After finalizing my first Camino in Spain, Camino Francais, I met my wife Ingrid in Barcelona. We had a wonderful time exploring Antonio Gaudi’s garden and buildings and many more attractions. After Paris and London it is Europe’s most visited metropole. No surprise.
Antonio Gaudis famous Garden:
Beauty might be in the eyes of the beholder, I am a true admirer of his creativity, his ideas, breaking conventions, insuring perfect functionality and purpose.
Actually in Austria we had comparable artist and architect, Friedich Hundertwasser. Is famous, but an edge behind Gaudi.
Sagrada Familia from Antonio Gaudi as well.
My web site is namend “Time-Trave”, time stands still when roaming Barcelona.
The panel above the public library was designed by Pablo Picasso on three pieces of nappies in a restaurant. Fake or true?
As I am a true travel fanatic, Christoph Columbus is quite an inspiration of perserverance and bravery. He had to head West.
Apparently Barcelona had an offer from a guy called Eiffel to build them a steel tower for the world exhibition then. They preferred the Arc 🙁 At the end of a long stroll around Barcelon we found a wine tasting festival with fine examples of Spanish wineries. Envious? 🙂
On route to South Africa we visited family and friends in Dubai. Magnificant buildings, surprises after surprises all along. Possibly crossed over into a different universe.
Cruising along the shore line.
We could not escape astonishment and fascination.
The obvious luxury and splendor of Dubai are accompanied by structure, order, safety, generosity and beauty. There might be prejudices, but only after a visit one can experience reality.
The castles of the Loire Valley are famous around the world. On our bucket list for a long time, we took our Opel Cascada convertible and headed for Orleans to start downstream the Loire river. Our selection of castles to visit was more or less one after the other on route to the town of Tours. We saw some which were larger country houses and then the breath taking architecture of the time. Ironically and actually sadly somehow, many of them were used only once or twice a year for a week or two.
Travelling in style:
Off we go:
Cathedral of Orleans.
Sully sur Loire
Chambord, involvement of Leonardo da Vinci, apparently with the “starecase to heaven” (top right image, left). Top three 🙂
Bloise and Villasavin
Viscounty and Cheverny
Amboise, Leonardo da Vinci lived here his last years in a side building (also top three 🙂
The Kruger National Park is one of the largest and best managed National Parks in Africa. I will provide some statistics further below. I go there during every visit in South Africa and always enjoy my game drives and exlporing new routes.
Kruger National Park (Tsonga: [ˈkrúːɡà]; Afrikaans: [ˈkry.(j)ər]) is a South African National Park and one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers an area of 19,623 km2 (7,576 sq mi) in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern South Africa, and extends 360 km (220 mi) from north to south and 65 km (40 mi) from east to west. The administrative headquarters are in Skukuza. Areas of the park were first protected by the government of the South African Republic in 1898, and it became South Africa’s first national park in 1926.
Great days in South Africa during the annual visit to familiy and friends. We started in Cape Town, moved to Johannesburg and Pretoria and finally to Nelspruit.
Golf at Milnerton Golf Club heading south to Table Mountain and Lion’s Head. At the water front to get into the frame for Table Mountain back drop. Oysters and sparkling wine at the harbor front. Hiking up Lion’s Head with Sara.
Visit to the wine lands around Stellenbosch to Delaire Graff Wine Estate and Spa. Golf in Nelspruit.
In Gauteng we booked the Kingdom Ressort near Sun city, met my friend Corry, my son Simon and Tanja with Sergio, and finally played Golf in Nelspruit in Mpumalanga.
As every year we enjoyed every minute in the Cape, the former Reef now Gauteng and in former Eastern Transvaal, today Mpumalanga.
A pilgrimage on a Camino in Spain is so special to me, that I needed to do a third one this year. After the Camino Francais in 2016, the Camino del Norte/Primitivo in 2018 I took the challenge of the Via de la Plata. This one would be more demanding and rewarding than the ones before. I feel I can talk from experience to state that one needs a very clear and strong focus on the goal. About 1.100 km in 33 days is demanding and could easily tempt you to put in a break or even resign in case of doubts. I am grateful to say I had a stable mindset and that the amount of endorphines all along the way and foremost at arrival in Santiago and 3 days later in Finesterre are insurmountable.
View at the route:
Actual distances and times:
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Day 1, Saturday, 11.09.21 – Sevilla – Guillena – 22 km
11.09.21 – 07:00 a.m. – Take off in SevillaAt the cathedral all on my ownTraditional way of transportMonestry of SantiponceA surprise in that cafe – unknown other guests payed my bill !!
The day become the entrance ticket to the Camino: Temperatures rose to easily to 35 dgr and only the tough survived.
About 10 km in the heat without a hint of shadeNot one of my best photos, but the naked truth. Almost finished.Albergue La LuzAlain from France – Norbert from Berlin and myself after recovering from tough day 1.
