The Sound of Music through the lens

Who doesn’t remember it? Fifty years after one of the most famous musicals of all time hit the stage, Asif Jiffry takes a photographic journey to Salzburg, where it all happened

How do you solve a problem like The Sound of Music? The film that was to become one of the most successful productions in movie history was first screened in 1965. This year celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Broadway premiere, The Sound of Music remains as popular as ever. Following the enormous success of the stage musical “The Sound of Music” -written and composed by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein - the work was performed on Broadway almost 1500 times. It won six Tony awards and sold more than three million records.Robert Wise produced and directed the film version that starred the fresh-faced golden-voiced Julie Andrews as Maria and Christopher Plummer as the handsome, unbending Captain Von Trapp, surrounded by a truly enchanting cast of children. Nonnberg Abbey:Where the original Maria came from and where some of the film’s most memorable scenes are set The film was nominated for 10 Oscars and went on to win five- for Best Film, Best Director, Best Sound Recording, Best Script and Best Musical Adaptation. For Julie Andrews, who took the lead role, the film heralded the start of an incomparable international film career. She once said in an interview that she considered it an honour to have been involved in a film which had brought so much happiness to so many people. Yes indeed. Generations have grown up delighting to the music and singing the songs ‘Climb Every Mountain’, ‘My Favourite Things’, Do-Re-Mi’, ‘How Do You Solve A problem Like Maria’, ‘Edelweiss’ and more. I was a kid when I caught ‘The Sound of Music’ fever. As a child growing up in tropical South Asia, watching Julie Andrews dancing up the mountain slopes with the Von Trapp children, with castles and lakes as the backdrop, I had no inkling if that was for real. This summer it couldn’t have been more real as we travelled through East Germany, Zurich and finally to Austria and Salzburg, where it all took place in the beautiful city on the northern end of the Alps, with castles and cathedrals poised on hilltops, surrounded by the majestic mountains. Salzburg is small enough to walk your way around yet big enough to get lost in its labyrinth-like alleys. There will only be two reasons why you would stop at Salzburg. Either you love Mozart or you’re a die-hard fan of The Sound of Music My first stop in Salzburg is Mirabell garden, located between the train station and the city centre. Built in the 18th century, this is the garden where Maria Von Trapp and the children of the Von Trapp family dance around the fountain, singing ‘Do Re Mi’. Next to the garden is the Mirabell castle which today houses the office of Salzburg’s Bürgermeister (Mayor) and the Municipal administration. This is without a doubt a must visit place whether you love The Sound of Music or not. There are awesome views of the city and the fortress from here. The Fortress: Seen in the early part of the film Mondsee Cathedral: Where Maria marries Captain Von Trapp On the way to the city centre, you will pass by MozartSteg bridge. It is located near the Mozartplatz and you can’t miss it. In the film, you can see this bridge when the Von Trapp children go out for the first time to town. My next “Sound of Music” location is Nonnberg Abbey, the oldest convent in the north of Alps (since 715 A.D). It is from here that the real Maria Von Trapp came to the family to be the children’s governess. The abbey can be reached by climbing a mountain and can be seen early on in the movie (when the nuns sing the Maria song ‘How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria), when the kids come to the abbey to ask for Maria von Trapp and at the end of the film (the car chase scene). The next must-visit “Sound of Music” location is a little bit out of town (25 minutes from the town by bus). Hellbrunn Palace used to be the summer residence for the Archbishops of Salzburg. The main attraction, apart from its “magical fountain”, is Hellbrunn gazebo! The gazebo was built by the film crew and it is here that Liesl sang the famous ‘I Am Sixteen Going On 17’. Then there’s Leopoldskron Castle where the family lives, where they drink lemonade with the Baroness on the terrace, where Maria dances with the Captain in the balcony, where the children fall into the lake… a fantastic place to visit given its setting with the tranquil lake and lawns. If you are a fan of the film, you will definitely enjoy your visit to Salzburg. As you walk around the city centre, you will recognize some of the places from the film and revive your Sound of Music experience. And even if you’ve never watched the film, you can still enjoy the beautiful architecture of this Austrian

