Jana around the world

Cuisine and food in Reunion island/ la cuisine de la Reunion

2012-01-31T23:40:00.008+01:00

Reunion island wont disappoint you when you get hungry! Indeed the island food is simply fantastic. French, Creole, Indian and Chinese influence melts here in one yummy and flavoured with fresh spices gourmet-heaven! Its the first place and time I have heart of salade made out of the heart of a specific palm tree ("la salade de palmiste"): so I gave it a try and it tasted really fresh and yummy. A bit nutty-veggie taste!

For the main dishes one may always choose fish or meat prefered in one of the following sauces: "carry", "rougail" or "massale". All of the three listed include different spices such: cumin, garlic, pimento, ginger, cloves or lime caffire leaves...The second picture shows the dish "rougail sousisse", the way main dishes are always served here: with rice and cooked pulse/legumes.

Of course the fresh catch of the day is perfect either as sashimi or on the grill...We have cooked several local veggies: on the picture below I had prepared the famous jackfruit cut in small pieces and cooked (for over 3 hours) in coconut milk and fresh spices. Served with raw-green mango-chutney (here known as "mangue rougail")...

Some fresh exotic fruits from the market for breakfast or for sweet-snack during the day....and...

...last but not least: some "fondant au chocolat" with mango pulp...no better way to finish a meal after the exhasuting walk to the volcano crater:-))

The underwater world in la Reunion: snorkelling in the Indian ocean, part 3

2012-01-27T21:27:00.003+01:00

As promised finally some videos from the long snorkeling hours in the warm water of the Indian ocean. Next to the colourful trigger fishes and the quick butterfly fishes I had the honour to swim with a huge family of squids (over 20) and one let me (very kindly) film him/her from very close! Doenjoy the video and those fantastic colours. The squids are extremely incredible to watch in therei element (water) as they move with their wings and change colours almost all the time!

The second video shows the huge variety of different fishes in the bay of St Leu after one local crushed a sea urchin and let the passing by fishes have a feast:

And some more pictures from the underwater inhabitants and the snorkeling tourists:-)

The fauna of Reunion island: endormi, tangue and more!

2012-01-24T22:22:00.006+01:00

For sure one of the most colourful representative from the fauna of Reunion island is the so called "endormi" (the sleepy one). The male cameleon has its very bright colours, while the juniors and the female ones are less colourful. They are really impressive animals. I do add also one video of the same cutie below. Enjoy his slow moves:

Another cute animal is "le tangue", a far cousin of the hedghoge. They are tinier than European relatives and hide in the rainforest, we were pretty happy to spot a group of some baby ones during one of our walks! Plenty of other exotic insects are flying around: like the purple dragonfly, the black-red bugs and beautiful butterflies!

One of the first things that will strike you in Reunion island are the birds...They are everywhere, it does not matter if you are close to the sea or up in the mountains, there is always singing around you!

About "cases creoles" and architecture in Reunion and French Antilles

2012-01-22T22:22:00.003+01:00

All around the Reunion island one sees the famous "case creole". Usually painted in very happy colour (like bright green, blue, red, orange or rose) they are cute one-floor houses (in the old times wooden, nowadays also from metal or concrete). They are almost always decorated with some "frise" (beautiful carving under the roof). This lovely detail is made (according to the old tradition) out of special wood such as ylang-ylang, lemongrass or geranium. Like this it keeps the mosquitos away (as well as the rain water) and the inhabitants healthy. The "frise" indicates also the social status of the owner, the more unsual and rich it is, the more healtier the people living in are...

The "cases creoles" hide usually in a garden full with exotic flowers and fruits trees (on the first picture you may have already seen the mangos on the left:-) The same houses are also to be spotted everywhere in the French Caribbean. The last two pictures depict some examples from les Saintes and the houses in Terre-de-Haut. They are even more colourful than in Reunion, a real eyecatcher:-)

La Plage de Tremblet et la route des laves, Reunion/ The frozen lava next to Tremblet in Reunion

2012-01-19T21:44:00.005+01:00

In the south-east part of Reunion island, close to the crater of the active volcano Piton de la Fournaise one may visit and walk on the frozen lava...There are signs indicating the eruption year at different places. On advice of a friend we stopped close to the beach of Tremblet, where the 2007 eruption took place.

After a walk in a very greeny scenery we arrived on a beach: partly covered with black sand, partly with the frozen lava from 2007. The lava went up to the sea here...the colours in the lava stones were really breathtaking! We were told that there was so much lava that came out in 2007, that the road was covered with 10 meters of it!

The underwater world in la Reunion: snorkeling in the Indian ocean, part 2

2012-01-16T07:09:00.003+01:00

...some more great snorkelling experience the last two days in the lagoon of St Leu...I was so lucky to swim with two squids, such amazing creatures, I have also a lovely video, which I would upload a bit later...

Graffiti/ street art in Reunion island

2012-01-15T17:23:00.003+01:00

In all of the French oversea territories there is tendency for a lot of graffiti decoration.
In Reunion island there were several really beautiful and creative ones which I would like to present to you with this blog entry...

Reunion island seen from above/ La Reunion vue du ciel

2012-01-13T19:07:00.002+01:00

Reunion is 60 by 80 km big, however the island offers completely different landscapes in very short distances.

We did an hour tour with helicopter to view all these colouful and breathtaking beauties from above:
- la Plaine des Palmistes (an area covered with furn bushes and trees)
- la Plaine des Sables, the way leading to the volcano Piton de la Fournaise
- the carter of the active volcano
- le Cirque de Mafate
- Ananas-fields (the brown parts) above St-Pierre

- the waterfall of Takamaka, accessible only by one day foot walk;

Simply fantastic way to discover a lot of not reachable by foot or car corners!

More or less unknown (exotic) plants, trees and inhabitants of Reunion island

2012-01-11T17:49:00.004+01:00

While walking in the nature our friends from here made us familar with some plants and trees we have never seen before.The "vacoa" (fr) palm = "screw pine" (en.) on the first picture is famous for its leaves, its fruits have sweet flauvor. On the second shot one may see the tree tomatos, which can be eaten raw or in jams.A common local, hiding very often in the green fences, is the here called "endormi" (third picture), a cameleon imported from Madagaskar.

Another unknown wild fruit we tried is the so called "pop.pop", from the passion fruit family. In the ball of green hair there is a orange ball hiding few fgrains covered by jelly. While walking between litchi and longani trees in the area od St Anne, we also passed by some ananas plants....

Another unsual fruit is the "margoze sauvage" (fr.) = "bitter gourd"(en.), on the two pics below. The wild version on the picture is not edible, when ripe the red seeds are distributed in the nature. The big version (as of 20-30cm and green) is used for salads and has a bit bitter flavour compared to cucumbers which it looks familar to..

A big thanks goes to Jojo for the great flora-fauna-tour!

The underwater world in la Reunion: snorkeling in the Indian ocean

2012-01-10T18:27:00.007+01:00

Today some pleasant snorkeling in not even 2 meters water, on the beach of St-Leu.
The water warm as it should be (may be 27 degrees:-) and simply amazing colours and abundance of fishes...

As you can see there is a lot of dead coral (all the white looking pieces like small stones). For some years a protected area has been created on the west coast of the island with three different access rights: the strongest protection does not allow any activities in it...However unfortunately the rules are not always followed by the people.

The scene below pictures the fishes eating a sea urchin crushed in pieces by one snorkler.

The market in St-Paul, Reunion/ Le marché de St-Paul

2012-01-09T06:57:00.002+01:00

Every Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, next to the sea the colourful weekly market takes place in St Paul, on the west coast of the Reunion island. One may find tons exotic fruits (in January: longani, litchi, passion fruits, ananas, ) and exotic flowers in all possible colours. The vegetables are also well presented next to somelocal home-made finger food..

The most famous snacks are the samoussas: small triangles with different fillings (chicken meat, fish, vegetables)...and of course the "bonbon piment", round balls made from cooked beans spiced up with peppers and other local herbs. I had a fresh pressed sugar cane juice and bought some local products: as the vanilla pods Bourbon, a very good appreciated souvenir and present for beloved ones at home:-)

Piton de la Fournaise, the walk to the volcano crater in la Reunion

2012-01-08T06:56:00.005+01:00

The wake-up ring (for the beauty above) was at 4.30 in the (still pretty dark) morning...A bit after 6 am we had the following amazing views of Piton des Neiges (next two pictures), the highest peak in la Reunion with its 3069 metres.

Shorthly before 7 am we were parked and ready for 5,5 hour walk to the crater of the volcano Piton de la Fournaise. Walking down and up on frozen lava and lava stones in different colours, passing by small and big craters, we arrived on the top of the crater Dolomieu and were stunned by its colours...