Alain from the foto right above on the left hand was at the sime time at the cathedral in Sevilla as myself, but on the other side. We met a short time later and walked briefly together. But I lost him by testing an alternative route. I had to turn around and never cought up with him as he is a fit fellow. After a few days we then walked together for about two weeks but then lost sight of each other. Norbert I “overtook” on that day one, but he joined up with me only now and then. He preferred his own pace and peace of mind. But we had great conversations about his life in old East Germany.
Day 2, Sunday, 12.09.21, Guillena – Castilblanco de los Arroyos – 17,5 km
A shorter distance to recover from tough day 1.
Summary of day 2: Not as hot as day 1, a bit shorter and still a very good mood to meet the challenges. One had the feeling, day 1 was the entrance ticket to the Camino via de la Plata. It was close to make it or brake it. And speaking for myself, it was a matter of a strong will and a “can do it” attitude. So after day 2, I knew, I am in the game.
Day 3, Monday, 13.09.2021, Castilblanco de los Arroyo – Almaden de la Plata – 29,4 km
Early start as for most of the days.
Between the start and the finish on day 3 was a an uphill stretch of +/- 300 m. It was cloudy and therefore not too difficult.
Looking down from the top of the hill I could already see Almaden de la Plata, as mall and quiet village. I met a Portueguese couple with whom I am still in touch on FB and a young woman from Germany whose name I did not note down. But they invited me for a pasta dinner Portueguese style and bananas covered with chocolate German style. The Portueguese did already a lot of Caminos, especially the connections between the longer ones and the not so popular ones. They had a firm pace and clearly set goals day by day.
Day 4, Tuesday, 14.09.2021, Almaden de la Plata – Monesterio – 34 km
This image 0f coffee and toasted white bread with jam would repeat almost daily on this Camino. Not too healthy, but lots of energy for the start of the day. In the oak forests were plenty of semi-wild pigs and we spoke nicely to them, hoping for a safe passage 🙂
Alain and I originally wanted to stop here in El Real de la Jara. But the village was tiny and we were very early. So after a nice coffe we moved on – into a thunderstorm.
We were hopful to escape the storm, it moved in a distance on our left and behind us. But suddenly we were cought and loughed it off. The Albergue was closed as in so many of the villages after the Pandemic and we had to book a hotel room. We were a bit worn out from the rain and rewarded ourselves with a fine dinner.
Unexpected smart dishes in Monesterio.
Day 5, Wednesday, 15.09.2021, Monesterio – Calzadilla des los Barros – 27 km
What a peaceful morning with company next to the path and a small river guiding the way.
After a while I realized I missed a turn-off and tried a short cut to come back to the Camino by crossing over a pig farm. Met the farmer, in broad Spanish he explained I cannot cross but can turn left a few km later. Good luck.
The Camino displayed its beauty and tranquility day by day. I met the German lady again and we walked together to find an albergue in the next town.
We were unlucky, all hostels and albergues were fully booked or closed. After some snacks and phone calls to the next village we moved on and found a nice surprise.
A suprise reunion with the Portueguese couple and lots of fun that evening.
Day 6, Thursday, 16.09.2021, Calzadilla des los Barros – Zafra – 21,4 km
I am accompanied by my shadow.
Short stop in Puebla de Sancho Perez – meeting with Norbert – and a visit in church.
Comfortable albergue in Zafra – secure bed firstThen go sight seeing to town
Zafra has style, charm and tranquility and friendly restaurants with great food. Ask for more?
Day 7, Friday, 17.09.2021, Zafra – Villafranca de los Barrios, 19,4 km
A short stage and we arrived shortly after lunch at Villafranca. We found a comfortable simple hotel Extrenatura Alojamientos. In this small town was no albergue for pilgrims left.
Day 8, Saturday, 18.09.2021, Villafranca de los Barrios – Merida, 43,8 km
m
Good startGood mudGood mood
There are days with great landscapes and days with rather flat ones. I was lucky to find some shade under the olive trees for a rest and picknick.
Download from GoogleDownload from Google
I was looking forward to Merida based on the notes in my tour guide. I underestimated that beauty and the attraction to tourists. All albergues were full and it took quite some time to find a hotel. That reduced my time to stroll and visit the amphitheatre and the Acueducto de los Milagros from Roman times. Still, I found many of the temples where theater performances were prepared. A place to return at a later stage.
Day 9, Sunday, 19.09.2021, Merida – Alcuescar 40 km
The day was fine until the last 3 km. There I lost the plot and added unnessery 3 more km. Below right: Happy End at Albergue San Andres.
Day 10, Monday, 20.09.2021, Alcuescar – Aldea de Cano, 18 km
That makes the Camino Via Plata so special: original Roman milestones and roads and bridges, around 2.000 years old.