From Brothers Grimm to Disney

Photographer Asif Jiffry takes the Romantic Road in Bavaria

The Romantic Road is one of the most popular attractions of Bavaria. From the Main River and Wurzburg down to Fussen you will find a series of gorgeous towns and villages with castles, churches and landscapes like in a fairy-tale of the Grimm Brothers. On more than 350 km the Romantic Road opens up the richness of the south German culture. Off the highway the traveller can enjoy both silence and a choice of impressions: Episcopal residences, princely courts, proud trading cities, Bavarian palaces, all surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Most famous are Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and Neuschwanstein. Castle on the hill: Neuschwanstein Bavarian mountains Serene landscape: Boats on the lake Neuschwanstein is a German word that means New Swan Stone Palace in English. Built during the 19th century on a hill, the castle was especially made by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Germany due to its scenic beauty and gorgeous surroundings. It is the most photographed building in Germany even though the interiors of the castle cannot be photographed. During the rule of Ludwig, no visitors were allowed in the castle. It was only after his death in 1886 that the castle was opened for all to view. It is amazing to know that till now, 50 million people have visited the castle. More than 1.3 million tourists visit the castle annually. If we calculate the visits per day, more than six thousand tourists come to visit the Neuschwanstein Castle daily. The castle has so much charm that even Hollywood succumbed. In fact, the castle has appeared in several movies and so impressed Walt Disney that he used it as his inspiration for Cinderella’s castle in Disneyland. The Neuschwanstein Castle is a property of Bavaria and Bavaria has spent more than 14.5 million dollars in safeguarding it and on renovation. A visit to the Neuschwanstein Castle is a must if you are taking a tour of Germany. Another must see location is Rothenburg ob der Tauber, considered one the best-preserved medieval towns in Germany which sits on a plateau, above the scenic valley of the Tauber River. The city’s modestly sized Old Town, complete with encircling wall and gated towers, is one of the most popular stops on the Romantic Road. Visitors flock to Rothenburg because of its reputation as an “authentic”, walled medieval town. Historic is, perhaps, the most appropriate description. Rothenburg, which dates from the 12th century, was a noted trade centre and one of the most important towns in Germany during the ascendancy of the Holy Roman Empire. The town is compact and you could see its most interesting attractions in a morning or afternoon, but the real beauty of the city comes out late in the day when the tourists and tour buses have moved on to their next destination and the town almost audibly breathes a sigh of relief. Moving around the town when it is not crowded, which is an impossibility on any summer day, allows you to experience the “real” Rothenburg and imagine what it was like to live here in medieval times. In addition, the numerous houses and lanes crisscrossing Rothenburg add to its ambience. Take some time to wander around the city and its residential neighborhoods, as doing so underscores the uniqueness of the city. My visit to Germany came as a great surprise as it was never on my to-do list for a very long time. If you do visit Germany another great location is Berlin. Art lovers visit the east side gallery( Berlin wall). Asif’s work can be viewed at the Pedlars Inn gallery, Galle Fort or visit www.pedlarsinngallery.com Mountains, lakes and a fairytale castle Disney setting Me and my poodle: A stroll on a sidewalk in Rothenburg Flower windows in Rothenburg

The colours of Istanbul

Photographer Asif Jiffry is bowled over by the grandeur of Turkey’s ancient city

There are so many great cities in the world: London, Paris, Rio, New York, Cairo, Tokyo, to name a few. Add Istanbul to that list. Regardless of whether you are visiting Europe, Asia, or Africa, extend your trip and visit Istanbul. You’ll be glad you did. Istanbul is a fascinating, frenetic city rich in history and culture. I was blown away by the beauty of the mosques, the excellent cuisine, and the friendly people. In deep thought The Blue Mosque Grand bazaar cafes A city where more than 15 million people with various backgrounds, languages, religions and cultures live together in peace, Istanbul connects the continents of Europe and Asia via its many bridges. It is a meeting place where new ideas and concepts from both continents intermingle on a stage provided by the beautiful historic hills of a city decorated with monuments of bygone superpowers. Most importantly, Istanbul represents civilization, peaceful coexistence and beauty. Before going to Istanbul, I had barely given it a thought. Now, a few weeks later, it is often on my mind. That is mainly because it provides what is rarest in travel: an aesthetic and even sensual surprise. Pay attention to the blue tiles and windows of the Blue Mosque that Turks call ''Sultan Ahmet Mosque!" Built between 1609-1616, this impressive six minaret complex has some stunning architecture. Why is it called "Blue Mosque?" There are two stories: the first, more common one is that the interior is covered in blue İznik tiles. The second explanation is that many, many years ago, ancient sailors sailed by the mosque on the Marmara Sea and the blue of the sea would reflect on this beautiful mosque. Oh, the Grand Bazaar! I've never experienced anything quite like it. 10,000 vendors under one enormous roof, endless labyrinthine corridors with barrel-vaulted ceilings, dizzying colours, and aggressive salesmen, each with a different line or gimmick vying for your lira. It's among the most invigorating, frustrating and overwhelming places I've ever experienced. Then there’s Hagia Sophia. Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century by the Emperor Justinian, and was one of the largest basilicas in the world. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted to a mosque and is today one of the most magnificent museums in the world. Take a moment to linger here to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics. Topkapi Palace is the largest and oldest palace in the world, the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire. With its harem, treasury and exotic buildings overlooking the Golden Horn, Topkapi is a truly fascinating experience. Take time too to visit to the underground Cistern. Built in the fourth century, this is one of the underground cisterns that riddle the foundations of the city. Extensively excavated and renovated, it is worth visiting and exploring while listening to the tunes of classical music. Suleymaniye Mosque although less visited by tourists than the Blue Mosque is even grander and more peaceful. One of the finest creations of Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, it was commissioned by Sultan Sulemaniye and has a huge dome and pencil-slim minarets from each corner of the courtyard, an exquisite essay in symmetry and elegance. Built in the 1550s, the site also contains the tombs of Sinan, Sultan Suleyman I and his wife Roxelana decorated with intricate tiles, the original apartments of the mosque astronomer, charitable foundations, caravanserai and fountain, all set around a tranquil courtyard. There are several outdoor tea-houses in a row behind the mosque in what was formerly known as ‘Addict's Alley'. I would rate Istanbul the second best photographic destination next to Italy. View Asif Jiffry’s work at www.pedlarsinngallery.com or visit the gallery at Pedlars' Street Galle fort.

