View allAll Photos Tagged Verification
Some are just at the edge of the parameters; some are colorful; some are good macros. Will put up the actual pictures in a bit.
After verifying that none of the 16 000 angry truck drivers were
blockading the road to Tiwanaku, we set out for a very fun day at the
ruins!
We grabbed a city bus/van to the cemetery district and then got into
another minivan heading to Tiwanaku. After waiting around for a while,
we set off, driving out of the city through the neighbouring
municipality of El Alto and then through the stunning Altiplano with
views of snowy mountains above the city. We chatted with a couple of
English people, also spending the day at the ruins. It never takes long
for people to think that the gulf islands are one of the weirdest places
they've ever heard of.
We hopped out of the van outside the ruins and bought some cookies for a
snack before entering the main site. It was almost deserted and
absolutely spectacular. We started by exploring Akapana, a large pyramid
made mainly from earth that was thought to have been the centre of the
city. Then we visited the semi-subterranean temple with carving of faces
jutting out from the walls. They are thought to represent the gods of
the cultures conquered by the Tiwanaku. Then, we spent a long time
oohing and awing over the incredible architecture of Kalasasaya, the
sacred centre of the city. The stone work was incredible, and it's
especially amazing in a culture without iron tools. There were ornate
doorways and statues, and a very sophisticated aqueduct system. We also
saw a huge mud alter that's still used for Aymara ceremonies at the
site. Our last stop in the main complex was Putini, which is thought to
be a burial ground. By this time, buses full of tourists were arriving,
but we managed to avoid them as they started to explore the site.
Next, we visited the Museo Litico which houses many of the statues
uncovered during the excavations of Tiwanaku. They were all incredible;
the Pachamama (or Mother Earth) statue was 7.3 meters tall and covered
from head to toe in details carvings. The style of lots of the statues
resembles totem poles, so that was a cool link between distant cultures.
It was past noon by now, so we decided to venture into the town of
Tiwanaku to find a cheap place to eat. After a delicious meal of soup
and rice, we found a store selling treats to the hoards of
turquoise-sweater-wearing school kids. We bought ice cream and then
headed towards the second complex of ruins: Puma Punku. We were the only
ones there for most of the time and it was magical. There was some
impressive stonework and it was super cool to walk around the earth
pyramid and see it from all angles.
Finally, we visited the ceramics museum, which was very busy with tour
groups. It was still cool though, to see the pottery and a few textiles
that had been used in the site.
Tired after such a fun day, we got on another mini-bus and headed back
to La Paz.
This vehicle is a Verification Prototype for the 2014 L494 Range Rover Sport. These prototypes were the first vehicles that were representative of under body, upper body, powertrain and electrical architecture.
The camouflage on this vehicle was used to protect all aspects of the new vehicle’s design and included hard panels bolted to the body to change the lines of the vehicle physically, as well as the vinyl camouflage to distort the visual appearance. Interior camouflage was also used during the VP build phase and all test engineers had to follow strict guidelines on where vehicles were driven and parked during testing to prevent close-up high resolution photographs being leaked to the media in advance of the launch.
The VP phase of vehicles are used to sign off all engineering aspects of a new Land Rover product, ranging from extreme events tests to assess durability to stability control development tests undertaken on the frozen lakes of Sweden, and high lateral μ work on the Nürburgring and in the sands of Dubai. (Don’t know what μ is? Neither did we! It is the Split Coefficient of Friction, often referred to as Mu, which is all to do with what happens to a vehicle when the road friction differs significantly between the left and the right wheelpath, caused by changes in road surface or things such as black ice).
The Dunsfold Collection
Alfold - Surrey
England - United Kingdom
June 2015
After verifying that none of the 16 000 angry truck drivers were
blockading the road to Tiwanaku, we set out for a very fun day at the
ruins!
We grabbed a city bus/van to the cemetery district and then got into
another minivan heading to Tiwanaku. After waiting around for a while,
we set off, driving out of the city through the neighbouring
municipality of El Alto and then through the stunning Altiplano with
views of snowy mountains above the city. We chatted with a couple of
English people, also spending the day at the ruins. It never takes long
for people to think that the gulf islands are one of the weirdest places
they've ever heard of.
We hopped out of the van outside the ruins and bought some cookies for a
snack before entering the main site. It was almost deserted and
absolutely spectacular. We started by exploring Akapana, a large pyramid
made mainly from earth that was thought to have been the centre of the
city. Then we visited the semi-subterranean temple with carving of faces
jutting out from the walls. They are thought to represent the gods of
the cultures conquered by the Tiwanaku. Then, we spent a long time
oohing and awing over the incredible architecture of Kalasasaya, the
sacred centre of the city. The stone work was incredible, and it's
especially amazing in a culture without iron tools. There were ornate
doorways and statues, and a very sophisticated aqueduct system. We also
saw a huge mud alter that's still used for Aymara ceremonies at the
site. Our last stop in the main complex was Putini, which is thought to
be a burial ground. By this time, buses full of tourists were arriving,
but we managed to avoid them as they started to explore the site.
Next, we visited the Museo Litico which houses many of the statues
uncovered during the excavations of Tiwanaku. They were all incredible;
the Pachamama (or Mother Earth) statue was 7.3 meters tall and covered
from head to toe in details carvings. The style of lots of the statues
resembles totem poles, so that was a cool link between distant cultures.
It was past noon by now, so we decided to venture into the town of
Tiwanaku to find a cheap place to eat. After a delicious meal of soup
and rice, we found a store selling treats to the hoards of
turquoise-sweater-wearing school kids. We bought ice cream and then
headed towards the second complex of ruins: Puma Punku. We were the only
ones there for most of the time and it was magical. There was some
impressive stonework and it was super cool to walk around the earth
pyramid and see it from all angles.
Finally, we visited the ceramics museum, which was very busy with tour
groups. It was still cool though, to see the pottery and a few textiles
that had been used in the site.
Tired after such a fun day, we got on another mini-bus and headed back
to La Paz.
Verify out these machining engineering images:
machine
Image by uberculture
This is, I believe, connected to the Mechanical Engineering creating on the University of Minnesota Campus. I like that it looks like a decomposed industrial snail.
The claw of a beast
Image by John Christian Fjellestad
Read more about machine
(Source from Chinese Rapid Prototyping Blog)
After verifying that none of the 16 000 angry truck drivers were
blockading the road to Tiwanaku, we set out for a very fun day at the
ruins!
