The country for travel and trips

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Ethiopia

sergiy January 29, 2019

Now before us was Ethiopia - the coldest country in Africa. Unlike the hot desert of Sudan, where the day was +45 GD. C in the shade, it turned out to be green, humid, windy and cool, and even cold at night (+10 GD. C). Ethiopia is a very poor country. The poverty of the locals comes from their laziness. “It’s better to die of hunger than of work,” says an Ethiopian saying.

Especially a lot of beggars in large cities, so even India compared to Ethiopia seems civilized and rich country. Ethiopians, unlike Sudanese, do not call wanderers to visit and spend the night, very rarely treat them. Two exceptions: drivers and Muslims. A rare car driver who picks you up on the road usually doesn’t want money and will be happy to feed fellow travelers; and Muslims representing a religious minority here can shelter you in a mosque, if, of course, you know Muslim traditions and know a little Arabic or Amharic language, since, of course, they don’t know English or Russian.

We spent about two weeks in Ethiopia; made just in case a Yemeni visa and headed to the north-east of the country, to the cities of Harar, Jijigou, and further, to the border with Somalia. In Zhizhiga, 70 km from the border, we have already been given exit stamps, since there are no longer any immigration authorities of Ethiopia on the border itself. But in Somalia we were not allowed. During its civil war, several no-recognized sovereign states were formed on its territory: Somaliland, Puntaland, Jubbaland, and a dozen more. The representatives of the Somaliland authorities were not affected by the papers from the Somali Embassy in Moscow: they are another sovereign state!

They didn’t want to give out a visa at the border either (they called their capital, Hargeisa, to clarify this; Ethiopians are allowed free, and the “white Mr.” is a rare unexplored phenomenon!) And was sent back to the Ethiopian city of Dire Dawa. Allegedly, there is an embassy of Somaliland (address unknown), get a visa and come again. We returned to Ethiopia, already having an exit stamp of this country; we were easily missed. We went to Dire Dawa, but the embassy of the unrecognized republic was not found. Perhaps it was not. But they found the embassy of Djibouti and quickly made a visa to Djibouti, decided to go there. From Addis Ababa in Dire Dawu and Djibouti is the railway, the most broken-down in the world.

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Kyrenia fortress

sergiy January 22, 2019

People lived near the harbor of Kyrenia from time immemorial. It is very convenient for the port. That is why, near the bay, a place was chosen for the construction of a defense structure. When the power of the kings from the Lusignan dynasty was established on the island, construction work began, significantly strengthening the walls of the previously built fortress, which is gaining a reputation as “impregnable”. Here notable prisoners were kept under arrest. For example, knights of the once powerful Order of the Templars were executed. During the invasions of the island, the royal family was often sheltered in the fortress and the state treasury was kept. The fortress withstood a long siege.

For almost four years, Queen Charlotte, besieged by the army of her illegitimate brother James, lasted in her during the war for power in Cyprus in the first third of the 15th century. James tried to take Kyrenia by storm, hoping to starve his sister from the island. When the cook began to feed Queen Charlotte with omelet from passerine eggs, she fled to Rhodes, and the starving garrison capitulated.

During the reign of the Republic of Venice in Cyprus, the new rulers greatly strengthened the fortress, placing powerful artillery in it. These works were carried out under the supervision of the Venetian architect Savorniani. The defense of Cyprus was built by Venetian military experts on the "three whales" - the fortresses of Kyrenia, Nicosia and Famagusta. During the Venetian-Turkish war of 1570-1573. The fortress was handed over by the commandant of its garrison, Gian-Mario Murazo, to the commander-in-chief of the forces, Mustafa Pasha, without a single shot on honorable conditions.

The Venetian Senate found out about this and sentenced Gian-Mario Murazo to life imprisonment. As a result of the surrender of the fortress, it is well preserved to our time and represents an excellent example of the fortification art of the medieval period.

The main attraction of Girne is still the old Kyrenia fortress. It has survived to the present day almost the same as it was in the Venetian period, with the exception of internal buildings.

Passing through the gates of the fortress along a beautiful stone bridge (once lifting) and a long gallery, which was modernized by the Venetians, you can go inside. The Venetians have built into the walls of the Byzantine chapel of St. George. Above the entrance to the inner gates of the fortress, one can see the heraldic signs of the kings of medieval Cyprus from the Lusignan dynasty - the rooted lion and the "five-cross" (Jerusalem Cross).

