Geneva

We headed off to Geneva for a few days so Bill could run part of a course with the World Trade Organisation.  Probably not the most exciting place in Europe we have been, but never the less, quite pleasant.

View from our hotel room towards Lake Geneva.

Joy took a tour around the United Nations buildings while Bill was at work.  This is the Aisle of Flags at the Palace of nations.

The World Trade Organisation building where Bill hangs out.

International Committee of the Red Cross.

The Reformer's Wall.

Floral clock.

On of the ferries that cross Lake Geneva to the other side of town.

Enjoying the ride.

The water fountain made us feel at home!

'Sisi"-Elizabeth of Austria, wife of Franz Joseph 1.

These witches brooms must do a good job as Geneva is spotless!

The surrounding mountains were capped with snow.

                                          Joy also took a tour on this cute little train.

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
This Museum was the last spot we visited in Portugal.  For us it was a wonderful surprise and one of the highlights of our time in this wonderful country. 
 Calouste Gulbenkian was a wealthy Armenian oil magnate with a passion for fine works of art.  He lived in neutral Portugal during WW 2 and on his death, bequeathed his fortune and his magnificent art to the nation.  His Foundation supports it's own orchestra, libraries, a ballet company, concert hall and the Museum.  The collection has a well deserved reputation of being one of the finest in Europe.  

A Mosque lamp - Egypt or Syria, enameled and gilt glass.

Eastern Islamic (Turkey) cylindrical tankards 1550.

Book of Hours - French.

French ivory triptych of scenes in the Life of the Virgin (14th Century).

St Catherine by Flemish artist Rogier Van der Weyden (1400-1464)

Portrait of an Old Man by Rembrandt, 1645.

French clock.

Diana, 1780, by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon.

Around the Baixa area of Lisbon

                                                       This is a good way of coming up hill in this hilly city.

               Another way to travel is the Elevador de Santa Justa,       
                          a Neo-Gothic lift.
                         

                                      View from the top, across to the Castelo de Sao JORGE.

View across to the Tagas.

Looking across to the Rossio (Praca Dom Pedro 1V.

Fancy doors for a railway station!!

Rua Augusta

                                                         The Rossio (Praca Dom Pedro 1V.)

  The Rossio (Praca Dom Pedro 1V.)

A tile decorated building.

The graceful arches of Igreja do Carma, destroyed by the earthquake of 1755.

Bill enjoying a Delicious traditional cataplana.

Halfway through the dish!

More of Lisbon 
The 28 tram through Alfama

The 28 tram works brilliantly as a tourist route.

This is how you get a free ride up hill.

A tile map.

View from the top of Alfama.

                                                              

Also from the top, looking towards the Tagas Estuary.

             

                    Medieval lane.

                Castelo de Sao JORGE.

                                                                                                         Old lanes behind the castle.

We bought some pottery from this shop.

This is the friendly potter wrapping our goods.

Two haberdashery stores -  with anything you would like.