We grabbed a city bus/van to the cemetery district and then got into
another minivan heading to Tiwanaku. After waiting around for a while,
we set off, driving out of the city through the neighbouring
municipality of El Alto and then through the stunning Altiplano with
views of snowy mountains above the city. We chatted with a couple of
English people, also spending the day at the ruins. It never takes long
for people to think that the gulf islands are one of the weirdest places
they've ever heard of.
We hopped out of the van outside the ruins and bought some cookies for a
snack before entering the main site. It was almost deserted and
absolutely spectacular. We started by exploring Akapana, a large pyramid
made mainly from earth that was thought to have been the centre of the
city. Then we visited the semi-subterranean temple with carving of faces
jutting out from the walls. They are thought to represent the gods of
the cultures conquered by the Tiwanaku. Then, we spent a long time
oohing and awing over the incredible architecture of Kalasasaya, the
sacred centre of the city. The stone work was incredible, and it's
especially amazing in a culture without iron tools. There were ornate
doorways and statues, and a very sophisticated aqueduct system. We also
saw a huge mud alter that's still used for Aymara ceremonies at the
site. Our last stop in the main complex was Putini, which is thought to
be a burial ground. By this time, buses full of tourists were arriving,
but we managed to avoid them as they started to explore the site.
Next, we visited the Museo Litico which houses many of the statues
uncovered during the excavations of Tiwanaku. They were all incredible;
the Pachamama (or Mother Earth) statue was 7.3 meters tall and covered
from head to toe in details carvings. The style of lots of the statues
resembles totem poles, so that was a cool link between distant cultures.
It was past noon by now, so we decided to venture into the town of
Tiwanaku to find a cheap place to eat. After a delicious meal of soup
and rice, we found a store selling treats to the hoards of
turquoise-sweater-wearing school kids. We bought ice cream and then
headed towards the second complex of ruins: Puma Punku. We were the only
ones there for most of the time and it was magical. There was some
impressive stonework and it was super cool to walk around the earth
pyramid and see it from all angles.
Finally, we visited the ceramics museum, which was very busy with tour
groups. It was still cool though, to see the pottery and a few textiles
that had been used in the site.
Tired after such a fun day, we got on another mini-bus and headed back
to La Paz.
League of Heroes: Ascent
Episode 1: Epilogue
Audio Journal - Crimson Cloak:
Voice imprint, initializing…
“Crimson Cloak”
Identity verified.
“Thursday, October 12. It has been a busy day. The New Brickton Prison has been breached, presumably from the inside. The source of the explosion is still unclear; however, I have a few leads to follow this evening thanks to the loose lips of the Thin Man.
William Watts was pulled from the burning prison by the Silver Sentry. The idiot nearly got himself killed by Hard Wire. Watts is currently in the ICU at New Brickton General Hospital. The Doctor said that it is unlikely he will ever regain the use of his legs after having his spine shattered by the vengeful cyborg.
The Sentry is okay, but the kid is still too green to be of any help to me. He blames himself for what happened to Watts, which makes him dangerous. His grief will quickly give way to thoughts of vengeance, and that will make him reckless. I left him at the hospital with my brother. He will make sure that the Sentry stays off the streets for the time being. I can move a lot faster alone anyway.
The city is currently in a state of emergency. A curfew is in effect, and the streets are deserted. Even the escaped convicts seem to have burrowed in for the time being. I know that this quiet won’t last for long.
I need to visit the library next. There is an old friend there who might be able to help me. I won’t be able to save this city alone. Not this time. But right now, I’m all they have.
This is the beginning of a very long night…”
The Crimson Cloak will return in “League of Heroes: Ascent - The Long Night”
This is an engineering verification test (EVT) prototype of Apple’s MessagePad 2000, otherwise known as “Q”. The front of the case displays “EVT 2” where the “MessagePad” name usually appears. Similarly, the serial number indicates that this is unit 078 of the EVT2 hardware release.
This item is part of a collection obtained from Maurice Sharp, March 2010.
After verifying that none of the 16 000 angry truck drivers were
blockading the road to Tiwanaku, we set out for a very fun day at the
ruins!
We grabbed a city bus/van to the cemetery district and then got into
another minivan heading to Tiwanaku. After waiting around for a while,
we set off, driving out of the city through the neighbouring
municipality of El Alto and then through the stunning Altiplano with
views of snowy mountains above the city. We chatted with a couple of
English people, also spending the day at the ruins. It never takes long
for people to think that the gulf islands are one of the weirdest places
they've ever heard of.
We hopped out of the van outside the ruins and bought some cookies for a
snack before entering the main site. It was almost deserted and
absolutely spectacular. We started by exploring Akapana, a large pyramid
made mainly from earth that was thought to have been the centre of the
city. Then we visited the semi-subterranean temple with carving of faces
jutting out from the walls. They are thought to represent the gods of
the cultures conquered by the Tiwanaku. Then, we spent a long time
oohing and awing over the incredible architecture of Kalasasaya, the
sacred centre of the city. The stone work was incredible, and it's
especially amazing in a culture without iron tools. There were ornate
doorways and statues, and a very sophisticated aqueduct system. We also
saw a huge mud alter that's still used for Aymara ceremonies at the
site. Our last stop in the main complex was Putini, which is thought to
be a burial ground. By this time, buses full of tourists were arriving,
but we managed to avoid them as they started to explore the site.
Next, we visited the Museo Litico which houses many of the statues
uncovered during the excavations of Tiwanaku. They were all incredible;
the Pachamama (or Mother Earth) statue was 7.3 meters tall and covered
from head to toe in details carvings. The style of lots of the statues
resembles totem poles, so that was a cool link between distant cultures.
It was past noon by now, so we decided to venture into the town of
Tiwanaku to find a cheap place to eat. After a delicious meal of soup
and rice, we found a store selling treats to the hoards of
turquoise-sweater-wearing school kids. We bought ice cream and then
headed towards the second complex of ruins: Puma Punku. We were the only
ones there for most of the time and it was magical. There was some
impressive stonework and it was super cool to walk around the earth
pyramid and see it from all angles.
Finally, we visited the ceramics museum, which was very busy with tour
groups. It was still cool though, to see the pottery and a few textiles
that had been used in the site.
Tired after such a fun day, we got on another mini-bus and headed back
to La Paz.
Taken on 16 December 2014 and uploaded 11 October 2024.
The (then) Port Of London Authority boat Verifier sailing up river with the Metropolitan Police Specialist Training Centre as its backdrop: as well as living quarters the centre includes a "town" for live training (hostage situation etc). Also just visible, a training facility for shipping emergencies (lifeboats)...
Verifier is no longer part of the PLA fleet and now works at Waalhaven, Rotterdam.
