Tuesday, January 31, 2012

A Visit to Verona, Italy

It was a wonderful time we had as I and some good friends visited Verona last summer 2011. It was a long drive from Germany and was quite tiresome but we also had fun. It was truly a memorable experience.

Verona is a city in the region of Veneto in northern Italy. It is considered to be one of the major tourist destination in this part of Italy. Upon arriving this city, we took a walk around it especially in its old town. One of the sights we visited was the Arena in Verona, the ancient amphitheatre built by the Romans.

You have to know that due to its urban structure and architecture, Verona is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Arena di Verona during our visit last July 2011.

Help Save The Earth

I believed that we are very aware of what is happening to Our Mother Earth right now. We always hear over the news in radio, television, newspapers and most of all over the internet about the different calamities and catastrophes that is happening around the world. The earthquake and tsunami in Japan last March 2011, the mudslide in some parts of Philippines last December 2011, the flood in Australia and other parts of the world, these are only some of the natural calamities that is hitting the world now.

Due to this, we need to slowly think and learn how to save our Mother Nature. That is also the reason why every year we are celebrating Earth Day every month of April. As inhabitants of this earth, we can help in our own little and simple ways on how to conserve and take care of Mother Earth. By not wasting water, turning on the lights when not needed, walk some meters instead of driving a car, are only some of the little things that we can do to help save our earth. In terms of technology, we can also use energy-saving appliances or equipments.

It is still not too late! We need to think of the future generations. By taking care of our earth, for sure it is and will always be a wonderful place to live-in. I encourage everyone to join our Earth Day celebration on April 22, 2012. Thanks everyone!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

View from The Airplane Window

I just selected randomly an image in my picture albums. I landed in this photo which was taken in Munich International Airport. Last December 2011, we boarded Iberia Airways going to Madrid, Spain. It was my first visit to Spain's capital city. For some reason that we never knew, Iberia was late that time. I think almost an hour late. At least we arrived safe to our destination and we also came back home safe with a lot of travel experiences during that 8-days holiday. We visited different places in Spain especially in the Andalusia region. I wish to visit that country in the future.

taken in Munich International airport last December 2011.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Top Sights To See in London

Visiting one of the beautiful and top megacities not only in Europe but also in the world can be a fabulous experience. London, the capital and largest city of United Kingdom and England is truly a must-to-see when visiting Europe. It has maintain its status as one of the global capital of fashion, culture, politics, finance and trade.

I was so happy and contented when I visited London three years ago. Boarding for the first time in a British Airways flight was also a nice experience for me.

Here are some of the sights not to miss when visiting London, England

London Eye- I did not expected that a dream came to reality when I finally had the chance to ride London Eye last 2008. It was one of my greatest dreams to ride this giant wheel when visiting London. The happiness that I felt was overwhelming. The London Eye is now the third largest observation wheel after being surpassed by the Star of Nanchang in 2006 and the Singapore Flyer in 2008. It is situated on the South Bank of the Thames. Once you are on the top of this wheel, you will have a magnificent views over London.

London Eye during my three weeks trip in England last 2008.

Piccadilly Circus- I thought I can only see this place in postcards or via internet. It was evening when I experienced Piccadilly Circus. It is actually the best time to visit it so that you can see the huge, iconic neon hoarding on its northeastern side. At the middle of it, you can see the statue of Eros. This area is one of the most photographed sights in London.

Buckingham Palace- I was not able to go inside the Buckingham Palace during our visit last winter 2008. It is only open for visitors during summer season. This palace is the official London residence of the queen. I still recommend this sight to be visited even during winter season. It is a must-to-see when visiting London. Be sure to witness the changing of the royal guards.

The Buckingham Palace. I also witness the changing of the Royal Guards there.

Tower Bridge - Remember the song "London Bridge is falling down"? I guess it is wrong because it is not the London Bridge that is falling down but the Tower Bridge. It is a suspension bridge over River Thames in London, England. This bridge is considered to be the iconic symbol of London. I hope to visit its engine rooms and the Tower Bridge exhibition in my next visit there.

