Tag: photography

Castle Hogwarts

High above the town, looms the magnificent castle of Hogwarts Wizarding School.
We enter the Castle via the massive underground labyrinth. You never know what you may find in the basement of Hogwart’s. This statue of a Hunchbacked Witch figures into Harry Potter’s tale.
Roaming the twisting and turning corridors of Hogwarts castle you are sure to see some amazing things. These portraits aren’t content to smile pretty, they talk to each other and even leave their frames to visit their neighbors.
Our day at the school has come to end as the night envelopes the castle.

We make our way back though the dark streets of Hogsmeade.
Perhaps we have time for one last drink before we leave. It’s a rather quiet evening at the Hogshead tavern in the town. Normally, the place is bustling with witches and wizards.
The namesake of the Hog’s Head Tavern. Here’s a tip, tip the bartender and you may see something fun.
After a delicious frozen Butterbear, we grab an ice cold Pumpkin Juice for the walk back to the Hogwarts Express and reality.
by janoseagle

Exploring The Grounds of Hogwarts

The lovely ladies of Beaux-Baton entertain a crowd of muggles with their ribbon dance.
More of the lovely ladies of Beaux-baton.
An impromptu concert by the Hogwarts Chorus.
The boys of Durmstrang perform some feats of strength.
The gentle Hippogriff sits quietly in it’s nest near Hagrid’s Cottage.

by janoseagle

A Side Trip To A Magical Place

Make your way to Platform 9 3/4 at Charing Cross Station and take the express train to Hogsmeade.
If you’re looking for a new hat, be sure to stop by McHavelock’s Wizarding Headgear.
Maestro’s Music Shoppe has everything you need for the musically inclined. From trombones to sheet music to guitar lessons, Maestro’s has it all.
Be sure to stop by Ollivander’s new location in Hogsmeade for the chance to let a wand choose you. The staff is very helpful and friendly.
A great way to waste an afternoon is browsing all of the wonderful confections of Honeyduke’s. Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott’s Beans of Every Flavor and Cauldron Cakes are just a few of the treats awaiting you.
More delicious, sugary treats from Honeyduke’s.
Stop by the Owl Post to send your letter home and get a special cancellation stamp.
You can send anything and everything from The Owl Post. A full range of postal options is available day and night.
The Owlry provides some much needed shade for the hard working birds of the Owl Post. Be careful where you sit.
Even in the heat of Summer, Hogsmeade maintains a fresh blanket of snow.

by janoseagle

Art on the Street

This little robot dude was standing outside a building near the Landungsbrucken in Hamburg.
“Out of Control” Building near the Fischmarkt
This very cool graffiti was in a parking lot of a Seafood Restaurant near the harbor.

The most unusual thing I saw was in the window of the White Trash Contemporary Art Gallery. I’m not sure how the monkey got a hold of the Pope’s duds but his bubble machine was broken.
by janoseagle

The Magical Reeperbahn

I didn’t discover the Reeperbahn until a day or two before we were scheduled to sail out of Hamburg. The Reeperbahn is a street in the St. Pauli district and is lined with Casinos, theatres, bars, discos and even sex clubs. The Beatles played several clubs in the Reeperbahn during their climb to fame.

Police Station No. 15 is better as Davidwache. The building has been used as locations in German film and tv shows and Paul McCartney and Pete Best were held here on suspicion of Arson in 1960, when they set a condom on fire in a Reeperbahn club.

by janoseagle

Christmas in July (in Germany)

Being in Germany around the holidays was alot of fun. There were several Weinachtsmarkts or Christmas Markets around the city and we hit every one.
Monckebergstrasse was lit with twinkling lights.
On Spitaler Strasse, a giant Weinachtspyramide took centerstage.
At the largest of the city Markets in front of the Rathaus, vendors sold everything from candles and leather sketchbooks to mistletoe.
On a side street, a carousel with some very familiar characters was set up.
A canopy of Christmas lights at the Rathaus Weinachtsmarkt.
Gingerbread Cookies to hang on your Christmas Tree.
Santas in every shape and size
The carousel at Rathaus Markt
The highlight of the Rathaus Weinachtmarkt was the arrival of Santa Claus. Santa rode a motorcycle across a wire while and Angle was suspended underneath in a cloud.
A trio of animated Santas outside St. Petri’s.

by janoseagle

Underneath St. Michelis

St Michaelis also has a vast crypt- the largest in Europe- which contains the mortal remains of a number of illustrious people, including the composer Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. The crypt is dark and the ceiling is low, so watch your step.

by janoseagle

The Michel

A Statue of Martin Luther stands watch outside of St. Micheal’s. Unlike St Petri, St. Michael’s welcomes visitors and offers a stunning view of the city from it’s bell tower.
St. Michael’s victory over the Devil looms over the main entrance. If this statue doesn’t scare you enough to go to church, I don’t know what will.
If you take the stairs to the bell tower (Instead of the elevator) you get a great view of this work of art from behind.
A massive pipe organ dominates the main Church.
The main Altar
I would suggest you take the elevator UP and the stairs DOWN and not the other way around, it was one long climb.
From the Observation Deck there is another climb even higher. The view was worth the trip.
Looking out towards the ship yard and river.
The view towards the Old City. The Rathaus is the spire on the far left, next is St. Petri’s, St. James and St. Nikolia’s.
by janoseagle

St. Petri’s in Monckbergstrasse

The Church of St. Peter’s in Hamburg dates back as far as 1195. Napoleon used the Church as horse stable. It survived WW I mostly intact. The bronze lion-head door handles, the oldest work of art of Hamburg, date from the foundation of the tower in 1342. Don’t try to go inside, unless you’re there for Mass, they have a sign telling sightseers to go to another church, St. Michael’s, if they only want to look around.
by janoseagle

The Under Water Bridge

I found a short cut from the shipyard where we were staying to the city of Hamburg. Would you believe there is a bridge that travels underwater ? The old Elbe tunnel, opened in 1911, is one of the oldest still operating tunnels in Europe.
The tunnel features two 20 ft diameter tunnels 80 ft underground, the tunnels have matching elevators on both ends. The four elevators on either side are capable of carrying two cars at a time. From street level you can climb the stairs down to the tunnels or ride the elevator.
Unlike most urban structures, the tunnel remains clean and bright (or at least bright for being 80′ under water. Terra Cotta tiles depicting sea creatures, garbage and rats (all things you may find in the tunnels). If you’d like to spend private time in the tunnels, you can even rent the tunnel out for private events.
by janoseagle