Saturday, January 30, 2010

Parts Of Ocean Sunfish

Eiderstedt: Vacation and Last Minute Holiday Eiderstedt

On the
Eiderstedt to locate places resorts St. Peter-Ording , Garding, Tönning , world and Vollerwiek . In our " restaurant guide Eiderstedt " refers to the Eiderstedt vacationers determined the right restaurant or cafe . Holiday Eiderstedt is simply great, the hosts are super friendly and nice and the holiday lodgings from budget to luxury hotels to book. For every budget than what is there. Family Friendly on Eiderstedt not a must, but it is lived, as shown by the many children on the beach or on the dike. Whether you live leeches, for example, "In the green" as in Vollerwiek or world or sea on the sandy beach and the North Sea in St. Peter-Ording on Eiderstedt you are sure to find your dream vacation apartment or your house . Also, check out the peninsula Eiderstedt several Spa Hotels such as the Hotel Miramar in Tönning or Wellness Ambassador Hotel in St. Peter- Ording . hotel beds in Pensions or Hotel Garni are also popular with our holiday guests for lunch or ; dinner want to make yourself. Also for Pet find a lot suitable quarter on the edge of the long walks.
And the unique landscape, and as you know has been declared the first German landscape of the Wadden Sea as World Heritage. The UNESCO ennobled our Wadden Sea. The Committee praised the Wadden Sea as a major coastal and tidal wetlands of the earth. " The area is a unique ecosystem with a rich biodiversity.
Then we are all proud of. And we look forward as part of this natural heritage us to offer our guests a wonderful landscape. Eiderstedt is always worth a visit.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Chocolate Syrup Out Of A Rug?

04/01/2010 - 12/01/2010 Our much too short stay in Laos


land after a short flight with Bangkok Airways we are on the small manageable airport of Luang Prabang in the north of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the communist country since 1975. A pleasant warmth without stifling heat greets us, on foot, it goes beyond the runway. The friendly passport control - of course we have here again to solve the visa on the spot without any extra visit the embassy in Berlin - and baggage go fast. Luang Prabang, with its 20,000 inhabitants is situated on the Mekong and is, surprisingly, a well-developed tourist mecca, and especially starting point for many attractions including trekking, rafting, kayaking, elephant trekking etc. Everything is here but at least one gear slower and more leisurely pace than elsewhere in Asia, no horns, no traffic jams - thanks to the Chinese-built roads - and anyway, no stress. The Lonely Planet puts it right out nice and polite, by the "laid-back and simple approach to life" highlights the Laotians. You could alternatively use the term "lazy," of course not quite so sweeping. The two rivers Mekong and Nam Khan increase the relaxed holiday atmosphere in Luang Prabang. India still our exciting time in memory, we are astonished at this quiet and relaxed atmosphere. We live for € 28, -/night in the family room of Xieng Mouane Guest House, a simple but clean accommodation close to the Mekong and turn round in a small town. Our first stop after 350 meters on the street corner, a small corner shop, the pes especially pancakes, Cr ê offers with Nutella and baguette. How starved the children devour your heart's content with baguette with Nutella. We explain this meal to the "All-You-Can-Eat Lunch, Nicoletta has squashed three baguette. All enjoy it, because we put in this half year, but no particular value on healthy eating, but have lived thanks to Asian cuisine in recent weeks, quite wholesome. The main street of Luang Prabang is lined with guesthouses, travel agencies and various shops offer the regional art, silver, etc.. Touristy perfect. We are amazed at how many families with children - especially France, are on the move. A new, unfamiliar situation for us, sometimes not the only "tourist objects" to be. After looking a bit organized and the various Offers have reviewed, we explore the area and are glad that we have a little get away from the main road. On the Mekong, we take a boat for the five of us and let us by the setting sun on the history and politics of much-described river guide in the evening. Erik has been fascinated by the special atmosphere here, as compared to the often very broad Brahmaputra line the narrow Mekong mountains, forests and rock formations. Children swim in the river, fishermen drive their home networks and many Lao people make their evening clothes. Our boat is fully fueled tank on a short boat, then we turn around and drive into the sunset. After work, the attendant jumps during our departure the same next to the gas pump into the water and washes himself.