Day 11, Tuesday, 21.09.2021, Aldea del Cano – Casar de Caceres, 34 km
21.09. is Solar Solstice (Sommersonnenwende), beginning of autumn, the full moon still high at sunrise exactly opposite.
The nurse of a small group from a “Kindergarden” insisted we make pics together in Caceres.
Placa de major in CaceresTorre de BujacoCasar de CaceresAyuntamiento de Casar de Caceres
Day 12, Wednesday, 22.09.2021, Casar de Caceres to Canveral, 36 km
The first half of the day quite picturesque again, the second half rather one dimensional.
Canaveral
Day 13, Thursday, 23.09.2021, Canaveral to Galisteo, 26,6 km
Morning stretch rainy but tranquil, afternoon clearing up. Difficult to find a restaurant in Galisteo. Isabel from Belguim joined Alain and myself from time to time (center image through the gate)
Day 14, Friday, 24.09.2021, Galisteo to Carabasco, 10,5 km
The short distance indicates a light tiredness after two weeks. Also mentally. But great company with “new” friend Arthur and with Laurel & Hardy reinvigorated lots of energy.
Day 15, Saturday, 25.09.2021, Carabosco to Aldenueva del Camino, 39 km
Early birds catch the flies, we cought lit crosses and magic reflections in an oak tree country.
Highlight of the day was finding “Arco de Caparra“, an impressive Roman arche in the middle of nowhere, from first century.
Endless and tiringstretch after the Arco de Caparra
Before meeting Isabelle (and Arthur) in the evening, Alain and I had an endless stretch mostly on tarr after the Arco until Aldenueva. Great service in Albergue Turistico.
Day 16, Sunday, 26.09.2021, Aldenueva del Camino to Calzada de Bejar, 22 km
A day with a rather short distance to enjoy. the three of us went different paces so that I was on my own most of the day. Just the very first stretch was on a busy road with Sunday cyclists, etc. But after Banos de Montemajor ( one of the oldest spas in Spain from Roman times), it was all forests and meadows.
Out of Banos de Montemajor we found a remainder of the original Roman Via Plata again. And a view back to Banos.
The “Circels in the forest” with sunlight breaking through the treetops and giving light on the path produced lots of endorphines in my mind.
Albergue Alba – Soraya was bigger than it looks. The three of us had a room with 5 bunk beds all for us. After some snacks and washing clothes we went to town for a wonderful Pilgrim’s Menu.
Day 17, Monday, 27.09.2021, Calzada de Bejar to Fuenterroble del Salvatiera, 20,6 km
Still highly motivated by pleasant landscapes and greayt company.
The three of us, Alain, Isabelle and myself were an efficient and supporting team.
Day 18, Tuesday, 28.09.2021, Fuenterobble del Salvitiera to San Pedro de Rozaros, 29 km
Peaceful morning, a little chilly, warming up soon.
A day smooth as silk
Cloudy means balanced temperatures providing great rhythm matching the landscape.
Pre-dinner snacks, good mood and good fun, comfortable beds in the Albergue 🙂
Day 19, Wednesday, 29.09.2021, San Pedro de Rozaros to SALAMANCA, 23 km
Needless to say we were looking forward to this famous city – and we were not dissappointed at all. Reality surpassed imagination by far 🙂
Perfect weather and mood.
There are hundreds of Placa de Major in Spain – but none like in Slamanca. And we enjoyed every moment.
A place to come back sometimes.
Day 20, Thursday, 30.09.2021, Salamanca to Calzade del Velunice, 16,4 km
Out of Salamca, still fascinating old Roman Puente
Lovely villages and tough straights…
According to my notes it was an eventful day with heated discussions about Politics and more. Should not have happened. And in the evening we waited long for our food in the restaurant, but were rewarded with great quality.
Day 21, Friday, 01.10.2021, Clazade de Velunice to El Cubo, 20,7 km
Short distance, early arrival, Isabelle left us to catch up on her schedule. We met up with Norbert from Berlin again, had some beers and later a set dinner in “Hotel” La Ruta (rather a normal hostel 🙂 )
Day 22, Saturday,02.10.2021, El Cubo to Zamora, 31,5 km
Isabelle was ahead from the next town, Alain, Norbert and myself found and lost each other a couple of times. Company and privacy, just as it suitds you best sometimes.
Rovering towards Zamora, breathing freedom.
We met all together in the Albergue and strolled around Zamora. Isabelle left neyt morning for Belgium.
Day 23, Sunday, 03.10.2021, Zamora to Riego del Camino, 36 km
Alain from France opted to start later and at a differernt time table then myself and Norbert. Time to say farewell. Challenging plain countryside and long straits…
We passed Castillo de Castrotorafe and stayed in a Albergue Donativo (asks only for donations) for dinner, bed and breakfast. Met Igor from Laibach in Slovenia.
