TROYAN HORSE

A few years ago I did a coach trip around Greece, only the mainland not the islands.

We visited the place where archaeologists supposed, the Trojan horse has stood. If there really was a Trojan War (or several), then there must have been a Troy. There was — actually, there was more than one.

Today, the spot is known as Hisarlik, and it can be found atop a large mound in western Turkey. But there isn't one city beneath that mound. There are at least ten.



The landscapes were wild and beautiful and remains of colons built by the Greeks could be seen all over the place.



And then we saw the famous horse in which 30 Greek soldiers were hidden from the Turks. Of course it was newly built, as it is not 100 % sure that the horse ever existed.



We walked around the site and looked at what was left over from the town or towns.







It was very interesting to see how the buildings were built and lasted such a long time









Maybe this had been a "house of parliament" looks a bit like


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MY WORLD - Hurghada Red Sea Egypt

Since 2007 between end November beginning December I am spending 2 weeks in Hurghada, Egypt at the Red Sea. It had been long ago a little fisher town, until since the 1980s some clever investors discovered that this would be an ideal place for the sun hungry Europeans !



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OUR WORLD - Market

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My part of our world is rather rainy and grey, but still I managed to go to the market in the next little town, when the sun appeared for a few minutes.



I didn't see a lot of people when I arrived



Unsold Christmas trees were laying around and still some Christmas decoration was there



A flower stall, rather hidden



People tried to warm up themselves with hot Hamburgers, Hot dogs, and hot snails in a bowl



Or with beer or wine in this little café







Not many people




As Sundays all shops are closed, the streets were empty too.

When I returned to my car, it started to rain again ! What a start in the New Year.

OUR WORLD - Plancenoit

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My friend Dominique was born in a very historical place, in Placenoit which is a village in Walloon Brabant, near Waterloo. The village was a key strategic point during the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 as it was the main focal point of the Prussians' flank attack on Napoleon's army. Taken and retaken several times by the French and the Prussians, it was the scene of fierce fighting and a terribly bloody battle took place in this today so peaceful area.

One day after having lunch together, she took me to show me the place of her childhood and the house she grew up. It's a very beautiful countryside to show you in our world. I had never been in this village, although I live in Waterloo since 36 years !





The St Catherine church in Plancenoit dates from 1857. The white stones of the old church were used to built the new one. The old church had been severely damaged during the battle in 1815 and had to be rebuilt.

The Church built on a hill overlooks the main place



with cafés and houses






The old houses look still the same and almost untouched



front and


back side

This was the house Dominique grew up



Her school way wasn't an easy one and hasn't changed ! In winter it was nice to go down there with a sleigh. I was quiet breathless when we finally arrived on the top of the hill !





Pieces of the property have been sold and I saw this modern house with two pinguins in the garden ! Tastes are debatable !



But the surroundings are unchanged



Some of the families she knows are still living here



a new kindergarten had been created in this old farmhouse





others are still working farmhouses



This was the one she used to play with the children



and her old school house is still standing, although it's written "Ecole des filles" (School for girls) today the school is mixed and there are also boys.



She showed me the window she had once climbed out, because she was fed up to be locked in probably because she had done something.



and a final view on this old historical village.


Plan of the battle and its history

It's unbelievable that so many men lost their lives in this beautiful place.

MY WORLD - Balliol College Oxford

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While I was visiting Oxford I stayed in the Balliol College. During the summer holidays, the College rents rooms to guests. I had never stayed in a student's room and in such a famous College that of course I prefered to sleep there instead of an ordinary hotel room. And indeed it was a wonderful experience and such a beautiful place !

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MY WORLD - Sightseeing in Brussels

I had the visit of my Canadian Blogfriend from Canada Kay together with her husband and I had the pleasure to show them a little of my world in Brussels.



I took them to the Atomium which is the only building left from the world exposition in 1958 and has become a big tourist attraction. I have to say it is very special and impressive it is 102 metres (33( ft) high, with its nine interconnected spheres, The Atomium was closed for nearly two years between 2004 and 2006 for renovation and reopened in 2007. This was when the aluminium sheets were replaced with steel ones. The interiors were also redone.



Looking up



and what you see in the lift, when looking up. The lift speed is 5m (16 ft)/sec





Nice views all over Brussels



The proof that we had been there together



Near the Atomium is the King's castle. King Albert II and his wife Paola prefered to stay in the litle palace where they lived before he became King after the death of his brother Baudouin. Today the castle is inhabited by the crown prince Philip and his family and the ancient King's widow Fabiola.



Beautiful blooming trees in the royal park



Nearby is also the Chinese Pavillion ( Oriental Art Museum)




Because of parking difficulties my picture is not very clear


so I googled this one

To finish our tour some Art Deco, the "Old England" store, designed by Paul Saintenoy in 1898. Today, it accommodates the famous Musical Instruments Museum and a cafe-restaurant on the top floor with a beautiful panoramic view of Brussels.