Observing the sunset

Nowadays, the National Observatory of Athens is located on hill outside the city, in Penteli.

The buildings there are not as pretty as the old one but the view is amazing. Quite ironic for an astronomer to watch the sunset while leaving instead of going to work!

Even the new site is inappropriate for observations but nevertheless, the 62.5cm Newall telescope is used for public outreach and educational purposes.
In case you would like to visit during one of the open nights, here is the site :)

Observatory in the centre of Athens

Observatories are built on the outskirts of cities. So, the National Observatory of Athens was built in 1847 on the Nymphs' hill, just below the Acropolis. Which, 160 years later, is deep downtown.

This is another piece of Art by Theophilus Hansen, the man behind some of the most beautiful buildings of modern Greece.

The National Observatory is the oldest research insitute of the Balkans.

water on the rocks

An islander is always attracted by water. This was spotted in the mainland of Greece.

Olive Tree

Gorgeous old olive tree, standing there watching us passing by.

This tree was already old when my grandfather was born, so this makes it more than 150 years old.
(If anyone has a better estimate, let me know!)

This picture is 5 years old, and most likely this tree was burned down during the great fire in Peloponnese a few years ago...

The Spree

If I need to choose my favorite spot in Berlin, well, this is it.

Lion no. 2

Remember the bavarian lion we came across in Nafplion? As you probably already guessed, there are plenty of them in Bavaria.

Here is one located in Odeonsplatz covered with snow, like pretty much everything in Munich today (again!).

Ή στραβός είναι ο γυαλός...

η στραβά αρμενίζουμε...

Greek expression, really difficult to translate.
Our non-greek-speaking friends you will have to stay just with another picturesque summer scene.

Summer

I remember once it was summer...

Sailor dog

This dog does have the looks of a pirate. If only he could stand the sea...
Spotted onboard.

(BTW: This is the first of a series of posts picked out of my film archive)

2/3 of a trilogy

  

Once upon a time, a Bavarian prince became King of Greece, and moved the capital to the decadent village of Athens. Two Danish brothers and architects, Hans-Christian and Theophilus Hansen came and built among others the Athenian Neoclassical Trilogy. In the photo we can see the National Library (left, work of Theophilus) and the main building of the National Kapodestrian University of Athens (right, work of Hans Christian). A bit on the right lies the National Academy to be seen in one of the next posts.

Built at times when money was a serius issue due to the try for the birth of a state, but aesthetics was an issue, too. Since then, greek state has seen better days but few, in my opinion, equally beautiful buildings.

It's a pitty that the building of the University now houses only the administration. I would like to see it used for actual lessons, like it was meant to. Now the students enter it only once for the ceremony of gratuation oath.

Erwin

Has anyone seen Erwin?

Thirst

Recent studies demonstrate the need to drink 10 litres of Coca-Cola(R) daily.

Otherwise you will get stack inside a wall.

Seriously.

Porsche of spades

One of the first Porsche ever made, I guess for a passionate gambler.
Found in the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart.

Chalcis

What are the two physicists of the picture observing?
"Crazy water" of Chalcis. It changes direction of flow every 6 hours.

Science says that this is due to the gravitational attraction of the moon.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any cool legends associated with this phenomenon, other than that Aristotelis killed himself because he could not explain it. Which is sadly not true.

photo:apeleytheros (http://apeleytheros.wordpress.com)

Kamara

One of the beautiful spots in Zaganiari. The Kamara (greek for Arch). I guess it was built to facilitate expansion of the house above without disrupting the pathway.

In the Cyclades, every spring we paint the exterior of our houses with lime (google-translated from ασβέστης, I guess nothing to do with the citrus-like-thing we put in a mojito, any better translation welcome!) making them bright white. And this of course is a great opportunity to decorate the road, too!

In a boat

We also met two little girls in their boat in Munich, Germany.

The Lublinesse

We met a girl sitting on her door in Lublin, Poland.

Henkerhaus

Nuernberg, Bavaria. Some time ago this used to be the Henkerhaus, the residence of the executioner. I wonder if the logo was there so that the public could find easily an executioner when they wanted him.

The building used to be part of the wall of the town and it is attached to a bridge for use by the same guy. It seems that people of the time, although they had no apparent issues with death penalty, they kind of disliked the executioner and wanted him isolated from the the regular people...

Deep Blue Sea

The weather was marvelous today.
I should have been on boat traveling somewhere, say for example Andros?

Please note, the dirt on the upper left corner. It is the smoke from the ship.
Also note the visibility of Earth's curvature.
(Ok, ok, it is my lens' curvature :P)

Brandenburg Gate

How do you feel about wide angle lenses?

Although obviously unsuitable for taking pictures of people, I rather like the effect they have on buildings.
This one was taken with the wide lens of Michele, who kindly lend it to me for my trip in Berlin.

Peeking

Now in Kifissias ave.

The state senior residence.

The path not taken

One of my favourite sayings is this one:

"Look where you want to go or you will go where you are looking"

or translate freely in your own language until it makes more sense :)