Sea side always attracts people. Often to relax and enjoy the sun. Less to enjoy the view and feel the wind. This is no different in Tel Aviv. Best part is old Jaffa, build on a hill which gives you a nice overview of the surroundings. And no beach. If you wander around in Jaffa’s winding alleyways you will see multiple little art shops. Often with a performing artist. Seafood lover? I’m sure you’re able to find a perfect table somewhere.
A citytrip or a country trip? Nature? Let’s combine all of the above because you can in the land of the Messiah. Tel Aviv is a sparkling city. But once outside the city borders you enter a different world. This makes Tel Aviv an effervescent tablet in a long drink glass for the whole of the region. Arrived during lunch time, our stomach assigned us a lovely task. Please fill me up. No problem in Tel Aviv. First stop was ‘North Abraxas’ a small restaurant from chef Eyal Shani. I never knew that you could pimp a cauliflower to the …
Looking for a short holiday? A citytrip? Not too far away? Try Rotterdam. Vivid and colourful.20 years, that is how long it has been when I was in Rotterdam. And i must admit I was positively surprised. The city had a successful transformation during that period of absence. Like Antwerp, Rotterdam is a harbour city, the largest of Europe. Unlike Antwerp the city has canals and lots of green to offer. Architecture is modern and even eccentric. Big chunks of R-dam city centre have been rebuild after WWII. On May 14, 1940 most of it was destroyed due to bombing …
Omnipresent they are. Local entrepeneurs selling their goods along the roads. Or on small and large markets. In any case they bring color and rural life closer to you. Because the chain of production to consumer is very short, everything is as fresh as it can be. We never got sick but watch out with dairy. It is widely consumed and in many cases raw. Such as the national fermented horse milk ‘kymyz’. Not for those with weak intestines. Another local drink is ‘kvass’ made of natural fermented rye bread and hop. With very little alcohol, around 1%, it is …
When you meet Kyrgyz people you instantly feel happiness. It’s like they just stepped outside a photo booth. Smiling all the time. It’s contagious and make you sprankle! When they smile you will notice that it glitters quit often. What’s remarkable is that a lot of them have golden teeth.
In the midst of a nature reserve, recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere reserve, sits Sary-Chelek at 2000m altitude. We entered the park from Arkit, where you have a gated entrance. You have to pay a small fee to enter the park, for your car and to camp. It’s a beautiful & peaceful piece of nature. A perfect place to stay the night with the reflection of the stars twinkling in the silver lake. Together with 3 other travellers, a local guide and 2 sweet German travellers Karin & Christian, we enjoyed an improvised meal and a couple shots …
Nestled in a lush valley in the shadow of Gora Babash-Alta mountains lies the village of Arslanbob, home of the world’s largest natural walnut forest. It’s difficult to describe the atmosphere of the walnut forrest, not spooky, nor fairytale-like but the omnipresent green color is at least special. A bit unearths. Arslanbob is a bit on the shabby side. A feeling which is magnified by the high number of antique cars. Robust Soviet material which keeps on rolling. It’s like looking in your rear view mirror and get kicked back 60 years.The whole village is involved in the harvest of …
An alpine lake at 3016m altitude. Our glittering prize after an adventurous drive. Coming from Tash Rabat we took a short cut heading for Baetov, crossing the mountains of Narin. Starting of with sunshine the sky was slowly getting dark. Sometimes you read that the weather can change rapidly in the mountains. Well, thats also our experience.We had 4 seasons in an 8 hour timespan. At some point we had to turn around because the roads were closed. At least that’s what i understood from a local chevalier. Little did i knew that he ment ‘not possible by 4X4, too …
In the shadow of At Bashi Kirka Toosu mountain you can seek shelter in the caravanserai of Tash-Rabat. The dirt road to the caravanserai is simply magnificent. Gorgeous green pastures with herds of horses grazing peacefully. The caravanserai dates back from the 10th century and is made entirely of crushed stone. Part of it sits in the hill side, well protected against stormy weather conditions during winter time. Closing your eyes shoots you back to the era of the traders & their camels. Picture yourself the Silk Road. About 1 km before the caravanserai there’s a lovely place to stay …
Nature is diverse, we all know that. But do you appreciate the diversity? Do you recognise true beauty when you look around? What do you feel?Only mountains, made of raw material, stones, sometimes covered with soft grasses, different shapes.Majestic.