Apollonas’ change of atmosphere from day time to night time was particularly enchanting. For example, from our balcony we could see the night time ferry boat crossing Apollonas Bay lit up against a black background with absolute silence except for the distant hum of the engine. It reminded us of a scene from the film The Titanic.
January 27, 2009
January 25, 2009
City Walking Tours
Barcelona’s secrets are revealed through a series of excellent walking tours, conducted both in Spanish and English, and led by the knowledgeable staff of Barcelona’s Contemporary Culture Centre (CCCB). On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the dramatic architectural and social transformations of the old city are explored. On Thursdays and Sundays, ramblers can examine the wonders of Gaudï and Cerdà’s master planning. Finally, on Tuesdays and Fridays, walkers can venture into the ultra-modern Olympic Village by the sea.
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January 24, 2009
Marc Quinn
Considered one of the most important and controversial contemporary British artists, Marc Quinn uses his own body – which he regards as being free of all associations – as a primary source of inspiration. Employing lead, mercury, blood, bread and a variety of bodily fluids in the context of a highly personalised symbolic language, Quinn comments on change, uncertainty, death and the universals of being human. This overview exhibition of his drawings and sculptures features two of his most highly regarded works – ‘Emotional Detox: The Seven Deadly Sins’ and ‘No Visible Means of Escape’ I and II.
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January 23, 2009
Railing against air travel
It’s a little known fact that flying is one of the most environmentally destructive activities there is. Not only do airplanes guzzle enormous amounts of fossil fuels, they also spew out greenhouse gases and ozone-destorying chemicals right where they do the most damage in the upper atmosphere. And flying in winter is especially bad; before take off each plane must be doused in highly toxic antifreeze solutions, which generally run off the runway and pollute the local groundwater.
If you’re travelling long distances, the most environmentally friendly option is almost always the train. They’re far more energy efficient than cars and buses, while the environmental damage in laying a pair of steel tracks down is nothing compared to the destruction caused by a multi-lane highway. And the view from a train carriage is almost always better than that from a bus or car.
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January 19, 2009
Toraya
The high proportion of Japanese customers at the Paris branch of the Tokyo supplier of cakes to the Imperial Palace is a good reflection of the quality and authenticity of the teas and cakes on offer. Its recent bold redecoration by French architect Sylvain Dubuisson won’t be to everyone’s taste (pale wood panelling on walls and ceiling, with designer leather chairs in beige and orange), but the teas cancel any doubts about the setting. Don’t miss the sublime, soul-warming ‘gyokuro’, which, like the other teas on offer, you can also buy in packets to take away. A menu of sweet delicacies includes red bean cakes and jellies, and ‘abekawa-mochi ‘ – deliciously chewy rice cakes dusted with soya flour – all served, like the tea, on exquisitely elegant Japanese tableware.
If this post has you in the mood for cake then try these cupcake recipes that I just found.
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January 10, 2009
Young girl with fan in traditional dress performing a traditional dance (Kurama 鞍馬, Japan)
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January 6, 2009
Basketball – New York Knicks v San Antonio Spurs
New York City may have the World Trade Center, but San Antonio has its own ‘Twin Towers’ – Tim Duncan and David Robinson, who proved way too much for even the Knicks at their best in last season’s NBA finals. Of course, the Knicks have Patrick Ewing back in action for the rematch, but even the old warhorse is somewhat dwarfed by the seven-footers from Texas. With Marcus Camby suddenly facing injury problems, the Knicks best bet may yet be the only man who seemed to consistently rattle the Spurs in last season’s final – mercurial point guard Lattrell Sprewell.
If you want to stay up to date – I recommend this guy’s Basketball blog. It keeps me up to date!
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January 2, 2009
Orsay 1999, Rêve et Réalité
The most widely publicised visiting exhibition of the season deserves all its hype. The selection of largely 19th- and 20th-century works from the Musée d’Orsay’s massive collection presents a broad cross-section of recent European art history, and is arranged under themed headings, so as to make the subject matter and its evolution more readily comprehensible to local audiences. All the artists you’d expect are here, including Monet, Cézanne, Klimt and Dégas.
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