Day 24, Monday, 04.10.2021, Riego del Camino to Tabara, 32,9 km
Igor was the President of the Camino Ass. from Slovenia. Norbert and I again had a different pace and lost and found each other. Picture with guy with blue cap was at the fork between Astorga and Ourense. We opted for Ourense, the quiete route.
Crossed Rio Esla and I missed the turnoff left at the bridge. So I had lots of tarr roads and endless straits, but did not have to climb an aquqard hill at the lake.
We found a Hotel in Tabara which offered also an Albergue. Was a great choice. At dinner I broke a small piece from a rather new crown 🙁
Day 25, Tuesday, 05.10.2021, Tabara to Santa Marta de Tera, 23,3 km
Day 25 mostly together with Norbert. Pic second from top right is the entrance to and underground botega (wine desitllery) from about 200 years ago.
The romanic church in town dates back to 11th century and is well kept. Small birthday dinner with omlette, baguette and beer with Norbert.
Day 26, Wednesday, 06.10.2021, Santa marta de Tera to Monbuey, 36, 5 km
Day 26
Day 26
Day 26
Day 26
Day 27, Thursday, 07.10.2021, Monbuey to Pueblo de Sanabria, 35,9 km
Day 27
Day 27
Day 28, Friday, 08.10.2021, Pueblo de Sanabria to Lubian, 34,4 km
Day 28
Day 28
Day 28
Day 29, Saturday, 09.10.2021, Lubian to A Guidina, 24,6 km
Day 29
Day 29
Day 30, Sunday, 10.10.2021, A Guidina to Laza, 37,6 km
Day 30
Day 30
Day 30
Day 31, Monday, 11.10.2021, Laza to Xunqueira de Ambia, 33 km
Day 31
Day 31
Day 31
Day 32, Tuesday, 12.10.2021, Xunqueira de Ambia to OURENSE, 22,4 km
Day 32
Day 32
Day 32
Day 33, Wednesday, 13.10.2021, OURENSE to Cea, 24,9 km
Day 33
Day 33
Day 33
Day 34, Thursday, 14.10.2021, Cea to Laxe, 37,8 km
Day 34
Day 34
Day 34
Day 35, Friday, 15.10.2021, Laxe to Ponte Ulla, 33,5 km
Day 35
Day 35
Day 35
Day 36, Saturday, 16.10.2021, Ponte Ulla to SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, 21,7 km
Day 36
Day 36
Day 36
Day 37, Sunday, 17.10.2021, SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA to Negreira, 22,3 km
Day 37
Day 37
Day 38, Monday, 18.10.2021, Negreira to Olveiroa, 35,3 km
Day 38
Day 38
Day 39, Tuesday, 19.10.2021, Ovleiroa to FINESTERRE, 38 km
Day 39
Day 39
Day 39
Day 39
Day 40, Wednesday, 20.10.20.21, FINESTERRE to Santiago de Compostela by Bus
Day 40
Day 40
Day 41, Thursday, 21.10.2021, Santiago de Compostela to Sevilla by train
Day 41, Back in Sevilla at the motorhome, which was kept well and safe 🙂
Travelling to South Africa was only possible under strict adherence to all Covid rules and regulations. I used Emirates Airlines which provides top service even in Economy Class. Again I visited my childern and grand children including to celebrate Vera’s 40th birthday and also had enough time to roam around the country. I opted for a road trip from Pretoria to Cape Town and later back via the Garden Route and the Drakensberge. On the first leg to Cape Town via Graff Reinett I had a welcomed co-driver my daughter Sara who was on her way home.
#First Family Time!
Road trip to Graff Reinett, Valley of Desolation and a wonderful cactus farm
Climbing Signal Hill for a view of a life time
Climbing up Signal HillClimbing up Signal HillFrom the top of Signal HillDown at Harbour FrontBusy in Cape TownI missed the ARGUS cycling race, but cycled from Muizenberg to Greenpark Stadium short by 24 km. Nevertheless.
Gallery Special in Constantia Cape Town
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With Sara and her friend Cherice
Further on the road trip back via the Garden Route
Nature’s Valley
At Nature’s Valley, the end of the famous 5-day-hike “Otter Trail”
Strom River Mouth, start of the Otter Trail
Strom River MouthBeginning of Otter TrailThe TrailThe TrailThe TrailThe TrailSunparks Camp Storm River
Addo Elephant Park at the end of Garden Route
Golden Gate National Park in the Drakensberge
Top of Golden Gate Mountain
Outing with Simon to the X-Gorge west of Pretoria in the Magalies Berge
Last but not least a Golf Special from the places I enjoyed my game:
Needless to say amongst so many other choices, South Africa is an all year Golf destination with all kinds of courses.
For a short summary I could say it was once more a rewarding visit formost with the familiy. But also South Africa’s nature remains unmatched attractive and admirable to say the least.