On the next photo is the Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most active volcanoes in the world!Last (small) eruption was in 2010, last big one was 2007.

We spent almost one hour on the top, at 2631 meters, contemplating the view and eating fruits.
The first picture is taken from the helicopter we took this morning to view the island from above, more to come a bit later:-)

Inbetween the lava the plants start to grow again-simply impressive!

Underwater in Reunion, diving in St Leu/ la vie sous-marine en Reunion

2012-01-04T18:32:00.003+01:00

Today I would like to share with you some underwater impressions from our two dives in St Leu (dive sites: "Les Arches" and "Les Kioskques")...Amazing colours are to be sighted and a lot of corals (fortunately in better shape than the corals in the Maldives), but still almost 40% is dead. Colourful fishes, curious shrimps, crabes and anemones, nudibranches hiding, corals in different shapes and colours are all around!
Enjoy the pictures taken by Nico!

Jardin des parfums et epices , St-Philippe/ Plants and spices garden

2012-01-01T20:47:00.003+01:00

An impressive way to get to know some local and imported flora is the visit to the "Jardin des parfums et epices"! Located in the forest next to St-Josephe this green private garden is really fantatsic garden to walk through. The guided tour is highly recommended and will give you not only explanatons about the exotic flowers/ palm trees/ spices, but also cooking recipes and other ideas or new information! On the pictures below you may admire:

- the famous "rose du porcelaine";

- the lianes of the "vanille bourbon"

- fresh green pepers grains

- the nutmeg apple incl the nutmeg

- the black orchid

- and the porcelaine rose again with an interesting insect on it;

Kelonia, the turtle clinic and observation center in St Leu, la Réunion

2011-12-31T11:18:00.002+01:00

Simply fantastic day with the turtles yesterday! We went to the turtle center "Kelonia" in St Leu, Reunion. The previous turtle farm ("Ferme Corail") is now a turtle clinic and education&observation center.

During a very informative guided tour we have learned that 5 out of the 7 turtles world species are to be found in the waters around la Reunion: "tortue verte" (green turtle), "tortue imbriquée" (hawksbill turtle), "tortue caouanne" (loggerhead turtle), "tortue olivâtre" (olive ridley turtle), tortue luth" (leatherback turtle). Due to the fact that the green turtle (latin name: "chelonia mydas") is the most common in Reunion, the center carries its name.

From all 5 species in Reunion, the green turtle is also the only herbivore one, that's also one of the reason why the people were consuming its meat for centuries. The turtle farm was launched in 1977 and was growing turtles for their meat, bones, fat and carapace. A big poster explains what each part of the turtle body was used for...

The convention of Washington in 1981 has declared the green turtle for protected specie internationally. However the turtle farming in Reunion stopped only in 1994. Since then the center is used for education and observation purposes.

One may meet in several aquariums turtles in different sizes and ages. There are also tortoises from Madagascar and the Seychelles! The center also show on display the different items people at different continents were producing from the turtle carapace, real pieces of art! Some other artifacts make one sad thought. On the last picture is the plastic content found in the stomach of a turtle which was operated in order to keep on living...Several don't have this chance and die...

La Réunion and its fruits...

2011-12-29T19:56:00.003+01:00

Here we are, this time live from the French territory "La Réunion" in the Indian ocean. This volcanic island is situated between south Madagaskar and Mauritus island and is 63 kilometres long by 45 kilometres wide...End of december its like the beginning of the summer here, so a lot oflocal fruits are available. For first time in my life I have not only seen trees hanging down with kilos of litchis (known and called by locals "letchis"), I had also the big pleasure to go collect some myself with our local friend Jojo! Under the letchi trees some local wildlife (a frog and a butterfly were very kind to pose for a picture too). On the way back a mango-tree dropped few fruits for us...

Back from the letchi gardens I had another very important task: to collect all ripe passion fruits in the garden of our friends:-)) What a fruity experience...

Below you can admire the first evening sunset...sky changed in different colours within an hour, simply fantatsic:

More reportages to come very soon! Next will be the amazing "Jardin des parfums et epices"!

MERRY CHRISTMAS: Christmas time is baking time....

2011-12-25T13:24:00.003+01:00

Wishing you all very HAPPY and cozy holidays...with my fruity
Christmas tree I have created myself last night for dessert:-)

As usually in december (and may be because of the cold weather outside) I love to open the winter baking season. The German habit of baking the famous "Weihnachtsplätzchen" (cookies for Christmas) and the fantastic smell of warm cinnamon from the oven are two reason why I always have fun doing it:-)

So this year I did four different kind of cookies:
- the honey-cinnamon balls, family recipe from my mum;
- the cacao-mapple siryp ones
- the hazelnut cantuccini
- the oats-buckwheat-cookies;

After vising USA I was also pretty curious to do some muffins myself at home. So below ou may see the yummy result of my salty pumpkin-chickpeas flour-creation too.

Münchener Mittelalter-Weihnachtsmarkt/ Munich Middle-Age-Christmas market

2011-12-21T00:28:00.005+01:00

For six years in a row on Wittelsbacher Platz (close to Odeonsplatz) one may visit (while living in the 21-st century) a Middle-Age-Christmas market....Its quiet a nice experience to sight the cute wooden houses and the way drinks and smoked fish are prepared "the old-fashined way"...Munich Christmas fairs go back to late medieval time. A "Saint-Nicolas-fair" is mentioned already back in 1410!

Nowadays one may enjoy he working craftsman and women and buy their art...Its a great Weihnachtsmarket, make sure to dress well, because if its not snowy and freezing, it might be raining+windy!

Next to clothes, spices, juwelery, one may also enjoy medieval spectacles and ancient music concerts on the weekends.

Christkindlmarkt am Marienplatz, Christmas market in the heart of Munich

2011-12-15T23:33:00.002+01:00

Munich offers every year over 25 different Christmas markets, something for all different tastes! The "Cristkindlmarkt am Marienplatz" is however the oldest and definitely the most famous one...150 wooden houses create for a month Cristmas feeling in the heart of the city. Next to the stands with the mandatory warming up "Glühwein" and "Würstchen", one may gaze at candles, spices and Christmas decoration..

Every year one may find here the same stands: as the one with the bamboo angels for example. This year I have discovered a few new and interesting ones. A home made soap with sheep milk from Austria or with olive oil from Italy: presented in very creative shapes and packaging (see first picture)...For the chocolate lovers there were all home-bricolage tools made out of...chocolate (a stand on Rindermarkt). Avoid the market after 18h as it gets too crowded and you might get a little be toosqueezed...however definitely worth a visit for all Weihnachtsmarkt-Liebhaber!

Cacao-art of Pierre Marcolini in the Marcolini chocolaterie, Brussels

2011-12-11T10:11:00.008+01:00

I did discover the chocolate masterpieces of Pierre Marcolini around 6 years ago and since then I am just hooked...I am aware that a lot of people think its a bit posh or that you may give more money just for the glitter, but I do believe that one pays for better quality. Pierre Marcolini is one of the very few cholatiers still running the "bean-to-bar" operations: which means he knows and selects the beans he works with. There is something for everyone: dark, milk or white...praline, ganache or truffles...or just a chocolate bar...And one can (literally) taste his love to chocolate in the final results.

As I am a big dark-chocolate fan I was really thrilled some years ago with his box of chocolates called "Saveurs du monde". Each chocolate carries the name of the country where the cocoa beans come from...Ecuador, Madagascar, Venezuela, Ghana, Brasil, etc...My taste has changed not that long ago ( from sweet direction dark chocolate) and I was amazed with this selection of Marcolini to discover the different flavours of cocoa beans depending on their country of origin!.

So in my eyes his products are indeed exquisite, but they do take you to a new chocolate world, a cocoa-world of amazing taste and great quality! For the Christmas season 2011 the Marcolini boutique in Brussels is also offering some new chocolate-creations in the shop at "la Place du Grand Sablon", displayed in the shop-windows...Enjoy with your eyes (and may be even note down his name for a tasting next time you are around:-)

Tour of great chocolateries in Brussels: Place du grand Sablon

2011-12-05T23:01:00.005+01:00

Brussels is for sure a "chocolate city" with its accumulation of amazing "chocolateries"! And I am not speaking of the most known to us chocolate-shops as Leonidas, Neuhaus and Godiva...

Lets stroll over Place du Grand Sablon and see even more impressive and different chocolate makers...I am talking about Pierre Marcolini (the only hand-made chocolatier in Europe, the 2 pictures below)! Check the display windows of the chocolate shops- a real treat for your eyes+sweets-cravings and an important medicine for happy soul!

