Spring Flowers

Spring Flowers
For Sale

Thursday, November 05, 2009

My Town Friday shoot-out - Skylines

 

Is it really Friday again? Is it really November of 2009? Time is no longer real for me, the days, weeks, months just seem to flow one into the other….
Back to Skylines – this has always been a favorite photo topic for me. Chimneys and rooftops and church steeples fill my travel folders. Do you really want Rio or Nova Friburgo, because I can show you Italy, or Norway or a Monastery in France instead?
DSC03234 DSC01058 3 Mont Saint Michel (18)


But I will stick to my task and see what I have for Rio de Janeiro that can help you see, to understand this city. Looking out from the barrio of Santa Teresa, above the central area of downtown Rio, lets you see the mixture of buildings left from the 1800s that is the historic Lapa, surrounded by the (unimaginative) high-rise offices that were build mainly in the 1970s.


DSC_9941 DSC00683


Standing on the same high hill and taking a 180 degree turn and you can look out the barrios of Gloria and Flamengo that are separated from Santa Teresa by a favela. The favela has a look of Blight that it is to the city, doesn’t it?

DSC00895ii_thumb%255B4%255D
But if you focus your eyes (and camera) up, away from this most unpleasant sight you find beautiful church steeples, and colors of the sea and mountains that surround Rio and they take your breath away.

22 comments:

  1. Wowowowow..what amazing shots!! I loved every single one!! Your shots are always wonderful..but I think some of these are my favorites!! Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love cities like this, the skyline tells you just how rich the history is!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, I think you do right by posting your photos of Rio and its gorgeous skylines. That's a classic view out to the bay. And the favelas, well they're part of the cityscape and it's pretty interesting to see them from afar: they're huge.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow Ginger, those first three photos are amazing. I also like the church steeple at the bottom. Very pretty building.

    I'm glad you are voicing some of your disdain of the city. I don't always like my city either.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ginger, I miss chatting with you. Very good post! Rio beaches are beautiful Your photography is always top shelf.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Brava, Ginger!
    Wonderful post!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What amazing sights, love every one of them!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yes...you are are the skyline empress...I want to go.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Now this is a skyline! Nothing luke my flat low land =)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very pretty, and you found the perfect perch for taking photos. I just love that first shot. It seems so inviting somehow.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ginger,
    I do love to visit your site. You have such breathtaking photos of all the places you visit. Looking up to the skylines and mountains is most inspiring, that's so true. The church steeple you captured is stunning!
    Thanks for the great pictures.

    Best Wishes, Barry and Linda

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lovely shots of Rio Ginger.
    Certainly a city of contrasts.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dear Ginger,

    Great photos!
    I always thought if someone would paint all the favela houses white, it would look just like Greece!
    Have you thought about that? Do you agree?
    I think it would be charming and it would be a great tourist attraction for Rio...




    Ray

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yes, your skylines truly do take the breath away. Magnificent!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Adult $28.00

    Child (5-14 years) $11.00

    Under 5 Free
    Senior Citizens / Backpackers / Students (with valid ID) $18.00

    Hi GingerV,

    When you come to Auckland, we will dress as a pair of back pckers and get into the Sky tower at a discounted rate.

    I have only been once, my husband wanted to make his $28 worth the while and lingered on and on to view a radius of 80 kilometers.

    The boats, that was taken during our Waitangi day or national day. It was a re-enactment of the arrival of the white governor to the Orakei bay. It was a great day, I was glad I was there.

    I have two new braizlian students in my ESOL school. I don't teach them, but during morning tea, I talk with them. They are here on a working hoiday.

    Your photos are great. Some of the buildings are old and have lots of character.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow, Ginger - these are so nice...what busy-ness there must be in each one of these.

    ReplyDelete
  17. amazing! love the old buildings and architecture. have a great weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ohh and Ginger you have an award today on my blog. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  19. What beautoful photos of a beautiful city!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. With these set of skyline photos, I am so eager to know more about your place in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro will be the next olympic host. Yahooo. I love the header very much. I wish I was there.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow - I am jealous of the choices of cities you have for skylines! Gorgeous shots.

    ReplyDelete