On next day it is trekking in the jungle of Laos. After an hour's drive we go with an American family and their two children go. Today, the two big girls walk alone. For Antonia, we have the carry bag it. If all going well, they are promised for the evening, a foot massage. Nicole and Alex find the great idea of not knowing what exactly is a foot massage. We pass through several villages, the different "tribes" members, it goes through dry rice fields and jungles. Despite the dry season, fields and forests are surprisingly green. In the villages we will be happily welcomed by many children, the village facilities and bamboo huts are very well maintained. As requested by the aid agencies, the American family distributed in a local school reading books. The exterior appearance of the class is amazing, sort of chaotic conditions prevail; each about 10 children sit in a noisy table, what should probably look for group work, the teacher reads and cares not about the students in his class nor the bursting and distributing books at random tourists. As much as it is appropriate and even necessary to support the reading of the children, wherever we can, so it seems questionable whether this is the best kind of development assistance. But after all these children go to school! Even a high illiteracy rate there of about 60% in Laos, on the question of how many children a family in Laos for thus would get, we get the answer: "few to the 5-6 children."

During our trek we will visit ancient caves are home to a variety of Buddha statues. The girls find it exciting primary, with the flashlight in the dark to be out and not be surprised but, the Buddha also standing around here in the dark. The reason is less spiritual, but rather quite pragmatic: In the rainy season, the monks retreated into the caves for the purpose of meditation. At the end of an eventful day trip we enjoy a romantic dip in the lagoon of the very cold waterfall.

Back in Luang Prabang we are greeted with the info that it all day long, no electricity and it was not know whether it still would be something to the power supply. Official reason is dissonance with China regarding its completely over-sized dam project, the Laos, understandably, does not agree so easily. But thanks to the various Cr ê pesstände operated on gas and our Nepalese head lamp, Alexia torch from the Outdoor Equipment of Lego, we see the evening calmly. As twilight comes, according to a lot of candles lit in the restaurants that can not adequately provide food. By candlelight and after a slightly longer, yet cheerful conversation with the shop owner, exactly what we wanted for now - but then it lacks, surprisingly, often in language knowledge - the women get well-deserved foot massage. The girls find it "cool" and even Antonia is like an old woman on the bed and lets her big feet just hand massage with a relaxed face. The Lao masseuses and Ariane fun enormous and Erik thinks his repeated part of his "luxury women."

The power is also back in and then the short period of good energy supply of many "travelers" used quickly to the nearest ATM to run, and cash to stand out. Maximum 700 000 kip (about 60 €) be spent, that instantly raises the experienced travelers from more than once, to always have enough cash with you. It takes no credit cards. Here is a nice evening in the restaurant - to Ariane's particularly pleased with a good wine - with our new American friends (Nicoletta now calls all the people we meet twice "Friends).

The next day is spent on a bicycle tour around Luang Prabang. As in Thailand Antonia sits gleaming on the front of the wheel, the two large well-padded back on the rack and so it goes first on a bike inappropriate bamboo bridge to then pushing to climb the cliff. The effort is worth it, quickly we are away from the overcrowded tourist-class slopes and find it. We see all types of artisans, painters, carpenters and weavers, who settled along the Mekong. The loom large, it has mainly Nicoletta done. Of course, we can see something in the Hesse Park or Molfsee near Kiel, but here in Laos it seems more exciting, which of course is complete nonsense, as the technology expected to be similar. Passing various temples, we ride slowly in the evening rush gene "home" and "Hotel. Antonia finds it so comfortable that they fall asleep again and now even with one hand in position to have the bike.

Unfortunately we see quite a few monks who are active in the temples, really amazing, since there is good form, at least as a young man for a few months to be a monk. Probably it is because we just keep pedaling the wrong times to the temple over. Nicoletta and Alex find the monks with their bald heads one way or not so exciting. Her latest hobby is the moment to recreate the different positions of Buddha. Exceptionally, there are now power all evening, this time we also invite you to our store of cash and attract more times 700 000 kip to be on the safe side, because tomorrow it's off to the north of Laos, where there are no ATMs.

