Giraffe Through The Roof

Google Street View

An unusual sight in Paris - a gigantic yellow giraffe poking its head from the roof of a building which is aptly named 'Giraffe Childcare Centre'. The torso of the giraffe passes through a cantilevered top level and its legs, long neck, head and part of its belly are visible from the road. The legs are positioned in such a way that the visitors to the building have to pass through the legs.

Located in Boulogne-Billancourt, it was designed by Hondelatte Laporte Architects and was completed in 2012. With an area of 1450 Sq. M (about 15,600 sq. ft.) it has 60 beds and a nursery for 20 kids.

 

Croy Castle, Holland

Google Street View

Info about castle: Wikipedia

My digitally modified version of above street view as shared in Artistic Google album of Google+

Best seen in larger view

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White House On The Canal

Google Street View

While Roaming the Google Streets found this white house in idyllic settings. The shadows in the still waters of the canal have given entire scenery a serene touch. The house known as Bosch and Vaart House is listed in Dutch Wikipedia as a national monument in Vries region of The Netherlands.

My digitally modified version of above street view as shared in Artistic Google album of Google+

Best seen in larger view

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Building Where TIME was Born

Google Street View

Google Street View

Believe it or not, World's largest circulation weekly, TIME magazine with a readership of 25 million, had a modest start in 1922 in this small building at 141 East, 17th Street in New York City.

As per trivia-library.com;

"In the late winter of 1922, two young Yale University graduates, Briton Hadden and Henry Robinson Luce, rented the parlor floor of an old house at 141 East 17th Street in New York for $55 a month, bought some tables and chairs for a total of $48.70, and sat down to write a prospectus for a new weekly newsmagazine to be called, after considerable reflection, Time."

Credits: I am thankful to LuciaM, Member, Guide and Moderator of Google Earth Community for bringing this to my knowledge through her post in GEC.

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Red Rocket Shaped Building, Røst (Rost) Island, Norway

Google Street View

While roaming the streets of Røst (Rost) Island, Lofoten Islands, Norway, I came across this red rocket shaped structure. I couldn't find any info about it. As it is located in a cemetery it could be a church.

Edit Note: April 12, 2012

As per research done by Noisette, who is a Google Earth addict (like me), volunteer moderator on the Google Earth Community and top contributor on the Google Earth help forum, the red cone is the spire of an old Røst Church (built around 1825) which was blown down by a hurricane in January 1835. The spire survived and is installed in the cemetery. It is now a reliable navigation point for ships off the coast. Source: gonorway.no

Credits: Thank you Noisette for finding the info source.

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Beautiful Pedestrian Coastal Path between Manarola and Riomaggiore

To fully appreciate this view, please open it in Google Street View

My last post was about a nice approach road to city tunnel in Suji-gu city of South Korea. Today I present a beautiful covered pedestrian path on the coast between the Italian villages of Manarola and Riomaggiore. These two villages are part of 'Cinque Terre' on the Italian Riviera coast of Liguria region, north-western Italy.

'Cinque Terre' which literary means "Five Lands" is a cluster of 5 small villages, which are famous for multi-coloured terraced houses on rugged and steep hills stretching upto deep cliffs overlooking the sea. These villages also have another unique feature that none of the villages have any motorable roads and the 8 km long coastal path which connects these is meant for hikers only.

To preserve the beauty of this region the whole area has been declared as "The Cinque Terre National Park" and is also a UNESCO World Heritage list.

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Nice Entrance To A City Tunnel

Google Street View

While roaming the Google Streets of Jukjeon region in Suji-gu city of South Korea, I came across this covered approach to a city tunnel. Normally the tunnel entrances are open to the sky but this is first time I came across a covered approach and that too a nice one.

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Rostral Columns of Saint Petersburg

Google Street View

Rostral column, is a type of victory column erected to commemorate a naval military victory.

These two red brick Rostral Columns installed in 1727 on the banks of Neha River in Saint Petersburg, were not only dedicated to the naval victories of the Russian Empire but were also used as lighthouses to guide the ship to the port which existed here until the middle of the nineteenth century.

Google Street View

These columns have winding staircases inside which leads to the platform on top where bowl-shaped lamps are fixed on metal tripods. Originally there were oil braziers which were lit in the night. The braziers were later replaced with gas lamps which are now lit on ceremonial occasions.

Two seated marble figures decorate the base of each column and represent four major rivers of Russia. Two on the northern column (shown above) represent the Volga and Dnieper, while seated figures in the other column represent Neva and Volkhov.

Source of info and more info: Wikipedia / Saint-petersburg-russia.org

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Colourful Buildings of Carl-Henning Pedersen and Else Alfelt Museum, Denmark

Google Street View

Google Street View

Carl-Henning Pedersen and Else Alfelt Museum in Birk outside Herning, Denmark is housed in a circular building whose exterior is beautifully covered with a 90 metre long ceramic frieze by Carl-Henning Pedersen.

Its extension building, which is in pyramidal (prism) shape, also has two sides covered with blue ceramic tiles painted by Carl-Henning Pedersen. The third side is made of glass.

