Herat Citadel and Blue Mosque Morning Walk Tour

Budget Solo Week-end Trip in Winter Afghanistan

December 20 to 21, 2019

Kabul City Self-guided Road Trip

Day 2: December 21, 2019 Saturday
0600H wake-up / breakfast
0630H Herat morning walk tour; Herat Citadel 500 / Blue Mosque
1000H ETD Herat Town; taxi to airport 300
1045H ETA Herat Airport
1210H ETD Herat; flight FG252
1320H ETA Kabul; 3hr transit; fridget magnet & snacks 570
1605H ETD Kabul (UTC +0430H); flight EK641
1835H ETA Dubai (UTC +0400H) Terminal 3
Subtotal: 1,370 AFN

Herat Citadel and Blue Mosque Morning Walk Tour (Blue Mosque)

Ethiopia last day; Inside the Gondar Castles

Ethiopia (Lalibella, Simien Mountain and Gondar) week-end adventure
November 16 to 18, 2018

Ethiopia 2nd day; Hiking in the Road to Simien Mountain

Day 3: November 18, 2018 Sunday

0630H ETD Hostel; walk to Simien Mountains road to entrance; photo-ops

tuktuk hitch-hike 10; back to Hostel

1000H ETD Hostel; walk to van terminal

1030H ETD Debark; van to Gondar 100

1230H ETA Gondar Castle 200

1330H ETD Gondar; tuktuk to airport 100

1400H ETA Gondar Airport; lunch 117

1700H ETD Gondar; flight ET 115

1800H ETA Addis Ababa; 3.5hr transit

2145H ETD Addis Ababa; flight ET 600

0255H ETA Dubai; Taxi Pool to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station 60 AED
Total: 527 Birr

Ethiopia last day; Inside the Gondar Castles

The Viewing Deck Collections; Medieval Europe Castles

A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe during the Middle Ages by nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble. This is distinct from a palace, which is not fortified; from a fortress, which was not always a residence for nobility; and from a fortified settlement, which was a public defense – though there are many similarities among these types of construction. Over the approximately 900 years that castles were built, they took on a great many forms with many different features, although some, such as curtain walls and arrowslits, were commonplace.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle

The Viewing Deck Collections; Medieval Europe Castles

The Viewing Deck Collections; Imperial Japanese Castles

Japanese castles (Shiro) were fortresses constructed primarily of wood and stone. They evolved from the wooden stockades of earlier centuries, and came into their best-known form in the 16th century. Castles in Japan were built to guard important or strategic sites, such as ports, river crossings, or crossroads, and almost always incorporated the landscape into their defense.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_castle

The Viewing Deck Collections; Imperial Japanese Castles

Nagoya Tour 2nd part; Afternoon at Nagoya Castle

6-days Revisiting Summer Japan for Mt. Fuji (3,776masl) Solo Trek
August 07-13, 2014

Nagoya Tour 1st Part; morning at Nagashima Spa Land

How to go to Nagoya Castle;
From Nagoya station, ride a train bound to Shiyakusho Station @ 230JPY($2.32) fare. Admission fee is 500JPY($5.05). Photography and video taking with monopod is permitted inside.Tripod is prohibited specially inside the caste building.

Nagoya Castle, one of the most representative Japanese castle structures of the early modern period, was constructed by leyasu Tokugawa (1542-1616), founder of the powerful Edo Shogunate. Following the construction of Edo Castle and Sumpu Castle, the Shogun ordered the construction of Nagoya Castle, actually the last to be built during his reign. The construction of Nagoya Castle began in 1610.  The operation was carried out as a national level project to build a great castle that would symbolize the power and authority of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The five-storied Great Tenshu, the Castle's donjon, crowned with a pair of glittering golden dolhpin-like "shachi", was especially famous as the largest wooden castle structure in Japan.

Nagoya Castle's Hommaru Palace was constructed by Tokugawa leyasu in 1615 to be used as the residence and government offices of the first lord of Owari Province. Both the palace and the main castle tower were designated as national treasures in 1930, and it was well-known example of masterpiece architecture. The palace is a single-storied structure with over 30 rooms and a total of 3,100sqm.

Nagoya Tour 2nd Part; afternoon at Nagoya Castle

England Royal Landmarks last part; Oxford Castle

6-days England Summer Solo Travel (United Kingdom)

June 27 to July 03, 2014

England Royal landmarks 3rd part; Warwick Castle

How to go to Oxford Castle;
I visited Oxford in connection with my trip to Warwick Castle. Oxford is almost an hour South Western train travel from Warwick. Tourist spots here are all NOT included in London Pass. Photography and video taking is permitted inside.