I was very happy to enter the first shop of the French chocolatier Patrick Roger in Brussels. The lovely shop design (first picture of this entry) and the very beautiful and creative products he offers (the Xmas tree out of chocolate and the Sinterklaas-heads out of marcipan) makes you stop and I was enchanted to taste some of his truffles (with a bit of Belgian beer) and his very delicious ganaches!

A tour in MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art in New York...

2011-12-04T00:47:00.001+01:00

I was really impressed by MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Very interesting and pleasant for the eye&soul mix of photographs, paintigs and other pieces of art are exposed at 5 different floors (I had to skip the Garden of sculptures due to the darkness outside and the fact that I gave my coat at the wardrobe)...The museum opened its door in 1929 and is located in Midtown Manhattan, on 53rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

Its definitely the first time I see a helicopter hanging in a museum...I liked the mixing of famous European artists (Gaugin, Van Gogh, Picasso, Kandinsky, Miro) and unknown to me American ones, such as the works from Jacob Lawrence. His work (on last picture) is showing in a series of paintings the heavy life of African American after the World War I.

A place to go and to enjoy, every Friday from 16 till 20h also for free (normal entrance fee is 25$). The museum has a bit over 2 millions visitors a year. This allows its Director Glenn D. Lowry to live in a rent-free $6 million apartment above the museum.

Brooklyn bridge and Manhattan bridge, New York City

2011-12-01T19:35:00.003+01:00

I went for a walk on Brooklyn bridge on a very sunny, but windy morning and the sky was sooo incredibly blue! I was happy to see on my right (coming from Manhattan) first the Financial District followed by the famous Statue of Liberty (present from France, as I have just learned recently). On my left I had the Manhattan bridge (plus Empire State building).

The Brooklyn Bridge is a huge masterpiece with some rust and a lot of metal&grids...Did you know that this bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United states. It was finished in 1883 and is designed by the German immigrant John Roebling? With a pan of 463 m, it was the longest suspension bridge for 20 years, till 1903...

The bridge was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1972. since its opening its an icon of the city and worth visiting...Btw watch out for all the motivated joggers, cuious tourists and stressed bikers while you take your shots, as the walking paths are very narrow!

Amazing store and Christmas decoration in New York...

2011-11-28T21:23:00.002+01:00

The stores in New York are not simply stores...they are an entertainment avenue, a colourful and breathtaking world, a place to be! It is something special just to wander through the biggest shops and check their interior design and decoration, another trick for more clients (as I was taught during my studies)! But even if its just a trick to get more money out of you, its a very pleasant and good-mood-spraying water-pistole...

I have smiled and laughed in the M&M shop, then admired at the variety of products in the Grand Central Market (first picture, the ceiling there), watched the starts change their colours in the entree of Shopping Mall Columbus Circle...

...and of course end of November the Christmas decoration in the shops and in the streets...is soooo putting you in the right mood:-)))

So just have a look and enjoy, as I did!

Modern buildings in New York...

2011-11-25T22:08:00.003+01:00

There is so much to see in New York (known also as "concrete jungle"), that one may actually oversee some of the real beauties...
This blog is dedicated to few buildings that are worth mentioning, at least according to me:-)
- Flatiron Building (first picture) is a triangle masterpiece which when finished in 1902 was one of the highest buildings. At the beginning the locals were making bets how much wind will out it down;
This month an artist paint paper coffee cups and hangs them at the exhibition room on the ground floor.

- the Grand Central Station (third and fourth pics) is another architectural beauty, created by artists from the "Ecole des Beaux Arts de Paris"...It does not feel like a station but like a huge (public) palast. The ceiling depicts the sky and its star constellations, a beautiful eye-catcher!

- when the lights go on the Chrysler Building really stand out with its lovely at-deco crown. It is 319 meters high and it was the tallest building in the city before the Empire State Building was finished in 1931. Nowadays it holds place number three.

- the Guggenheim Museum is a piece of art also without the art inside of it...Its shapes and the changing day-light make its interior different all the time. The current exhibition of the Italian artist Catellan looks like a creative hanger where all his masterpieces are put on display...

New York impressions in few pictures and words...

2011-11-22T21:50:00.002+01:00

My first time in New York city...The city is at the same time magical and majestic, big and cozy, multicultural and American, busy and quiet:-) This time I have decided to share with you my travel impressions in likes and dislikes, about my one week in Manhattan...

My top LIKEs are:
- the extremely diverse and impressive architecture
(from art nouveau to headturning skyscrapers and shiny ads on enormous screens);
- the very friendly, polite and helpful locals;
- the yummy greenmarkets: like the Farmers market at Union Square or the one on 47th street;
- the incredible art and culture programme
(with several pieces of art in the streets and tons of great museums)
- the beautiful and charming shops displays and their interior decoration;
- the breathtaking views that some platforms (as top of the Rock or the Bar "View, last picture)
offer of this big and busy city;
- the cute and curious welcome-greeters in Central Park, the sqirrels
(one even came to me and show me the nut she/he has found before going up on a tree to hide it for the winter);

...As everything has two sides, here are also my top DISLIKEs:
- the stinky food carts at every second corner;
- the crowds in Manhattan at certain times of the day;
- the (American) addiction to non-stop shopping and consumption
(yesterday when I was in front of Macy`s almost squeezed from shopping-addicts and when I saw how full the shops are-both with people and products, mostly made in China, I start to wonder how did mankind could change that way, or was this just the job well done of all advertisement industry)....

Some more of my discoveries to come in few days...

Sculptures in Sofia center : open-air and between autumn leaves

2011-11-16T01:42:00.003+01:00

In the middle of the center of Sofia several beautful sculptures are literally hiding in the garden behind the National Art Gallery. They are located around the cozy bar-cafeteria "Toba&co" I had already written about. Most of the sculptures depict ordinary people.

I had difficulties finding the names of the artists, however I have to admit that I love the mix of pieces of art in this open-air setting and their different colours and materials....What do you think?

The delicious Bulgarian cuisine/ Bulgarian food: starters (part 1)

2011-11-13T12:52:00.002+01:00

One of the things I miss the most as a Bulgarian living abroad is the Bulgarian...cuisine! Thats why today I would to talk about/ show you (some of) the delicious and healthy dishes I have grown up with:-) In this entry I will start with the starters, as we have many (both cold and warm). You need to know that the Bulgarians eat extremely a lot of vegetables, I dont refer only to salad, as almost every meal starts or contains a salad. A lot of the ingredients or often the whole dish is just veggies (not that we dont have meat and fish dishes), even if one does not see it at first glance..

One of the most famous cold starter is the mix of baked peppers, aubergines and tomatoes (known as "кjopolu"(bg. "кьопоолу"). The yoghurt salad made out of yoghurt, cucumber s, walnuts and dill is called "Snejanka" (as the girl in the fairy tale ). Both starters (as presented and served at one of best traditional restaurants in Sofia, "Pod lipite") are on the third picture. Another typical Bulgarian starter are the baked red peppers, peeled and served with oil.

The white cheese baked in the oven, together with honey and fresh thyme, is very yummy warm dish or starter, depending on your hunger. A dish, that symbolises the arrival of the warm months is the grilled courgettes-plate. It is always served with yoghurt sauce, granished with garlic and dill...I enjoyed the plate below this weekend in the very good restaurant "Manastirska magerniza" in the center of Sofia.

De Horsten in Wassenaar, a sunny autumn walk

2011-11-06T23:30:00.004+01:00

This Saturday on suggestion of (David from) my photo club IMAGES we went to the absolutely amazing park De Horsten in Wassenaar. This huge piece of land is a royal property, open to the public during the day...

Its was an extremely lovely place for a walk in the autumn sun! Next to forest, lake and a tea pavillion one may encounter different birds, mushrooms and other shy or less shy inhabitants...

This time I did not discover anything bigger than a lady bug... So I think I have to go back:-) ... to look for the hedgehogs, butterflies and deers!

Favignana, one of the beautiful Egadi islands next to Sicily

2011-11-03T21:31:00.004+01:00

The biggest island of the three Egadi islands in the west of Sicily is Favignana. The other two are called Levanzo and Maretimo. Some time ago Favignana was a fisherman island. Nowadays there are still some fisherman left (however the tuna factories are closed and working as a museum). The waters around Egadi island sare marine park. The most important industry for the island is now the tourism. There are ferries to Egadi both from Trapani and Marsala several times a day. .

