AIRBNB WONDERS

 

.    .    .

 

Man, I’m completely
flabbergasted by this place!

 

Hi! Ok… this is Holmenkollen, as in:


“High above Norway’s capital, you’ll find Holmenkollen… An arena that has hosted ski jumping daredevils from all over the world, including those visiting for the World Championships and Winter Olympics.”

 

 

Holmenkollen comes with it’s very own fully furnished penthouse, set at the top of the ski jump, right where champions prepare for flight. The apartment’s floor-to-ceiling windows give you one of the best imaginable views of Oslo, snowcapped mountains and endless forest.

 

 

The interior is almost as spectacular as the exterior…
NOT KIDDING.

 

 

I discovered this place by accident (or should I say – on tumblr) and then by further investigation I ended up on airbnb, that featured this place (as well as a contest where they rewarded a winner with the the opportunity to spend a night in Holmenkollen’s chic penthouse).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  

but, that’s not all…

 

 

This is yet another property listed on airbnb –
a spacious airplane apartment.

“Located right beside the runway of Amsterdam’s bustling Schiphol airport, our detached airplane comes with all conveniences and will truly be your home away from home. Inside the bright 366m² plane with 116 windows you will find a large living room, one master bedroom, two children’s beds, two kitchens and eight small bathrooms.”

 

.    .    .

all pics are courtesy of airbnb.com

ONE HUNDRED SCENES OF KOBE

 

 

.   .   .

On the left, beautiful poster color drawings of Kobe,
the sixth largest city in Japan, with the 1000 year history as a
trading port between Japan and the Asian Continent, by Hide
Kawanishi (1894 - 1965), from his book "One Hundred Scenes
of Kobe".

 

These fascinating illustrations are scenes of the changing city, after the WWII, drawn mostly in a period between 1952 and 1953. Enchanted by Kawanishi's
“One Hundred Scenes of Kobe”, more than a half of a century later, Takayuki Kita haunted the Kobe for two years, chasing the locations of these scenes, one by one. These are his photos on the right, paired with Kawanishi’s drawings.

You can find all of the artwork from “One Hundred Scenes of Kobe" along with Mr Takayuki’s photos, commentaries (about locations, their importance, the exact years that photos and drawings were made) and google maps (yes!), on the official site of city of Kobe.

BTW – it is a surreal experience to compare these two views and see how and where the city has changed. Some of the things from Kawanishi’s drawings are completely gone.. but somehow, you can still sense the vibe of the location. Since I’m a romantic and a neat freak I picked those which resisted the change and kept their original shape.

(please click on the pics, they are sooo much better in higher resolutios)

 

.  .  .

#ONTHEDRAW

 

.   .   .

 

#ONTHEDRAW

is an illustrated journey

Seven international illustrators head to the Canary Islands. Seven talented artists each coming from a different country, with their own style and ready to enjoy five intense days in each of the Canary Islands. A physical and emotional journey through the natural and human landscape of the islands through the eyes of an artist in search of inspiration…

.   .   .

 

Fuerteventura by Malika Favre, Lanzarote by Ekaterina Koroleva, La Gomera by Jens Magnusson, Gran Canaria by Paula Bonet, Tenerife by Ben Heine, La Palma by Steve Simpson, El Hierro by Mads Berg