Palaces

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Summer

This photograph was captured in the very peak of  a German summer’s day. The serene green is deceptive because the heat on that day was almost unbearable, at a sweltering 40 degrees. Captured in the gardens of  Sanssouci,  the  ‘summer palace’ of  Frederick the Great, in Potsdam near Berlin.

I decided to add a touch of drama from Shakespeare’s  Sonnet –

And summer’s lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines…

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Windsor Castle

Photo tour of  Windsor Castle …a glimpse into an abode of the British Royal Family.

To quote a historic fact I came across  “Windsor Castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world.  A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the Castle remains a working palace today.”

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Seoul Matters

Seoul, South Korea  some years ago.  During my trip to Seoul, I visited Deoksugung Palace, also know as Deoksu Palace, with a history dating back to the  1400’s.

Key photographs below include Deoksu Palace, statue of King Sejong, the Heungcheonsa Bell & Water Clock. While I am no historian, there is a ton of history on the Palace available on the web.

Walking around town, I spotted a man, a real  friend of sparrows –  was amazed watching those birds eat from his hand.. see below.

Photographs apart & strictly for the stout-hearted only, I would recommend  Sam Gae Tang, a form of soup which  consists of a whole young chicken stuffed with rice, ginseng & other herbs…I know not what. It is an experience!

I was also able to attend a great service at the Yoido Full Gospel Church founded by Pastor David Yonggi Cho – it is the world’s largest congregation.

Korea has an efficient subway system to get you across the city – make sure you don’t lose your English-Korean map though! 🙂

 

Statue of King Sejong the Great

Notice the high rise buildings in the background

The Heungcheonsa Bell 

Borugak Jagyeongnu , the Water Clock

Multiple Rocket Launcher

Friend of Sparrows

Calligrapher at work

Yoido Full Gospel Church

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Palace of Versailles

Once upon a time…I got an opportunity to visit the Palace of Versailles, France. Known as  the Chateau de Versailles, the palace is  seeped in history. The rich interiors, chandeliers,  paintings, ornate gardens & sculptures reflect the grandeur of French Kings in times gone by.

Below are some of the photographs from my trip. Enjoy!