Asifs Travels: Juliet’s Balcony makes Verona the City of Love.

Asifs Travels: Juliet’s Balcony makes Verona the City of Love.: I recently saw the movie “Letters to Juliet“ with Vanessa Redgrave and Amanda Seyfried. Vanessa...

Juliet’s Balcony makes Verona the City of Love.

I recently saw the movie “Letters to Juliet“ with Vanessa Redgrave and Amanda Seyfried. Vanessa’s long lost love Lorenzo in the movie is actually her husband in real life.

The movie was filmed in Juliet’s hometown of Verona. Did you know that you could go to Verona and leave a message under her balcony at the 14th century palace? Look at all the documents under the picture in the post. Her secretaries will respond to your request offering advice about your Romeo. You don’t actually have to go to Verona to leave a letter, you can email the letter seeking romantic advice to her secretaries. The volunteers at the Juliet Club(Club di Giulietta) will answer your letter. On Valentine’s Day you may win a prize. Every Valentine’s Day a prize is awarded for the most beautiful letter. The prize includes a weekend trip to Verona. Juliet’s Club is financed by the city of Verona and was the subject of a book by Lise and Ceil Friedman.
The Capulet’s House (Casa di Giulietta) has a balcony, a courtyard and a bronze statue of Juliet. For good luck, stroke Juliet’s breast on the bronze statue. If you write your name and your loved-ones name on the wall, it is believed that your love will be everlasting.
The historic city of Verona has pastel candy-colored buildings. It was founded in the first century B.C. and is located at the foot of the Monte Lessini on the river. Verona is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an outstanding example of a military stronghold. Verona is the second most important art center in the Venato region outside of Venice.
Verona has developed progressively and uninterruptedly for over 2000 years. The top row of the Roman Amphitheatre offers a panoramic view over the town and on a clear day the Alps are visible. The amphitheatre continues to serve as an opera house. Verona’s arena serves as a venue for an annual Shakespeare Festival. It was completed in 30 AD.
The Giardino Guisti is one of Italy’s most famous gardens and offers a beautiful view from the “monster balcony.” Verona flourished under the 124 year reign of the Scaliger family in the 13th and 14th centuries and as part of the Republic of Venice from the 15th to 18th centuries. Several seminal stages of European history have been preserved in this magical city. Tour the museums to view masterpieces from the medieval and Renaissance periods.
When you go to Verona to send your letter to Juliet, have a seat at a café in the Piazza dei Signore and order a Rosso Veronese, Soave or Valpolicello Classico as you gaze at the imposing statue of Dante. Think about Shakespeare embellishing Romeo and Juliet’s love story in this romantic “City of Love”.
Another of my favourite places in Verona is Castelvecchio. This is part castle, partart museum and like so much of the town is steeped in history. Kids of all ages will love climbing the castle walls, making this the ideal place for families getting wanting a break from too much antiquity. On the other hand, the Castelvecchio museum has an interesting collection of sculptures and other exhibits from pre-Roman times to the Renaissance.