[DSC_4916d]
In person and via photography, verified and corroborated with the most trustworthy, heavily credentialed, senior, and sane collectors I know--about a half dozen of them!!--that this "last cartouche" (the DAS is NOT a cartouche--no writing or letters! Check a dictionary for the old "Egyptian" correct definition and its basis if you doubt that... ) butt stock is authentic, albeit it's been sanded. Not too many dings. No cracks, no paint, weird Danish or other stampings...
The metal will be removed before I dump it for something I actually need.
My eyesight is vastly improved since my cataract surgery, but I did know this was authentic the instant I saw it.
Still, I verified and corroborated.
Weirdly, this was about the very LAST item I was looking for or wanted when I stumbled across this, and upon cleanup, contacted the network of "usual suspects" because I no longer trust my eyesight on wood. Looking back, I doubt if I've seen two dozen of these. They're fairly close to being the least common of the letter cartouched butt stocks.
Last one I had was on an old D.C.M. rifle, from an estate, and had been surmarked with a DAS (Defense Acceptance Stamp). It, too, was absolutely authentic, and appeared on an all original rifle right in that low 4 million area where one would figure such things might've happened.
Anyway, it's a certainty, not some jiveass hissy fit guess. Strange find.
Authenticated and copyrighted photo. All rights reserved. No reference use or reproduction of any kind without express written permission. Criminal and civil statutes and all rights law WILL be enforced.
Verify out these turning components images:
Mura (XXIX)
Image by Jose Luis Mieza Photography
Listen All I Ask You – Sarah Brightman
No more speak of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I am right here
Nothing at all can harm you
My words will warm and calm you
Let me be your...
Read more about Cool Turning Components pictures
(Posted by a Precision Machining China Manufacturer)
"Flight verification vehicle A 14-135 support assembly Command Module optical alignment installation - tight overall view, right side relative to plate. MSO. Bldg. altitude chamber. (085-3)(SY) (103) "
So, I assume it must be M-11, and in its roll as flight verification vehicle, it's being used to test/confirm fit & function of the gizmo that'll be used to install, test(?), calibrate(?) the sextant & telescope? In the altitude chamber because of the delicate optics of the guidance & navigation system? To mitigate introduction of airborne debris/contaminants?
If so, I would've expected the Command Modules to arrive with that option package already installed, and maybe just the floor mats to be added at KSC. Along with of course, filling the tank(s) with gas.
NO actual idea. But that thing looks really cool, it's got a great art-deco sci-fi look to it, even the color of it is a 50’s sci-fi smoooooth.
Looks like most everything - RCS thruster orifices, windows, hatch(?), access panels(?) on the exterior of the Command Module are either decals or painted on.
In person and via photography, verified and corroborated with the most trustworthy, heavily credentialed, senior, and sane collectors I know--about a half dozen of them!!--that this "last cartouche" (the DAS is NOT a cartouche--no writing or letters! Check a dictionary for the old "Egyptian" correct definition and its basis if you doubt that... ) butt stock is authentic, albeit it's been sanded. Not too many dings. No cracks, no paint, weird Danish or other stampings...
The metal will be removed before I dump it for something I actually need.
More detail of the letters is here:
www.flickr.com/photos/15631192@N04/27538894973/in/photost...
Sign in so these can be worked with, enlarged, and so on, if you're looking for information.
See adjacent shots for images of the detailed markings, closeup and overall.
Copyrighted shot, not "free" or "public domain".
All rights reserved.
Humorously, years ago I got a very nice M1 ( an old D.C.M. gun with full paperwork) marked "JLG" generally in the cartouche area, on a nice replacement walnut stock, probably an Overton-produced unit. Not a "cartouche", just the letters. Not the right size, no box... Puzzled, I realized the same initials appeared on some other items I acquired from the estate. It was the INITIALS of the deceased, who was an avid shooter. Under the buttplate on that one was his social security number.
Weirdly, this was about the very LAST item I was looking for or wanted when I stumbled across this, and upon cleanup, contacted the network of "usual suspects" because I no longer trust my eyesight on wood. Looking back, I doubt if I've seen two dozen of these. They're fairly close to being the least common of the letter cartouched butt stocks.
Last one I had was on an old D.C.M. rifle, from an estate, and had been surmarked with a DAS (Defense Acceptance Stamp). It, too, was absolutely authentic, and appeared on an all original rifle right in that low 4 million area where one would figure such things might've happened.
Anyway, it's a certainty. Not some loudmouth's assertion or slimy internet "proof"!! Strange find. There are handguards with it which "color matched", but I remain unconvinced they're "correct" to it, and I have other uses for them, anyway.
Weirdest one I had: What a serious student of military wood told me was a pre-1940 hunk of wood, almost "new", but with an absolutely authentic JLG cartouche. Apparently it fascinated him. He insisted upon having it IMMEDIATELY. Most of the assclowns on forums suggested it was a "fake"...nope, wrong again. It must've sat around for a long time before it got kicked out the door, and NO ONE will ever know how or why, but we do know WHERE that happened: At the Armory, in Springfield, Massachusetts. And the "when" would be while Guion's stamp was still in use.
Authenticated and copyrighted photo. All rights reserved. No reference use or reproduction of any kind without express written permission. Criminal and civil statutes and all rights law WILL be enforced.
After verifying that none of the 16 000 angry truck drivers were
blockading the road to Tiwanaku, we set out for a very fun day at the
ruins!
We grabbed a city bus/van to the cemetery district and then got into
another minivan heading to Tiwanaku. After waiting around for a while,
we set off, driving out of the city through the neighbouring
municipality of El Alto and then through the stunning Altiplano with
views of snowy mountains above the city. We chatted with a couple of
English people, also spending the day at the ruins. It never takes long
for people to think that the gulf islands are one of the weirdest places
they've ever heard of.
We hopped out of the van outside the ruins and bought some cookies for a
snack before entering the main site. It was almost deserted and
absolutely spectacular. We started by exploring Akapana, a large pyramid
made mainly from earth that was thought to have been the centre of the
city. Then we visited the semi-subterranean temple with carving of faces
jutting out from the walls. They are thought to represent the gods of
the cultures conquered by the Tiwanaku. Then, we spent a long time
oohing and awing over the incredible architecture of Kalasasaya, the
sacred centre of the city. The stone work was incredible, and it's
especially amazing in a culture without iron tools. There were ornate
doorways and statues, and a very sophisticated aqueduct system. We also
saw a huge mud alter that's still used for Aymara ceremonies at the
site. Our last stop in the main complex was Putini, which is thought to
be a burial ground. By this time, buses full of tourists were arriving,
but we managed to avoid them as they started to explore the site.