On the recommendation of a new Lao friends from our preferred Breakfast coffee we make our way north. We drive to the rear cargo area of a so-called jumbo tuk-tuk (which has three wheels instead of 4 and thus resembles a small truck) with a short stop at two caves located on the river a good 3 hours on little used roads in the north. Time and again we drive parallel to the Mekong by or on rice fields and small villages. We see a little envious including Western mountain bikers and drive past large groups of Laotians that celebrate the common food. Eating them alone is simply not fun. A mountain bike tour of Laos, or better yet the surrounding countries will be defined here as one of the next targets. The children enjoy the holiday, according to Brandenburg farm. Heading the girl lying on the bed and sleep a little, we enjoy the cool wind and driving doze too. Against the early afternoon we arrive in Nong Khiaw, a small town, at one branch of the Mekong, the Nam Ou is. From here, we must look for a boat, which drives us about 1 hour up river into the jungle. Sounds simple, but supposedly the official water taxi is already gone, now, of course, leaves no more and there will be equal to price times a moon called for tourists to drive off, we could immediately. A lengthy discussion on the great circle on the sandy square unfolds, the children use the time for a pancake, but the results surprisingly in the microwave and tastes like a real cupcake. In light of discussions with the village and travel the Upper shows that the travelers have experienced such moments in patience and backbone, and so must we remain courageous in our first, about 40% lower lying bid for a crossing. It still takes a while until it gets dark. In parallel, we talk to the fishermen on the boats, but this quickly fails because of language deficiencies on both sides. But it is working, and so is found in about 1 hour but then someone who drives us to our ideas.

The boat trip on a narrow, very high powered barge upstream is sensational. Left and right banks of the rock formations rise up, we always see locals fishing, gathering seaweed or wash, children playing along the raging river. Sovereignly directs the skipper us through the small rapids, which are due to the low water level is relatively harmless. Of course, all children who have no life jackets. After about an hour we arrive at our destination to reach the small village of Muang Ngoi Neua to "in the Middle of Nowhere" and only accessible by boat. Ca. 50 cute wooden houses along a straight, sandy village street, at one end is almost invisible to the local garbage dump, at the other end of the mandatory monastery. The kids wonder why there is such a thing, a village with no cars and tuk-tuks, and suggest that one could easily build such small cars but that could also go here. After a short Preis-/Größenvergleich quickly a quarter is found, we obtain our max. 20 sqm large room with a double bed for us all. After all, there are mosquito nets and a dripping shower with hot water. Next door lives an American couple, the late 50's and for 14 years by the world travels, after having sold at a profit a fish & chips franchise chain. Another argument for independence.

go to Item 18 of clock generators and we have electricity and 21 clock. The time is used for charging electronic devices, dinner and showers and Alexia's newest favorite game "birthday parties": Today is the lucky girl Antonia. She does not quite know how you done, but is anxiously awaiting with Erik at the door. After three bell rings Ling they may enter the room. There is singing a happy birthday song, gifts she gets even, it must however, return later. Just before nine, we are five people in a double bed and whipped nine running out of generators. The small village is located in the dark. Head lamp and flashlight are ready for emergencies.

The next day you go on walking tour of various villages. Our family idyll is enriched by a very nice guide. We walk through a varied landscape, passing through various villages, schools, or happen to pass by ox cart, edit the rice fields. For lunch we come to a village with about 400 inhabitants. Hmong and Khmu, two different Indigenous people who originally lived in the higher mountain areas live close together, after the government under a program to improve health care and the education of the children were located here. During our visit, we are surrounded by almost all villagers. Our three Barbie dolls are the main attraction for the kids and we go with a horde of children through the village. Nicoletta is proud that she can football games thanks to their friend Julius is the only girl so well with the guys. The mothers of the village in an apparently unguarded moment, marvel at the carry bag by Antonia, as this is from another planet. After the march through extensive Village, we get under the watchful eyes of our recent companion lunch before heading back. Our guide tinkering from a piece of wood and vines dogs for the children to produce an incredible motivation to all three, the rest of the way research step back basket. The return trip is by boat. Actually we want to stay another day in this idyllic place, but the next morning it poured with rain, so we decide to spontaneously early in the morning but for the way back to Luang Prabang. Unfortunately our time in Laos is much too short to have to make another trip to the North East and so fly the next day from Luang Prabang to the capital of Laos - Vientiane in order Nico, the son of Erik meet's cousin Heidi, who there for 1 year - released by Boston Consulting and supported - supported a UN project to improve the nutrition of children under 5. We must live with Nico and enjoy the house and garden very much. To everyone's delight, we established the first dinner in the city that we have just arrived on his birthday. A family responsibility that we like to have seen.






