Culture - Talkingthailand

Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

As you enter Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic), you may wonder whether you will be able to find your way out. There are many narrow alleyways twisting this way and that, the only thing to do is just wander!

As you walk, make sure you look all around you and upwards in case you miss anything – the buildings are stunning and there is a mix of old and new everywhere.

Next to the Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi, on Placa de Sant Josep Oriol, a lively craft market was underway.

And here is the basílica in all her glory.

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar stands proud and has been since the 14th century.

People are making a beeline for the centre of the Gothic Quarter and pass the Chapel of Santa Agata on the way.

Arguably the main attraction is the Cathedral of Barcelona.

I don’t very often enter any of the buildings I seek out, but I know the inside of a cathedral is home to lots of paintings so, for once, I walked towards the door. I had chosen a day when there was a service going on, so no tourists were allowed in, but I made out I wasn’t one and the guy could see I was alone, so he let me in. Unfortunately, no photos were allowed, but trust me, the cathedral itself was stunningly beautiful and the paintings just added to its beauty.

Next, to Placa del Rei, a lovely medieval square. The steps are, allegedly, where Christopher Columbus met King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella after he came back from his first exploration.

Despite Barcelona being a busy city, there are still pockets that are less crowded.

And lovely little plazas to stop and rest a while.

I loved Barcelona and I loved exploring the Barri Gotic. I can’t wait to go back.

Parc de la Cuitadella, Barcelona

As you explore the wonderful city of Barcelona, no doubt you will have heard of Parc de la Ciutadella or Citadel Park. If not, you are sure to stumble across it as you wander.

As I was en route back to my hotel after a long day sightseeing, I only skirted the outskirts of this lovely park, but I liked what I saw and when I get back to Barcelona, I will take more time to explore it.

The wide promenade of Passeig de Lluís Companys is where the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia is located.

At the north-western end of the promenade, you’ll find the Arc de Triomf – a spectacular archway which was the main access to the 1888 Barcelona World Fair. The words Barcelona rep les nacions (“Barcelona welcomes the nations”) is sculpted on the top (Wikipedia).

There are other impressive buildings (if you like that sort of thing) such as the castle-shaped Castle of the Three Dragons, built for use as an exhibition space for the 1888 World Fair (Wikipedia).

There is also a tropical garden, created by architect Josep Fontsére.

And , of course, you’ll also find lots of people enjoying the park. Some relaxing or exercising or, like you, exploring.

If you get to Barcelona anytime soon, head to Parc de la Cuitadella for a peaceful couple of hours. I’ll be doing exactly that!

A Walk Around Barcelona

I headed off to Barcelona just in time! It was February 2020 and there was talk of a virus. I wasn’t sure whether I should cancel but, in the end, I decided to go – and I was happy I did! I (we) didn’t know then, that travelling would be banned in the coming months!

I really want to do more exploring in Spain because the few places I have been, I have simply loved. And Barcelona was no exception.

Let’s take a walk around the city.

I stayed in the Hotel del Mar on Pla de Palau, 19, 08003, housed in this beautiful building with its colonnade of columns. It’s a great location too – near the port and the Gothic Quarter.

There are lots of fabulous buildings in Barcelona.

And street art too.

If you walk away from the centre, the streets are almost empty – a pleasant change from the busier areas.

You may see what looks like a familiar building too – this one looks like the Gherkin in London. There is also one in Bangkok.

Head along La Rambla..

..towards Plaça de Catalunya where people stop for a breather or to enjoy each other’s company.

Turn back along La Rambla and browse the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria or La Boqueria – sadly closed on the day I wandered past.

Or stop for a coffee at Cafe el Magnifico.

Turn off any of the streets from La Rambla and you’ll find lovely little plazas.

Head back onto La Rambla towards Port Vell.

Or, go to the beach for a sundowner cocktail or to feel the sand between your toes.

If you’re like me, you’ll research things you want to see, but you could simply go where your feet take you – it’s a beautiful city to explore.

And, if you have a sharp eye, you’ll see pretty birds in the trees around you!

A Walk Around Bruges

On a trip to Belgium in 2020, just two days into the new year, I went to Bruges for the day. It was a lovely way to spend a few hours. I loved it so much, I’m going to retrace my steps and hope that you will join me for a little tour around the city.

Bruges is just under an hour and a half from Brussels. Leave the station and walk up Oostmeers towards the city centre. There will be plenty of people doing the same, so you won’t get lost.

The narrow street is lined with houses including the almshouse of Reylof de Blieck – used as a shelter for the poor in the past.

At the end of Oostmeers, take a right onto Goezeputstraat and second-left onto Kleine Heilige-Geestraat. You’ll see the tall tower of Saint Salvador Cathedral on Sint-Salvadorskerkhof.