I have fond memories of the Piazza delle Erbe, the central square in the town, as it had remained picturesque and a great place to stroll and explore. The square has been the main meeting place since it was the forum of the Roman city and there are huge numbers of restaurants, bars, cafes and all manner of other shops to visit. I have heard from people who have visited Verona more recently that the piazza has changed now, possibly due to ‘improvement works’ by the city authorities in an attempt to bring in more tourists. However, unless they have removed the tower over the piazza and its merry fountain then I doubt that the atmosphere has changed greatly.

Dine at Osteria Sottoriva on Via Sattoriva and try some asparagus lasagna.Arche and Il Desco offer outstanding regional cuisine. There are two Buon Ricordo restaurant options near Verona: ( 1) Gardesana in Torri del Benacoke on the eastern Riviera of Lake Garda is located at Piazza Calderini, 20 (www.hotel-gardesana.com). Order the whitefish filet in sweet and sour sauce and gaze at the glistening lake from the terrace and (2) Ristorante 12 Apostoli on Vicolo Corticella S. Marco, 3 (www.12apostoli.it) offers a delightful vegetarian cuisince . This restaurant has a 250 year history.

The ‘fair Verona’ of today compares favourably with the one portrayed in Shakespeare. There are more tourists nowadays but the gang warfare between Montague’s and Capulet’s has subsided, leaving an appealing and relaxed place to visit. While neighbouring Venice has a greater number of sites to see, Verona is more laid back and lacks the stress and mania attached with Venice, especially in the high season.

The Berlin Wall: The East Side Gallery

If I asked you to name two famous walls, what are the odds that you will say “the Great wall of china and the Berlin Wall”?
One or two rock fans among you may also note Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”, but with that we've named the most known walls I guess.

For those of you who have just arrived from another planet or have been sleeping through most history classes, I’ll give you a short explanation of what the Berlin Wall is.
Stick with me, it’s not that much.

Important facts about the Berlin Wall also known as the Iron Curtain

Why was the Berlin Wall built / why was the Berlin Wall put up?
After the 2nd world war, Germany was separated into an eastern (GDR) and a western (BRD) country, which also included a separation of Berlin according to the divisions (West Berlin as British, French and American – East Berlin as the Russian sector). So the socialistic regime in the east wanted to “protect” its national border from the capitalistic influence from West Berlin by building this Wall as an “anti-fascistic barricade”.
When was the Berlin Wall built?
The construction started on 13th of august in 1961 and took a couple of months to be finished.
Who ordered the Berlin Wall?
Walter Ulbricht, president of the GDR at this time, ordered (subsidiary for the interests of the socialistic regime and those of Russia) the build-up of the Berlin Wall.
How long was the Berlin Wall?
The longitude between West Berlin and East Berlin (inter-city border) was 43.1 km.

When was the Berlin wall knocked down?
The “knock-down” started in the night between Thursday, November 9th and Friday November 10th in 1989, after over 28 years of existence.
Why was the Berlin wall torn down?
Because it was time for a change! The opening of the Berlin Wall was driven by numerous manifestations and the demand for “travel freedom” in the former GDR. There was a continuous so-called “escape of the Republic” – where large parts of the population of the GDR flew into the Federal Republic of Germany on international territories, through embassies in several Eastern European capitals (among others Prague and Warsaw) and partly in Hungary since it opened its border with Austria on September 11th in 1989.
Considering just how historical this Berlin landmark is, it’s amazing how much it has been neglected. Thanks only to an artistic accident of history, the East Side Gallery is one of the few surviving pieces of the Wall still standing and relatively intact

The Berlin Wall East Side Gallery is a 1.3km-long section of the wall near the center of Berlin. Approximately 106 paintings by artists from all over the world cover this memorial for freedom and make it the largest open air gallery in the world.
Running from the Kreuzberg end of Warschauer Strasse until near the Ostbahnhof train station, the East Side Gallery is a large portion of the Berlin Wall that has been left over from the Cold war and separation era and become transformed into a gallery of works from over one hundred worldwide artists from all corners of the globe and all walks of life. The gallery, which is free to view by anyone, is supposed to “document to times of change and express the euphoria and great hopes for a better and free future for all people of the world” (guide book). Renovated in the past decade, it is quite a sight to behold, and kept to a high standard.
I have walked so many times across and my experience of viewing it over and over again was really one of awe and admiration. The level of detail and lack of graffiti are quite intriguing, as with the varied messages being portrayed by each artist. Each depicting anything from a crack in a divisive world to quotes showing the power of the individual to influence the unification of mankind and the pacification of our species. Quite powerful messages overall to be fair and it’s no surprise that it is such a tourist attraction.