Vientiane, with its 230,000 inhabitants is our last stop in Asia. A little sad, we stroll through the streets and enjoy the ride once the Tuk-Tuk, the last temple tours and a cafe overlooking the Mekong.





say after three days of Vientiane it again to pack backpacks for flight and the next morning we start slightly late because the morning at 6.00 clock in the dark find surprisingly little taxis or tuk-tuks on the streets, which could bring us to the Thai border. Finally, there is a car, after about 20 minutes drive we want to cross the Laotian border on foot and look for us behind a taxi that takes us to Thailand and Udong Thani, to the airport, fly back to Bangkok from where we are. Behind the Peace Bridge follows the Thai border, here too, we walk over it, then quickly continue on as our schedule is amazing in short supply. The driver successfully his best and we are optimized just before departure on a flight to Bangkok. The next 5 hours we spend at the airport in Bangkok with massage and sushi dinner. When at last the check-in opens for our flight to Australia, we seem finally on time, but to learn quickly that you need a visa for Australia. This is what we had thought not so. But thanks to the digital world and a super helpful Malaysian Airline crew, we also get this faux pax in the handle and as the last boarding the scheduled flight via Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne.

Our 10 weeks in Asia were super!

What will we miss most:

- The good Indian food

- The extremely nice friendly people

- The Indian business sense to the motto "Anything is possible"

- The Ambassador of Catherine and Oscar with his snazzy curtains

- The atmosphere on the Brahmaputra and along the Mekong

- The friendly Asian elephants, especially Minaksi

- The mountains and camping in Nepal

- The beautiful beaches of the Seychelles

- the exciting, in transition countries The variety of natural and human

What we will not miss:

- The Indian road conditions

We are grateful that we really had a great time in Asia, with no stomach upsets and bigger injuries. Except for two falls down stairs and once Nicoletta, full of anticipation on the beach in Puri took over the hotel stairs to the flip-flops too quickly and thereby opened the chin, and Ariane, who - also in flip-flops, this at times with 2 children the poor - in drunken state after a pleasant evening in a bar in Luang Prabang Laos in the dark, the stairs did not see clearly and violently aufschürfte the fibula. Both scars will probably remain, but that does not dampen everyone's enjoyment of the beautiful time together.

Good Bye Asia - Australia Welcome!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Prayers For Military Ceremony

27.12.2009 - 01.03.2010 New Year Bangkok


Actually, we do not want to go to Thailand. But as our friend Petra from Hong Kong along with her brother Lars and his wife on his return from Myanmar Jaca a stop-over has been scheduled on New Year's Eve in Bangkok, we meet instead of just in Hong Kong in Bangkok. The stay in the country is short, so we focus on the old and new capital from the airport and drive equal to about 80km north to Ayutthaya, the ancient imperial city. We live in a very nice little guest house out of wood by the river and our room is a pure Dormitory, after all, with 2 fans, we are using now. Unlike Delhi, it is hot and humid here and we have to get used to once again take the heat. On the bike, we explore the cozy old capital with its numerous historic temples (Wat). The children are happy that they do not leak, but on the rack or the handlebars are a journey around the area and makes us the fun of movement. Soon "Buddha-scouting" a popular game of the girls. Supposedly there are about 400 Wats in Ayutthaya. At an evening boat tour, and several bicycle tours, we see a lot of it and are proud of us, all we have 400 not well discovered. We try to name as Mongkonbophit Phra, Wat Mahathat, Wat Phanan Coeng or Wat Chai Mongkol Yia to remember, but to be relatively quickly and limit ourselves to the visit of the facilities. Each of the Wat is on his way and most were either built as a tribute to their mother, the father or because of any event. Unfortunately, many of the temples are often very damaged. Imagine how everything looked like in its original condition must. Wat Chaiwatthanaram is reminiscent of images from Ankorwat in Cambodia. Already on our trip to Vietnam 8 years ago we did not make a trip there and especially Ariane's great regret is not Cambodia, this time on our route. Once again, we must recognize that the 6 months are too short to see everything.









rely on the penultimate day of the year we the small quiet town and travel back to Bangkok. The 1.5-hour train ride - a remarkable way to a ticket price of about € 1.80, - total - fun for everyone. Similarly, the subsequent tuk tuk ride, as they are here much more quickly than we have ever experienced. Tempo and dynamics change but also nothing to nod to the amazing gift that many Asian taxi driver with a specified target gay and to agree on a price, and following a route to determine that they actually have no idea where to go there.