Oxford Castle is a large, partly ruined Norman medieval castle on the western side of central Oxford in Oxfordshire, England. Most of the original moated, wooden motte and bailey castle was replaced in stone in the 11th century and played an important role in the conflict of the Anarchy. In the 14th century the military value of the castle diminished and the site became used primarily for county administration and as a prison. Most of the castle was destroyed in the English Civil War and by the 18th century the remaining buildings had become Oxford's local prison. The prison closed in 1996 and was redeveloped as a hotel. The medieval remains of the castle, including the motte and St George's Tower and crypt, are Grade I listed buildings and a Scheduled Monument.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_Castle 

England Royal landmarks; Oxford Castle ruins

England Royal Landmarks 3rd part; Warwick Castle

6-days England Summer Solo Travel (United Kingdom)

June 27 to July 03, 2014

England's finest last part; a short visit to Bath City

How to go to Warwick Castle;
Warwick Castle is around 800m away from Warwick station of and almost 2 hours South Western train travel from Marylebone Underground Station of Bakerloo line Zone 1. Entrance fee is not included in London Pass. Photography and video taking is permitted inside.

Warwickshire's country town world famous for its magnificent castle and historic charm. There are many attractions to visit, beautiful parks, gardens and buildings of outstanding quality from every period of the last 1,100 years. Immerse yourself in 1,100 years of electrifying history at Britain's Ultimate, the Warwick Castle. Home of the world's largest medieval siege machine - the mighty Trebuchet, along with the dramatic towers and ramparts. birds of prey and "capability" Brown landscaped grounds and gardens. The Castle Dungeon, Kingmaker, Secrets and Scandals, the Great Hall and State Rooms, Princess Tower and Merlin the Dragon Tower attractions all vividly bring history to life.

England Royal landmarks; Warwick Castle

England Royal Landmarks 2nd part; Windsor Castle

6-days England Summer Solo Travel (United Kingdom)

June 27 to July 03, 2014

England Royal landmarks 1st part; Hampton Court Palace

How to go to Windsor Castle;
Windsor Castle is 300m away from exit of Windsor & Eton Central station of First Great Western trains outside of London. Train travel is around 45 minutes from Paddington Underground Station of Hammersmith & city, District, Circle and Bakerloo lines zone 1. All you need to do is board the train to Slough at Paddington, showing the onboard conductor your travelcard and then board the train to Windsor at Slough, showing the valid, signed and dated ready to travel London Pass. Penalty applies if you travel without being in possession of a signed London Pass and a valid Zone 1-6 travelcard. Entrance fee is included in London Pass. Photography and video taking is NOT permitted inside.

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and an official residence of Her Majesty The Queen. The magnificent State Apartments are lavishly furnished with treasures from the Royal collection. St. George's Chapel is of the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings in England. It is where Henry VIII is buried. A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the Castle remains a working palace today. The Queen uses the Castle both as a private home, where she usually spends the weekend, and as a Royal residence at which she undertakes certain formal duties. When The Queen is in official residence, Changing the Guard provides a colourful spectacle in the quadrangle. Windsor Castle is also a busy visitor attraction. Many parts of the Castle are open to the public, including the precincts, the State Apartments, Queen Mary's famous dolls' house, St George's Chapel, and the Albert Memorial Chapel. 

England Royal landmarks; majestic Windsor Castle

Osaka Day Trip 1st part: the Castle

7-days wandering solo in summer Japan
May 28 - June 04, 2013 Tuesday to Tuesday

Nara afternoon solo tour 

1st part of my Osaka tour, last day-trip in Japan. I navigated first the Universal Studios themepark in Universal Studios City JR station to leave my backpack on nearest locker area then proceed to Osakajokuen (osaka city hall) JR station for the castle.

With 1,250 Japanese plum trees and 4,500 cherry trees, Osaka Castle Park is famous spot for spring flower viewing festivities. The Osaka Castle Chrysanthemum Festival is held in the autumn. The illuminated castle tower, shining golden at night, is a must see sight.

How to go to Osaka Castle:

Using Osaka JR loop line, alight to Osakajokuen JR station. Then, walk around 1km away to the entrance. Operating hours is from 0900H to 1700H with entrance fee of 600yen and free for 15yrs old and below. Group discount available for minimum 15 visitors.
 

Osaka Castle