http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33502 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33502 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31765 As it is a house of god, visitors are asked to be respectful and you will be provided with a sarong if you have shorts or skirts above knee length. You are also respectfully asked to remove your shoes before entering the Mandir.
There are beautiful carvings to be seen and interesting exhibitions.
No food or drink is allowed inside but the shop/cafe serves some delicious Indian snacks!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31765 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30962 Even the chapels between the buttresses contribute to the expanse instead of chopping it up as they do in some other churches.
The rose window, set in its cliff-like wall of stone, is said to be the largest in the world; seen from inside the church when the afternoon sun falls on it from over the buildings, it is spectacular.
Beneath the rose window and above the door is another outstanding feature and evidence of the great vision and skill of the Catalan architects and builders of the middle ages: the shallow stone arch supporting the choir. It spans the entire width of the church and its rise is so little as to make the arch itself seem an impossibility. It looks far too flat to stand, let alone bear the weight of the choir. Yet its shape is so harmonious and effortlessly elegant it leaves you breathless with admiration.
Building began in 1319 and was completed in 1391 meaning the church was one of the many Gothic buildings started during a period of prosperity but completed during the successive ravages of epidemics, plague and violent unrest.
The tower, finished off flat like most Gothic towers in Barcelona, (Why is the one in the Plaça del Rei different? That story is yet to come…) was probably finished around 1461. Designed by master architect Bartomeu Mas, work began in 1376. It is said that the master builder, desperate to find funds to complete the church, made a pact with the Devil. But the Devil only agreed to provide him with the materials required in exchange for the builder’s soul, to be delivered when the 100th step of the tower was laid. “Right-ho”, said the builder and promptly built up to the 99th and then went on to finish the rest of the church. This took so long he died of old age before getting round to laying the 100th step thus cheating the devil of his dues.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30962 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29599 Thousands of white clad Ethiopians descend on the town for the surreal and astonishing Timket – a fusion of African and Judeo Christian expression of faith as the replica Ark of the Covenant from each church is paraded through town accompanied by priests chanting clapping and drumming. Brightly coloured velvet umbrellas shade the arks and red carpets are repeatedly laid, swept, rolled up and passed overhead to the front for the ark to be paraded over as it makes its way forward.
For heathens like us it was fascinating – for Christians and Jews it has a whole different meaning. Lucky tourists get a grandstand view of the blessing of King Fasilidas’s pool prior to mass immersion by the faithful (nearly all young men!) Don’t go if you are uneasy in a crowd!
The accompanying carnival has just been created to take advantage of the punters, with music, fireworks and stalls selling traditional Ethiopian handicrafts, coffee, food and drink. Ethiopian traditional dancing (belly dancing for the shoulders) spontaneously erupts around town. But the main attraction is Timket which is a carnival in itself.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29599 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24179 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24179 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21525 www.ceri.it]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21525 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19958
You can see the evidence with the occasional Star of David and Hebrew lettering on buildings. There are still three active synagogues out of nearly 30. For a few coins the local kids will show you where the working synagogues are.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19958 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18750 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18750 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18714 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18714 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18558
There are many side chapels where private prayer and contemplation can be done, it's also so quiet inside that you wouldn't think that you were only 10 minutes away from the tourist crowds.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18558 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17580
The walk to the main ghats through the markets is a great experience too. The main ghats are around the Dasaswamedh ghat, which is one of the oldest and holiest ghats. Here you can take a rowing boat on to the Ganges to catch the ceremony from the river. It's incredible to watch the ceremony and it was a really memorable experience of India.

It's a great way of getting in touch with the spiritual side of India in the oldest and one of the holiest cities in this amazing country.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17580 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17405
Many suggested itineraries are available online, I have visited Kamakura about 10 times, generally with students in tow. Here is an abbreviated itinerary that is a little different.

Train to Kita Kamakura. As you leave the station stay on the left-hand side of the tracks. About one minute to Engakuji Zen Temple (allow about one hour). Be sure to visit the Bell (1301) and adjacent tea room (about 140 steps - look for sign) to the right of entrance. Next walk 250 metres south to the Jochiji Temple (on right). Small and quirky, allow 30 minutes.

Now look for the sign to the Hiking Trail to the Great Buddha (Kamakura Daibutsu) at Hase. This takes about 90-120 minutes, the trail is, at times, a little rugged and needs good hiking shoes.

After visiting the Great Buddha (30 minutes) walk to the Hase rail station and take the small, single track train to Kamakura. Now you have time to explore the shops and sites from the station along Komachi Shopping Street to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Make your way back to the station for your return to Tokyo. You have experienced a little bit of the real Japan.

If you run out of time there is a youth hostel in Hase - Tel: 81-467-243390, Fax: 81-467-243390, Email: info@jyh.or.jp]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17405 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17198
The religious history of the place, particularly around Holy Island was spectacular and thoroughly recommended.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17198 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16203
You can sit outside in the garden and sip mint tea or eat sweet pastries in a calm, unhurried atmosphere. There is even a traditional hamman located there where you can have a very efficient Turkish-style bath for a fraction of the price any of the more indulgent spa hotels would charge to leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of Paris. A serene and peaceful environment where everyone is welcome.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16203 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16049
An earlier fantastic memory was walking along the day before and suddenly seeing St Giyorgis sunk into the rock.

A less pleasant memory was fleas in the carpets of the churches! Do take something for the fleas as they can migrate to the bedding.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16049 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16042
The Begijnhof is just off Wijngaardplein and has a shop, church and small museum. There are signs asking people to be silent (though not always obeyed).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16042 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15398
The chuch was hewn from a huge chunk of granite, the walls left as jagged bedrock, into which a concrete altar was poured. The copper roof seems to float above the church as the light come from a circular window on to which the roof sits. A proper 'wow' moment.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15398 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15176
The tiles are simply sensational, full of stylised tulips, carnations and geometrical shapes. It is located not far from the Eminönü end of the Galata Bridge, though it is not easy to spot the entrance , but when you look lost local shopkeepers sympathetically show you how to get in.

The advantage is that few tourists seem to find it, and you may get to look around in glorious silence.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15176 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14879
Note the splendid Baroque church at the top of the hill and wind your way down the medieval streets to the amazing chapel by the sea, lavishly decorated by Jean Cocteau and dedicated to fishermen in the area who initially refused to enter because of the flamboyant naked male angels painted on the walls.

If you like Cocteau's work, travel onwards to Menton to a very camply decorated registry office and a wonderful museum, containing a huge Cocteau collection.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14879 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14766
Crumbling intricately carved temples and columns being swallowed up by the jungle. Well worth a visit.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14766