The gallery contains the grave of the Turkish admiral Algerian Sadiq Pasha, who died in Girne from wounds received during the assault on Famagusta. You can climb the stairs to the very top of the old powerful tower of the times of King Henry (1208-1211). Along the wall you can go to a new tower of Venetian buildings, where the main artillery positions of the fortress were located. The defenders of the three old towers relied on the catapult and boiling tar, which they poured onto the heads of the assault. In total, the fortress could accommodate about 50 large-caliber guns. The old cast-iron cannonballs and stone catapult cores still lie in the courtyard of the fortress.

Cyprus

sergiy January 22, 2019

The feeling of Cyprus is like a sunstroke - generously, dazzling, hot, but sooner or later dizzy. Especially if day and night to smack "Commandaria" (the oldest Cypriot wine), eating a Turkish Delight, and dance with a glass on the head on Ayia Napa beach, and then lower the entire family budget in Kyrenia casino.

In general, here you can waste time and money in the most senseless way - no one will judge you. For Cypriots, easily carrying 330 sunny days a year, nothing is “too”. They do not understand how you can quit smoking and wine, follow a diet or rules of the road.

One of the most interesting entertainments in Cyprus is wreck diving (diving to inspect sunken ships), and its main attraction is the Swedish ferry Zenobia. The ship was wrecked in 1980 in the area of Larnaca Bay and is a habitable artificial reef. As a bonus: 108 submarine trucks (cargo that had vanished together with “Zenobia”) parked at a depth of 40 meters. In addition to the wreck-objects on the seabed, you can "study" and ancient architecture: the ancient harbor in Amathus, museum values in the Gulf of Amphora and the Amphitheater, inaccessible from the coast near Paphos.

In Cyprus, the left-hand traffic, and at first it is confusing. It takes time to get used to the idea that you are not going on an opposite. It takes time to get used to that the turn signals are included on the right, and on the left - the wipers. It takes time to unlearn the search for a safety belt on the left and the gearbox on the right. But you get used to it quickly, turn on the wipers instead of turn signals a couple of times and, consider an already experienced driver.

It also helps that all rented cars in Cyprus have red numbers. Local such label says that you need not only to be ready for anything, but to understand and forgive. There was even a story on one of the forums, as Cypriots knowingly stopped and waited for the tourist to finish circling the ring against the coat.
We, in general, were lucky: we arrived at Easter, and the roads were empty. At the same time, not a single store worked, and there were no people on the streets either. Indescribable feeling of an empty island.

Kyrenia fortress is perfectly preserved and looks like a real fortress to this day. In the halls, which were previously occupied by the soldiers, now the exposition telling about the history of the fortress.

sergiy January 22, 2019

The most distant island in the world is located in the Pacific Ocean, at a distance of almost 4000 km from South America. This Easter Island (Easter island, Isla de Pascua, Rapa Nui) is an amazing place, the birthplace of Moai. Who has ever dreamed of going there? It seems to me that everyone ever thinks about going on a tour on Easter Island and feeling like Tour Heyerdal. At least in dreams. For some reason, this volcanic island in the middle of the ocean has become a symbol of a mysterious place, native to everyone, but equally incomprehensible.

And I do not exaggerate when I say that we can call the distant Rapa Nui to our relatives. But to find out for sure, you need to find out how to get there in the most budgetary way.

Think about this place. A small piece of land formed by three volcanoes somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Its nearest neighbors are at a distance of more than 3,700 km — this is Chile — and 4,000 km if you decide to visit the idols of Easter Island from another beautiful place on Earth, from Tahiti. Although, to be honest, Pitkairn Island is closer, but there is no air communication with it. As you can see, all this way is not close. So the preparation for this journey must begin from afar.

We also wanted to take a closer look at the island, which the language doesn’t turn to call Chilean, and its population. Yes, legally Easter Island is part of Chile, and in fact its residents do not even pay taxes, that's it! And almost all of their income associated with tourists visiting the island in limited groups. Every day they fly and flies as much as the only airline that flies here from the mainland. So let's begin, of course, with the purchase of tickets, to be among the lucky ones who have visited Easter Island and seen stone idols.

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Congo

sergiy October 28, 2018

Katanga is a mining region located on the Lund-Katanga uplift in the south of the vast flat hollow of the Congo. Along the southeastern and eastern frontier, the Mitumba mountain range stretches, in the eastern part of the region lies the vast freshwater lake Tanganyika - the natural border with Tanzania, as well as Lake Kivu. Most of the mines and steel mills of the full cycle are concentrated at the border (up to 95% of the Katanga copper concentrate is processed in Zambia), this is a densely populated technogenic zone with ecology disrupted by industrial emissions.

Tanganyika

This is one of the deepest (along with Lake Baikal) lakes of the planet and just as ancient in origin. In terms of volume and depth, Tanganyika ranks second after Lake Baikal among the lakes of the world. The shores of the lake belong to four countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Burundi.

