A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2007.
Part 56:
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Orchid
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Scene from open-air theater
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Orchid
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Orchid
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Orchid
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Scene from open-air theater
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Orchid
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Orchid
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2007, 2017
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
232: Purple Orchid
APRIL 2009: Purple Orchid
Orchids are real beauties among the flowers. Not only because of the diversity of shapes and colors, but also because of the perfection of the flowers. Orchids are widely appreciated, and are cultivated at home with much dedication and affection. Commercial growers need to obtain experience for the best results; when achieved, the flowers are much valued. Exhibitions are held regularly, where the finest flowers gain the prices. These amazing orchids are perfect for fine, colorful pictures. The picture doesn’t show the frontal view of the purple orchid. On the contrary, the picture is taken from behind. A different angle.
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2009, 2016
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
118. Green orchid
NOVEMBER 2007: Green orchid
At least once a year, an orchid exhibition is held in the Minascentro convention center in downtown Belo Horizonte, capital of the state of Minas Gerais. Minascentro is locally known for regional and national exhibitions, state and national meetings, and graduation ceremonies of several faculties and universities. At the other side of Avenida Augusto de Lima is Mercado Central, a very popular local market. The picture above was taken during the exhibition held in November 2007. That day, I took a large number of pictures of the colorful flowers. I was not the only photographer; there were at least some dozen with a large variety of compact and professional cameras. Only few used the camera function of a cell phone. The green orchid received much attention. Most photographers tried to picture the entire flower, while I was focused on just a detail of this special flower.
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2007, 2015
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
087. Orchid
NOVEMBER 2006: Orchid
Once a year, an orchid exhibition is held in Expominas, the exhibition center in downtown Belo Horizonte. For one weekend, orchid lovers may walk around for hours to see and wonder the exotic colors and shapes of the queens among the flowers. Most of the orchids are for sale, and are sold in large quantities. It is interesting to notice the orchid lovers walking out of the center, with a happy smile on the faces, after having managed to buy the orchid plant of their dreams. An expert jury had previously nominated the best orchids; these winners were positioned in a prominent location. The orchid above did not belong to the winners, but in my opinion these flowers were my champions!
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014
Praça XV de Novembro hosts various monuments and memorials. The name (15th of November) refers to the declaration of the Brazilian Republic, and therefore the end of the Brazilian Empire. Curiously enough, one imperial palace is located on this square: Paço Imperial, where the Portuguese crown prince and later king Dom João VI, and the Brazilian emperors Dom Pedro I and Dom Pedro II had their offices. Ironically, the square also served as location of departure of the imperial family in 1889, when they were sent into exile. A statue of Dom João VI is located on this square. Another statue is of a Brazilian war hero, General Osório. Manuel Luís Osório (1808-1879), who became baron of Erval, and later was promoted via viscount to marquis of Erval. Osório participated in important battles during the Paraguayan War (1864-1870). He later was appointed as minister of War, until his death. The pantheon was constructed in 1894, with a bronze statue that was made of two cannons that were captured in Paraguay. In 1993, his mortal remains were transferred to his native state: Rio Grande do Sul. He is the patron of the cavalry of the Brazilian army.
The original picture was taken in December 2006.
Click HERE for the accompanying story about the first travel to Rio de Janeiro.
(Click HERE for the Dutch version)
ClickHEREfor general information about RIO DE JANEIRO,
including history, touristic information and informative videos.
Click HERE for overview of Carnaval 2012 in Rio de Janeiro
General Osório
Return of the statue after restoration
Not far from Lapa, a huge conic building is located near the headquarters of multinational company Petrobrás. It is a cathedral, the Catedral São Sebastião, or also known as Catedral Metropolitana. The cathedral is 75 meters high, with an internal diameter of 96 meters. The cathedral, inaugurated in 1979, is able to host twenty thousand people. Four enormous windows of stained glass, from floor to ceiling, represent four characteristics of the Church: Una, Santa, Católica, and Apostólica. São Sebastião is the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro, the cathedral is dedicated to this saint. A statue of another saint, São Francisco is located near one of the entrance doors. He is holding a bird on his right hand. The saint is facing the mirror view of his House.
The original picture was taken in October 2007.
Click HERE for the accompanying story about the first travel to Rio de Janeiro.
(Click HERE for the Dutch version)
ClickHEREfor general information about RIO DE JANEIRO,
including history, touristic information and informative videos.
Click HERE for overview of Carnaval 2012 in Rio de Janeiro
It is hard to miss the shape of the Corcovado (‘Hunchback’) Peak in Rio de Janeiro. This peak is 710 meters high, with the famous statue of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) built on it. More than one million tourists visit the Modern World Wonder annually. Thus far, I have visited this World Wonder three times. My first encounter with the enormous statue was in January 2007. I joined a group to climb the slopes of the Corcovado Hill. I was amazed by the breathtaking views, but I had the bad luck that my camera broke one day before our visit.
The second visit occurred in October 2007. This time, I joined some friends who took a van. The fastest way, but also expensive. And your time is restricted, 90 minutes at most. And I had back luck again, I had forgotten my camera. That day, it was very cloudy, and the statue was really invisible.
My third visit was only one day later. I joined another group, who followed the track of the railroad that is heading for the peak. And finally, I had my camera with me. When I was in front of the statue, I took many shots. Of the breathtaking view of the city of Rio, under sunny circumstances. And I made a number of shots of the statue. Details of the statue. When I aimed on one of the hands of the statue, I clicked. And when I clicked, a dove was on its way. A lucky shot.
The original picture was taken in October 2007.
Click HERE for the accompanying story about the first travel to Rio de Janeiro.
(Click HERE for the Dutch version)
ClickHEREfor general information about RIO DE JANEIRO,
including history, touristic information and informative videos.
Click HERE for overview of Carnaval 2012 in Rio de Janeiro
