Day Trip to Herend, Hungary

Have you heard about Herend porcelain? Herend is actually a small town near the city of Vestprem in Hungary. It is a historical town dating back to the Roman times. We had a day trip there last summer 2011 during our 5-days trip to Hungary. It is famous for its Herend Porcelain, one of the world's largest ceramic factories, specializing in luxury hand painted and gilded porcelain. It is enough for us to only go sightseeing and window shopping because the porcelain there are really expensive. We only bought ceramic souvenirs in the area but not really in Herend.

The famous Herend porcelain in Hungary during our trip last August 2011.

The Porcelain Museum of Herend. It has been opened to visitors since 1964 and was chosen as the museum of the year 2002 in Hungary.

Finally in Madrid Again

Thanks God for my safe trip to Madrid, Spain. I just arrived last Sunday afternoon. My friend met me at Barajas International airport. It was a sunny Sunday. This is one thing I love in Spain, its friendly weather even on winter time. When I left Germany, it was raining on our way to the airport, the opposite weather here in Spain.

After putting my baggage in my friend's house, we just made a quick relax and headed to the main city center in Sol. There we go a bit walking and met other friends. During the night we strolled the streets of Madrid and passed at Plaza de Cibeles.

Here is an image taken in the famous square of Madrid last Sunday night.

The Plaza de Cibeles at night.

The Plaza de Cibeles is a square with a neo-classical complex of marble sculptures with fountains that has become an iconic symbol for the city of Madrid.

Doha at Night

I had a long stop-over from my flight departing Munich International Airport in Doha last November 2009. My final destination was Philippines. I remembered that one of my co-employees before at the bank is currently working and living in Doha. I contacted her and told her that I want to go out from Doha airport since it was a 6 hours stop-over there.

Somebody want to disagree with that plan being afraid that I might be late for the next flight connection to the Philippines. I still insisted and met my co-banker. As a German citizen, I still need to get a visa in Qatar but I can immediately apply for it in the airport. I guess I paid $20 or $25.00 for the visa. It was not really so bad because I want to use the time instead of just sitting the whole 6 hours waiting in the airport.

one of the restaurants in Souq Waqif during my stop-over in Doha last November 2009.

To make the story short, I met Chinky. She was already waiting for me outside the airport. Her husband was also with her. They drove me a bit around. We also had a dinner at the Asian restaurant in Souq Waqif, a famous market and meeting place in Qatar's capital city. I did not expect that Doha is also a nice city. I had a great time chit-chatting with them since it was around a decade since we did not see each other.

I am thankful to Chinky and her hubby for the time spent with me. I hope to visit that place again in the future.

Where is My Madrid Travel Guide Book?

I was searching for this book for some weeks now. I know I have it somewhere in the house but never had an idea where I put it. I was looking for my Madrid Travel Guide Book which I bought during our trip in Spain last December 2011. I searched for it in our bedroom where I also have some travel books beside my bed. I also searched for it in my little library but still can't find it. I also did dot find it in our living room, kitchen and bathroom.

Where did I put that book? Sometimes I just keep on forgetting things. I badly needed it because I will be flying in less than two weeks to Spain again and will be staying most of the time in Madrid. I want to explore more the city when time permits. I believed I have more time when I will be there. We only had a day sightseeing when we were in Madrid last time.

a snapshot of the Cibeles Palace (City Hall) while we were inside the bus going around in Madrid. Taken last December 2011.

This afternoon when I had a glance of the new bookshelf at my back while sitting in front of my laptop, I saw a red-covered book. I guess, it is what I have been looking for since 3 weeks ago. I grabbed it and I am happy to know that it was my Madrid Travel Guide Book!! yohoo! I finally found it. See I was not searching for it today but I found it. This is cool.

See you later folks. Time to prepare for dinner!

