Staring at the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, Denmark - 16 August 2007

From 16 till 21 August 2007 I went to Copenhagen in Denmark. The weather was cold, but I had plenty of sun already this year.

I went there to visit some friends. Of course I did a bit of wandering around. Not much though.

To see where this photo was taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

In front of the Little Mermaid

This statue of the Little Mermaid sits on a rock in the Copenhagen harbour in Churchill Park. This small and unimposing statue is a symbol of Copenhagen, and a major tourist attraction.

The statue was commissioned in 1909 by Carl Jacobsen, son of the founder of Carlsberg, after he had been fascinated by a ballet about the fairytale. The sculptor Edward Eriksen created the statue, which was unveiled on 23 August 1913. He used his wife Eline Eriksen as the model.

And of course I, Youssouf, had to have my picture taken with this small but beautiful landmark. Here I am, with the statue in the back.

Looking at the Little Mermaid

I had to stare at her for minutes. I did not really get her attention.

Visiting the pope - Vatican City, Rome, Italy - 10 August 2007

The second day of my Rome trip, I went to the Vatican. It seemed the pope was not home, or not giving audience to sheep somehow. I know I'm not a Agnus Dei, just a normal Agnus. So it was obvious I could not see him.

But I saw the Saint Peter's Square, the Saint Peter Basilica, the Vatican Museums, the tombs. And lone lines of people standing in the hot sun waiting to enter the basilica, museums, crypts. Well. Very crowded.
But also very beautiful and impressive. I would not want to miss this!

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Youssouf with a replica of a sheep statue in a shop of the Vatican Museums

I loved the Vatican museum, well actually museums. There are just short of a dozen of museums out there. Actually a bit too much to see. Hundreds of statues, fresco's, religious artefacts.. It's not easy to have full attention for all of them. Of course the Sistine Chapel was amazing.

A copper sculpture at the Cortille del Pigna (part of the Vatican Museums)

No Youssouf on this photo. I think I'm on a photo with a sculpture from the same artist in Milan. Have a look at that photo.

Overview of the Saint Peter's Square from the steps of Saint Peter's Basilica

I did not see the pope. But I had the most lovely sunny weather looking out over the square where all the people can sit on Sundays. The Saint Peter's Basilica is beautiful.

For more info see Saint Peter's Square on Wikipedia.

Monument of Victor Emmanuel II & Trevi Fountain - Rome, Italy - 9 August 2006

After some really ancient Roman sights, I headed for just as impressive, but more modern spots. There's too much to see in Rome. I just love it!

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.


Youssouf at the National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II

The Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II) or Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) or "Il Vittoriano" is a monument to honour Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy. It is located in Rome, Italy. It occupies a site between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill. The monument was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1895. It was inaugurated in 1911 and completed in 1925.
See for more info Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II at Wikipedia.

At the Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain. One of the most famous - and most elaborately carved - fountains in the world. I did not toss a coin in the fountain. I did that before in 2004 and this was my return to Rome already! The legend says: toss a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain and you'll see Rome again.

For more info see Trevi Fountain at Wikipedia.

Ancient Rome, Italy - 9 August 2006

I stayed almost 3 weeks on Elba, so there was plenty of time for another excursion. Two days Rome!

I have been to Rome in December 2004.

The coin in the Trevi fountain worked! I was back. This time for a bigger tour.

To see where this photo was taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

In front of the Collosseum

Who doesn't know the Collosseum? One of the new seven world wonders. And Youssouf was there.

For more info see The Collosseum on Wikipedia.

Inside the Collosseum looking at the tiers

The inside of the Collosseum. Mighty impressive!

Inside the Collosseum, looking at the arena and hypogeum - Rome, Italy - 9 August 2006.