Next, we visited the Museo Litico which houses many of the statues
uncovered during the excavations of Tiwanaku. They were all incredible;
the Pachamama (or Mother Earth) statue was 7.3 meters tall and covered
from head to toe in details carvings. The style of lots of the statues
resembles totem poles, so that was a cool link between distant cultures.
It was past noon by now, so we decided to venture into the town of
Tiwanaku to find a cheap place to eat. After a delicious meal of soup
and rice, we found a store selling treats to the hoards of
turquoise-sweater-wearing school kids. We bought ice cream and then
headed towards the second complex of ruins: Puma Punku. We were the only
ones there for most of the time and it was magical. There was some
impressive stonework and it was super cool to walk around the earth
pyramid and see it from all angles.
Finally, we visited the ceramics museum, which was very busy with tour
groups. It was still cool though, to see the pottery and a few textiles
that had been used in the site.
Tired after such a fun day, we got on another mini-bus and headed back
to La Paz.
Straight into another lock-up with no relief in between. So this is day 9 really.
It's taken a lot of work to tweak the waist band to match my torso (as with all proper belts) and to overcome the problem of the edging strip to the front shield splitting (and the absurd price for a replacement) but, with my home-made tube with its top mesh for flushing through, I have a belt which is totally effective and can be worn for far too long!!!
Locked at 12:39 on the 10th of September.
No way to access the keys and, even if I could, no way to get them into the lock or even to pick the lock without it being obvious I'd cheated.
After verifying that none of the 16 000 angry truck drivers were
blockading the road to Tiwanaku, we set out for a very fun day at the ruins!
We grabbed a city bus/van to the cemetery district and then got into
another minivan heading to Tiwanaku. After waiting around for a while,
we set off, driving out of the city through the neighbouring
municipality of El Alto and then through the stunning Altiplano with
views of snowy mountains above the city. We chatted with a couple of
English people, also spending the day at the ruins. It never takes long
for people to think that the gulf islands are one of the weirdest places
they've ever heard of.
We hopped out of the van outside the ruins and bought some cookies for a
snack before entering the main site. It was almost deserted and
absolutely spectacular. We started by exploring Akapana, a large pyramid
made mainly from earth that was thought to have been the centre of the
city. Then we visited the semi-subterranean temple with carving of faces
jutting out from the walls. They are thought to represent the gods of
the cultures conquered by the Tiwanaku. Then, we spent a long time
oohing and awing over the incredible architecture of Kalasasaya, the
sacred centre of the city. The stone work was incredible, and it's
especially amazing in a culture without iron tools. There were ornate
doorways and statues, and a very sophisticated aqueduct system. We also
saw a huge mud alter that's still used for Aymara ceremonies at the
site. Our last stop in the main complex was Putini, which is thought to
be a burial ground. By this time, buses full of tourists were arriving,
but we managed to avoid them as they started to explore the site.
Next, we visited the Museo Litico which houses many of the statues
uncovered during the excavations of Tiwanaku. They were all incredible;
the Pachamama (or Mother Earth) statue was 7.3 meters tall and covered
from head to toe in details carvings. The style of lots of the statues
resembles totem poles, so that was a cool link between distant cultures.
It was past noon by now, so we decided to venture into the town of
Tiwanaku to find a cheap place to eat. After a delicious meal of soup
and rice, we found a store selling treats to the hoards of
turquoise-sweater-wearing school kids. We bought ice cream and then
headed towards the second complex of ruins: Puma Punku. We were the only
ones there for most of the time and it was magical. There was some
impressive stonework and it was super cool to walk around the earth
pyramid and see it from all angles.
Finally, we visited the ceramics museum, which was very busy with tour
groups. It was still cool though, to see the pottery and a few textiles
that had been used in the site.
Tired after such a fun day, we got on another mini-bus and headed back
to La Paz.
Due to the very wet weather and stuff, I was out trimming leaves to photograph for the Macro Monday theme of leaf for 9/11. I will not be thwarted by lack of energy and rain— grin……
After verifying that none of the 16 000 angry truck drivers were
blockading the road to Tiwanaku, we set out for a very fun day at the
ruins!
We grabbed a city bus/van to the cemetery district and then got into
another minivan heading to Tiwanaku. After waiting around for a while,
we set off, driving out of the city through the neighbouring
municipality of El Alto and then through the stunning Altiplano with
views of snowy mountains above the city. We chatted with a couple of
English people, also spending the day at the ruins. It never takes long
for people to think that the gulf islands are one of the weirdest places
they've ever heard of.
We hopped out of the van outside the ruins and bought some cookies for a
snack before entering the main site. It was almost deserted and
absolutely spectacular. We started by exploring Akapana, a large pyramid
made mainly from earth that was thought to have been the centre of the
city. Then we visited the semi-subterranean temple with carving of faces
jutting out from the walls. They are thought to represent the gods of
the cultures conquered by the Tiwanaku. Then, we spent a long time
oohing and awing over the incredible architecture of Kalasasaya, the
sacred centre of the city. The stone work was incredible, and it's
especially amazing in a culture without iron tools. There were ornate
doorways and statues, and a very sophisticated aqueduct system. We also
saw a huge mud alter that's still used for Aymara ceremonies at the
site. Our last stop in the main complex was Putini, which is thought to
be a burial ground. By this time, buses full of tourists were arriving,
but we managed to avoid them as they started to explore the site.
Next, we visited the Museo Litico which houses many of the statues
uncovered during the excavations of Tiwanaku. They were all incredible;
the Pachamama (or Mother Earth) statue was 7.3 meters tall and covered
from head to toe in details carvings. The style of lots of the statues
resembles totem poles, so that was a cool link between distant cultures.
It was past noon by now, so we decided to venture into the town of
Tiwanaku to find a cheap place to eat. After a delicious meal of soup
and rice, we found a store selling treats to the hoards of
turquoise-sweater-wearing school kids. We bought ice cream and then
headed towards the second complex of ruins: Puma Punku. We were the only
ones there for most of the time and it was magical. There was some
impressive stonework and it was super cool to walk around the earth
pyramid and see it from all angles.
Finally, we visited the ceramics museum, which was very busy with tour
groups. It was still cool though, to see the pottery and a few textiles
that had been used in the site.
Tired after such a fun day, we got on another mini-bus and headed back
to La Paz.
After verifying that none of the 16 000 angry truck drivers were
blockading the road to Tiwanaku, we set out for a very fun day at the
ruins!