In 2020 about 2 years ago I visited Flandern and Normandy already on my way back from the Lofoten in Norway. When Ingrid saw my pictures and from her own research she always wanted to visit that region as well. For me it was a pleasure to come back, because in one visit you never can explore everything of interest and four eyes see more than two anyway.
On the way back we visited Switzerland and Germany to find an economic route back to Austria. Although the weather was a mixed bag in the second halfe of the trip, we enjoyed every minute of the beauty of this part of Europe.
Our routing was the following:
Average driving distance / day was 248 km which means an average driving time / day of 3,1 hours. That leaves plenty of time for the sight seeing and coffees and sports.
07.08.22, Haag – Koblenz
Departure from HaagCastle EhrenbreitsteinCastle Koblenz“German Corner” – merger of river Rhein with river MoselEnd of a long day with 710 km driving
08.08.22, Koblenz – Aachen – Antwerp
Aachen
Departure Koblenz from river RheinAachen City HallAachen DomeAachen DomeAachen CityRelaxing stroll around downtown
Antwerp
Center of AntwerpThe Railway StationFarewell Antwerp
09.08.2022, Antwerp – De Haan – Bruge
De Haan at the Channel
Above De Haan
Bruge
Bruge CenterAfternoon stroll in Bruge
10.08.22, Bruge – Gent
Bruge
Bruge Center
Gent
Fascinating architecture all aroundGent is overwhelmingBy day and night
11.08.22, Gent and Lille
Gent next morning
The Lamb of God was a must to visit
Lille in France
Center of LilleLille is lively
12.08.22, Lille – Amiens – Giverny – Rouen
Amiens
In Amiens is the biggist Cathedral of FranceAmiens is also colorful
Giverny – The garden of Claude Monet
A garden of a lifetimeThe lilys and the bridgeAnd inside the house
Rouen
Smooth end of an exciting day
13.08.22, Rouen – Etretat – Honfleur
Rouen
Jeanne d’ ArcAnd her judgesin RouenRouenLines all over in Rouen
Etretat
Breathtaking cliffsCelebrating a day to remember
Honfleuer
Honfleuris romance pur
14.08.22, Honfleur – Mount St. Michel
Honfleur in the morning
Harbour basinSome arts and craftAgain lots of lines 🙂
15.08.22, Le Mont Saint Michel and St. Malo
Le Mont Saint Michel
Mystical bautyA center of positive energy all over
Saint Malo
A castle at the seasideBusy and charming inside
16.08.22, Near Saint Malo – Les Gesnios
A round of Golf in Le Tronchet near St. MaloCamping area in Les GesnoisSome sports inbetween the city tour
17.08.22, Les Gesnois – Dijon
Dijon
A dominating cathedralVery medieval and stylishSmart bag and hats 🙂
18.08.22, Dijon – Geneva – Lake Neuenburg
Geneva
At Lake GenevaDowntown
At Lake Neuenburg
Tranqulity for a change
19.08.22, Lake Neuenburg – Solothurn – Zurich
Solothurn
Downtown SolothurnAt the river Aare
Zurich
Above: River Limmat exits Lake of ZurichLooking for colors in dull lightBack to the River
20.08.22, Zurich – Rapperswil – Memmingen (G)
Rapperswil
A donintating castleFrom castle to lake promenadeQuiet at Lake Zurich
Memmingen in Germany
Lined up beautifullyBack to the CentreFrom the Golf course nerar Memmingen
21.08.22, Memmingen – Kössen (Tyrol)
22.08.22, Golf in Kössen
Leading Golf CourseMost enjoyable game of golf at the end of an epic journey
The Plitvice Lakes were just high up on the bucket list and in July 2018 it was the right time to go. With Motorhome and bicycle. The views were breathtaking, the waterfalls energizing, the lakes tranquilizing and the whole day a gift from God.
Originally my plan was to take my motor home and travel to the Delta of the River Danube in Romania. But I was not sure about opening times of Camping Sites in April and became nervous to explore uncharted territory on my own. Therefore a better known and also very attractive destination got a chance: Sicily. In hindsight I should have taken more time for all sections of the trip: driving down, around the island and back up. I did it in about nine days. 3+3+3…
As Andalusia was high on the bucket list for a long time, we decided to try a group tour with a bus and travel guide. A full inclusive program including the flights to and from Madrid, the bus tour and all accommodation and entry tickets. It was a good idea. You go to so many places that organizing this all on your own would have been a major exercise. What a journey.
My son Gerald lived with his family in Singapore for three years. A great opportunity to visit a place which might not have been so high on the bucket list. It was worthwhile every minute. Cambodia with its famos “Angkor Wat” was nearby and we included that venue.
I lived in the UK in Birmingham and Oxford from 1996 to 2002. I visited Scotland twice during that period. In 2012 it was time to go back with my wife Ingrid. Scotland has so much charm, charisma, history, culture, traditions, countrysides from another universe and much more. The attentive reader might discover, that I returned again in 2019.