We had a lovely sunny bike tour and discovered the hidden beaches, the colourful houses and at the end met Pietro. The ex-carabinieri , now a pensioneer still goes diving and brings back rests form sunken ships. This time he has gotten rest of vessels: one from the Middle Age and one (much older) from the Roman times!.

(some) impressions of delicious Sicilian food...

2011-10-31T21:04:00.004+01:00

One reason to love Sicily (and Italy) is for sure its cuisine! Once in Sicily there is a complete new culinary world to be discovered...A mix of European, Arabic and other influences melted in the Sicilian cooking pot and will let/make you lick your fingers...Let start with a plate of freshly grilled veggies and a plate of home-made pasta with fresh seafood! Or what about the trattoria del Pino in Palermo where our Friend Augostino brought us to have lunch like locals: some pasta with meat+potatoes and I enoyed yummy grilled fish...

Dont forget to try the local refreshing delight, no not an ice-cream, but a "granita di limone"...and on the day after get some more clams ("cozze e vongole") :-) on pasta or just cooked in a big pot:-))) There is so much more to discover: the "arancini" (rice balls filled with meat or mozarella or both), the "caponata" (fried eggplant and onion with tomatoes)...but hey, I wont tell you all the secrets, go and spoil your eyes+stomach!

Autumn colours and quinces in Filstrof&Lorraine

2011-10-26T22:29:00.006+02:00

Its again this colourful time of the year, when nature paints the world around us in all rainbow nuances and presents us with its treasures.

Orange pumpkins and golden apples, fresh pears and shiny yellow quinces-the autumn harvest is always a happy time...Quinces are really special nature gifts. Even if they resemble the apple and pear, their aroma and taste is completely different. I had enjoyed them in fresh pressed apple-quince-juice or in quince-gelee...Very exquisite fruit...some people even talk about it as the almost forgotten fruit...

I met also a cute field mouse...

Forest mushroom discovery walk in Utrechtse Heuvelrug/ Paddestoelentocht

2011-10-24T00:26:00.004+02:00

On a perfect sunny autumn day, guided by two experienced musshroom experts, we went for a forest mushroom-seeing in the Dutch National Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug. It is really amazing how many big, medium or really tiny mushrooms and sponges are growing there! With a hep of a mirror one could also examin the hidden part of the musshroom: the side under its hood:-)

The more beautful or exotic a mushroom look, the more dangerous and poisonous it is...You may see this on the pictures attached. The red-hood mushroom, known as the "fly agaric" (on third picture) and the round yellow balls on the ground, called "pigskin poison puffball" (poc below) are two good examples.

Jardins Fruitiers de Laquenexy in Moselle

2011-10-21T23:51:00.003+02:00

The fruit garden next to Metz, known as the "Jardins Fruitiers de Laquenexy in Moselle" is just one of the gardens in the project "Jardins sans limits". With the different sorts of apples in the garden the mosaique on the first picture was built the first weekend of October 2011.

Between the fruit trees and vegetable garden one may also enjoy some decoration based on recycled old metals (such as the elphant and hippo on the picture above). The garden also offer courses for people intesreting to start do gardening.

"Zelfpluk" in Olmenhorst, the organic apple-pear-garden next to Lisse

2011-10-11T22:30:00.005+02:00

In the months September and October the organic fruit farm Olmenhorst opens its door four times a week to all apple- and pear-lovers. Elstar, Santana, Jonagold or Jonagored: its time for "zelfpluk" (collecting the fruits on your own, directly from the tree)! In the huge property at the border of the village Lisserboek one may test and buy also fresh pressed apple juice, have a stroll between the trees, enjoy an "appeltaartje" in the sun, visit the local cheese-farm or do some shopping at the biological supermarket....

A lot of beautiful butterflies like the farm too...Some even posed kindly for a picture:-)

Streekmarkt Delftland 2011: local products&organic grapes in Druivenkwekerij Nieuw Tuinzight...

2011-10-08T17:25:00.006+02:00

In the middle of the green-house-area of Midden-Delfland, inside an organic grape-green-house (druivenkwekerij Nieuw Tuinzight), a cozy market of local products took place today. Between the grapes still hanging and getting ripe one could try four sorts of local grapes.There were also other fruits and veggies from the area as well as cow and goat milk cheeses, flowers, honey and cakes decorated with grapes, local artists...

What a lovely way to discover some biological local producers and to see a green-house from inside. The market takes place for fifth time in a row, keep up this nice initiative!

Trapani: an impressive architecture and flair...

2011-10-07T21:17:00.002+02:00

Trapani, the biggest city on the west coast of Sicily, is also called by the locals "city between two seas". Founded in the Bronze age, the city is still an important fishing port and a getaway to the nearby Egadi islands (Favignana, Levanzo and Maretimo). Next to the tuna-catching, also salt, marble and marsala-production as well as tourism support the local economy.

Plenty of buildings in the old town arefrom the later Medieval and early modern periods. The visitors stay stunned by its Baroque architecture. The nearby coast is lined up with salt ponds. On the way to them, just before the city a WWF-protected living area for birds is the home of lots of rosa flamingos...directly next to the busy street!

Fico d'India (the prickely pear) & pomegranate: common Sicilian fruits

2011-10-03T22:56:00.002+02:00

One spot them all around: in the gardens, next to the road, in the wild. The big cactus bushes are very green and very prickly! Do not collect its fruits without gloves or without pincer...Thats why the fruit "ficho d'India" means in Italian "the fig of India" and has the English name "prickely pear" (while the German translate it as "Kaktusfeige"):-)

Of course if you want to taste them without the adventurious part of collecting them yourself there are plenty of locals selling them. In some fruit shops one may even find them already pilled off. In a Palermo trattoria, where locals have quick lunch I had a plate of three "fichi d india" lovely cleaned and ready to eat as a dessert! The one that look greener actually tasted even sweeter than the other two!

Another common for Sicilian and exotic for the rest of Europeans (at least for the colder countries) fruit is the pomegranate. These fruits were already open in the sun and some thursty birds had enjoyed almost all fruits of the tree below!

The salt road in Sicily: La via del sale

2011-10-01T22:16:00.006+02:00

On the Sicilian "Via del Sale" (Salt Road) from Trapani down to Marsala one drives next to small and big shiny-white mountains of sea salt...On some sunny days in September one may even sight the workers on the top of the salt! Around 10.000 tons of salt are produced here every year...Salt, one of the Sicilian economy's historical resources that was already very precious in the days of the Phoenicians, who were the first to bring some form of technology to its production. The favourable climatic circumstances in Sicily, such as high temperatures and a wind that increases evaporation, plus the shallowness of the water, creates a chessboard that ranges in colour from off-green to pink.

A well refurbished Dutch-type windmill (over 500 years old) is located in the middle of the salt ponds and functions as a museum telling the story of this region. Inside the windmill, a complicated system of cogwheels and gears makes it possible to turn the cupola and the sails, exploiting the energy of the wind in order to grind the salt and channel the water. The scales can rotate at a speed of 20 km per hour and generate 120 horsepower; to drive the grindstone on the ground floor it is necessary to reach at least 30 to 40 horsepower...

Next to the museum and the salt pods, the curious visitors may take a boat tour in the lagune or go visit the island Motya, famous for its archeology treasures.

Oktoberfest 2011: night views and energy costs

2011-09-22T21:37:00.004+02:00

Only during Oktoberfest-time the second biggest Munich church St-Pauli offers interested visitors (against a fee of 3 EUR) to climb up one of its towers. The view from there at the "Theresienwiese" and the huge beer tents is simply breathtaking...Yesterday I was pretty lucky and climb the almost 300 steps up and enjoyed a very colourful and magic view...

However once I was up there and saw all those attractions and lights I start wondering about the energy consumption. so today I checked somestatistics and found out that the famous Oktoberfest uses within 17 days as musch electricity as 1200 households for one year. The 750 customers get the final product via 3 underground and 16 above the ground transformer stations, 43km of cables and 160 feeder stations, Very often the energy usage of the festival is compared to a town with 20.000 inhabitants!

Another curiosity is the fact that for some years, asthe festival was first held (1810) everything was working without current. Only in 1866 did Werner von Siemens find "das dynamoelektrische Prinzip" and developped afterwards the first electricity generator...

About Gemeenlandshuis Delfland/ de Huyterhuis in Delft...

2011-09-11T11:27:00.004+02:00

One of my favourite old houses in Delft always catch (my) sight with its beautiful fassade decorated with several coats of arms...De Huyterhuis, also known as Gemeenlandhuis Delftland, was built in 1505 as the luxurious home of Jan de Huyter, who became rich by selling beer. As of 1645 the in late-gotic-style built house is property of the "Hoogheemraadschap van Delftland", the decision-maker about dikes, canals and all buildings on water. This institution is taking care of the water levels in regio Delftland. Restauration had taken place two times: in 1888 and in 1931-1933.