The Palace of Westminster and the Big Ben- All these two are adjacent to its other. The Big Ben is a the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Westminster Palace. This building is the seat of the United Kingdom Parliament which belong to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I read an article last year that the Big Ben is slowly reclining. It might be slowly following the leaning tower of Pisa. Quite interesting!

The Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster. I hope to go inside this building in my next visit.

There are still a lot of sights that are worth-to-see in London. It was a great experience for me to see some of it. The St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, the Trafalgar Square, Canary Wharf are only some of the other sights that I experience. One of the highlights when I was there, was my visit to the Madame Tussaud. This wax museum is very interesting.

If you are planning to visit this lovely city, be sure to plan your trip ahead. Book your accommodation and means of transportation in advance. There are some low cost airlines like flybe and Ryanair available for booking in the internet.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Seeing The Sights in Boleslawiec, Poland

It was quite an adventure when we visited this pottery town of Boleslawiec in Poland. Together with some friend, we drove from Bavaria, Germany going to Boleslawiec. It was quite a long drive but we never had a dull moment.

The town of Boleslawiec in southwestern Poland is very famous for its ceramics and pottery. We only had a short sightseeing in this town and it was worth-it.

The colorful buildings in the town of Boleslawiec during my second visit last October 2011.

Watching Elton John's Red Piano Concert in Vegas

Watching one of the most famous performers and entertainers in the world is an exciting experience. It is almost four years now since I watched the famous Red Piano Concert of Elton John. It is held inside the Colosseum in Caesars Palace Hotel in Las Vegas Strip, Nevada. Don't ask me guys if Elton John was using a martin guitar in his concert. All I know was, he did performed very well during that concert. I had fun and I truly enjoyed it.

Here is an image taken when we watched that concert last June 2008. I wish to see it again.

Friday, January 20, 2012

The Hohensalzburg in Salzburg, Austria

This was my third visit in Salzburg, Austria but it was the first time for me to go to the castle. Hohensalzburg is a castle atop the Festungsberg mountain. Its name literally means "High Salzburg Fortress". If I have to translate Hohensalzburg one by one, it actually consist of three German words, Hohe means high, Salz is salt and Burg, a fortress.

There are a lot of sights to visit in Salzburg. Its Old Town for example is a must to see because it belong to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This city is also the birthplace of the famous musician and composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The view of Hohensalzburg at the Cathedral Square. This monument with a man on top of it was still not there during my first visit in 2008. I am not quite sure but I did not see this in my first visit. The construction of the fortress began in 1077 under Archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein.

a souvenir shop in Salzburg, Austria. This was taken during my third visit last July 2011.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

It's Snowing in Neumarkt!

Thank goodness that we really don't have snow in our area. But be very careful because the streets are also dangerous especially when it get frozen and icy during the night. This is what they call black ice. I heard over the radio this morning that there were a lot of accidents in Bavaria due to icy road and highways. My friends are also telling the same.

I did not really see a lot of snow in our area but in the nearby towns, I witnessed it last December 2011. As we drove to Neumarkt, a municipality in Upper Palatinate, Bavaria it was snowing a bit. You can see it in my snapshot below. Not too much snow but when the weather is rainy and snowy, better be careful when driving particularly early in the morning. Most streets become icy and slippery. Drive safely folks especially to all my friends in Bavaria.

a rainy snowy day as we drove to Neumarkt last December 2011.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Visit to Pamukkale, Turkey

I thought I can only see images of Pamukkale in Turkey in the internet or in a postcard. I was so happy that we had a short stop-over here during our trip to Turkey last September 2011. It is not really included in our itinerary but since we will also be passing it on our way to Izmir, our tourist guide allowed us to have a short stop.