Lake Tanganyika is located in the deepest tectonic depression of Africa, at an altitude of 773 meters above sea level and is part of the ancient East African rift system. Underwater threshold of the lake is divided into two deep-water pools. The lake is part of the Congo River basin, one of the largest rivers in the world.

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Venice

sergiy May 14, 2017

The city of Venice, Italy, is simply stunning and completely unique. Founded more than 1,500 years ago on 117 different islands, Venice is linked by a series of over 150 canals, 400 bridges and many ancient pavements. The historic city centre of Venice is divided into six quarters (sestieri) - Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Marco, San Polo and Santa Croce. All buildings in Venice are supported on slender oak and pine piles (posts) which are driven deep into the ground to create a solid foundation. As the soil is waterlogged, with no free oxygen, the piles remain strong and do not decay.

Venice is without doubt one of the most beautiful and popular cities in the world, and is always admired by the many tourists that visit throughout the year. There are several tourist information branches operated by the Azienda di Promozione Turistica, located on the Piazza San Marco, the Piazzale Roma, the Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta, the Lungomare Adriatico, the Venice Pavilion and the Stazione di Santa Lucia. A further tourism outlet is conveniently situated in the arrivals hall at the Marco Polo Airport. If you have time for day trips, there are also many interesting towns to explore, such as Burano, Murano, Padua, Torcello, Verona and Vicenza.

There is no question that Venice is an expensive city, particularly when it comes to accommodation, even during the low season (November, early December and also January). In recent years, many new hotels have opened and improved availability, although hotel rooms and Venice apartments with views of the Grand Canal are always in demand, and never more so than on Valentine's Day, when romance arrives in the city. Many of the best hotels stand around the San Marco area, with an increasing number of cheap options residing near to the train station. Accommodation is also in good supply around the districts of Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, Santa Croce and San Polo, and on the island of Giudecca, within the Venetian Lagoon.

There are numerous famous Venice attractions and sights to see. Highlights include the Basilica San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica) - a vast church which is one of the most famous sights associated with this city; the Piazza San Marco (San Marco Square) - situated in the heart of Venice and affectionately referred to by Napoleon as the 'finest drawing room in Europe'; the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace) - a simply breathtaking waterfront palace and a superb example of Gothic architecture; and the Accademia Gallery - with wonderful masterpieces from the 14th century to the 18th century by world-famous artists, such as Bellini, Giorgione, Rosalba Carriera, Longhi, Picasso, Tintoretto, Titian, Tiziano, Veronese and many others.

For lovers of fine cuisine, Venice offers a wide selection of excellent restaurants serving delicious Italian food, as well as a choice of international cuisine. Pasta and pizza has never tasted more authentic than when eaten on the Piazza San Marco, in the shadows of the Basilica San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale.

The Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, is a long stretch of water running right through the city and is often referred to as 'the most beautiful street in the whole of Venice'. The first bridge ever built over the canal was the Rialto Bridge, which has since become one of the main symbols associated with this iconic Italian city. Travelling along this canal and the many others is a great way to see the city, and there are numerous different modes of travel available. Public transport consists mainly of water-buses (vaporetti) and there are also water-taxis (motoscafi), which are faster, more modern motorboats. Of course, who could think of Venice without picturing the well-known and much loved Italian gondolas. What could be more romantic than a nighttime, moonlit trip along a Venetian canal? The atmosphere and reflections are quite unforgettable.

Opera de Monte – Carlo

sergiy May 14, 2017

The Monte Carlo Opera House is located at the casino and was (and the famous Paris Opera House) built by the architect Charles Garnier. Upon entrance of the casino you have an immediate impression that the auditorium is not very big but it is opulently furnished. It has large windows overlooking the sea and has large mirrors which are sustained in the performance. The acoustics are excellent; the orchestra sits pretty low, so it does not cover the singer for the spectators in the front seats.

You will be able to experience a performance of Verdi's Macbeth, where despite the small capacity and the relatively moderate ticket prices singers of the first rank occurred. Unlike the tickets for the opera, the drinks they have in the break come with the local custom overpriced price levels. The Opera de Monte Carlo enjoys exceptional programs that are quite difficult to access because you have to book months in advance without ever being sure to get tickets for the selected show. But don’t get discouraged at all about the online reservation for it is definitely worth the effort once you are settled and seated in its marvelous theater hall.

The country for travel and trips

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Ethiopia

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Kyrenia fortress

Cyprus

Easter Island

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Congo

Tanganyika

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Venice

Opera de Monte – Carlo

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