The Island of BORKUM - West of East Frisia

The tour of German islands is coming to an end: I've taken you with me from the former easternmost isle in the Baltic across the north sea to the Dutch border - where we'll spend a couple of carefree summer days on Borkum.

Doesn't this beach with the colorful chairs and cabanas just look like the perfect summer destination?!

The island of Borkum is one of the seven East Frisian Islands off the coast of Eastern Friesland. It is not only the largest, but also the westernmost and therefore geographically actually closer to the Netherlands than to the German mainland.

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The Island of NEUWERK - where the way is the goal

"So, by which ferry did you get here?" asks the chubby little lady and her accent gives her away as Southern German. "Well, I came here walking", I beam at her, still thrilled by my hike from the mainland to the island of Neuwerk.

To Neuwerk - this way! You cannot blame people if they don't believe that you came to an island walking.

The lady looks over the rough sea where the huge waves are rolling towards the shores of Cuxhaven. She frowns and shakes her head and is, obviously, thinking I'm trying to tell her a cock and bull story.
Little does she know: Visiting the island of Neuwerk, the way is the goal; definitely.

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The Island of FÖHR - every village a home

Föhr - every village a home: What's that all about?

I'm not able to figure out Föhr's strongest suit - there are so many great things to do and see; the traditional architecture is certainly one of the most alluring ones.

Well, let me take you to one of Germany's most popular holiday islands where almost each of the 16 villages' name ends with the suffix -um. Since this is the Frisian and Lower German version of heim...which translates to home, you can imagine how cozy and homey this North Frisian island is to its....homies.

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Complete Itinerary for a Layover in LISBON

Have you read last week's post on the beautiful islands of Cape Verde?

Well, as I went there, my flight itinerary foresaw almost an entire day in Lisbon.
No problem: My luggage was checked through, the connection from the airport to the city center couldn't be any better - hooray for Lisbon!

View from the top of Arco da Rua Augusta on the Praça do Comércio.

Let me show you how you can squeeze in an inspiring citybreak of up to 24 hours - no matter what the weather forecast says.

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CAPE VERDE - a guide to five amazing islands

(Update May 2019)

I get asked quite often which was my best trip and which has been my favorite country so far. How can I possibly answer such a question? How can I compare let's say Italy to Viet Nam?
Well, the pizza is tastier and the language is prettier in Italy.
Then again the Buddhist temples are bigger and the variety at farmers' markets is more abundant in Viet Nam.
Got the point? How could I ever compare?
Fortunately, I don't have to.

But if someone pointed a gun to my head and made me choose, I would say Cape Verde. Cape Verde with its beauty, charm, and incredible variety is the secret star on my personal globe.


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SRI LANKA - a Guide to the Island's Most Amazing Places

My three-week visit to the Island of Sri Lanka was a mesmerizing experience: The historic remains, the preserved natural richness, the white beaches, and colorful traditional attires were pleasing to the eye and soothing to the soul.

One of Sri Lanka's most sacred places: Aradhana Gala where Buddhist monk Mahinda landed as he met with King Devanampiyatissa.

Let this guide take you to some of the most amazing places this beautiful country has to offer.

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Guide to ANURADHAPURA and MIHINTALE

I chose Anuradhapura as my first stop for my Sri Lanka trip.

These kids can't wait to get to the Abayagiri Dagaba, one of the most sacred places in Anuradhapura.

Why? Because my friend Claudia told me to - and she has been to Sri Lanka many times and thought it would be a good point to start.

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Guide to POLONNARUWA

Polonnaruwa was not only the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, but it was also my second stop on the trip through Sri Lanka.

Welcome to the Kingdom of  King Parakramabahu I

And although it is - just like Anuradhapura - divided into a modern, busy New Town and what remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom, I felt much more comfortable here and enjoyed cycling criss-cross on the historic trails. Probably though, because Polonnaruwa is smaller and more overseeable - also for a person without any sense of orientation whatsoever. And most certainly because I stayed with the most welcoming and friendliest host. Ever!

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Guide to SIGIRIYA and a daytrip to DAMBULLA

Dambulla is much bigger and a real city and Sri Lanka's center of the vegetable distribution. However, Sigiriya is far more famous. It literally rocks.

In the old times, you were entering the complex through the lion's jaws. Today, only his paws are left.

It rocks because there is the almost 200 meters high Lion Rock. And the rock band - pun intended - shot some of the scenes from the music video Save a Prayer at the top.

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Guide to KANDY and a Temple Hike from Embekke to Pilimathalawa

Kandy is on every Sri Lanka-visitor's list - at least on a day trip. Many travellers are even coming here more or less straight from the airport.

Honestly, I didn't really get why. And even doing some additional online-research for this post proved me right: It is almost hysterically overrated.

Perfect point of orientation is the centrally located Kiri Muhuda lake.

However, a visit to Kandy is by no means a waste of time: There are the famous Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the traditional dance shows in the early evening in the city center and many great outing destinations that can easily be reached by tuk-tuk or even by public bus.