Walk around and you’ll see the whole cathedral.

From Sint-Salvadorskerkhof, go right onto Steenstraat and you’ll find yourself in the shopping zone with typical Belgian buildings converted into cute boutiques.

Keep going and you’ll come across the Markt – Bruges’ market square with its impressive buildings including the Belfry – arguably the most impressive.

The Provincial Hall isn’t bad either.

The market square is bustling with people and and there are also colourful old guild houses which have been converted into restaurants, so it’s also a good place to sit and eat and watch the world go by.

Just off of the Markt, you’ll find Eiermarket with some nice cafes and restaurants – stop for a coffee in Het Hof Van Rembrandt,

Venture onward and pass by Dumon Chocolatier, housed in this cute little building.

Go along Kuipersstraat, turn right onto Jakob Van Ooststraat, left onto Vlamingstraat and, finally, right onto Academiestraat and you’ll see The Burghers’ Lodge (Poortersloge) – a place where important citizens of Bruges held their meetings.

Head towards Augustijnenrei Canal and located by the Ezelsbrug or Donkey Bridge is thebeautiful Restaurant De Bottelier. I didn’t eat here, but I thought it was worthy of a photo.

Go back the way you came along Sint-Jakobsplein and St James Church stands on the corner.

Double back on yourself through the Markt, walk along Breidelstraat and you’ll come across Burg Square. In the far corner, you’ll see Blinde-Ezelstraat or Blind Donkey Street – a narrow alleyway running between Burg Square and Vismarkt. Apparently, there was an old inn called The Blind Donkey in the late 15th century.

Back on Burg Square, you’ll find part of the Brugse Vrije (Liberty of Bruges).

And the beautiful Gothic Stadhuis or town hall.

My walk took me further around the city centre but, for this tour, I wanted to show you some of the buildings in Bruges. I hope you enjoyed yourself. More of Bruges next time!

Brussels: Things to See Around the City

Follow me around Brussels as I take in the sights and find interesting things to see around the city

First up, a pretty Christmas tree and the statue of Charles Rogier – twice Prime Minister of Belgium in the 19th century – sit in Place de la Liberte on Rue du Congress.

At the end of Rue du Congress, you’ll find the Congress Column with its statue of Belgium’s first monarch, King Leopold I at the top.

Onwards towards the city centre, you may come across this statue of St Michael killing the devil.

Then, the impressive western, northern and eastern facades that make up the beautiful St Michael & St Gudula Cathedral.

Then, a last look back at the cathedral from Rue de la Montagne.

In the centre, you’ll find loads of lovely buildings – typically Belgian with crow-stepped gables.

Head north and you’ll come across The Bourse – the Brussels Stock Exchange – housed in this grand building.

If you fancy a break, go to Halles Saint-Gery – a beautiful little place which used to be market halls in the 19th century, but now an exhibition centre, cafe and bar – a welcome pitstop from your sightseeing!

A short walk away is St Catherine’s Place with St Catherine’s church at one end. It’s a great place for eating and drinking or simply wandering around.

Just around the corner, there is the belltower of the old St Catherine’s Church.

Last on this little tour is the small chapel of Mary Magdalene on Rue de la Madeleine.

If you would like to follow in my footsteps. here is the route I followed, more or less:

I hope you enjoyed the walk!

What Does Art Mean To You?

I love art in all its forms. It means many things to many people – you may love it too or you may hate it – but, if you don’t mind, let’s delve into my mind and see what art is to me.

An appreciation of talent

Whether it’s a painting or a drawing, photography or sculpture or a multi-sensory experience like Van Gogh Alive, I have an appreciation of the artist’s talent. I can look and imagine how their ideas have morphed onto the canvas. There are so many artists and a few of my favourites are Vincent Van Gogh, Salvador Dali and Oleg Shuplyak – each one different, but their creations are all equally fabulous. I can really appreciate their creative foresight, being able to see in their mind’s eye what the finished article will look like.

Things to do in your free time — Van Gogh Alive – London

Learning

Art is learning. I choose what to go and see, not always because I know who the artist is, sometimes I don’t, but it’s the subject matter I am mostly interested in – city views, art movements like Baroque, Impressionism or Surrealism, illusion art and many more. I can learn more about these topics as I read the exhibit titles. I am then drawn to the artists themselves and can learn about their lives in books or the internet.

There is a story to tell

There is usually a story to tell in art. Some art is more than a little distressing (Beyond the Air We Breathe). Some are obvious in their message, some are not, and it takes a while before you realise what the artists are trying to convey. Art is a powerful way to get the message across!

