June 16, 2024
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg Concert Hall "the Elphi"
The new glassy construction resembles a hoisted sail, water wave, iceberg or quartz crystal resting on top of an old brick warehouse on a peninsula in the Elbe River. The City of Hamburg wanted a statement building, similar in concept to the Sydney Opera House. It opened in 2017, at a cost of 866 million euro, by the Swiss architect firm of Herzog & de Meuron. There are over 1000 curved glass window panels. The building has 26 floors with the first 8 within the brick façade. A curved escalator rises from the ground floor to the top of the brick floors, to a Plaza observation deck, open to the public. These escalators are the longest in Germany. The Plaza offers great views of the Elbe and Hamburg. The Westin hotel leases space in the eastern half of the new glass structure for 244 rooms and there are 3 concert halls in the west half, along with 45 luxury apartments, conference space and a spa. There is a parking for 433 within the brick building below. You cued to get tickets to ride up escalator, but they were free and line moved quickly.
WOW!! I can't believe it has been two years of sailing around the World already for me and my fellow shipmates on the Villa Vie Odyssey! We left Belfast, Ireland back on September 30, 2024 and it has been such a great adventure to date! We have been to 201 different ports, some more than once, during those two years, with much more to come!
Before coming to Cambodia , I sadly have to admit I was unaware of the landmine problems they face. On our first night in Siem Reap, where we hiked up the hill to try and see the sunset views, there was a small band of men playing instruments and our tuk tuk driver explained to me they were victims of landmine explosions who had lost limbs or their sight and were trying to make money via donations to support their families.
I rallied for our last temple of the morning, because I heard this one was unique and I think it was my favorite. Ta Prohm was built starting in 1186 by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and university dedicated to the king's mother. It was left mostly un-restored so that huge banyan and silk cotton trees grow directly over and through the walls. In 2001, the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie was filmed here.