We grabbed a city bus/van to the cemetery district and then got into
another minivan heading to Tiwanaku. After waiting around for a while,
we set off, driving out of the city through the neighbouring
municipality of El Alto and then through the stunning Altiplano with
views of snowy mountains above the city. We chatted with a couple of
English people, also spending the day at the ruins. It never takes long
for people to think that the gulf islands are one of the weirdest places
they've ever heard of.
We hopped out of the van outside the ruins and bought some cookies for a
snack before entering the main site. It was almost deserted and
absolutely spectacular. We started by exploring Akapana, a large pyramid
made mainly from earth that was thought to have been the centre of the
city. Then we visited the semi-subterranean temple with carving of faces
jutting out from the walls. They are thought to represent the gods of
the cultures conquered by the Tiwanaku. Then, we spent a long time
oohing and awing over the incredible architecture of Kalasasaya, the
sacred centre of the city. The stone work was incredible, and it's
especially amazing in a culture without iron tools. There were ornate
doorways and statues, and a very sophisticated aqueduct system. We also
saw a huge mud alter that's still used for Aymara ceremonies at the
site. Our last stop in the main complex was Putini, which is thought to
be a burial ground. By this time, buses full of tourists were arriving,
but we managed to avoid them as they started to explore the site.
Next, we visited the Museo Litico which houses many of the statues
uncovered during the excavations of Tiwanaku. They were all incredible;
the Pachamama (or Mother Earth) statue was 7.3 meters tall and covered
from head to toe in details carvings. The style of lots of the statues
resembles totem poles, so that was a cool link between distant cultures.
It was past noon by now, so we decided to venture into the town of
Tiwanaku to find a cheap place to eat. After a delicious meal of soup
and rice, we found a store selling treats to the hoards of
turquoise-sweater-wearing school kids. We bought ice cream and then
headed towards the second complex of ruins: Puma Punku. We were the only
ones there for most of the time and it was magical. There was some
impressive stonework and it was super cool to walk around the earth
pyramid and see it from all angles.
Finally, we visited the ceramics museum, which was very busy with tour
groups. It was still cool though, to see the pottery and a few textiles
that had been used in the site.
Tired after such a fun day, we got on another mini-bus and headed back
to La Paz.
After verifying that none of the 16 000 angry truck drivers were
blockading the road to Tiwanaku, we set out for a very fun day at the
ruins!
We grabbed a city bus/van to the cemetery district and then got into
another minivan heading to Tiwanaku. After waiting around for a while,
we set off, driving out of the city through the neighbouring
municipality of El Alto and then through the stunning Altiplano with
views of snowy mountains above the city. We chatted with a couple of
English people, also spending the day at the ruins. It never takes long
for people to think that the gulf islands are one of the weirdest places
they've ever heard of.
We hopped out of the van outside the ruins and bought some cookies for a
snack before entering the main site. It was almost deserted and
absolutely spectacular. We started by exploring Akapana, a large pyramid
made mainly from earth that was thought to have been the centre of the
city. Then we visited the semi-subterranean temple with carving of faces
jutting out from the walls. They are thought to represent the gods of
the cultures conquered by the Tiwanaku. Then, we spent a long time
oohing and awing over the incredible architecture of Kalasasaya, the
sacred centre of the city. The stone work was incredible, and it's
especially amazing in a culture without iron tools. There were ornate
doorways and statues, and a very sophisticated aqueduct system. We also
saw a huge mud alter that's still used for Aymara ceremonies at the
site. Our last stop in the main complex was Putini, which is thought to
be a burial ground. By this time, buses full of tourists were arriving,
but we managed to avoid them as they started to explore the site.
Next, we visited the Museo Litico which houses many of the statues
uncovered during the excavations of Tiwanaku. They were all incredible;
the Pachamama (or Mother Earth) statue was 7.3 meters tall and covered
from head to toe in details carvings. The style of lots of the statues
resembles totem poles, so that was a cool link between distant cultures.
It was past noon by now, so we decided to venture into the town of
Tiwanaku to find a cheap place to eat. After a delicious meal of soup
and rice, we found a store selling treats to the hoards of
turquoise-sweater-wearing school kids. We bought ice cream and then
headed towards the second complex of ruins: Puma Punku. We were the only
ones there for most of the time and it was magical. There was some
impressive stonework and it was super cool to walk around the earth
pyramid and see it from all angles.
Finally, we visited the ceramics museum, which was very busy with tour
groups. It was still cool though, to see the pottery and a few textiles
that had been used in the site.
Tired after such a fun day, we got on another mini-bus and headed back
to La Paz.
After verifying that none of the 16 000 angry truck drivers were
blockading the road to Tiwanaku, we set out for a very fun day at the
ruins!
We grabbed a city bus/van to the cemetery district and then got into
another minivan heading to Tiwanaku. After waiting around for a while,
we set off, driving out of the city through the neighbouring
municipality of El Alto and then through the stunning Altiplano with
views of snowy mountains above the city. We chatted with a couple of
English people, also spending the day at the ruins. It never takes long
for people to think that the gulf islands are one of the weirdest places
they've ever heard of.
We hopped out of the van outside the ruins and bought some cookies for a
snack before entering the main site. It was almost deserted and
absolutely spectacular. We started by exploring Akapana, a large pyramid
made mainly from earth that was thought to have been the centre of the
city. Then we visited the semi-subterranean temple with carving of faces
jutting out from the walls. They are thought to represent the gods of
the cultures conquered by the Tiwanaku. Then, we spent a long time
oohing and awing over the incredible architecture of Kalasasaya, the
sacred centre of the city. The stone work was incredible, and it's
especially amazing in a culture without iron tools. There were ornate
doorways and statues, and a very sophisticated aqueduct system. We also
saw a huge mud alter that's still used for Aymara ceremonies at the
site. Our last stop in the main complex was Putini, which is thought to
be a burial ground. By this time, buses full of tourists were arriving,
but we managed to avoid them as they started to explore the site.
Next, we visited the Museo Litico which houses many of the statues
uncovered during the excavations of Tiwanaku. They were all incredible;
the Pachamama (or Mother Earth) statue was 7.3 meters tall and covered
from head to toe in details carvings. The style of lots of the statues
resembles totem poles, so that was a cool link between distant cultures.
It was past noon by now, so we decided to venture into the town of
Tiwanaku to find a cheap place to eat. After a delicious meal of soup
and rice, we found a store selling treats to the hoards of
turquoise-sweater-wearing school kids. We bought ice cream and then
headed towards the second complex of ruins: Puma Punku. We were the only
ones there for most of the time and it was magical. There was some
impressive stonework and it was super cool to walk around the earth
pyramid and see it from all angles.