The arena itself was 83 metres by 48 metres (272 ft by 157 ft / 280 by 163 Roman feet).[2] It comprised a wooden floor covered by sand (the Latin word for sand is harena or arena), covering an elaborate underground structure called the hypogeum (literally meaning "underground"). Little now remains of the original arena floor, but the hypogeum is still clearly visible. It consisted of a two-level subterranean network of tunnels and cages beneath the arena where gladiators and animals were held before contests began. Eighty vertical shafts provided instant access to the arena for caged animals and scenery pieces concealed underneath; larger hinged platforms, called hegmata, provided access for elephants and the like. It was restructured on numerous occasions; at least twelve different phases of construction can be seen.
For more info see The Collosseum on Wikipedia.

Looking out over the Roman Forum (Forum Romanum)

I did not see ancient Romans somehow. But their Forum was still there. Covered with old buildings, ruins and temples.

For more info see Roman Forum on Wikipedia.

Going medieval in Florence (Italy) - 4 August 2006

The 1st till the 16th of August 2006 I went to the island of Elba, Italy. The island is reknown for the period that Napoleon Bonaparte lived there in exile. I made a one day trip to Florence and a two day trip to Rome. Unfortunately I did not take any pictures of me on Elba itself.

The daytrip to Florence was really excellent. So many renaissance buildings, really too much to see. Awesome!

To see where this photo was taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

View of Florence from the hill

On the other side of the river you can have an excellent view of the medieval Florence.

Michelangelo's statue David, in front of Palazzo Vecchio

At the Piazza della Signoria is a replica of Michelangelo's famous colossal statue David. It's right in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. An excellent masterpiece of Renaissance art.

Duomo of Florence; The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the cathedral church (Duomo) of Florence, Italy. The basilica is notable for its dome designed by Brunelleschi its exterior facing of polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white.

Chilling at Tenerife, Canary Islands - 17 September 2005

From 14 till 17 September 2005 I went for a short trip to Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. They are vulcanic islands off the African coast of Morocco. Great sunny weather. I did not see much of the island, since I was only relaxing a bit.

To see where this photo was taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Here I am, just climbing up a bush for the fun of it. You do strange things after 4 days of relaxing and partying on Tenerife.

Going back home, at the airport in Houston, USA - 19 April 2007

After almost three weeks in Belize, Honduras and Guatemala I flew back from Guatemala City to Houston and from Houston (USA) on to Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and then by train back home. Here you see me in the underground inter-terminal passenger train, going to my departure terminal at George Bush International Airport in Houston.


To see where this photo was taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

In the inter-terminal passenger train at George Bush Intercontinental Airport

At the window of the inter-terminal passenger train at George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Boat trip around Lago de Atítlan, Guatemala - 16 April 2007

After visiting Chichicastenango for it's Maya market on Sunday, the previous day, I continued my trip to Panajachel at the shores of Lago de Atítlan. Lago de Atítlan is a large lake in a volcanic crater, surrounded by three volcano's. Especially in the morning the view is beautiful. Tranquil blue water, blue skies and the volcano's as a gentle shadow at the horizons. On Monday I rented a boat for a trip around Lago de Atítlan. I went from Panajachel to Santiago Atítlan, where I met Maya god Maximón. Then on to San Antonio Palopo for looking at how the coulourful cloths the Maya's are wearing traditionally are made. And on to Santa Catarina Palopo for just a bit of looking around. It's a different world out there!

To see where this photo was taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Map of the boat trip around Lago de Atítlan

Legend:
Red = travel by bus
Green = travel by boat
Pink = travel by plane
Yellow = Daytrip / excursion (by bus or car)
Yellow with green dotting = Daytrip / excursion by boat

Sailing towards Santiago Atítlan 1

Here I am sitting in the boat.

Sailing towards Santiago Atítlan 2

You can see one volcano in the background.

At a loom for weaving Maya fabrics in San Antonio Palopo

In San Antonio Palopo I went with a lady to her house. Of course she wore the traditional selfmade colourful clothes. She showed me around in her little house, showing the loom she uses for weaving and all the fabrics she made. It was great to see all of that! I love those colours. Each little town around Lago de Atítlan has its own pattern of fabrics.