We started in Edinburgh, took a rental car and went up north.We visited Inverness and Loch Ness, some coastal beaches, castles and a whisky distillery (Glen Fiddich). The detailed route and sequence of events has been lost in the fog of time 🙁
In the middle of 2011 we were not sure where to go for a holiday. Rather spontaneously we opted for a round trip through the middle of Italy: Apulia – Basilikata – Campania. We flew to Naples and got a rental car and headed eastwards.
Day 1, 17.08.2011 Canosa di Puglia and Castel del Monte.
Day 2, 18.08.2011 Towards Alberobello
Day 3, 19.08.2011 Martina Franka and Matera
Day 4, 20.08.2011 Amalfi coast
Day 5, 21.08.2011 Transit day
Day 6, 22.08.2011 Pompeji
Normally I am too stingy to take a tour guide. In this case the person which approached us was German speaking and quite a nice guy. We had no regrets, the opposite, we would not have gained that amount of insight.
In November 2010 Ingrid and I were invited to test drive an new model from the vehicle brand Chevrolet. They tend to choose attractive locations. This time it was Valencia in Spain and they stuck to their routine.
Not only for their pyramids Egypt is a fascinating topic but also for the exciting history of organizing the state around the periodic flooding of the Nile. I read that the Egyptians immigrated from the area of the Sahara desert which was a most fertile land and full with lots of wildlife long long time ago. But when the climate changed and dried up and eroded the land, the people were forced to look for new resources. They found it along the River Nile.
A few more mystical stories increased my fascination about Egypt. One is the connection between the people of Israel and them from the report of Jakob and his son Joseph and his 11 brothers. Joseph being sold to slave traders and progressing in Egypt from the prison the the first adviser to the Pharao. The other one is of Pharao Amenhotep who declared the many gods of Egypt as obsolete and proclaimed a new “singular-God” faith. This god was represented by the sun (Amun) and one of his prayers could have been from the Bible. The priest cast had big problems with that new religion (similar to the Jewish priests who rejected Christ). After Amenhotep’s death they managed to reverse the Egyptian society back to the traditional gods. Amenhotep’s son was Tut-Ench-Amun, who died in his younger years.
So far so good. Now I would like to invite to our River-Nile-Cruse from one historic site to the next.
The five villages (Cinque Terre) at the Italian West Coast attracted me for quite some time. Ingrid was there before and was my tour guide. We returned via the Lago Maggiore and the province of Vorarlberg to Haag. We traveled by car.
In September 2009 I returned from India after living there as an expatriate for BMW. I was longing for more time for cultural activities and always fancied the museums of London. On Dec. 5th, 2009, we flew over for a long weekend and visited 7 or 8 museums in that 4 days. The photos are in chronological sequence, the exact places might have escaped my memory 🙂
First a stroll around the inner City with e.g., St. Paul’s Cathedral from Sir Christopher Wrenn.
In Salvatore Dali’s permanent exhibitions are about 200 originals from the grand master. Not allowed to take pictures, sorry.
The following examples are from different museums, amongst them Tate Modern. Always exciting to see ancient statues and pieces of arts and crafts which demonstrate just unbelievable craftsmanship long before our time.
From “ordinary” London walking around and home to a flat which belonged to a good friend.
2009 was my last year for BMW in India. As discussed before, the Maldives were much closer to India than to Austria. So it makes lots of sense to have a look.
There is quite a significant connection between Austria and the Greek island of Korfu: our famous queen of the hearts, Elizabeth called “Sissi” built herself a small palace and spent lots of time around. She was ill from a lunge disease and enjoyed the mild climate.
Here she is, our “Sissi”. The theme of her palace was obviously “Achilles“. His statue is famous amongst insiders and dominates the scene.
Below is one of the best known motives of Korfu: “Island of the mice“
In 2006 we travelled to Rome over a long weekend and had a whale of a time 🙂 . We would come back at least twice. In 2016, 10 years later, Bruno, Heinz and I would take our racing bikes with light luggage and cycle down from Haag in Austria. Rome is a place to come back anyway and enjoy the history, the culture, the fine arts and the life style.
During my stay in India from 2006 to 2009 we seized the opportunity to visit neighbor countries. This time it was Thailand’s capital BANGKOK. It was only a long weekend and we just managed the standard tourist route without exploring the finer details of the city.
I believe another expatriate colleague in Chennai recommended the Andaman (and Nicobar) Islands to me. After my Christmas home visit in 2008-2009 I had a few days spare and got going. I had a most relaxing and re-energizing time and will be back some time in the future.
I went to India in 2006 for BMW to be part of a project team which established a new CKD plant in Chennai. The contracts are usually for 3 years and we managed the start up and stabilisation process quite well. To live in India is a story on its own of course and one summary is: ” A feast for the eyes but a punishment for the nose.” As many other developing countries there are unbelievable contrasts and contradictions all over. When we drove from home near the coastline of southern Chennai to Chengalpet further inland it was a time-travel par excellence. Rural villages with oxen wagen changed with posh glass towers hosting IT companies or call centers from organisations overseas.
