Category Archives: Views

Walking Tours: Prague In The Czech Republic (4K)

Tourister (November 2022) Prague, Czech Praha, city, capital of the Czech Republic. Lying at the heart of Europe, it is one of the continent’s finest cities and the major Czech economic and cultural centre. The city has a rich architectural heritage that reflects both the uncertain currents of history in Bohemia and an urban life extending back more than 1,000 years.

The physical attractions and landmarks of Prague are many. Among the finest is the Charles Bridge (Karlův most), which stands astride the Vltava River. The winding course of the Vltava, with its succession of bridges and changing vistas, contrasts with the ever-present backdrop of the great castle of Hradčany (Prague Castle), which dominates the left-bank region of the city from behind massive walls set high on a hill.

The narrow streets and little taverns and restaurants of the older quarters contrast with the broad sweep of Wenceslas Square and modern parks and housing developments, while the great 18th-century Baroque palaces have their own elegance and splendour. Seen from the surrounding hills, the many church towers make up a unique perspective, giving Prague its description as the “city of a hundred spires.”

This architectural harmony was enhanced by post-1945 planning, which preserved the ancient core of the city as a major monument and carefully supervised all modern building. In 1992 the historic city centre was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Village Walks: Riquewihr In The Alsace, France (4K)

Tourist Channel (November 2022) – Riquewihr is a town located on the Alsace wine route, in eastern France. Its cobbled streets are dotted with half-timbered winemaker’s shops and tasting rooms. Winegrower’s tools and a restored kitchen are on display in the Maison de Vigneron, dating from the 16th century. The Dolder Tower from 1291 houses the Dolder Museum and centuries-old weapons.

The Tower of Thieves is a former prison from the 14th century where instruments of torture are kept. Between the Crêtes des Vosges and the plain of Alsace, Riquewihr is a medieval city, located in the heart of the Alsatian vineyard, classified among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France”.

Aquarium Design: Sea World Abu Dhabi (2023)

The B1M – ABU DHABI has built some of the world’s most striking construction projects. And it’s not done yet. Work is underway to build a record-breaking aquarium, one that will blow all the others out of the water.

The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago holds about 19M litres of water. Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China holds 49M, and is currently the world’s largest – but when Sea World Abu Dhabi completes, it’ll likely contain a whopping 58M litres of water. That’s the same as 23.2 Olympic pools.

Designing and building a tank this big poses an extreme engineering challenge. It has to withstand immense water pressure, let in the right amount of light for tens of thousands of species to survive and immerse millions of visitors in an underwater world.

READ MORE

Contemporary Art Shows: Art Basel Miami Beach 2022

VernissageTV (November 29, 2022) – A virtual tour of Art Basel in Miami Beach 2022 on the occasion of press preview on November 29, 2022. Art Basel Miami Beach 2022 features over 282 of the world’s leading international Modern and contemporary art galleries, which display paintings, sculptures, installations, photography, film, video, and digital art. The 2022 edition of Art Basel Miami Beach is the largest to date. It also marks the 20th anniversary of the art fair that launched in 2002.

Front Page: The New York Times – November 30, 2022

Congressional Leaders Say They Will Act to Prevent Rail Strike

Democratic and Republican leaders prepared to intercede as President Biden warned the prospect of a December strike put the U.S. economy “at risk.”

New York City to Remove Mentally Ill People From Streets Against Their Will

Mayor Eric Adams directed the police and emergency medical workers to hospitalize people they deemed too mentally ill to care for themselves, even if they posed no threat to others.

With Intimidation and Surveillance, China Tries to Snuff Out Protests

Communist Party officials are using decades-old tactics, along with some new ones, to quash the most widespread protests in decades. But Xi Jinping is silent.

Russian Retreat Reveals Signs of an Atrocity in a Ukrainian Village

In the southern Kherson region, the pattern seen in eastern Ukraine is repeating: The withdrawal of Russian forces yields evidence of possible war crimes.

Walking Tour: Seattle In Northwest Washington

HP Walking ToursSeattle, chief city of the state of Washington, U.S., seat (1853) of King county, the largest metropolis of the Pacific Northwest, and one of the largest and most affluent urban centres in the United States. A major port of entry and an air and sea gateway to Asia and Alaska, Seattle lies alongside Puget Sound, a deep inland arm of the northern Pacific Ocean, and is at the centre of a conurbation that is defined roughly by Everett to the north, Bellevue to the east, and Tacoma to the south.