Finally, we visited the ceramics museum, which was very busy with tour
groups. It was still cool though, to see the pottery and a few textiles
that had been used in the site.
Tired after such a fun day, we got on another mini-bus and headed back
to La Paz.
Subject for verification and correction. If you have corrections with the title or caption of this post, you are free to leave your comment down below.
After verifying that none of the 16 000 angry truck drivers were
blockading the road to Tiwanaku, we set out for a very fun day at the
ruins!
We grabbed a city bus/van to the cemetery district and then got into
another minivan heading to Tiwanaku. After waiting around for a while,
we set off, driving out of the city through the neighbouring
municipality of El Alto and then through the stunning Altiplano with
views of snowy mountains above the city. We chatted with a couple of
English people, also spending the day at the ruins. It never takes long
for people to think that the gulf islands are one of the weirdest places
they've ever heard of.
We hopped out of the van outside the ruins and bought some cookies for a
snack before entering the main site. It was almost deserted and
absolutely spectacular. We started by exploring Akapana, a large pyramid
made mainly from earth that was thought to have been the centre of the
city. Then we visited the semi-subterranean temple with carving of faces
jutting out from the walls. They are thought to represent the gods of
the cultures conquered by the Tiwanaku. Then, we spent a long time
oohing and awing over the incredible architecture of Kalasasaya, the
sacred centre of the city. The stone work was incredible, and it's
especially amazing in a culture without iron tools. There were ornate
doorways and statues, and a very sophisticated aqueduct system. We also
saw a huge mud alter that's still used for Aymara ceremonies at the
site. Our last stop in the main complex was Putini, which is thought to
be a burial ground. By this time, buses full of tourists were arriving,
but we managed to avoid them as they started to explore the site.
Next, we visited the Museo Litico which houses many of the statues
uncovered during the excavations of Tiwanaku. They were all incredible;
the Pachamama (or Mother Earth) statue was 7.3 meters tall and covered
from head to toe in details carvings. The style of lots of the statues
resembles totem poles, so that was a cool link between distant cultures.
It was past noon by now, so we decided to venture into the town of
Tiwanaku to find a cheap place to eat. After a delicious meal of soup
and rice, we found a store selling treats to the hoards of
turquoise-sweater-wearing school kids. We bought ice cream and then
headed towards the second complex of ruins: Puma Punku. We were the only
ones there for most of the time and it was magical. There was some
impressive stonework and it was super cool to walk around the earth
pyramid and see it from all angles.
Finally, we visited the ceramics museum, which was very busy with tour
groups. It was still cool though, to see the pottery and a few textiles
that had been used in the site.
Tired after such a fun day, we got on another mini-bus and headed back
to La Paz.
Une paludière vérifie la qualité et enlève les impuretées de la fleur de sel qu'elle a récoltée dans ses marais salants près de Kervalet, en fin de journée.
A paludière verifies the quality and removes the impuretées of the flower of salt which it harvested in its salterns near Kervalet, at the end of the day.
Kervalet près de guérande.
Kervalet near guérande, France.
The roses in the People's Garden
Plan
Rosarium History - Classification
Floribunda - new color range - Casting
Tree roses - new plantings - Pests - Winter Care
Rambling Roses - fertilizing, finishes
Shrub Roses - Rose Renner - Sponsorship - variety name
The history of roses in the People's Garden
The People's Garden, located between the Imperial Palace and the ring road is famous for its beautiful roses:
1000 standard roses
4000 Floribunda,
300 rambling roses,
(Also called Rose Park) 200 shrub roses.
Noteworthy is the diversity: there are about 400 varieties, including very old plants:
1859 - Rubens
1913 - Pearl of the Vienna Woods
1919 - Jean C.N. Forestier
The above amounts are from the Federal Gardens. My own count has brought other results:
730 tree roses
2300 Floribunda
132 rambling roses
100 shrub roses
That's about 3300 roses in total. Approx. 270 species I was able to verify. Approx. 50 rose bushes were not labeled. Some varieties come very often, others only once or twice.
Molineux 1994
Rubens 1859
Medialis 1993
Swan lake 1968
Once flourished here Lilac and Rhododendron bushes
1823 People's Garden was opened with the Temple of Theseus. Then made multiple extensions.
The part of today's "Rosarium" along the Ring Road was built in 1862. (Picture fence 1874)
What is so obvious to today's Vienna, was not always so: most of the beds in the People's Garden originally were planted with lilac and rhododendron.
Only after the second World War II it was converted to the present generous rose jewelry.
Since then grow along the ring side creepers, high stem and floribunda roses. On the side of Heroes Square, with the outputs, shrub roses were placed, among which there are also some wild roses.
1889 emerged the Grillparzer Monument.
(All the pictures you can see by clicking the link at the end of the side!)
Rhododendrons, output Sisi Avenue, 1930
Classifications of roses
(Wild roses have 7 sheets - prize roses 5 sheets)
English Rose
Florybunda
Hybrid Tea Rose
Rambling Rose
At the Roses in the People´s Garden are hanging labels (if they do not fall victim to vandals or for souvenirs) with the year indication of breeding, the name of breeding and botanical description:
Hybrid Tea Rose (TB): 1 master, 1 flower;
Florybunda (Flb): 1 strain, many flowers;
English Rose (Engl): mixture of old and modern varieties Tb and Flb.
Called Schlingrose, also climbing rose
Florybunda: 1 strain, many flowers (Donauprinzessin)
Shrub Roses - Floribunda - Tree roses - Climbing Roses
Even as a child, we hear the tale of Sleeping Beauty, but roses have no thorns, but spines. Thorns are fused directly to the root and can not be easily removed as spines (upper wooden containers called).
All roses belong to the bush family (in contrast to perennials that "disappear" in the winter). Nevertheless, there is the term Shrub Rose: It's a chronological classification of roses that were on the market before 1867. They are very often planted as a soloist in a garden, which them has brought the name "Rose Park".
Hybrid Tea Rose: 1 master, 1 flower (rose Gaujard )
Other classifications are:
(High) standard roses: roses are not grafted near the ground, but at a certain strain level. With that, the rose gardener sets the height of the crown.