It seems to be the major draw for normal touristy types (ie Not Techno Tourists) into the Kreuzberg, especially seeing as no matter what time of the day, sun, rain or snow, you’re going to get caught as a photo bomber in at least twenty tourist photographs if you walk or cycle past it so be careful.
The easiest way to access the gallery if you are unwilling to spend a small fortune on a bus tour full of hardcore camera wielding tourists hell bent of photographing absolutely every single thing in the entire world… Is to make your way to Warschauer S Bahn station, easily accessible from Alexander platz and all other central locations. Exit the station and turn left on the bridge, keep walking downhill until you reach another red bricked bridge, turn your head 45 degrees to the right and voila. All you have to do then is to cross the street safely and the East Side gallery is your Oyster!

Mediterranean Blue

Santorini is an island that emerged from the bowel of the ocean; it’s imposing, impressive, majestic, and gorgeous. The island of Santorini features a rather eerie beauty; created by a cosmogony of the volcano that rests amidst the ocean.

On the top of the cliff, the dawn blends with the wildness and otherworldly aura. The white garland of houses with the characteristic blue colour of the windows and doors. As the island baths pleasurably with the sun rays, the whitewashed dwellings carved in the rock gleam and blaze; houses, hotels and churches in Santorini feature the two most characteristic colours of Greece: the white of the waves with the blue of the sea. Santorini is amazing and bright, but it's not the only colour celebrated on this island. The sun blends its colours with the volcanic soil creating a unique optical phenomenon.

You can feel the uniqueness of Santorini from the very first moment you land in the Island. You cannot help it but fall in love with this Aegean island right away. You will confront the steep slopes with the white washed houses and the amazing blue domed buildings and churches.

Santorini is one of the most surprising spectacles in Europe and it is different from the rest of islands because it is situated into an old volcano. The island is a huge wall with a shape resembling a half moon, the cliffs are colourful and they fall from 300 m. high sharply to the sea. In the summit, villages such as Santorini seem to balance. The silhouette of the island resembles the crater of a volcano inundated with water. If you add to the singular and imposing nature, the small white houses with mild edges and roofs with a "u" shape or the typical churches in blue domes you understand that this is one of the most special places in the globe.

Indeed in Santorini every new house has to be built following the same style than the old houses, including the hotels

Pay attention to the amount of hotels and swimming pools on the edge of the cliffs. The landscape of Santorini from this cornice is once more superb, indescribable.

We had refreshments in a terrace with views over the volcanoes at the same time that the dusk had begun. This is such an incredible sightseeing that you can't stop looking at it.

Make sure to save some time to lounge on one of Santorini's gorgeous beaches. Because Santorini is volcanic, there is a wide variation in the color of the sand found on the beaches. You can enjoy basking in the sun on white sand, grey sand, black sand, and even red sand. The beautiful red sand beach on Santorini is the most famous on the island, with stunning red cliffs that contrast marvelously against the bright blue sea. As you cruise the Greek Isles, you will discover why people return to Santorini again and again.

There are countless picturesque villages on this planet… but not many are blessed with the physical beauty of santorini . To be sure there are villages with grander architecture, richer and more colourful history (although as you will discover santorini has its own unique history), ancient landmark buildings and traditions that sometimes date back centuries. Santorini may not offer the very best of what other famous villages have to offer…but then NONE of them have what Santorini has. The following is a pictorial view of one of the most beautiful, romantic and physically stunning places on this planet

Many artists fell in love with the area and settled there. For that reason, every turn you take you will spot an art gallery.

The following are few hot spots if you do visit the Island:-

Ancient Thera-One of the most important archaeological sites in all Greece, the ruins of Thera are one of the island's biggest attractions. Still not fully excavated (it is still a working archaeological dig), the parts that are visible are enthralling, with parts ranging from the prehistoric to the late Roman period. Visitors are free to wander around (except for a few restricted areas).

Akrotiri-Another major archaeological site in Santorini, this Minoan town is amazing in many ways, in particular how it vividly brings home how advanced the Minoan civilization was at the time of its destruction. Akrotiri is a working site and one of the main attractions of visiting here is not only seeing the artifacts that are brought up, but also watching the work taking place around you.

Byzantine Museum-Generally considered to have the finest collection of Byzantine art in Greece, this museum's superb exhibits include priceless icons, jewellery, manuscripts and other similar artifacts - well worth a visit if you're at all interested in the Byzantine Empire and its culture.

Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni-Located in the middle of the Bay, these two islands erupted from the sea over two thousand years ago, and is worth a visit just to see the strange lava landscapes.

View Asifs work at http://www.pedlarsinngallery.com/