During the Open-Monumentendag 2011 the employees were dressed up and were giving tour to all curious visitors. I found that their clothing help in going back in time and made the tour even more pleasant! Inside one may admire a huge collection of old maps from Delftland-area dating back to 1606.

Church " St.St. Konstantin and Elena", Mirkowo, Bulgaria/ Параклис Свети Константи и Елена, Мирково

2011-09-05T22:18:00.007+02:00

One may see from few kilometers the golden cupola of the cute little church "St. St. Konstantin and Elena" on a hill before the village Mirkowo. Mirkowo is located in the "Podbalkana", around 80 km away from Sofia. My great-grandmother Nevena was born there, few kilomers further in the town Pirdop my grandfather, the father of my mother, was born....

The cute little church has opened its doors in the spring of 2007 and offers a great view to the surrounding fields and mountains. The interior colourful paintings show very well the typical decoration for Bulgarian Orthodox religious places. There is a small drinking water post and a stone cross in front of the church too...

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Below I am also attaching a picture of my great-grand parents (in the middle, standing: baba Nevena and djado Spiridon) and my grand parents (on the left, standing: my grandma Vera and grandpa Alexi) from 1955. On the right site, standing, is the brother of my grandpa: djado Gosho and his wife, Milka. Sitting in front are the parents of my great-grandmother from Mirkowo: her father was a priest. I really love this picture!

Colourful street art in Sofia city center...

2011-09-01T21:59:00.004+02:00

This summer the street Shishman in the city center of Sofia was closed several times for street performances. End of June before the first closure of this kind creative local artists decided to make the street a touch more colourful and beautiful...So they started painting the ugly grey electricity boxes there....and now we have some masterpieces which stay and make pedestrians smile or stop for a look or picture!

Very often people ask me if I dont see the holes in the streets, the old fassade of some buildings, the begging persons in the street...Yes, I do see them, yes it hurts. But thats why I like to share here the good pcitures, the happy souvenirs, the ones who brings smiles on faces! I look for the signs of the incredible, the different, the good spirit...and I found it this time in a bunch of painted boxes:-))) and say thanks and BRAVO to the artists...

Cozy cafetaria-bar Toba&co in Sofia

2011-08-30T21:06:00.005+02:00

Today I am gonna whistle-blow to you a very favourite location of mine in Sofia. Perfect on a hot or warm summer day, when looking for some refreshing shade. The "Toba&co bar" (6A "Moskovska" Street), glued on the back of the yellow ex-Palace, now National Gallery of art, is a cozy place for a stop and/or also to meet friends for chat and drinks. I love their creative menu with fresh pressed juices (of course they have also alcoholic cokctails and more). The whole bar is decorated in art-nouveau style and in the garden next to the bar several statues are also contributing to the art-flavour!

In the evening the bar becomes a night club, usually on weekends. While in the winter the place is pretty smaller as the terass is closed, but It is however lovely sipping on a warm drink and gazing the snow-covered statues and trees in front...

Dienten im Hochkönig, Salzburger Land

2011-08-24T22:22:00.006+02:00

A great getaway in the Austrain mountains offers the cute and beautiful flower-pot-covered village Dienten im Hochkönig....Not too far from Salzburg (73 km) this cozy place at 1500m altitude is worth visiting not only in the winter but also in summer!

Next to relaxed hikes and wild flowers and herbs, one may also do somelocal-schnaps-tasting or just enjoy mountain air, good food and amazing landscapes. I stayed twice at the family hotel "Mitterwirt" and can only recomment it further: great place with first class hospitality, delicious food and wine as well as great spa...

Krimmler Wasserfaelle/ Krimml Waterfalls, the biggest waterfalls in Europe

2011-08-21T14:56:00.002+02:00

Next to fresh mountain air, breathtaking green landscapes and local specialties (such as local cheese and wine), the Austrian mountains imSalzburger Land offer just tons of beatiful nature...A great place for a day-hike are the Krimmler Wasserffaelle...They are the biggest waterfalls in Europe with a total height of 380 meters!

The falls are formed from the Krimmler Ache river and are located near the village of Krimml in the High Tauern National Park in Salzburgerland. After the falls, the river joins the Salzach, which flows to the Inn, then into the Danube River and finally to the Black Sea.

...and when the sun is there, it is just a perfect summer day in the mountain!

Flower and other decoration in villages in Lorraine

2011-08-17T08:42:00.006+02:00

France and the cute and tiny villages there always surprise me and impress me with their lovely floral and other decoration. This blog entry is dedicated to the flower-villages in Lorraine.

Some of the flowers in the gardens are also eatable as the blue flower as a decoration in the glas of fresh pressed tomato juice (last shot)...

The amazing Museum-Aquarium de Nancy-part 2

2011-08-13T12:00:00.005+02:00

I was so impressed by the aquarium in Nancy, that i would love to show you soe more pictures and even some videos...ENJOY!

In the first video you may see funny transparent fishes from Mekong, Thailand. The second fish tank displays two funny creatures called "Atlantic horseshoe crab".The last ones are most commonly found in the Gulf of Mexico and along the northern Atlantic coast of North America. A main area of annual migration is Delaware Bay, although stray individuals are occasionally found in Europe.

The amazing Museum-Aquarium de Nancy

2011-08-11T21:43:00.004+02:00

The museum-aquarium of in the French city Nancy (famous mostly for its art-nouveau architecture) is really worth visiting. The first floor hosts one of the most impressive aquiariums in Europe I have ever seen. The diversity of species one may see there from all ends of the world, as well as salt and sweet water species: all are just breathtaking!

The second floor meets the visitors with a huge "arbre généalogique de la vie sur terre". Then all of species families are presented in the next hall.

One of the reason to visit the museum last weekend was the temporary exhibition of the famous French wildlife photographer Vincent Meunier. The wildlife expo is called "From dusk till dusk" and half of it shows wildlife and landscapes photos from Lorraine (the region Nancy belongs to). The pictures are on display till February 2012. A short preview is offered with the my shot below...

Mirabelles en Lorraine/ Season of mirabelles 2011

2011-08-10T09:36:00.003+02:00

The symbol of Lorraine in France is a tiny aromatic fruit: la mirabelle. They are kind of plums from which the local make brandy, jams or very delicous cakes...The fruit is very yummy and I enjoyed collecting some mirabelles myself last weekend.

Almost at the same time another fruit, the blue plum is also getting ripe-this one is also used for desserts and tarts.

Murnau and the summer house of Kandinsky and Münter...

2011-08-05T10:40:00.004+02:00

After an hour drive from Munich one arrives in the cute and cozy village Murnau, south of the big city.

Here on the top of one hill the summer residence of Gabrielle Münter and Wasil Kandinsky invites all impressionist lovers for some great discoveries...There are not a lot of paintings, but other treasures are there. Both artists painted almost all firniture int he house themselves...

So one may admire cupboards, tables, beds and stairs decorated with flowers, people and more. In front of the house a beautiful garden offers an amazing view to th village center...A great stop and worth visiting if you love impressionism or are fan of the group "der blaue Reiter".

Botanischer Garten München-Nymphenburg

2011-08-02T22:26:00.005+02:00

On a cloudy July day a great thing to do in Munich last weekend was a visit ot the botanical garten, Botanischen Garten München-Nymphenburg. This amazing piece of nature is situated directly next to the park of Schloss Nymphenburg and offers very beautiful and relaxing flora...One may find here over 14.000 different species as well as preserved rare plants and European bees.

The first botanical garden of the city was founded in 1809 near Karlsplatz, today's garden was created in 1914 at this location. In 1966 it became affiliated with the Botanische Staatssammlung München and the Institute of Systematic Botany at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.

Several flowers were blossoming, so plenty of insects were present too-as you may see on the pictures. The garden is divided in alpine garden, arboreum, moor and steppe plants, rose gardens, and, and...The greenhouse complex is really impressive and worth visiting! The cactus house and the huge water lilies house are just breathtaking...A great stop for all nature lovers!

The fountains of Munich/ Münchner Brunnen...

2011-07-31T22:16:00.005+02:00

The center of the Bavarian capital is extremely rich on fountains...and there are all kinds, majestic and big ones, tiny but artistic ones, simple and impressive: there is something for every taste! With my pictures I would like to give you a short digital tour to those which I liked most:-)

On the eastern side of the square near the Neues Rathaus sits the Fischbrunnen (Fish Fountain). It's Munich's most famous and oldest fountain - some believe it goes back as early as the 1300s. Fishmongers kept their fish fresh in the fountain when this was the piscatorial part of the old market. It was the site of bizarre initiation ceremony called the Metzgersprung (Butcher's Leap) which took place regularly until 1900 and continues in an altered form to this day.