An attempt of a summary of that experience is, we were privileged to work with excellent local staff, met wonderful friends, traveled to very beautiful destinations and also saw extreme poverty and suffering. Most impressive was to observe a willingness to study, an eagerness to work hard and smart and a drive to success relentlessly.
I just post some episodes of traveling in India without too many comments as it is now 15 years back. I have hope, the images contribute to the theme of this website: Time-Travel.net.
Kerala is well known for its provincial government being Communist since many decades. They managed that all 3 main religious groups (Hindu, Moslem, Christian) live in “perfect” harmony and they achieve the highest percentage of literacy all over India with about 95%.
It was only a short visit of a view days and we spent most of the time on a houseboat roaming through the water channels in-between large rice plantations.
When I took the photos of the fisherman operating the large nets on levers they invited me to join and help them. So I did and quickly got blisters on my hands. Afterwards they asked for a baksheesh for my pleasure.
Stopped a couple of times on Autobahn fuel stations.
Coming home to Haag safely.
A remarkable journey around Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, England, Scotland and France comes to an end.
I posted most of these blogs during the Corona shutdown around the year change form 2020 to 2021. I re-lived a wonderful journey and enjoyed every minute working on it.
On my way towards Germany I headed eastward and stopped in Courtenay for a coffee with croissant. What else?
To be honest, I just looked for a lunch break during driving and found Troyes, which I never heard of anyway. What a pleasant surprise again to discover this charming city.
From the church to the market.
I love symmetry.
And panoramas.
And water features.
I moved on to Strasbourg and searched long for parking or camping. Found the camping ground but they were fully booked and rather inflexible. They could have allowed me to wait whether everybody booked really comes. They did not. Not recommendable.
So I carried on to Germany and stopped at an Autobahn Fuel Station.
I did not mention in yesterday’s report that I stopped at a highway fuel station for the night. I headed east again towards Germany and Austria.
55 km before Orleans I found Schloss Châteaudun. What a beauty.
In Orleans I parked at the river Loire opposite the city and rode my bike to town.
A bit further up is already an image oft this hotel and court yard. Now, one hour later it was used for a celebration of the French National Holiday. They had representatives from the US Army around in their original uniforms. Also vehicles were on show from 1945.
One of the vehicles was a Dodge troop transporter which I had driven in my military training in 1979. Can you believe that? It was not a question that I could take a seat and get photographed by the US Army.
About 15 km “behind” Orleans was Jargeau, which had a small parking lot for motor homes. Quite quaint views.
Who has not heard of Mont St Michel? I did and it was on my bucket list for a long time. Today was the day.
The camping site was near, so I took the bike once more and left it before the long bridge and mingled with the crowd. Medieval through and through the place moves you back in time automatically. Everything has style and charm and quality.
I was blessed by being able to attend the end of a church service, where the nuns sang as a small choir with a mystical sound in that high cathedral.
Wandering from level to level one has views over the Channel or inland or is drawn into court yards and chambers.
It is such a center of positive energy that I did not want to leave on the same day. On the other hand my time came slowly to an end and I carried on east bound to Rennes.
My blessings did not seize. Rennes offers stylish architectures and splendid restaurants, pubs and cafes.
This would be special day. I visited good friends from long long back at their country cottage near Oxford. And later on I drove to Stone Henge in the Salisbury Planes. It should be no secret that I am mad about the Neolithic Sites.
The mystery of this center of energy is still under investigation. Austrian scientists are leading the wider area research from an helicopter using Radar and Sonar technology. They discovered a huge far reaching structure of stones and paths and type of canals. For me the presence of Stone Henge is nothing short of the Pyramids of Egypt or Macchu Picchu in Peru.
After that intense visit where I moved backwards and forwards in time in my imagination (-> time-travel.net), I carried on to Pool to cross over the Channel tomorrow to France.
For France I had in mind the Normandie and Bretagne, but detailed targets. I was lucky enough to get recommendations and hints from friends and neighbors. One would be “Carnac” with many large fields with hundreds of Menhirs. Equally intriguing.
As I parked very near to the ALDI shop, what sounds more attractive than fresh croissants for breakfast? What a treat in the morning.
Moving back south with just a few short stops. Time for better weather all together.
Some roads had unstable shoulders on the side of the road. As I sat in a left hand driven car and had to drive on the left side of the road, judgement to oncoming motor home traffic was tough at times. It resulted in 4 hits on one Sunday. And one to the four broke the right outer mirror. I just could fix it with cable strips not to loose it completely.
I choose Morecambe for the stop over by chance because it got late and I got tired. Found parking quickly in a side road of a shopping complex and walked to the festival at the sea side.