Visit to Weissenburg, Bavaria

How are you doing folks? I hope that everything went out fine to everyone especially during the cold winter days in Europe. The past days were really very cold and until now it is still freezing cold outside. This is the time of the year where I just want to stay at home and do some things in the house which are left for some times. I am really very busy since the first day of February. I don't have much time to go online since there are a lot of things to take care offline.

Anyway, I am sharing an image taken during our visit in Weißenburg or Weissenburg. This was my first trip in 2012. It is a historical town in Bavaria, Germany. There are many ruins left by the Romans there. One of the good example is the remains of the Roman bath in this town.

the Ellinger Tor (gate) in the town of Weisenburg during our visit last Jan. 4, 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.

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.

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.

Skywatch Friday
Shadow Shot Sunday
Sunday Snapshot
Weekend Reflection
Scenic Sunday

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.

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.

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.

The Giralda of Seville Cathedral in Spain

I miss this place. I had so much fun and enjoyment with my friend while walking around in this city. Seville is truly a must-see when visiting Andalusia, one of the regions in Spain.

The tower you see below is called the Giralda. It is a is a former minaret that was converted to a bell tower for the Cathedral of Seville in Seville. The tower is 104.5 m (343 ft) in height and it was one of the most important symbols in the medieval city.

When visiting Seville, don't miss to go inside its Cathedral. You will be amazed by its arts and architecture. Spain still hunts me and wish to visit it again next year!

The Giralda, a famous tower in Seville's Cathedral. I am happy to be there last December 7, 2011.

The tower was begun under the architect Ahmad Ben Baso in 1184. After Ben Baso's death, other architects continued work on the tower. An architect named Jabir (or Geber) is also often credited with the tower's design. The tower was completed March 10, 1198 with the installation of copper spheres on the tower's top.

Visit to the Christmas Market in Strasbourg, France

I had the chance to visit one of the beautiful Christmas market in Europe last December 2010. The market in Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region in France is also a worth to visit. This city is just located near the border of Germany.

The main Christmas market is located near the Strasbourg Cathedral but there are other areas in the city center where you can also find little markets. I guess the pictures I have below will explain a bit about the Christmas market in Strasbourg.

the market at the Cathedral square in Strasbourg.

some stalls at the market.

Plaza de España in Seville, Spain

Visiting Spain is so far the most highlight of my trips this year. It was another dream come true. One of the places we visited in Spain was Seville, known as Sevilla in Spanish. The Plaza de España or "Spain Square" is one of sights we saw and experienced.

I was amazed by the beauty and the architecture of this square. There was a very memorable experience that happened here. It is better not to say it. If I have the courage later I might share it. It was not really bad just something exciting and shameful..lol! It just happened due to the call of nature. I guess you have an idea now.

Below is an image of this beautiful square in Seville, Spain. I love this place! I love Spain!

1929 Exposition Building at the Plaza, during our visit last Dec. 7, 2011.

It is a plaza located in the Parque de María Luisa (Maria Luisa Park), in Seville It was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. It is a landmark example of the Renaissance Revival style in Spanish architecture.

Hundertwasser, Vienna, Austria

I thought I can only see images of the Hundertwasser in the internet. During our short stop-over in Vienna, Austria last August of this year, I had the chance to finally see it in person. If you are familiar about Friedensreich Hundertwasser, you might probably have an idea how this house was created. He is an Austrian artist who had this idea of building such architecture. With the help of architect Joseph Krawina who is also his co-co-author this building was materialized.

Don't miss it when visiting Vienna.

This expressionist landmark of Vienna is located in the Landstraße district on the corner of Kegelgasse and Löwengasse. The Hundertwasserhaus is now an apartment house in Vienna, Austria.

Goodbye Golden October

Goodbye golden October! We are finally in the month of November. The days are getting shorter, darker and colder. This is the sign that winter is about to come. Are you ready for it? It is inevitable and we have to be always ready. This is the time to be more careful and wear warm clothes outside to avoid getting sick especially with colds.

Fall or autumn is the time of the year when the trees in the surroundings are turning to different colors like yellow, red, brown, orange, gold, etcetera. This is the reason why I also love this season of the year...the colorful surroundings especially in our area where you see a lot of woods.