Floribunda roses : the compact and low bushy roses are ideal for group planting on beds
Crambling roses: They have neither roots nor can they stick up squirm. Their only auxiliary tool are their spines with which they are entangled in their ascent into each other
English Rose: mixture of old varieties, hybrid tea and Florybunda (Tradescanth)
4000 Floribunda
Floribunda roses are hardy, grow compact, knee-high and bushy, are durable and sturdy
There are few smelling varieties
Polyantha classification: a tribe, many small flowers; Florybunda: a tribe, many big blossoms
New concept of color: from red to light yellow
The thousands Floribunda opposite of Grillparzer Monument shimmer (still) in many colors. From historical records, however, is indicated that there was originally a different color scheme for the Floribunda than today: At the entrance of the Burgtheater side the roses were dark and were up to Grillparzer monument ever brighter - there they were then already white.
This color range they want again, somewhat modified, resume with new plantings: No white roses in front of the monument, but bright yellow, so that Grillparzer monument can better stand out. It has already begun, there was heavy frost damage during the winter 2011/12.
Colorful roses
2011: white and pink roses
2012: after winter damage new plantings in shades of yellow .
Because the domestic rose production is not large enough, the new, yellow roses were ordered in Germany (Castor).
Goldelse, candlelight, Hanseatic city of Rostock.
Watering
Waterinr of the Floribunda in the morning at 11 clock
What roses do not like at all, and what attracts pests really magically, the foliage is wet. Therefore, the Floribunda roses are in the People's Garde poured in the morning at 11 clock, so that the leaves can dry thoroughly.
Ground sprinklers pouring only the root crown, can not be used because the associated hoses should be buried in the earth, and that in turn collide with the Erdanhäufung (amassing of earth) that is made for winter protection. Choosing the right time to do it, it requires a lot of sense. Is it too early, so still too warm, the bed roses begin to drive again, but this young shoots freeze later, inevitably, because they are too thin.
1000 Tree roses
Most standard roses are found in the rose garden.
During the renovation of the Temple of Theseus the asphalt was renewed in 2011, which was partially only a few centimeters thick, and so was the danger that trucks with heavy transports break into. Due to this construction site the entire flower bed in front had to be replaced.
Now the high-stem Rose Maria Theresia is a nice contrast to the white temple, at her feet sits the self-cleaning floribunda aspirin. Self-cleaning means that withered flowers fall off and rarely maintenance care is needed.
Pink 'Maria Theresa' and white 'aspirin' before the temple of Theseus
Standard tree rose Maria Theresa
Floribunda aspirin
The concept of the (high) standard roses refers to a special type of rose decoration. Suitable varieties of roses are not grafted near the ground, but at a certain height of the trunk. With that the rose gardener sets the height of the crown fixed (60 cm, 90 cm, 140 cm)
Plantings - Pests - Winter Care
Normally about 50 roses in the People's Garden annually have to be replaced because of winter damages and senility. Till a high standard rose goes on sale, it is at least 4 years old. With replantings the soil to 50 cm depth is completely replaced (2/3 basic soil, 1/3 compost and some peat ).
Roses have enemies, such as aphids. Against them the Pirimor is used, against the Buchsbaumzünsler (Box Tree Moth, Cydalima perspectalis) Calypso (yet - a resistance is expected).
In popular garden roses are sprayed with poison, not only when needed, but also as a precaution, since mildew and fire rose (both are types of fungi) also overwinter.
Therefore it is also removed as far as possible with the standard roses before packing in winter the foliage.
Pest Control with Poison
The "Winter Package " first is made with paper bags, jute bags, then it will be pulled (eg cocoa or coffee sacks - the commercially available yard goods has not proven).
They are stored in the vault of the gardener deposit in the Burggarten (below the Palm House). There namely also run the heating pipes. Put above them, the bags after the winter can be properly dried.
Are during the winter the mice nesting into the packaged roses, has this consequences for the crows want to approach the small rodents and are getting the packaging tatty. It alreay has happened that 500 standard roses had to be re-wrapped.
"Winter Package" with paper and jute bags
300 ambling roses
The Schlingrosen (Climbing Roses) sit "as a framing" behind the standard roses.
Schlingrose pearl from the Vienna Woods
Schlingrose Danube
Schlingrose tenor
Although climbing roses are the fastest growing roses, they get along with very little garden space.
They have no rootlets as the evergreen ivy, nor can they wind up like a honeysuckle. Their only auxiliary tool are their spines with which they are entangled in their ascent mesh.
Climbing roses can reach stature heights of 2 to 3 meters.
4 x/year fertilizing
4 times a year, the soil is fertilized. From August, but no more, because everything then still new drives would freeze to death in winter. Well-rotted horse manure as fertilizer was used (straw mixed with horse manure, 4 years old). It smelled terrible, but only for 2 days.
Since the City of Vienna may only invest more plant compost heap (the EU Directive prohibits animal compost heap on public property), this type of fertilization is no longer possible to the chagrin of gardeners, and roses.
In the people garden in addition is foliar fertilizer used (it is sprayed directly on the leaves and absorbed about this from the plant).
Finishes in the Augarten
Old rose varieties are no longer commercially available. Maybe because they are more sensitive, vulnerable. Thus, the bud of Dr. F. Debat already not open anymore, if it has rained twice.
Roses need to be replaced in the People's Garden, this is sometimes done through an exchange with the Augarten Palace or the nursery, where the finishes are made. Previously there were roses in Hirschstetten and the Danube Park, but the City of Vienna has abandoned its local rose population (not to say destroyed), no exchange with these institutions is possible anymore.
Was formerly in breeding the trend to large flowers, one tends to smell roses again today. Most varieties show their resplendent, lush flowers only once, early in the rose-year, but modern varieties are more often blooming.
200 shrub roses
Some shrub roses bloom in the rose garden next to the Grillparzer Monument
Most of the shrub or park roses can be found along the fence to Heroes' Square. These types are so old, and there are now so many variations that even a species of rose connoisseurs assignment is no longer possible in many cases.
The showy, white, instensiv fragrant wild rose with its large umbels near des Triton Fountain is called Snow White.
Shrub roses are actually "Old Garden Roses" or "old roses", what a time
classification of roses is that were on the market before 1867.
Shrub roses are also called park roses because they are often planted as a soloist in a park/garden.
They grow shrubby, reaching heights up to 2 meters and usually bloom only 1 x per year.
The Renner- Rose
The most famous bush rose sits at the exit to Ballhausplatz before the presidential office.
It is named after the former Austrian President Dr. Karl Renner
When you enter, coming from the Ballhausplatz, the Viennese folk garden of particular note is a large rose bush, which is in full bloom in June.
Before that, there is a panel that indicates that the rose is named after Karl Renner, founder of the First and Second Republic. The history of the rose is a bit of an adventure. President Dr. Karl Renner was born on 14 in December 1870 in the Czech village of Untertannowitz as the last of 18 children of a poor family.