Apparently animals (and fishes) are very loved subject as I have found (not even 50 m from Hofbräuhaus) the fountain with the wolves heads...On the way to the Residenz, on the Marstallplatz one may admire the fountain on picture five...

Very pistoresque and full with beautiful details is the water refresher in the garden next to the Cuvillestheater.

New gates in China Town den Haag

2011-07-25T21:20:00.002+02:00

What makes a Chinese quarter (in Europe) really Chinese...the names of the streets in Chinese or something else?! China Town in den Haag has got two really impressive stone gates, which were inaugurated in January 2010. The are lighted in the night and together with the traditional Chinese street lamps the neighbourhood gets indeed the Asian touch and feeling!

The beautiful gates emphasise the fact that The Hague and China have maintained trade relations for 100 years. The Municipality of The Hague commissioned Chinese architect Momoko Cai and the Shanghai Tayjuan construction company to design and construct the gates.

Colourful Bosa, Sardinia

2011-07-23T16:52:00.006+02:00

The first picture you see in this blog is the first sight I had ever set on the colourful town Bosa, located on the West coast of Sardinia...Driving from the east cost to the west the road offer this amazing panorama view on Bosa. Bosa is the only river side town in the whole of Sardinia. The river is very deeply connected to the tradition and history of the town. It is thanks to the fertility of its soil and its position that Bosa was inhabited since ancient times, the territory is in fact scattered with historical monuments like the Serravalle Castle, which was built by the Malaspina family in the XII century.

A more recent area is Bosa Marina, the extension of the town on the coast. Bosa Marina beach is a long and deep stretch of sand.

The underwater world in Sardinia: fishes and stars

2011-07-21T17:38:00.005+02:00

...and after the crustaceans and the nudibranches, today I will present you some charming and some scary fishes:-) Some of them were enjoying being photographed...not the moray eel though!

The sea stars, also know as star fishes, are actually echinoderms and show a wide range of colours.

Sardinian cuisine or "buono mangiare in Sardegna"

2011-07-18T23:41:00.004+02:00

Sardinia is not only island of high mountains and wonderful beaches, but also a place with tons of fruit trees and other local yummy products..This entry is dedicated to some specialties of the Sardinian cuisine. As a starter one may always take Sardinian cheese: "pecorino sardo" or "dolce sardo" or "formaggio di capra"...

The Sardinian pasta "malloreddus" (on the picture above) is usually served with meat and tomato sauce, while "risotto marinara" offers the abundance of seafood in rice.

And now...off to the sweets:-))

The "pardulas" are one of the most famous pastry here. There are made with fresh ricotta cheese and orange or lemon peels....The ones on the picture were made by Sabrina, the owner of our B&B in Chia. And last but not least lets enjoy the most famous Sardinian dessert: "seadas" or "sebadas". A dough pancake filled with ricotta cheese filling, grilled and then served warm with some yummy local honey on the top....

The underwater world in Sardinia: nudibranches

2011-07-16T18:16:00.005+02:00

A nudibranch is a soft-bodied mollusk (= invertebrate animal) which leaves their shell after their larval stage. They are famous and loved for their often extraordinary colors and striking forms. There are more than 3,000 described species of nudibranches. The word "nudibranch" comes from the Latin nudus, naked, and the Greek brankhia, gills.

While in Sardinia we were told that nudibranches in the Mediterranean sea love cold water and when the summer start they are more rarely sighed, but we were still lucky enough to discover and see different ones:-) The biggest one is the so called in Italian "vaccheta di mare" (the white with the balk dots, literally the "sea cow"). It can reach up to 10 cm.

Most of the them are however really tiny, from 0,5 to 2-3cm. The bright and impressive colours are signal for predators that the soft body contains venom. This is also their only protection...

Orgosolo, the mural paintings village of Sardinia

2011-07-14T21:30:00.005+02:00

The tiny an difficult to reach village Orgosolo is located in the mountainious middle of Sardinia. Nowadays it is famous for its over 120 mural paintings /murales, which depicts social, political and cultural problems from the last and current centuries...

The first of all murales here was painted in 1968...Sometimes its about events in Sardinia, sometimes its about European or worldwide troubles. The walls were the scene for different artists through the years to show their opinions and thoughts!

The underwater world in Sardinia: crustaceans

2011-07-11T17:34:00.003+02:00

Underwater one may meet several different species: not only fishes, but also crustaceans (such as individuals from the crabs and lobsters), cephalopods (an example are the octopuses from my previous blog entry) and or the tiny and colourful nudibranches, Today I will show you some impressively beautiful crustaceans. In my selection you may find the hermit crab, the slipper lobster, the crayfish..

The slipper lobster (second picture) is not a real lobster, despite its name. It is however eatable. some species in Australia are called "bug". This kind has tons of different names: shovel-nosed lobster or spanish lobster, mudbug or sandbug, sometimes even flathead or bulldozer lobster:-)) The one we met had edges of its body coloured in purple...

Above is Nico holding the empty houses of two sea urchins... A Specialty in some restaurants here is "spagetthi ai ricci di mare" (pasta with sea urchin). Of course not only the people but also other sea inhabitants love them.

Some funny info about the hermit crab (first and last picture) : As the hermit crab grows in size, it has to find a larger shell and abandon the previous one. This habit of living in a second hand shell gives rise to the popular name "hermit crab", by analogy to a hermit who lives alone.

Diving with "polpi"/octopuses next to Tavolara, Sardinia

2011-07-09T14:23:00.007+02:00

The emerald sea around the three islands Tavolara, Molara and Molaretto (in the North of Sardinia) is an amazing nature reserve, called "Tavolara and Capo Coda Cavallo Marine Park". Laura, our friendly diving master from Sardinia, had this very funny dry suit, with the ears on the head...

The underwater world in the park is very beautiful. During only one day we met/ saw 7 octopuses! Some of them were sleeping in their holes. One could see just their eyes and the breathing opening next to the eyes. One "polpo" was not afraid at all and made a big show by stretching slowly all his 8 tentacles.

Chia beach in Sardinia/ la spiaggia Chia della Sardegna

2011-07-06T17:26:00.005+02:00

When the summer comes, somehow automatically one start to thinks of sea, beach and refreshing...Today I would like to take you to one of my favourite beaches in Europe: Chia. Le Spiaggie di Chia are located around 50 km from Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia and offer several
(bigger and smaller) bays with fine, white sand and turquoise blue-green clear water.

Have a look for yourself and get refreshed:-))Snorkelling there is a great experience too...

Rock monastery Basarbovo/ Басарбовски манастир

2011-06-23T22:57:00.002+02:00

The only still functioning rock monastery in Bulgaria is the tiny and colourful Басарбовски манастир. 48 stairs hewn in the white rocks lead the visitor to the rock cells, where one may light a candle and admire a gorgeous view of the nature reserve Russenski Lom, which is all around the monastery....

The earliest historical records for this monastery date back to the 15th century and are found in some Ottoman Empire's tax registers. A description of a land property (so-called "timar"), owned by the Wallachian leader Ivanko Basarab, father-in-law of Tsar Ivan Alexander, is found in one such register. This "timar" is the first written document that mentions the name of the village of Basarbovo as "the Basarab monastery". In 1911, a Committee on Historical Remains was established at the National Archeological Museum in Sofia with its main task being the elaboration of an archeological map of Bulgaria. The famous Czech traveler, Karel Skorpil, who had carried out scientific trips across Bulgaria in 1887 and 1892, was invited onboard for the job. In 1912, Skorpil set off on a trip down the Lom rivers, visiting and describing the Basarbovo monastery.

The year, in which the monastery was left without permanent dwellers during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria, is not known. The then-future bishop of Smolyan, Tihon, took care of the monastery in 1919, while in 1937, a monk named Hadji Hrisant from the Preobrazhene monastery settled there and started to restore the monastery. A Committee for the Construction of a "St. Dimitrii of Basarbovo" Chapel was established the same year. The first job of the committee was to build a monk's cell in the fenced yard of the monastery. The cell was consecrated on May 14, 1937 but it existed only until 1940 when it was destroyed by a flood. After the flood, Father Hrisant started to raise donations for the monastery and within a month, he raised enough funds for the construction of two cells against the church. They were finished on August 30, 1940.

