Sunset

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A Thing of Beauty in this World of Chaos

Let there be Light

Merry Christmas – Happy Holidays – Season’s Greetings!

 

Of Roofs and Terraces – Florence

 

 

Sunrise

With iPhone in Whangamata, New Zealand.

Abstract in Zaanse Schans

 

There is more in Zaanse Schans then windmills.

Jellies

At the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California they have an array of jellies, or jellyfish as they are also called. They are fascinating and fun to watch and have a calming effect, the way they slowly float and move around in the water. The beautiful blue background also helps. I had wanted to post a video, so you could enjoy this calming quality too, but unfortunately WordPress does not let me import mp4’s. I have yet to figure out how I can do this, and will post the video once I have found out. Meanwhile, any tips for this are very welcome!

This one is a rather special one, or so I have been told, as it lives in the total dark (hence if was difficult to photograph). I like how you can see the eye and how it looks like an unidentified flying you know what, and in that respect the white stripe of light in the middle conjures up the words: “Beam me up Scotty”. Lastly, I like the face on the right observing this wonderful jelly.

I would like to add that the mission of the nonprofit Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the oceans.

Koningsdag – King’s Day Orange Celebration

Today, 27 April is the birthday of King Willem Alexander, King of  the Netherlands, but yesterday it was celebrated with the first King’s Day (Koningsdag) in the whole country. I was in Amsterdam and the atmosphere was great and orange! People are very creative with what they are wearing and also what they are selling.

This woman sells knitted orange crowns and beards, and she has got a customer too!

Children and adults have an opportunity to sell their bric-a-brac and many a good bargain can be had.

These kids have invented some kind of game, a family tree with sweets, and the sign says you always win a price.

I spy with my little eye…

This mask on it’s own is fun, and it becomes even funnier (to me) with the sign above it, which says “Hotdog roll”.

Of course the Dutch Lion, which appears in the coat of arms, cannot be missed at the party.

It is custom to fly the Dutch flag from your home on King’s Day (used to be Queens Day).

Tompoucen are a Dutch delight and usually pink, but for King’s Day they turn orange. The drink you see is not lemonade, but it is a liquer called Oranjebitter.

“Relax” says the Cat

There is more in this image than just the relaxing cat!

Dutch Soccer Mania

The national sport in Holland (The Netherlands) is soccer, and the national colour is orange. During the UEFA European Football Championship 2012 (Euro 2012), the Dutch team was well supported as these decorations show. This was only one street, but all over Holland soccer fans were showing their orange support. It is all history now, as they lost in the early rounds. The Spanish team won for the second time in a row, the first team to win two consecutive European Championships, and they are also the reigning World Champions. No mean feat!