So yes, go and visit Kandy, just don't expect it to be the highlight of your Sri Lanka-trip.

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The Highlands: Guide to NUWARA ELIYA and HAPUTALE

In Asia, each of the colonial powers - be it the British or the French - installed a refuge for themselves in the highlands. There, they found a milder, cooler climate and fertile soil to grow for instance tea.

Gardens and plantations dominate Nureliya's sceneries.

In Sri Lanka, this place is Nuwara Eliya - and you really cannot blame the British that they fell in love with this earthly Garden Eden.

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Guide to GALLE

Galle, the last stop on my trip through Sri Lanka, conquered my heart despite the fact that it's very touristy.

There is even a small beach next to Galle's iconic lighthouse.

It is one of the eight sites being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage - and while places like Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, and Kandy are on the list for really, really old structures and architectonic sites, Galle is sort of the baby of the family: The beautiful, historic Galle Fort was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and expanded and finished by the Dutch in the 17th century.


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Memos from SRI LANKA. 9th Memo: Galle - the birds nest in the chandelier

A colonial mansion in the walled old town of Galle, built first in 16th century by the Portuguese and eventually fortified by the Dutch colonialist during the 17th century.

Dark wooden windows in contrast to the white-washed walls.

One of these typical houses - white-washed and with windows and doors of dark wood.
Not so long ago, they still used to be shiny, but the sun here is merciless and the salty air from the ocean pulls its weight, too.
Therefore the wood, still intact, deems a bit weathered.

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Memos from SRI LANKA. 4th Memo: My Kandy-d opinion

Kandy - geographically and metaphorically Sri Lanka's navel: Everybody comes here, some people even straight from the airport.

One of the nicest views of Kandy - and I didn't even have to climb on some mountain for it.

After three days in Kandy, I ask myself: Why?

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Memos from SRI LANKA. 3rd Memo: Rocking it in Sigiriya

With titles like this, I will never make it to the top of the blogger billboard charts, I know. But it's simply too tempting

Another day, another place, another homestay.

It's at the back of beyond, but there sure is a beautiful view.

Sigiriya is probably the most famous and iconic landmark in Sri Lanka, and while Sigiriya is also a town, it's mainly small houses scattered in a jungle-ish area, and I think I unerringly picked the most remote one. However, I was rocking it there - big time!

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Memos from SRI LANKA. 2nd Memo: Little house on the P...olonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. I must say that due to their length, these Sri Lankan names are very twitter-unfriendly.

Bright lights, big city? Well, not here.

Apart from the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, Polonnaruwa consists of the monumental ruins of the garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.

Just like the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, it was inscribed in the UNESCO-list of  World Heritage Sites in 1982.

One of the greatest masterpieces on the  site: The Buddhas of Gal Vihara.

And I like it much better - due to three reasons:


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Memos from SRI LANKA. 1st Memo: An unexpectedly scenic train ride to Anuradhapura

So I'm in Anuradhapura. Anu... what? Read my lips: Anuradhapura. It looks like this....

View of two Stupas - Thuparamaya and Ruwanwelisaya - across lake Thissa Wewa

...and is one of Sri Lanka's ancient capitals. Although it's also famous for its ruins of an ancient Sri Lankan civilization, there are pleasingly few tourists around, but huge numbers of truly faithful.

O come, all ye faithful, joyful, and triumphant....to the Abhayagiri Dagaba in the northern part of Anuradhapura.

I feel like I just fell into a different, totally fascinating world.


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HAMBURG - revisited and re-edited

Hamburg revisited: Germany's second largest city prides itself to be the "most beautiful city in the world". While this, of course, is just a highly exaggerated catchphrase, it actually is alluring with views that make you yearn for undiscovered shores - Germans call it 'Fernweh' (loosely 'aching for distance') - lots of maritime charm and its historic openness to the world.

Along the river Elbe all the way to the Northern Sea...who wouldn't get the travel bug with this view?
(Photo: © Andreas Vallbracht / www.mediaserver.hamburg.de)

However, since this guide was published, it has become one of my blog's most popular posts. A valid reason to re-edit and update it!

HAMBURG - gateway to the world

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BRUSSELS is for everyone. A Guide.

If it hadn't been for my daughter studying this winter in Brussels, it probably wouldn't have come to my mind to visit Belgium's capital - or Belgium at all, for that matter.

Different strokes for different folks: World's most famous wee-er made of chocolate. Bon appetit.

But Christmas came and families and loved ones were expected to get together, so I packed a couple of warm sweaters, threw in some fun presents and hopped on the late flight to Brussels' airport.
Just to find out that this European capital with all its old architecture and new street art, its pralines and beers, surrealist art and political reality is not only for me, but for everyone.

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MALAYSIA - a Complete Guide

Although regarding tourism, Malaysia has been stepping it up a notch, it's still by far not as overrun by travellers as other Asian countries.

At the Mardaka Square, the colonial past and today's modernity come together.

Besides a fascinating mix of religions and cultures, you find unspoiled nature and empty beaches on the Malayan Peninsula between Thailand and Singapore.


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