Source of info: Danish Wikipedia  (English Translation)

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Giant Globe at Earth Explorer, Ostend, Belgium

Google Street View

"Earth Explorer" is science museum in Ostend, Belgium showcasing the four natural elements; Earth, Water, Fire and Wind. Through the exhibits and DIY projects it familiarises the visitors, the where and why of major natural actives like Earthquake, Volcanoes, Tornados, secrets of Ocean depth etc.

The giant Globe located at the entrance to the building measures about 12.5 metres (41 ft) and is made of reinforced fibreglass.

Main source of info: Earth Explorer Official Webpage (in Dutch) (English Translation)

Planet Hollywood, Acapulco, Mexico

Google Street View

Planet Hollywood is an International chain of Hollywood themed restaurant. Here is a street view of its branch in Acapulco, Mexico.

Source of info and more info: Wikipedia

Hórreo - The Granary On Toadstools

Google Street View

This strange looking cabin is a granary which is supported on stone/concrete pillars shaped liked toadstools. The toadstool shaped pillars not only keeps the rodents away but also protects the grain from moisture. Slits in the stone acts as ventilation.

Such granaries known as Hórreo in the Iberian peninsula were in use from as early 13th century and the oldest existing dates back to 15th century. Several thousand such granaries exist even today in the Peninsula. 

The Hórreo shown above is located in small village of Vilar de Oute, Outes, Corunna, Galicia, Spain.

Detailed information and some fascinating images:  kuriositas.com

Water Tanks Which Looks Like Castle

Google Street View

This castle looking building is in reality seven water tanks camouflaged to look like a castle. These are located close to Mt Airy Forest on the outskirts of Cincinnati, Ohio.

More info and images: Travelogue Of An Armchair Traveller.

Giant Coffee Cup, Milwaukee

Google Street View

This giant coffee cup with saucer adorns the roof of Tazza Pizzeria, 5010 W.  Vliet Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Originally built by Milwaukee Coffee Company, the building has changed hands a  few times and presently houses Tazza Pizzeria. It is a big landmark in the town.

Source of info: onmilwaukee.com

Credits: Felippo via Google Earth Community

Atomium - The Giant Iron Crystal, Brussels, Belgium

Google Street View

Here is an unusual and huge structure made of steel which is a 3-D representation of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times.

Known as Atomium, it was designed by André Waterkeyn for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. The structure officially billed as a monument and is 102 metres (335 ft) tall. Its nine spheres, each of 18 metres diameter, are interconnected by tubes which have escalators within them. The uppermost sphere provides a panoramic view of Brussels.

More info:  Wikipedia

Note: This post celebrates Google Street View of   Belgium  going online. Keep visiting this blog for more fantastic images from Belgium.

Circular Pedestrian Bridge, Sapporo

Google Street View

Circular pedestrian/foot bridge located in Sapporo, Hokkaido Island, Japan. Only a handful of circular bridges exist in the World.

Credits: Bridgeplayer via Google Earth Community Forum

Automatic Bike Dispensing Machine, The Netherlands

Google Street View

This strange looking opening in a rather drab building is the large slot of automatic bicycle dispensing machine in Arnhem Zuid railway station.

Few such machines have been installed in Holland. Through such machines, customers can automatically retrieve a rented bike or return it after use. More such machines have been planned in the country.

More info and images: Travelogue Of An Armchair Traveller

Dutch Windmill in Japan

Google Street View

This windmill in the town of Sakura, in northern Chiba Prefecture, Japan was erected by a Dutch company on the occasion of 40th anniversary of founding of the city.

Known as 'De Liefde' it is named after the first Dutch sailing ship which landed on the Japanese shore in 1600. Reportedly it is the only windmill of this type in Japan.

To give to an authentic look it even has a Dutch style small drawbridge at its entrance and Tulips are grown in the surrounding grounds.

Source of info: Wikipedia

Artistic Transmission Towers

Google Street View

Location: Turunväylä, Espoo, Finland

Transmission towers - a necessity, are an eyesore and ugly blot on the landscape. Here is a welcome change from the conventional design to give these uglies an artistic look.

Beautiful Cathedral of the Transfiguration, Markham, Canada

Google Street View

This imposing looking church is a former Roman Catholic, Slovak Byzantine rite, cathedral located in Markham, Ontario, Canada.

Consecrated as Cathedral of the Transfiguration, it is built on private property and due to dispute between the owner and the clergy this beautiful church is now closed. Reportedly last service was held on June 25, 2006 and it was open to public till 2009.

Among its features is the world's largest three bell carillon. The central golden onion domed tower is 63 metres high.

More info: Wikipedia

Credits: I am thankful to Barbara who sent me a link with a fascinating story as to how she found this church. I am quoting below part of e-mail received from her.

Recently I travelled to Toronto in Canada, and flying in over the city spotted a large, Russian-looking church, with turrets topped by golden domes. Later I asked someone what it was, and he said it was a mosque. But I was sure I'd seen crosses on the domes, so I asked the internet. It turned out to be quite a strange story!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_the_Transfiguration_(Markham).

I would really have liked to visit it, but our schedule didn't allow. However, thanks to Google Street View, I could of course be an armchair traveller!..........

Thank you Barbara for the link and sharing your experience.