Kissed by a beautiful model at a wedding - Antigua, Guatemala - 14 April 2007

Sometimes I just get lucky.

Kissed by a beautiful model - Youssouf at a wedding - Antigua, Guatemala - 14 April 2007.

I was invited to attend a wedding in Antigua. At the end of the party, after some severe dancing, I ran into this girl. This pretty girl turned out to be a Guatemalan model. And she kissed me! I'm still blushing my horns off when I think of it...

To see where this photo was taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Lava at the Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala - 13 April 2007

The trip continued.. A lot of lava to see and feel. Imagine the heat when you're really close. Or when you just missed one sip of breath when your lungs are filled with volcanic gasses.

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Vulcanic rocks 1

This was where the lava flow stopped. The grass still present. The rocks are solid and cold now.

Vulcanic rocks 2

This was where the lava flow stopped. The grass still present. The rocks are solid and cold now.

Lava up close

We were walking up the volcano to the lava flows. You think the volcanic rock you are walking on is safe and cold.. But suddenly at 5 meters, some dust and rock slid down and you could see the hot melted rock glowing under it. This photo has been taken at 3 meters (10 feet) from the glowing lava.

Lava up ahead- Youssouf at the Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala - 13 April 2007.

You can see the lava coming down up ahead. But right next to me, on the right, there is a ditch with flowing lava as well.. Awesome!

A ditch of lava - Youssouf at the Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala - 13 April 2007.

This is as close as you can get. I felt like being toasted on a barbeque. The distance was 4 or 5 meters (14 feet) and it was hot.. Luckily my fleece did not get scorched, I did smell some burning rubber from the hot rocks below our feet. It wasn't me. You can't see it, but this lava is still moving and very much alive.

In Antigua and at the Volcano Pacaya, Guatemala - 13 April 2007

April 12th I took the long bus trip from Copán in Honduras to Antigua in Guatemala. Quite a different climate and culture. Antigua is a colonial city and looks more like the colonial buildings in Madrid than to the rest of Guatemala. Lovely town and not as hot as Copán (moderate temperature).

After a nice and well deserved breakfast, I went for a daytrip up the Volcano Pacaya. It's still active and there's still lava coming out. This is one of the most thrilling experiences you can have. You can almost feel the fibers in your fleece starting to melt. The landscape is filled with fractal shaped black rock. Almost a moon landscape. The sight (and feel) of the glowing lava is something to never forget.

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Breakfast at Fernando's Kaffee

The previous day I had a long bus journey from Copán in Honduras to Antigua in Guatemala. So I thought I deserved a nice breakfast. Fernando's Kaffee in Antigua is a great place for breakfast. Good atmosphere and excellent liquados (fruit shakes). Don't forget to take the panqueques con Nutella, chocolate & banana pancakes!

Map of the daytrip from Antigua to the volcano Pacaya

Legend:
Red = travel by bus
Green = travel by boat
Pink = travel by plane
Yellow = Daytrip / excursion (by bus or car)
Yellow with green dotting = Daytrip / excursion by boat

Sitting at some volcanic rock

After climbing the Volcano Pacaya for an hour or 2, we encountered the first parts of the where the volcanic rock had flown. Almost fractally sharp, black rock. Strange stuff. Look at the structure of the rock.

Lava coming down the volcano

This was the first peak we had at the top of the vulcano. You could see the smoke coming out and the hot lava coming down. An out of this world sight!

The Copán Museum, Honduras - 11 April 2007 Maya site Copán, Honduras - 11 April 2007

Next to the archeological site of Copán is the Copán Museum. It contains all the delicate stellae and sculptures. As well as some reconstructed walls, buildings and even a complete temple replica in full colour! Those Maya's knew how to carve stone. It's beautiful.
To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Completing the 3 carved stone skulls

Three carved stone skulss were at display. One was obviously missing, so I though I'd complete the set.

With a replica of an ancient Maya temple

Excellent replica of an ancient Maya temple. The original is still out there, covered by a newer Maya temple. Awesome to see!