The above historical information is taken from the site http://www.bulgarianmonastery.com;

Varna, the marine capital of Bulgaria

2011-06-21T00:07:00.003+02:00

Today I will take you on a walk through the center of Varna. Varna is our marine capital and the third largest city of Bulgaria.

It is not a favourite city of mine I have to say, it is pretty busy, haotic and dirty. However in the city center there is a lot of pretty and colourful architecture in Western style with local interpretations of Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Baroque, Neoclassicism, Art Nouveau and Art Deco.

Unfortunately almost all of the beautiful buildings in the center got additionally "decorated" with huge advertisements, which i find pretty grotesk and ugly...The sea garden along the beach is the oldest and biggest park of the city.

Varna is a front-runner for European Capital of Culture for 2019, planning to open several new high-profile facilities such as a new opera house and concert hall, a new exhibition centre, and a reconstruction of the Summer Theatre, the historic venue of the International Ballet Competition.

And something with which Varna beats even Sofia....is of course the sea:-) And last but not least Varna offers a great attraction with the its dolphinarium!

Colourful macro world in Russenski Lom/ Русенски Лом и буболечките

2011-06-15T23:12:00.002+02:00

Enjoy the colours, enjoy the diversity...I was blown away during my walk in the nature in the nature reserve Russenski Lom...

Beautiful beetles (such as the cetonia aurata on the third picture), colourdful dragonflies, perfectly hiding green grasshoper! Nature is breathtaking!

Ivanovo rock-hewn churches/ Ивановските скални църкви

2011-06-12T21:44:00.005+02:00

One of the 9 places in Bulgaria on the UNESCO heritage list are the breathtaking rock hewn churches next to the village Ivanovo. They are located in the nature reserve Russenski Lom, in the northeastern part of Bulgaria, around 22 km south from the city of Russe.

The Ivanovo Rock Churches represent a network of about 20 small rock churches, chapels and individual cells dug at a different height in the rocks of the Russenski Lom Canyon. Narrow paths of rock ladders and staircases link these premises. In the past the number of these churches was over 40, while the cells were more than 300, inhabited by monks many of whom were grammarians and men of letters. Christians in those days used to go there on something like a pilgrimage. The first hermits dug their cells in the rocks in the 12th century. The 14th century wall paintings (on the picture above and below) are a proof of the highly developed mastery characteristic of the painting school of Bulgaria’s Medieval capital of Veliko Tarnovo.

Nowadays one may visit only one church: the church of Virgin Mary. This complex has been dug into the rock at an altitude of 38 meters from the base. It is entirely covered by frescoes of biblical and scenes and images. The Last Supper is one of them, as well as the Entrance in Jerusalem, St. John the Baptist, the Passions of Christ, the portraits of the Apostles; other saints and pictures of their lives. These world-renowned wall paintings from the 14th century are some of the top achievements of Medieval Bulgarian and Balkan art. Donors to the rock monasteries were Bulgarian kings Ivan Assen II /1218-1241/, Ivan Alexander /1331-1371/ and other families of the nobility, whose portraits have been painted on the church walls and are preserved to this day. A reason while its is so well preserved is the fact that it has been discovered not so long ago, in 1937 by an Austrian archeologist.

The area around the rock cells and churches offers a very relaxing and green background for a pleasant walk in the nature too:-)

Pobitite kamyni next to Varna/ Побити камъни

2011-06-09T22:48:00.005+02:00

"Pobiti kamyni" are natural rock phenomenon around 17 km away from Varna, on the road to Sofia. The place consists of several groups of stone columns (between 5 and 7 metres high and from 0.3 to 3 metres thick) on a total area of 70 km². The columns are instead hollow and filled with sand, and look like they are stuck into the surrounding sands, which gives the phenomenon its name ("Pobiti kamyni" means stones put in the ground).

Several rocks have names, such as the "Throne", the "Camel" or the "Lion"...The place is believed to charge visitors with positive energy. "Pobiti kamyni" are a nature reserve since 1937.

The origin of these rocks is still not confirmed. The place was under water some 50 millions years ago. One theory says the limestone columns represents the result of coral activity. The other theory is minaral based and supposes connection to bubbling reefs.

There is no doubt, its an impressive place to visit, as well as the amazing colours in a field we also had the pleasure to admire on the way to it!

Summer flowers and herbs in Black sea resort "St. St. Konstantin and Elena"

2011-06-08T07:58:00.004+02:00

While walking around the resort "St Konstantin and Elena" at the Black sea coast I could not stop admire old the wildflowers and herbs.....The white acacia trees, the puple mallow flowers, the honeylike smelling lime-tree, the strong red colour of the poppy flowers...They are all around.

Not a lot of people are aware that the mallow (first picture, also called in de: "Malve", nl: "kaasjeskruid", bg:"камбулка") is a very famous herb, which helps heal heavy caughs.

As for the acacia blossoms, they deliver the juice for the bees and I just got a fresh jar of acacia honey the other day....

Some hotels in the resorts have some creative flower decoration such as the dolphins and the peafowl.

Aladja monastery/ Скалният Аладжа манастир

2011-06-02T12:56:00.006+02:00

Aladja manastery is one of the most famous rock monasteries in the northeastern Bulgaria. This medieval rock cave monastery is located 17km north of Varna, the second biggest city of the country, which is also called the sea capital.

The monastic cells were carved in the 25-m high carst cliffs at different levels. The third picture shows how the cave complex used to look like...

Today, the grotto is a popular tourist destination. Its present name appeared in the late Ottoman period; "aladja" (which means colourful) referred to its colourful murals, now almost destroyed.

About Sofia Central Mineral Baths/ Zentralni mineralni bani

2011-05-28T20:50:00.004+02:00

Sofia (as well as my whole country Bulgaria) is blessed with tons of natural mineral water sources. In the area of Sofia there are around 50 of them. The water comes from very deep, which garantees that is ecologically clean. One differ 8 completely different mineral water sorts (depending on mineral ingredients). "Zentralni bani" ("Sofia Central Mineral Baths") are located down town and should not be missed. You can drink from the hot mineral water taps, or even better you bring an empty plastic bottle and fill it for later. You will see a lot of locals doing the same (in big bottles) as the mineral water has great healing effect too....

The building of the Sofia Central Mineral Baths (in yellow behind the fountain) has been refurbished for the last few years. Before this it was used as the city's public baths until 1986. Public baths have existed in Sofia at least as early as the 16th century. During his visit to Sofia in 1553–1555, Austrian traveller Hans Dernschwam noted the presence of one large bath and two smaller baths on either side of the city!

The building was designed in the Vienna Secession style, but contains also typically Bulgarian, Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox ornamental elements.

Next to Zentralni bani one may find several posters of old post cards from Sofia as a decoration hiding one building place:-)

Sofia in the spring sun...

2011-05-24T08:37:00.009+02:00

My home town, Sofia, is extremely beautiful when the sun comes out. Last week I enjyoed several of Sofia landmarks in the sun...Not only the Russian church shines in the natural light, but also the golden cupolas of the cathedral Alexander Nevski.

The statue of the Saint Sofia, the protector of the city, is also worth admiration (by or without sunshine). Since 2000 it has replaced a statue of Lenin located on square "Nezawisimost" (the busy central crossing of boulevar Maria Luisa and street Todor Alexandrov). The new statue is 24m high and represents Sofia (with golden skin and bronze dress), holding the symbols of wisdom and fame (an owl and an wreath). With the building mess around one may though kind of overlook this beauty....

Another of my favourite building in the city is of course the National Theater Ivan Vasov (on the picture above).

The old harbour of Hoorn

2011-05-21T18:25:00.005+02:00

A walk in the old harbour of Hoorn is a must. There are plenty of beautiful boats to look at. Middays some fishing boats are coming back and I was lucky enough to be present while a boat was putting its catch (several nets of crabs) in the pots.

The boat with wings (as on the picture above) is typical for the Ijsselmeer. When the wings are up the boat may pass through very shallow water and canals.

In the middle of the old harbour the previous city gate ("Hoodftoren") welcomes the visitors and the floating vessels.

Plenty of birds are present too... Some of them are even doing fish-check once the fishing boats are left empty:-)

The city of Hoorn

2011-05-13T10:00:00.002+02:00

Hoorn is a very cozy and beautiful city situated 35 km north of Amsterdam. "Hoorn" means cape and the town is really located on a tongue of land located in Ijselmeer. Its center offers a few lovely buildings. One is definitely the Westfries Museum (first and second picture).

Some years ago Hoorn was having the biggest kaasmarkt in Noord-Holland. In the building (third picture), where once the town "waag" (balance) was located, there is a nice restaurant now. The city has a very beautifulold harvour, there will be a separate blog entry about it.