The idea was to cycle to the northern side of Skye and visit some points if interest. One was the “Old Man of Storr“. A look out of the motor home showed some clouds in the background, but all in all it was very promising.
But just after one Kilometer of cycling the background came strongly to the foreground and I had to put on the rain jacket. I only made it to the first attraction, Old Man of Storr. There were about 15 – 20 people on the way up and down. With a group of younger guys I made it to quite close to the stone. But the last bit was very steep and slippery and there was fog and a gail force storm which almost blew us off the socks. The clouds were so dense, we only saw a ghostly image of it. Perseverance is also a virtue.
In rain and storm I cycled back and suffered a bit. But only the tough survive. In the motor home I quickly changed to warm clothing and put the wet ones onto drying ropes.
All set to drive around the island on four wheels. Found the “Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls Viewpoint” on route.
Duntulm Castle was a bit lost in the distance, but one could imagine it interesting in different weather.
Other travelers persevered on two wheels and I felt a little weak. My excuse was afterwards, I did not have the perfect outfit for these conditions. And it was true. The way to Fort Williams led over the bridge around lochs and lakes. I found parking and a pub for dinner. All well.
Today the target was the Isle of Sky with the “capital” Portree. The drive was scenic as every day and I feel, one cannot get tired of it.
If you are lucky you find parking at a fine coffee shop with book shop attached and you meet Italians who are on a long distance cycling trip around the Scottish islands.
Fantastic views of Scotland’s shores and lakes and hills.
As it is called Isle of Sky it needs a connection to the mainland. It could be a ferry, a tunnel or a bridge. They choose an elegant bow.
My parking spot again was an act of bravery: searched down a small road into a little forest and found my niche across the town of Portree. Could not have been any better.
I took an extended stroll on the beach far out to the opposite side of my location. It was just peaceful, relaxing, meditative and energizing at the same time.
I love the micro cosmos and miracles of nature along the shores.
The panorama form the far end back.
This are the ruins of Balnakeil Church close to my paring spot.
From the ride to the south west to Ullapool I was again amazed about the beauty of the Scottish Highlands with their winding roads and rivers and waterfalls. You can also meet interesting people on bicycles like Tim from the Netherlands. He had this top special touring bike from Germany for about 8.500 Euros. Respect. I gave him a lift to find a coffee shop. We had to search deep into one of the fjords and found that charming place at the far end…
The camping ground at Broomflield Holiday Park was just outside Ullapool and very well organized. http://www.broomfieldhp.com/
It was a westwards move from John o Groats to Durness along the north coast of Scotland. As one can see the weather was rather dull, driving along the sea side is still peaceful and relaxing. Never mind the narrow and partially one-lane-roads. All motorists play to the rules and wait at the next passing island and traffic really flows and flows …
Could not resist to play nine holes of Golf ad-hoc when I came along the Reay Golf Club. It was a fine links course, as they are only in the motherland of Golf. https://www.reaygolfclub.co.uk/
Similar to the above images, this was the view from the parking site of the motor home – near Durness – and another Golf Club, by the way.
Finding this ideal location needed the courage to drive past Durness on a narrow winding road. Then I found some parking, but it was full already. So I carried on another one-lane-road to the Golf Club. And found my spot. http://www.durnessgolfclub.org/
After a pleasant night in the tent I chatted to neighbors with a motor home. They recommended this beautiful coast line nature reserve.
This “bowling pin rock” was excavated by sea channels over thousands of years.
The young lady and her colleague were extremely helpful that I could get a ride on the bus back to the ferry. They went the extra mile to get the permission and the necessary wrapping material for my bicycle. Very special to me. I had not eaten much yesterday and today. I was in a state of euphoria to find the archaeological sites and had no appetite at all. But when it hit me, I had some fish and chips, but it did not give me enough energy back to cycle to the harbor.
The first view in the morning was a little wet and not really encouraging a bicycle tour. But it cleared to a cloudy condition which was welcome …
I knew Orkney does have neolithic excavations and museums. Beside its remote geographical location this was the main motivator to go there. I found it just ideal to take the bike with tent and cycle around the island. It was tough, but also extremely rewarding.
The ferry took about one hour and the landing point had NOTHING to offer, not coffee shop, no other shop, no welcome procedures 🙂
First landmark on the road to Kirkwall was the Italian Chapel, which was built by Italian prisoners or war completely from scrap material.
A glimpse of Kirkwall, main town of the island.
Standing Stones of Stenness
Above are images from current excavations Ness of Brodgar and the Ring von Brodgar. To “catch” the Ring onto an image with an smart phone is a challenge, which I did not master.
The clear highlight of that day and one of the most impressive observations of ancient structures was Skara Brae. I was lucky to have a “private” tour with a really engaged expert lady.
My tour guide in Skara Brae recommended an informal camping ground nearby and I found it very well sheltered and even romantic.