At the Copán Maya site, Honduras 2 - 11 April 2007

So the trip to the Maya ruins at Copán continued. Too much to see. An very interesting culture. And in Copán it ended precisely after 18 kings. The 18th king made a sculpture depicting all 18 kings on the sides of a square stone. The last king meets the first king in the middle. This also meant that the 18th king new his empire would end there. He left to another Maya kingdom. The short version: they collapsed under their own success. Copán was surrounded by fertile ground, ideal for agriculture. As the city expanded, more agricultural land was claimed for the city. This resulted in the end that the population was not able to sustain themselves. They could not produce enough food. That's where the decay and diseases began...
Anyways. It's a great place to visit!

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

With the Two headed flying snake sculpture

A cuddly sheep travelling is one thing.. A two headed flying snake with feathery wings is another. The Maya's at Copán had those. And made a sculpture out of it. In fact, it 's one of their most important gods.

The hieroglypic stairway

We write books on paper (or just on the pc). The Maya's at Copán have written one in stone. The complete stairway is covered in hieroglyphs and tell the history of the Maya's. Unbelievable!

View at a court

On top of one of the bigger temples you have an excellent view of the several courts, their temples, buildings, statues and the magnificent trees.

Another court

I picked a higher point of view and sat on someones cap. The shade is nice, since it's very hot out there.

At the Copán Maya site, Honduras - 11 April 2007

April 10th I took the chickenbus from Rio Dulce to Copán. A long journey of over 7 hours... See the map below for the route. The goal: Copán. Confusingly the town near the ancient Maya site of Copán is called Copán Ruínas and the site itself only Copán.

April the 11th I visited the ruins of Copán. Really excellent. And hot. So many temples, stellae, statues, carved hieroglyphs. The Maya's did know how to build. No sheep depicted in the stones somehow.

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

The map of the travel from Rio Dulce (Guatemala) to Copán (Honduras)

Legend:
Red = travel by bus
Green = travel by boat
Pink = travel by plane
Yellow = Daytrip / excursion (by bus or car)
Yellow with green dotting = Daytrip / excursion by boat

With a macaw at the entrance

At the entrance of the ruins, there were some beautiful macaws sitting at the fence. They were a bit scared to be near me. I guess they've never seen a cuddly sheep before...
The Dutch call a macaw 'ara'.

With some stone monkeys

Too much to see out there at this archeological site. Hieroglyphs, sculptures, temples. These stone monkey faces were put on a temple.

At a court and temple

Copán consists of several courts, with lots of temples. This is one of those temples.

Visiting the town of Rio Dulce - Guatemala - 9 April 2007

9 April I went - in between the relaxing - from the hotel by boat to the small town of Rio Dulce. Not very much to see out there. Nevertheless, they have a big and high bridge which gives you an excellent overview of the Rio Dulce river itself and the landscape!

I must admit, it's a bit scary standing on the edge of the bridge for a photo.
To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Local transport: travel by pocket

Sometimes it's comfortable and cheap to travel by pocket, as you can see. It's fun and comfortable.

River view from the bridge

From the top of the bridge you can oversee the town Rio Dulce and the river Rio Dulce very good. Excellent view there!

View from the bridge at Backpackers Hotel

Relaxing at the Catamaran Island Hotel - Rio Dulce, Guatemala - 9 April 2007

Holidays is not just about seeing all the sights. It's also about relaxing. And that was what I was doing for a day. Near the pool, at the bar. Came to rest at the Catamaran Island hotel!

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

At the pool

Relaxing at the pool of Catamaran Island Hotel in Rio Dulce.

Sitting at the bar 1

Relaxing at the Catamaran Island Hotel in Rio Dulce. Sitting at the bar and having a drink.

Sitting at the bar 2

Sitting at the bar 3

Sitting at the bar 4

Nightly encounter with a local cane toad

At night I was walking at the grass near the pool of the Catamaran Island Hotel and encountered a local cane toad. Nice fellow, a bit scared though. And he was not as puffy as most of his relatives.