Our world we live in has so much to offer. I travel a lot and like to share my expericences with you. It all startet with my job n the maledives. To stay in touch with friends and family I created this blog. The job is finished since a long time but I will not stop writing my blog and tell you about the world we live in. Does and dont's, tipps and tricks will be published here. Have fun reading and enjoy your own trips.
Donnerstag, 12. Dezember 2013
Garden Routes Heart - Knysna
South Africa's Garden Route is not only in the spring or summer worth a visit. Even mid-end-autumn still expected with mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine.
We stayed at Jembjo's Knysna Lodge. A very cool place to stay. Central, nice and cosy. The owners are very open and sweet. They gave some ideas for places to eat. They drove us to the restaurant, organised us a trip to the rasta community and invited us for dinner one night. We had a big braai. Thank you so much once again. I would love to come back someday.
The region of Knysna is known for it's breweries. There is even a brewery in Knysna. We went for dinner to a restaurant called scirocco. They serve good pizzas and you can do a beer tasting. They serve you like 7 different (!) beers locally brewed. They are all tasty but find it out for yourself. Next to this place is a very cool bar. They have life music.
Knysna a rich city. Big houses and a lot of yachts and expensive cars. It's very touristic but calm and clean. There is a dayly market in the center close to the main road. Altough it is very touristic I like the city because it's not to big and in spring and summer it's very colorful. The city is very well located and therefore the starting point for walks, water sports, paragliding and various other excursions.
Everything is green but of course most of the flowers are missing. But we didn't cry and started with a hike to the Knysna Heads. Knysna is situated on the Knysna lagoon, which is enclosed by the Knysna Heads. Like two watchtowers project the rocks in front of the small city. We tried to follow the water but suddenly the path ended. So we had to walk on the road. Beware of fast cars. It was very hot and steap (at the end) so it turned out to be a little strenuous hike. I can tell you it was worth every step.
on the top of Knysna Head |
We stayed at Jembjo's Knysna Lodge. A very cool place to stay. Central, nice and cosy. The owners are very open and sweet. They gave some ideas for places to eat. They drove us to the restaurant, organised us a trip to the rasta community and invited us for dinner one night. We had a big braai. Thank you so much once again. I would love to come back someday.
The Knysna Lagoon |
Knysna a rich city. Big houses and a lot of yachts and expensive cars. It's very touristic but calm and clean. There is a dayly market in the center close to the main road. Altough it is very touristic I like the city because it's not to big and in spring and summer it's very colorful. The city is very well located and therefore the starting point for walks, water sports, paragliding and various other excursions.
Madrid - The capital of Spain
Metropolis House |
I noticed that there are many old buildings. Some of which were glass fronts or other very modern elements added. Taking the example of the Metropolis House it was built round 1910 by an insurance. You should see this building during the night. With all the lights it's very beautiful. Many buildings were illuminated. Madrid is the third biggest city of Europe but I have to admit it's very clean but crowded. So many tourist and locals....
Plaza Mayor |
We went up Gran Via to Plaza Callao then turned in to Calle Preciados and headed to Puerta del Sol. It's a big square in the hearth of the city. Lot's of tourists and locals. Seemed to be a place to be. Close to this square there is Plaza Mayor. It's one of the oldest squares in Madrid. They used it for different purposes during inquisition were they killed people, it was also used as soccerfield, bullfights, theaters and many more... Plaza Mayor is not very nice but the houses around are very beautiful. The paintings on the wall show scenes from different myths. Next remarkable building we visited was the Cathedral of Madrid. The construction took more than 100 years but since 1993 it's finished.
More than that I can't tell you about Madrid. The next day we went to this wedding. But well there are some restaurant and hotel tipps. We had our last dinner in Madrid in Meson Rincon de la Cava. It was very tasty and cheap. Next to us were tourists and locals as well. Our last night we stayed in Hotel Opera as the name tells yout it's just behind the opera so very central. Exellent service, nice rooms and good breakfast.
Madrid I will come back someday.