Video Timeline: 0:00:00 INTRO 0:00:46 Seattle Waterfront 0:04:07 Seattle Aquarium 0:06:20 Miner’s Landing 0:07:51 Seattle Great Wheel 0:10:39 A view towards the city skyscrapers 0:12:25 About Seattle (Open CC) 0:21:45 Seattle Art Museum 0:27:16 The Gum Wall, Post Alley 0:29:30 Pike Place Market 0:30:50 Fish throwing tradition at Pike Place Market 0:39:03 The First Starbucks at Pike Place Market 0:42:57 Post Alley 0:55:25 Seattle Public Library 1:00:00 The Sanctuary Seattle 1:01:34 Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center

The city was settled on November 13, 1851, at what is now West Seattle. It was relocated the following year to a site across Elliott Bay near a Duwamish Indian village. It owes its name to the Native American leader Seattle, chief of the Duwamish, Suquamish, and other tribes of the Puget Sound area. Areas of great natural beauty, including the densely forested Olympic Peninsula and the Cascade Range, surround the city. Its urban centre, dominated by tall skyscrapers that overlook Elliott Bay and enhanced by the city’s abundant parks and neighbourhoods, also offers a handsome prospect.

Canada Views: Cochrane – A ‘Cowboy Small Town’

A scenic twenty-minute drive west of Calgary on the Bow Valley Trail brings you to the delightful town of Cochrane. Nestled in the heart of the river valley and framed by the Canadian Rockies, there’s a feeling about this place that’s hard to define – and even harder to forget.

  • Street Party: Cochrane hosts more than 75 creative, colourful, quirky events and festivals, from art exhibitions to rodeo. Come for the Outhouse Races and stay for a scoop or two of MacKay’s hand-crafted ice cream, as you stroll our historic downtown.
  • Cowboy Up: Learn about our western roots with a visit to Historic Cochrane Ranche. On summer Saturdays, visit our thriving farmers’ market, then explore the natural and human history of this 136-acre park. Find the Grandfather Tree and climb the stairs to the Men of Vision statue overlooking the park.

Front Page: The New York Times – November 29, 2022

Chinese Unrest Over Lockdown Upends Global Economic Outlook

Growing protests in the world’s biggest manufacturing nation add a new element of uncertainty atop the Ukraine war, an energy crisis and inflation.

A Protest? A Vigil? In Beijing, Anxious Crowds Are Unsure How Far to Go.

In a country where protests are swiftly quashed, many who gathered to voice their discontent — under the watchful eye of the police — were uncertain about how far to go.

Jewish Allies Call Trump’s Dinner With Antisemites a Breaking Point

Supporters who looked past the former president’s admirers in bigoted corners of the far right, and his own use of antisemitic tropes, now are drawing a line. “He legitimizes Jew hatred and Jew haters,” says one. “And this scares me.”

As Haiti Unravels, U.S. Officials Push to Send in an Armed Foreign Force

Fearing a mass exodus, some Biden officials are pressing for a multinational force, but they don’t want to send U.S. troops and haven’t been able to persuade other countries to take the lead.

Small Towns: Harmony In Central Coast California

ERIC MINH SWENSON ART FILMS – At a population of 18, Harmony is by far the tiniest town in The Land of SLO CAL. But a short stroll through this village reveals a big heart and even bigger history just waiting to be explored. Harmony served as the capital of SLO CAL’s booming dairy industry for nearly five decades until the milk money dried up. Lots of folks moved away, but those who stayed decided to get creative.

Today, the town is a vibrant artist’s haven. Wander through the glassworks shop to find handblown pieces created right before your eyes or watch sculptors hard at work behind the potter’s wheel. Its quirky art and funky facades are a magnet for wander lusters. Check out Harmony’s famous chapel, part-time post office and gardens — all of which have become hotspots for weddings, picnics, and photo ops. 

This little town continues to grow in reputation. Take a short detour off Pacific Coast Highway and stop in to see all the enchanting renovations underway. You’ll find peaceful Harmony nestled between San Simeon’s Hearst Castle and Paso Robles‘ world-renowned wine region. Just keep your eyes peeled for the iconic population 18 sign. 

READ MORE

Front Page: The New York Times – November 28, 2022

After Deadly Blaze, Surge of Defiance Against China’s Covid Policies

Protests became rare once the government cut off most routes to collective action. But ubiquitous Covid rules, bringing shared suffering, have created a focus for anger.

In Ukraine, Bakhmut Becomes a Bloody Vortex for 2 Militaries

Even as they have celebrated successes elsewhere, Ukrainian forces in one small eastern city have endured relentless Russian attacks. And the struggle to hold it is only intensifying.

He Never Denied Selling Drugs. But Britain Says He’s a Slave Master, Too.

A law written to prevent human trafficking is being wielded against low-level drug dealers. The effects are long-lasting.