Oostvaarderplassen, the nature reserve in province Flevoland

2011-05-08T18:43:00.002+02:00

The nature reserve Oostvaarderplassen (known as OVP) is located in the Dutch province Flevoland, in a polder created in 1968. In order to prevent the area of becoming a woodland (which would lower the habitat value for water birds), a number of large herbivores were brought in (red deer and Konik ponies, small size horses).

Nowadays the area is a favourite place for people who would like to enjoy a piece of nature north of Amsterdam. One may spot plenty of different birds and water birds, next to them several horses, deers and hairy cows live also here. The are where the large herbivores are living is closed for the public, but several parts are open for walk. I had the chance o admire some colourful butterflies, awesome bird concert, very friendly horses.

There are two visitors centers. One is located at the north entrance of the park, close to Lelystad - "Bezoekerzentrum Oostvaarderplassen". The second one is called "Natuurbelevingszentrum de Oostvaarders" and is not far from Almere station.

Theefabriek in Houwerzijl/ Great tea museum in Groningen

2011-05-04T20:59:00.002+02:00

The "Theefabriek" is located in an old church in the tiny village Houwerzijl. It represents the only tea museum in the Netherlands. A beautiful garden welcomes the visitos to have a tea outside, after one had visited the museum and enjoyed the huge tea shop with over 300 different tea sorts...

A must for all tea-lovers spending a day in the Dutch province Groningen!

The lighthouse of Ameland/ de Amelandse Vuurtoren

2011-05-02T22:40:00.004+02:00

Only a tiny number of all Dutch lighthouses might be visited. The lighthouse of Ameland (together with the one on Vlieland) is one of them. On the way up several small exhibitions (about the marine life of the island, the different lighthouses architecture around Europe or about the history of ligthouses in Holland, old naval maps) are greeting the visitors.

The "Amelandse vuurtoren" was built in 1880-1881 and is 55 meters high (15 floors and 236 steps to get to the top). Since 2005 the lighhouse is open for tourists. In the summer months even til 22h! Here you may find an extensive list of all (active, deactivated and demolished) "vuurtoren"/ lighhouses of the Netherlands.

A very good overview of all 5 Watt-island-lighhouses plus their building year is on the drawing below of a newspaper article.

Ameland

2011-04-30T00:09:00.003+02:00

Last weekend I had the chance to visit one more from the 5 Dutch "Waddeneilanden": Ameland. This is the fourth island (north of Amsterdam) and it is not carfree (as island 2 and 5: Vlieland and Schirmonnikoog). However biking on Ameland is still pleasant (be prepared for some tough wind though-its the Netherlands).

We went to the local "kaasborderij"(=cheese farm) and tasted the local organic cheese too. Next to this we said hi to the tons of sheep there, enjoyed the lovely old houses, climbed the lighthouse (next entry will be more detils on it) and breathed some fresh sea air:-)

Tulip fields in Flevoland 2011

2011-04-26T08:06:00.003+02:00

Last weekend, on the way to the island Ameland I was really impressed to see tons of colourful tulip fields from the highway driving in the Dutch province Flevoland, (passing by Lelystadand Noordoostpolder). This part of the Netherlands was literally added to the country in the 1960-ies....

Flevoland consists of two areas, both under the sea level, up to minus 14m. This area has been gained by draining the Zuiderzee once after the Afsluitdijk had been created and finished in 1932. The land in Flevoland is mainly sand and what grows best on sand ground: flowers!:-) Enjoy the amazing colours and geometric forms...

Palingrokerij in Zoutkamp

2011-04-24T21:44:00.004+02:00

My friend Tony showed me once pictures from this old-fashioned smoked fish factory located in the north of the Netherelands, in the Dutch province Groningen. In Dutch "palingrokerij" indicates the place where the fish (in the case above the eel="paling") gets smoked.

Actually one may buy plenty of different smoked fish: eel, sole and others, but also fresh "Hollandse garnalen" or also sun dried soles. I directly fell in love with the cute colourful wooden houses at the harbour of Zoutkamp. In front of the houses one may also admire the fishing boats...

Above all dried soles are dispatched in sets of 5.

Below fresh not peeled Dutch shrimps ("Hollandse garnalen", which are much tinier than normal shrimps) are delicious, but time-consuming occupation...And dont forget to try all the yummy smoked fishes:-)))

Dutch flower fields 2011 and baby pigs...

2011-04-19T21:28:00.004+02:00

It is again flower fields time! Last weekend one could enjoy tons of colourful flower fields: tulips, hyacinths, dafoodils....

While enjoying the tulip fields, in the garden in front of a house in Noordwijkerhout, I saw a pair of baby pigs...They were really cute and curious and having fun with all the people passing by.

Hundertwasserhaus in Wien

2011-04-16T15:07:00.005+02:00

The architecture of Hundertwasser always strikes me with its creativity and love to nature...The Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna, built 1983-1985, is no exception. Even if one may enjoy the building only from outside (no visits inside are available), his art as well as the power of colours impress a lot! Loving also the green plants, Hundertwasser had made this building a home for 250 trees and bushes (on the roof and the balconies)...Antonio Gaudi has had a big influence on his works.

Since 2005 the "Hundertwasserhaus" is the forth biggest place of interest in Vienna and Austria!

Welcome to Dutch spring 2011

2011-04-10T12:41:00.003+02:00

The spring this year is taking its time...The temperatures in Holland has not been often over 10 degrees, although we have been very lucky with the numerious spring sunshines.

The nature starts slowly to awake and some first tree blossoms and green leaves are popping out for the last 2 weeks. The ducks are also happily swimming or preparing for the little ones. Hopefully soon the warm temperatures arrive:-)

Nederlandse Fotomuseum in Rotterdam

2011-04-06T22:17:00.003+02:00

Last Sunday I was very pleasantly surprised by the visit to the Dutch Photomuseum/ Nederlandse Fotomuseum, located in Rotterdam (next to pier 7 and Hotel New York). The museum is very cozy designed and located at 3 floors. Like this 3 different exhibitions may be shown at the same time.

I really enjoyed a lot the work of the Spanish photographer Chema Madoz.

Müllverbrennungsanlage Spittelau in Wien

2011-04-03T18:25:00.003+02:00

The colours loving artist Friedrich Hundertwasser had also designed an insenaration factory, the "Müllverbrennuungsanlage Spittelau" in Vienna. To reach it one should get the U4 and get off on the stop Spittelau. As the rest of his works I was impressed by its beauty. Here one can find apples and strawberries around the windows for example...and a cute hat on the roof of the building:-)

"Ankeruhr" in Wien/Vienna

2011-04-02T20:20:00.003+02:00

While having a stroll through the center of Vienna I have discovered the lovely clock called "Ankeruhr". Die Ankeruhr am Hohen Markt is a 4-meter-big clock in art nouveau design, which has been installed in 1914. It feautures 12 different characters from the Austrian history (such as old kings and musicians). Its location, "der Hohe Markt", is the oldest square in town.

At 12h (lunch time) every day a big crowd gathers in front of it to watch the show display of all of them. Even in the night the clock is worth a sight!

Faschingdienstag am Viktualienmarkt in München

2011-03-10T22:36:00.003+01:00

The biggest party in München ist usually at the Viktualienmarkt on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday ("Faschingdienstag")...I had a look for 2 hours, during my lunch break and enjoyed the colours of the different creative, funny or scary costumes in the warm March sun....

Lets dress up: Fasching in München

2011-03-08T20:11:00.002+01:00

First of all there is no "Karneval" in Bavaria....its called "Fasching" :-) For the rest its the same: everyone dresses up and the city becomes extremely colourful and loud! Plenty of funny, interesting or weird creatures may be seen, met or photographed around! The people are celebrating the time before the fasting.

The celebrations take place over a week starting on "Weiberfastnacht" (= the Thursday before the Fasching week) and ending on "Aschermittwoch"(=Ash Wendesday). I could enjoy a concert on the Münchener Marienplatz last Sunday and a very happy ambiance, as one may spot on the pictures..

P.S. "Karneval" is the word use for carnival in Germany, north the line Bonn-Erfurt (as for example in the city of Cologne);

München in black and white...

2011-02-26T17:37:00.003+01:00

End of January i have started an analogue photography course. The first task was the shoot a b&w film, then we developed it, in the third session we have made the contact sheets and this week we made the first proof prints. I have scanned for you some of my favorite ones below.

Some pictures from Munich really look like old post cards of the city, i found this effect pretty charming. So enjoy them and have a good weekend!