Monday 27 July 2009

Manavgat Waterfall

Manavgat Waterfall is located 5 kilometres North of Manavgat Town Centre. Manavgat Waterfall is a gentle horseshoe waterfall on the Manavgat River which descends from the Toros Mountains. Visiting the waterfalls is not really a day out but really a 2 hour visit. An hour to admire the beauty of the waterfall and take some photos. And another hour to have a picnic in the surrounding green environment.


manavgat waterfall
As you can see Manavgat Waterfall is not very tall, infact some people even question whether it is really a waterfall as it is only 2 metres tall.

manavgat waterfall
A horizontal photo of the Manavgat Waterfall. I love the shining water in the foreground.

manavgat waterfall watching area
A photo of the watching area that looks over the Manavgat Waterfall. As you can see the platform is part of the waterfall so you can also have a refreshing dip inside the ice cold water while you admire the waterfall and take some photos.

Other places I visited in Turkey;

The Aspendos Theatre

The Temple Of Apollo

Perge(Perga)

The Kursunla Waterfalls

Aspendos Theatre

The Aspendos Theatre was built in 167 AD by the son of Theodorius, Zeno (a architect). It is by far the most well preserved Roman theatre in Turkey and one of the best in the world. In it's prime days it was able to accommodate 15,000 people on its 40 rows of banks built against a steep hilltop. The Aspendos Theatre was constructed in the reign of Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD) by two brothers and was a gift to the city of Aspendos. The theatre is still being used for performances even now 2000 years later, because of its great acoustics inside it.

It was a magnificent place to be in. But I would advise you, if you were to visit the Aspendos Theatre to go at the start or at the end of the day. Because it becomes overcrowded at midday with tour groups .

aspendos theatre front
A photo of Aspendos Theatre from the top from the top seats. It was quite a trek to get to the top as the only stairs are the steep Roman stairs by the sides of the seats. If you look at top left skyline you just see the Taurus Mountains behind the theatre.

aspendos theatre
A photo looking down at a angle on the theatre. It shows the sheer size of the theatre especialy if you compare it to the people.

Other places I visited on my holiday to Turkey;


The Manavgat Waterfall

The Temple Of Apollo

Perge(Perga)

The Kursunla Waterfalls

Side Turkey

I have recently returned from my holiday to Side in Turkey. Side (pronounced see-dey) is a stunning historical coastal resort situated on a small peninsular on the Mediterranean sea. Side is 15kms east to one of Turkey's largest cities Antalya. In Turkish Side actually means pommergranate. This is why all over Side there are many large pomergranates around in public areas.



A map showing where Side is in relation to the rest of Turkey.
You can also see where I went on holiday in 2005 to Fethiye in Turkey (number 11).
Here is a blog post I wrote about a day trip I travelled on in 2005 to Lycia Rock Cut Lycian Tombs.




On my holidays I visited these historical places, these places are:

The Manavgat Waterfall

The Aspendos Theatre

The Temple Of Apollo

Perge(Perga)

The Kursunla Waterfalls


Over the coming week I will be uploading some photos and videos and writing some little snippets of history about these historical places.


So not to miss anything in the upcoming week why don't you subscribe to my rss feed!

Update

I have now finished writing these posts, to see them click on the links on the places above.

Saturday 11 July 2009

My Beatles Photo Selected For Liverpool Guide

Just thought I would share my good news with you. Today I received a message in Flickr Mail. Here is it:

From:
Emma J. Williams
Emma Williams

Subject: Schmap: Liverpool Photo Inclusion
Hi sbunting108,

I am delighted to let you know that one of your photos with a Creative Commons license has been selected for inclusion in the newly released eighth edition of our Schmap Liverpool Guide:

Beatles Story Experience

Please enjoy the guide!

Best regards,

Emma Williams,
Managing Editor, Schmap Guides

I was of course delighted to be included in the Liverpool Guide and find it a great privilage. Here is the photo that was selected.

the beatles story yellow submarine

This is a post I wrote previously about my trip to Liverpool Albert Docks.

Friday 10 July 2009

Powis Castle Video Slideshow

Here is a video slideshow of all the photos I took when I went to Powis Castle and the gardens. See post on Powis Castle.

Monday 6 July 2009

Laura's Tower

These photos are of Laura's tower at Shrewsbury Castle. It was built by Thomas Telford as part of the remodeling of the castle in the late 1800's. Laura’s Tower was named after the daughter of Sir William Pulteney. Sir William Pulteney was the Shrewsbury MP at the time and was also a private resident of Shrewsbury Castle.
Laura's Tower was built as a summer house (not as a tower to lock princesses away in). In fact if you go up to Laura's Tower, you'll also be standing on the site of the first Norman castle in England.
It offers fantastic views in all directions around the surrounding areas of Shrewsbry's townscape and further out to the countryside with a particulary good view of Shrewsbury Abbey. Here is a post I published earlier about Shrewsbury Abbey.

Lauras Tower
A photo of Laura's Tower on the top of part of Shrewsbury Castle.
Lauras Tower
A photo looking at the top of Laura's Tower from the River Severn close to the English Bridge.

Friday 3 July 2009

Darwins Quantum Leap

Shrewsbury's answer to The Angel Of The North.

The Quantum Leap is a new 12 metre high 19 metres wide sculpture to mark the bicentury of Charles Darwin. A world renowned scientist who was credited for the theory of 'evolution by natural selection'. The Quantum Leap is being built in Shrewsbury (Darwins birth town) alongside the River Severn and is going to cost the taxpayer a hefty £350,000.

According to Jon King the Darwin co-ordination officer he describes the sculpture as a “large supporting cradle that has been built so we can suspend the ribs of the sculpture as it takes shape. When the final rib is in place the cradle will be removed and it will be left as a free standing arch in all its glory."
"No structure like this has ever been built before – it’s unique."

I am yet undecided about the Qauntum Leap. If The Qauntum Leap fits in with the area then I believe that it will be a great success and provide a major boost to Shrewsbury's tourism. But currently I am having reservations about it fitting in because of The Guidhall and The Theatre Severn not fitting in at all with there surrounding areas. But I will make my final decision about it when it is revealed in August.

Quantum Leap
A photo showing The Quantum Leap under construction it is about two thirds finished at the moment.
Quantum Leap
A photo showing the giant crane that is needed to put the ribs in place. It also shows the large metal supports that are needed to support the sculpture until the final rib (keystone) is put in place.


An artists impression of how Quantum Leap will look.

Quantum Leap Video

This video is a 'virtual fly' through the Quantum Leap.


Live Quantum Leap Webcam

Live Quantum Leap Cam
This is a view of the site of the Quantum Leap sculpture, Shrewsbury, as seen from the top of Theatre Severn.

This image is updated every 2 minutes. Please refresh (F5) the page to see updated image.

Update July 31st

The Quantum Leap, is reportedly incorrectly aligned and as much as 18in off course at the top of the structure. Dominic Wallis (helping leading the project) has even said it was possible that the allignment problem could not be corrected.
More info Darwin Structure is out of line.

Update September 28th

The Quantum Leap is now behind schedule and £100,000 above budget.
More Info: Fresh uproar over artwork

Connect With Sbunting108

You can connect with me at Twitter - Simon Bunting Photography