaching the Medina

What to expect in Marrakesh?

A City of Exotic feels. This nation of Arabian descent, is a beautiful mix of Middle Eastern and South European influences. Though standing on the grounds of Mama Africa, the black African culture is mute. Even if you ask a local, they would say they’re Arab, and not African.

With strong Arab influences, Morocco offers the finest brass an metal wares as well as leather. But if you have shopping in mind, remember to negotiate, negotiate and negotiate further as the prices are definitely x3.

Get lost on the Streets of the Medina, and find interesting things.

Items made of Ivory are still being openly sold in Marrakesh. Sad Truth.

Its a cultural thing that Moroccan Pastries are guarded by bees. Of course, you are not supposed to eat the bees.

Enjoy the Panoramic View of the Jemaa El Fna square. Busy, and a bit chaotic, Jemaa square and market place in Marrakesh’s medina quarter (old city). Functioning since the 10th Century, this remains the main square of Marrakesh, used by locals and tourists. The square has been recognized as UNESCO site for Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage.

Moroccan Foodang !!!! Grilled beef, Stewed Lamb, spices… definitely Arabian.

Meat and vegetable dishes cooked on a claypot. The call it Tagine

Lamb tagines (stewed lamb with a hint of curry) this one is around 80 pesos

Kebabs with tomato salad sides. a stick o

Traditional Mint Tea after every meal, and is usually complimentary.

Side Trip to the coastal town of Essaouira, which is around three hours by Supratours bus for 8 USD or400 pesos/way. Any hostel can assist you on booking this. Expect some desert views along the way. It was my first time to see a desert to it was amazing. =) Essaouira is a port city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, and its Medina has been enlisted as a UNESCO World heritage site since 2001. Directly facing the Atlantic Ocean, the city was windy and chilly the time I was there, which was a complete opposite of Marrakesh’s. It was summer when I visited.

Experience a Sandstorm. Last highlight of my trip was a first time encounter with Sandstorm, just hours before my flight. It was sundown that time and the sky turned red, windy and I found myself stranded a waiting shed. Good thing it was just a light and quick one, but seriously, I felt the dust dwell into my pits. I had a quick wash up upon arriving at the airport (good thing the toilet had a hose type bidet).

More articles coming up on Essaouira and Moroccan food experience. Stay tuned. Char.

A day Around Athens, Greece: A Photoblog

Published on December 31, 2015January 1, 2016 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

A shot(by yours truly) of the ancient grounds of Acropolis seated on top of the hill at the centre of Athens. This unobstructed view can be seen from the Agora Market side of Plaka.

A View of Athens City as seen when walking up the Acropolis from Plaka.

The cost of entrance to the Acropolis is about 12 euros and is good for the other sites in the area including the ancient agora, theatre of Dionysos,Kerameikos, Roman Agora, Tower of the Winds and the Temple of Olympian Zeus and is supposedly good for a week.

Walking around Plaka and the street scene at the foot of Acropolis.

A quick countryside visit to the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion, taking 2 hours bus ride, situated on top of a cliff facing the Aegean Sea. Imagine the battles of ancient times that happened on this water.

Acropolis Museum is also a must visit ideally before climbing up the Acropolis grounds. The museum keeps and preserves all the original statues and carvings of the Acropolis site, including the famous Caryatids as shown below. Entrance fee to the museum only costs 5 Euros.

The original caryatid statues, protected inside the museum. The statues on site are replicas.

X95 Bus to and from the Airport, costing 11 Euros per way.

Vatican City : A Photoblog

Published on December 15, 2015 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

Here’s a brief Photoblog on how is spent my visit to the Vatican. As advised, I joined a 3 hour small group tour to the Vatican Museum and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. The tour ended inside St. Peter’s Basilica, and I was able to stay inside the church for the 5 PM mass.

A scene when the pope speaks to the people on a Sunday afternoon. The window at the top floor with a red fabric is where the Pope Stands

The Vatican Facade is undoubtedly the grandest Church I’ve seen in Europe

romejosemanuel-19 — The Vatican Guards in full outfit

romejosemanuel-20 — Moments after the mass

romejosemanuel-7 — No Photoshop has been done with this shot. The ray of light shown is real, bringing an ethereal feel as it enters the dome openings.

The sunlight shines on a statue of St. Peter

The Basilica Dome

The winding stairway to reach the high point of the Basilica Dome. 7 Euros to enter this secluded area

The stone statues of saints as seen from the dome. These statues are around 8 to 10 feet tall

View of the Vatican as from the Basilica Dome

Ancient World Map Tapestry, as part of the Vatican’s Treasure collection

Intricate vaulted ceiling details inside the Vatican

Tapestry Art Piece

Marble sculpture inside the Vatican Museum

A Sphynx from Egypt, carved from solid granite block

romejosemanuel-58 — Centuries-old water fountains are found everywhere inside the Vatican that are safe for drinking.

romejosemanuel-6 — With our Tour Guide from Maximus Inc.

DSC03482_Fotor — At the Vatican Museum lobby with my group, waiting for our queue to start. Outside the lobby were people in line under the heat of the sun, waiting for their turn to get in. Sobrang hassle if you buy tickets on your own.

Avoiding the long lines, I opt to book my ticket to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel via Maximus Tours online for 45 Euro. They were the cheapest I’ve found online with good reviews. a 25 Euro is required for DP (with proper documentations sent to your email) and the remaining 20 Euro was personally paid to the tour group head positioned just outside the Museum entrance before the start of tour.

Indeed the queue to enter the museum was overwhelming the time I got there, which was a Friday afternoon, around 1pm. As such, It was an advantage that I joined a group to enter. The Ticket to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel alone may only cost you 20 Euro; But still, joining a group tour is a better choice, as the tour guide has lots of fun trivia and intrigues to share, apart from the church’s history down the line. The Tour ends inside St. Peter’s Basilica.

Entering St. Peter’s Basilica is free, because it is a functioning church for the Catholic believers.