Freitag, 6. September 2013
Dirty Durban Diary
Are you looking for some place with a good clima through the hole year? Some place were it's warm and sunny? So, good news I found it for you. Durban is situated next to the Indian Ocean and with it's 5 km sandy beach it's a good place to swim in some warm water. (The more south you go, the colder the water gets. In Capetown the people usually don't swim in the ocean even in summer...!) The beach walk starts at Ushaka Marine World and takes you to the Moses Mabhida Stadium (the soccer stadium they built for the World Cup). It's a popular promenade for riding bikes, rollerblades or for some jogging. There are small shops and restaurants and one casino next to the way.
For dinner I would recomend you the Moyo next to Ushaka Marine World. http://www.moyo.co.za/restaurant-moyo-ushaka/map.aspx
They serve very good food, the staff is very friendly and they do have some live music from time to time. It's a south african restaurant chain they call themselves to have a modern sophisticated african cuisine. The restaurant is "upstairs" and the beach bar is "downstairs". This calm place turns into a vibrating club as soon the band starts to play. As the bar was empty I took a chance and talked to the barkeeper about politics, the future and our favourite european soccer teams.
Durban's skyline
For the World Cup they expanded into the ocean. They built a second bar on the pier next to the restaurant. I think they name it Moyo Pier. I didn't check it out.
My backpacker was just around the corner of all these places. The Happy Hippo Backpacker is a quite big but very clean hostel. From the roof top bar you can't see the ocean ;-) but you have a great overview over the southend of the city. The doorman comes from the north of Kwa-Zulu-Natal were he escaped from a cheetah one morning.Crazy story
the skycar takes you up for R55
Going home to South Africa
Home in South Africa? Yes, it was my third trip to South Africa so I felt like coming home for some kind. This trip took me from Durban to Capetown once again. I had two weeks and I travelled by BazBus. I had a wonderful time with the guys from Bazbus. Very good drivers and story tellers.... The buses were quite new and comfortable. For this price I coulnd't say anything. They do a great job.But the very coolest thing about travelling around ZA by is you are going to meet a lot of people in the bus or at the backpackers. Most of them you see again and again.
My trip started in Durban on May 4 and ended on May 19 in Stellenbosch. Port Elisabeth, Knysna, Stellenbosch and Capetown were the cities I've visited.
Montag, 20. Mai 2013
Valencia - modern & aktiv
Die grüne Lunge der Stadt, der Stadtpark zieht sich kilometerlang mitten durch die Stadt. Vor rund 60 Jahren war hier noch ein Fluss. Da dieser oft zu verherenden Überschwemmungen führte, entschied sich die Stadt, diesen um zu leiten und einen im Flussbett einen Stadtpark zu bauen. Wo früher Wasser war, gibt es heute Jogger, Spielplätze, Sportplätze, den Zirkus und valencia artes y ciencias, das Wissenschaftszenter mit mondäner Architektur.
Angeregt von den vielen Menschen im Park, die sich sportlich betätigten, haben wir Fahrräder gemietet und sind durch den Park gefahren. Als dieser fertig war, bogen wir auf den Fahrradweg ein Richtung Meer. Unser Ziel war aber nciht das Meer sondern Parc Natural l'Albufera, ein Natturreservat, das reich an Vögeln war. Ursprünglich sollte dieses Land im Park zur Wohnbauzone gemacht werden, doch die Valencianos wehrten sich dagegen, diese wollten lieber ein Naturpark nahe der Stadt. Wir hatten immer noch nicht genug vom Fahrrad fahren. Die Wege waren sehr gut und das Wetter verlockte uns. Wir radelten weiter und entfernten uns vom Meer zur Lagune von Albufeira. Das ist das grösste Süsswasservorkommen Spaniens und hier wird auch Reis angebaut. Ja, Reis, den braucht man ja auch für die Paella.