Renner output rose at Ballhausplatz
He grew up there in a small house, in the garden, a rose bush was planted.
In summer 1999, the then Director of the Austrian Federal Gardens, Peter Fischer Colbrie was noted that Karl Renner's birthplace in Untertannowitz - Dolni Dunajovice today - and probably would be demolished and the old rosebush as well fall victim to the demolition.
High haste was needed, as has already been started with the removal of the house.
Misleading inscription " reconstruction"?
The Federal Gardens director immediately went to a Rose Experts on the way to Dolni Dunajovice and discovered "as only bright spot in this dismal property the at the back entrance of the house situated, large and healthy, then already more than 80 year old rose bush".
After consultation with the local authorities Peter Fischer Colbrie received approval, to let the magnificent rose bush dig-out and transport to Vienna.
Renner Rose is almost 100 years old
A place had been found in the Viennese People´s Garden, diagonal vis-à-vis the office where the president Renner one resided. On the same day, the 17th August 1999 the rosebush was there planted and in the following spring it sprouted already with flowers.
In June 2000, by the then Minister of Agriculture Molterer and by the then Mayor Zilk was a plaque unveiled that describes the origin of the rose in a few words. Meanwhile, the "Renner-Rose" is far more than a hundred years old and is enjoying good health.
Memorial Dr. Karl Renner : The Registrar in the bird cage
Georg Markus , Courier , 2012
Sponsorships
For around 300 euros, it is possible to assume a Rose sponsorship for 5 years. A tree-sponsorship costs 300 euros for 1 year. Currently, there are about 60 plates. Behind this beautiful and tragic memories.
If you are interested in sponsoring people garden, please contact:
Master gardener Michaela Rathbauer, Castle Garden, People's Garden
M: 0664/819 83 27 volksgarten@bundesgaerten.at
Varieties
Abraham Darby
1985
English Rose
Alec 's Red
1970
Hybrid Tea Rose
Anni Däneke
1974
Hybrid Tea Rose
aspirin
Florybunda
floribunda
Bella Rosa
1982
Florybunda
floribunda
Candlelight
Dagmar Kreizer
Danube
1913
Schlingrose
Donauprinzessin
Doris Thystermann
1975
Hybrid Tea Rose
Dr. Waldheim
1975
Hybrid Tea Rose
Duftwolke
1963
Eiffel Tower
1963
English Garden
Hybrid Tea Rose
Gloria Dei
1945
Hybrid Tea Rose
Goldelse
gold crown
1960
Hybrid Tea Rose
Goldstar
1966
deglutition
Greeting to Heidelberg
1959
Schlingrose
Hanseatic City of Rostock
Harlequin
1985
Schlingrose
Jean C.N. Forestier
1919
Hybrid Tea Rose
John F. Kennedy
1965
Hybrid Tea Rose
Landora
1970
Las Vegas
1956
Hybrid Tea Rose
Mainzer Fastnacht
1964
Hybrid Tea Rose
Maria Theresa
medial
Moulineux
1994
English Rose
national pride
1970
Hybrid Tea Rose
Nicole
1985
Florybunda
Olympia 84
1984
Hybrid Tea Rose
Pearl of the Vienna Woods
1913
Schlingrose
Piccadilly
1960
Hybrid Tea Rose
Rio Grande
1973
Hybrid Tea Rose
Rose Gaujard
1957
Hybrid Tea Rose
Rubens
1859
English Rose
Rumba
snowflake
1991
Florybunda
snow white
shrub Rose
Swan
1968
Schlingrose
Sharifa Asma
1989
English Rose
city of Vienna
1963
Florybunda
Tenor
Schlingrose
The Queen Elizabeth Rose
1954
Florybunda
Tradescanth
1993
English Rose
Trumpeter
1980
Florybunda
floribunda
Virgo
1947
Hybrid Tea Rose
Winchester Cathedral
1988
English Rose
Source: Federal leadership Gardens 2012
Historic Gardens of Austria, Vienna, Volume 3 , Eva Berger, Bohlau Verlag, 2004 (Library Vienna)
Index Volksgartenstraße
www.viennatouristguide.at/Altstadt/Volksgarten/volksgarte...
After verifying that none of the 16 000 angry truck drivers were
blockading the road to Tiwanaku, we set out for a very fun day at the
ruins!
We grabbed a city bus/van to the cemetery district and then got into
another minivan heading to Tiwanaku. After waiting around for a while,
we set off, driving out of the city through the neighbouring
municipality of El Alto and then through the stunning Altiplano with
views of snowy mountains above the city. We chatted with a couple of
English people, also spending the day at the ruins. It never takes long
for people to think that the gulf islands are one of the weirdest places
they've ever heard of.
We hopped out of the van outside the ruins and bought some cookies for a
snack before entering the main site. It was almost deserted and
absolutely spectacular. We started by exploring Akapana, a large pyramid
made mainly from earth that was thought to have been the centre of the
city. Then we visited the semi-subterranean temple with carving of faces
jutting out from the walls. They are thought to represent the gods of
the cultures conquered by the Tiwanaku. Then, we spent a long time
oohing and awing over the incredible architecture of Kalasasaya, the
sacred centre of the city. The stone work was incredible, and it's
especially amazing in a culture without iron tools. There were ornate
doorways and statues, and a very sophisticated aqueduct system. We also
saw a huge mud alter that's still used for Aymara ceremonies at the
site. Our last stop in the main complex was Putini, which is thought to
be a burial ground. By this time, buses full of tourists were arriving,
but we managed to avoid them as they started to explore the site.
Next, we visited the Museo Litico which houses many of the statues
uncovered during the excavations of Tiwanaku. They were all incredible;
the Pachamama (or Mother Earth) statue was 7.3 meters tall and covered
from head to toe in details carvings. The style of lots of the statues
resembles totem poles, so that was a cool link between distant cultures.
It was past noon by now, so we decided to venture into the town of
Tiwanaku to find a cheap place to eat. After a delicious meal of soup
and rice, we found a store selling treats to the hoards of
turquoise-sweater-wearing school kids. We bought ice cream and then
headed towards the second complex of ruins: Puma Punku. We were the only
ones there for most of the time and it was magical. There was some
impressive stonework and it was super cool to walk around the earth
pyramid and see it from all angles.
Finally, we visited the ceramics museum, which was very busy with tour
groups. It was still cool though, to see the pottery and a few textiles
that had been used in the site.
Tired after such a fun day, we got on another mini-bus and headed back
to La Paz.