Excitement

Art creates excitement. Not knowing what I’ll find until I see it with my own eyes. Then, looking at the photos or paintings, taking in all the details – the brush strokes, the colours, the textures, the painting as a whole – I feel joy and realise I am smiling!

Inspiration

There are many things that inspire people and art is one of those things. It might inspire you to use the same colours in a different way or think of a new way to use the same subject. Art simply inspires me to be more creative in my life. Inspiration feels like a burst of energy and I feel motivated to put my ideas into action.

Relaxation

When I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders, I pick up my paint brush and paint! Concentrating on what I am doing and getting into the flow state makes me forget why I am stressed and helps me keep my mental wellbeing in check.

What does art mean to you?

Soi Nana in photographs

Following on from my post about Art on Soi Nana, here are some more photographs of this – off the beaten track – little street in Bangkok. It’s small but full of character.

Just a stone’s throw from Hua Lamphong, Soi Nana has somes of tiny, quirky bars – Tep Bar, 23 Bar and Gallery and Teens of Thailand – all with great atmospheres! El Chiringuito is the place to eat delicious tapas while Wallflowers cafe sells coffee and cake which you can enjoy on the small roof terrace.

Soi Nana makes for a different, more traditional experience of Bangkok. I, for one, will be making a beeline for it again as soon as I can!

Art on Soi Nana

Soi Nana was one of my favourite places to go when I lived in Bangkok.

It’s a small street lined with old shophouses, some of which have been converted into funky little bars, restaurants and even art galleries.

There are lots of little alleyways behind the main street to explore and Soi Nana is also host to its very own Chinatown Fair – music blaring and lots of people make for a lively atmosphere.

One day, Chris and I headed over to Soi Nana to set up my exhibition – On the Trail of Bangkok’s European Heritage – at Bar 23.

Being a trendy kind of area, there is always some form of art to see, so once we had finished setting up, we went in search of it.

Art really does look after your mental health. It’s relaxing if you create something yourself or if you go in search of it like we did, it’s fun and gets you out of the house for a bit!

18 Things to See on a Walk Around Banglamphu

Following on from last week’s post when I went searching for street art as part of the Pipit Banglamphu Street Art Festival, I took many photos of other things to see in this lovely, peaceful part of the city. Join me again as I retrace my steps through the many hidden alleys of Bangkok, you never know what you might find!

There are a few communities who live in this area and this in the entrance to Wat Sangwet Witsayaram Community.

The artists who exhibited their work for the street art festival displayed their work in the most unusual places.

There are many different ways to get around Bangkok and by boat is the most exciting.

More street art at every turn.

Rama VIII Bridge which connects Bangkok to Thonburi.

A splash of colour.

Peaceful alleys and all just a stone’s throw from the busy Khao San Road!

There are so many Buddhist temples in Bangkok, there will never be enough time to see them all. This one is Wat Mai Armataros.

It’s not just the people who like hanging out, having a chat.

Tuk-tuks are a crazy way to get around the city. As long as you hold on tight!

Golden spires of a small temple with lovely blue skies.

Bangkok’s electricity and telephone cable system. I wouldn’t want to be the guy who has to fathom out whose is whose! The birds seem to like them though.

A glimpse of the ‘old’ Bangkok.

Art doesn’t have to be part of a street art festival, it’s everywhere in Bangkok.

And, so are pretty flowers.

There are hidden alleys which are fun to explore.

You can also see remnants of Bangkok’s past. Phra Sumen Fort is one of fourteen forts built to protect the city from invaders in the eighteen century.

There are plenty of leafy avenues, like this one on Phra Athit Road.

I never stopped exploring Bangkok when I lived there. I loved walking around seeing what I could find. I hope you enjoyed the tour around Banglamphu!

Pipit Banglamphu Street Art Festival

A couple of months before I left Bangkok for good, I was still enjoying exploring the city.

One day, I went in search of street art which was part of the Pipit Banglamphu Street Art Festival. It was a lot of fun wandering around the streets following the map.

Things to do in Bangkok — Source: Richard Barrow

Banglamphu is home to Bangkok’s infamous Khao San Road, chock-a-block with tourists coming and going, bars and clubs blaring out loud music and the general hustle and bustle, typical of a city like Bangkok. But, Banglamphu is also home to a myriad of leafy alleys and canals, so peaceful and, seemingly, hidden from tourists, but filled with friendly locals going about their day. That’s where I found myself as I went looking for the street art!

Some of the locals said hello and asked me where I was from, but all of them were curious about why I was there – made apparent by their stares. I tried to follow the map as best I could, but I went the wrong way in places, by-passing the same people more than once, which only added to their curiosity.

It was a really pleasant day out, so join me as I retrace my steps following the art..

I hope you enjoyed the street art as much as I did!

I’ll leave you with a little piece of Bangkok 🙂