Angeregt von den vielen Menschen im Park, die sich sportlich betätigten, haben wir Fahrräder gemietet und sind durch den Park gefahren. Als dieser fertig war, bogen wir auf den Fahrradweg ein Richtung Meer. Unser Ziel war aber nciht das Meer sondern Parc Natural l'Albufera, ein Natturreservat, das reich an Vögeln war. Ursprünglich sollte dieses Land im Park zur Wohnbauzone gemacht werden, doch die Valencianos wehrten sich dagegen, diese wollten lieber ein Naturpark nahe der Stadt. Wir hatten immer noch nicht genug vom Fahrrad fahren. Die Wege waren sehr gut und das Wetter verlockte uns. Wir radelten weiter und entfernten uns vom Meer zur Lagune von Albufeira. Das ist das grösste Süsswasservorkommen Spaniens und hier wird auch Reis angebaut. Ja, Reis, den braucht man ja auch für die Paella.
Samstag, 16. Februar 2013
Valencia - historisch
Dem Winter entfliehen, das war unser Ziel. Die Sonne sehen und sich nicht mehr fürchten von der Winterjacke erwürgt zu werden. Auf der Suche nach ungezwungenem T-Shirt Wetter zogen wir gegen Süden. Unser Kurztripp führte uns nach Valencia, die Geburtsstadt der Paella.
Plaza de Ayuntamiento, Valencia |
Etwas nördlich des Platzes findet man das ware Herzstück Valencias. Die Kathedrale Santa Maria de Valencia und der angrenzende Plaza de la Virgen. Da sollen oft Feste gefeiert werden, mit Feuerwerk, Musik und allem was so dazu gehört. Wir sahen leider kein Fest. Nichstdestotrotz kann ich bestätigen, dass es da immer viele Leute hat. Nicht nur Touristen, auch Schulklassen und Einheimische. Da die Kathedrale momentan renoviert wird, war sie eingepäckt. Wer das Inner des Gebäudes sehen will, muss Eintritt bezahlen. Diese Geld haben wir uns aufgespart für eine gute Flasche Wein.
Mercad Central |
Diese zwei L stehen für die doppelte Loyalität der Stadt gegenüber des Königs Pedro IV de Aragon. Valencia hat zwei Angriffen feindlicher Truppen stand gehalten.
Die "loyalen" Valencianos bieten in diesem Gebäude täglich ihre Produkte an.
Jamones sind typisch für diese Stadt. Solche ganzen Schinken lachen einem aus den Fenstern unzähliger Restaurants und Tapasbars an. Am Flughafen habe ich das erste mal den Preis dafür angeschaut. ca. EUR 150.00
Mein absolutes Lieblingsviertel der Altstadt Valencias, Barrio Carmen, befindet sich nördlich des Marktes. Es besticht durch viele kleine Restaurants, Tapasbars, Bars und Discos. Kleine Gassen münden in Kreuzungen, welche von Orangenbäume flankiert sind. Hier gibt es viele ältere Gebäude, die alle samt schön Renoviert wurden. In diesem Quartier befindet sich das Restaurant I.O. Deren Speisekarte umfasst gegen 12 Gerichte. Die Auswahl ist klein, das Restaurant in weiss und rosa gehalten. Die Köchin versteht was von ihrer Arbeit. Fantastisch haben wir hier zwei mal gegessen. Als die Rechnung kam, fiel ich benahe vom Stuhl. 45 Euro inkl 1 Flasche des teuersten Weins für zwei Personen. Total günstig.
Estacio del Nord |
Ich war angenehm überrascht, dass diese Grossstadt so sauber ist. Die drittgröste Stadt Spaniens wirkt aber keineswegs aufgebläht und überbevölkert. Die Menschen strahlen keine Hektit aus und sind enorm freundlich und hilfsbereit.
Bevor wir die Altstadt verlassen, kehren wir nochmals zum Plaza Ayuntamiento zurück. Von hier gehen wir nach Süden.
Als Eisenbahnfan ist es ein absolutes Muss, den Bahnhof zu besichtigen. Ein grossen, altes Gebäude umgibt den Sackbahnhof.
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