Here are some of the snapshots I took last month.

colorful trees are still in the corners...soon it will vanished because the leaves are slowly falling down.

one of the thick woods nearby our small town. such an amazing beauty of nature!

Sinulog Festival in Cebu, Philippines

I was able to witness this festival twice. The second time I was there was last January 2010. Sinulog is an annual festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City, Philippines. The festival features a street parade with participants in bright coloured costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs.

I hope to see this again in my next visit to the Philippines. Here are some snapshots I took last year.

one of the contingents during the Sinulog contest held in Cebu Sports Complex.

the festival has been promoted as a tourist attraction, with a contest featuring contingents from various parts of the country.

The festival commemorates the Cebuano people's pagan origin, and their acceptance of Roman Catholicism.

Friend's Baby Shower

Hello folks! How's your Saturday? I hope you had a nice one. I had a wonderful time during a friend's baby shower today. It was my second time to attend such kind of celebration. Germans usually don't do that. Giving of presents only takes place when the baby is already born. Thanks to Filipino-American friends for inviting me. I truly enjoyed it. The baby shower for Ge was a success and I believed that she was very happy about it.

Everyone had fun during the said gathering especially the games that were played. A lot of food were also prepared by friends. The opening of the presents for the incoming baby was the highlight of the program. It was truly a wonderful and enjoyable celebration. Thanks to good friends for making it happened.

Wishing Ge a safe and sound delivery soon. God bless you!

some of the foods during the party.

the very beautiful diaper cake made by Joy.

presents for Ge's incoming baby.

The Ulu Camii Mosque in Bursa, Turkey

This is one of the beautiful mosques we visited in Turkey. The Ulu Camii Mosque, also called as Bursa Grand Mosque in Bursa, Turkey was built in the Seljuk style. It was ordered by the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I and edificed between 1396 and 1400. The mosque has 20 domes and 2 minarets.

Our tour guide who is a Turkish told us that entrances to most of the Mosques in Turkey are free of charge. He added that sometimes, they charge entrances to Christian people. I never see security or people who are watching the mosque entrance using garretts metal detectors. I heard that some people are afraid when visiting Turkey due to security reason. For me, our trip was quite fine and in order. There were even a lot of tourists especially in Istanbul during our visit there.

One of the minarets of the Ulu Camii Mosque in Bursa. Taken during our visit last September 2011.

Ulu Cami is the largest mosque in Bursa and a landmark of early Ottoman architecture, which carried many elements from the Seljuk architecture. Ordered by Sultan Bayezid I, the mosque was designed and built by architect Ali Neccar in 1396–1400. It is a large and rectangular building, with a total of twenty domes that are arranged in four rows of five, and are supported by twelve columns. Supposedly the twenty domes were built instead of the twenty separate mosques which Sultan Bayezid I had promised for winning the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396. The mosque has two minarets.

the beautiful interior of the mosque. You can find various Calligraphy on the walls.

Another Weekend Trip to Poland and Czech Republic

I should not be going but I cannot say no to friends especially when it is about travel and trips..lol! I will finally be seeing Poland for the second time and will be stepping the soil of Czech Republic for the fifth time. My first visit was last May 2011 in Poland. It was a pottery shopping in its so-called "ceramic city", Boleslawiec. This time I will not go for shopping but more on sightseeing. I also want to see this time the old city or city center of Boleslawiec.

On our second day, we will be visiting Karlovy Vary, known in English as Charles Bath or Karlsbad in German. This is the famous spa town in Czech Republic. I hope we can also stop-by at Marienbad, also known as Mariánské Lázně, also a famous spa town near Karlovy Vary.

I guess that's all for now folks. I am quite sleepy now. I will be waking up very early tomorrow. Praying for our safe and sound trip to these places.

Happy weekend everyone. Stay safe too!

pottery decors in one of the stores we visited in Boleslawiec, Poland last May 2011.