This amazing beauty and wonder of nature is awesome. I believed there is not even one hydraulic power unit in this area. I am wondering what is the source of power and electric there. For all you know, this natural beauty is included in the list of the World Heritage Site since 1988. Lastly, you might wonder what does Pamukkale means? It is a Turkish word which simply means "cotton castle". Truly interesting!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Kawasan falls in Badian, Cebu

If I have a choice where I have to stay this month, I would say in the Philippines! You know why, the weather is not cold because it is in the tropics, i miss the local foods there, there are celebrations that I want to attend like the Sinulog in Cebu or the Halad in Midsayap and yes I want to go to Kawasan Falls again.

Kawasan are a set of falls in the town of Badian in Cebu Province in the Philippines. I love to go trekking along the peaceful river going to Kawasan Falls. It is around 130 km southeast of Cebu City. I hope to visit this place again in my next vacation to the Philippines!

Kawasan during my third visit last January 2010.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Planning for a Trip to the Baltic States

Another year is here. It is time to plan again for some trips anywhere anytime around the world. I already have some target places and until now I am still on the process of deciding which place am I going to visit first. One of my targets is Baltic region. There are a lot of interesting places to visit in this region and I am quite sure anytime this year I can visit those places. Since the beginning of January, I already started to search for cheap flights to any of the international airports in any Baltic States. Not only that, I also read some flight reviews to know which airlines are really good and affordable to fly to this region.

Among the cities I wish to visit in the Baltic region are;

Riga- dubbed as "The Paris of the Baltics", this is the capital city of Latvia. It is also the biggest city in the Baltic States. One of the city's must to see is its Old Town which is one of the many World Heritage Sites in Europe. Its old buildings have made Riga one of the most attractive cities in Europe. There are a lot of things to experience in Riga. From its historical buildings and architecture, museums, visiting a zoo, shopping, night life, entertainment and a lot more.

Riga is accessible by train, ferry, bus or airplane depending on your point of origin especially from any parts of Europe.

Vilnius- In 2009, Lithuania's capital city was the European Capital of Culture, along with Linz, Austria. Vilnius is also known as the "Jerusalem of the North" because of the many Judaism scholars and rabbis that lived and worked in this city. Their over 700 years of their presence in Lithuania, the Jews created a rich and diverse culture in this country.

The Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage List), Vilnius Cathedral, St. Ann's Church, Gediminas Castle, National Museum of Lithuania, Three Crosses Hill and the Artilery Bastion of Vilnius Defensive Wall are only some of the imposing sights to visit.

Sadama, Tallin. photo credit Jose Rambaud

Tallinn- This is also one of the most interesting cities to visit in the Baltic States. It is a historical city dating back to the medieval times. This global city is the capital of Estonia and also its largest city. There are a lot of things to do and experience there. Its Old Town which belong to the list UNESCO World Heritage Sites is a must to see. It is also famous for its beaches and music festivals.

You have to know that along with Turku, Finland, Tallinn was a European Capital of Culture for 2011.

Other places and sights worth to see in the Baltic States are Klaipeda, Kaunas,Curonian Spit,Hill of Crosses, Parnu, Kuressaare, Saaremaa, Kuldiga, Livu Akvapark, Sigulda and many more.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

View of Salzburg City from Hohensalzburg Castle

The best way of looking around Salzburg is to climb on Hohensalzburg castle. From there, you can have a breathtaking view especially of the Historic Center of the city of Salzburg which also belong to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Last July 2011 was already my third visit to this Austrian city. I find it always interesting would love to come back again and again. I hope you are all having a wonderful start of 2012. Cheers!

view of the historic center of salzburg from one of the fortress' windows. It was during my third visit in Salzburg when I had the chance to go up to the castle.

Salzburg is on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps. The mountains to Salzburg's south contrast with the rolling plains to the north. The closest alpine peak—the 1972 m Untersberg—is only a few kilometres from the city centre. The Altstadt, or "old town", is dominated by its baroque towers and churches and the massive Festung Hohensalzburg.

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