We refer the centrally located and very beautiful hotel Siri Satorn, which was visited by Petra already on their various visits Bangkok. For our standards we live very luxurious apartment in a quite huge. The children enjoy the pool and the slide in the little garden, we vertratschen the mornings in the garden with Peter, Lars and Jaca. To ease our cultural consciousness, we visit the impressive temples of the Royal Palace in Bangkok, however, that this plan at the same time about 300,000 other visitors to the city. However, we are impressed by the many golden towers and the huge wall decoration, the evening also clears the area quickly so that the beauty of this system even better reverberation.

we celebrate New Year's Eve spectacular, but nice all together. The fireworks over the rooftops of Bangkok is also not as dramatic as expected, and soon after the new year we are in bed.

Inspired by Petra, we can also tell us a little under the spell of this shopping Eldorado pull and pull through the MBK Shopping Centre and the Night Market. Here there is everything you could wish for at low prices, not always in 100% purity mark, he and best quality. However, it is fun by the full Shops to run and look around. On the Night Market, there are even a few corners, strongly reminiscent of the various exhibitors at the Bread & Butter in Berlin. Small designer shops with some very cool clothes, but unfortunately all only one size available and therefore inappropriate at least for European Eriks Guard degree. Basically, it is clear that the girls go shopping at least as much as the mother and every article of clothing will be discussed in detail. Inside the Night Market is the food market, the structure and offer her a good mix of Oktoberfest and malls in the season. Accordingly, the colorful variety of Western visitors, after the last few weeks a small culture shock for us. extent, we are by the nice days, not unhappy, it now goes to Laos.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Adidas Seri No Sorgulama

Christmas in the heat - 21.12.-27.12.2009

5 days holiday from your holiday with Catherine, Oscar, Carlotta and Maurizia visit to Delhi. It's good times with space and not to stay in a hotel or similar. We can organize a little quiet in all things including shoes - in a well-functioning washing machine - wash off, the girls are great every day from morning to evening around with her friends in the garden and take turns bicycle or tricycle. All 5 girls are gorgeous and the nagging everyday. Sandia, the nanny will be closed quickly to the heart, even cook and driver Harry Louis thrilled to be taken in fitting.

It comes on even Christmas Feeling: the women bake at 23.12. at 20 degrees in the garden of biscuits and a witch's house to grandma's recipe, Erik and Oskar first activate the fire, which until then had a pure Dekofunktion, but for the cooler evenings. We take this opportunity to go finally go jogging together again in Nero Park. A beautiful park with many morning walkers and joggers, cultural highlight is the flower-bedecked statue of Lenin in the middle. Also, we can, thanks to Catherine for a change, no children running through the city and explore without permanent "side shows" the tourist attractions or dive into the Indian Shopping Areas and browse the shops . New Delhi does it compare to Kolkatta from quite modern and progressive, the streets are paved , traffic dominated by cars, buses and motorized rickshaws (tuk-tuk). Thanks Catherine good local knowledge will quickly filter out the highlights and controlled accordingly. Smaller, more typical Indian malls, we prefer the big shopping centers and AC are always fascinated by the Indian variety. Colorful fabrics, beautiful antiques, Ganesha's in all shapes and materials, great papers and tapes and any form of silver jewelry at low prices seduce straight to the buying frenzy. Knowing that we do not want and can carry everything and Oscar on his next trip to Germany is not to travel with excess baggage, we hold anything back.

As befits we decorate at 23.12. night - sleep when all the children together, the Christmas tree. A straight to perfect growing Indian pine graces the living room and is decorated with real candles and international Christmas ornaments. A good red wine, working fireplace, and preference for Oscars do not always hit German Christmas boost your mood. Such a relaxed "Vorweihnachstzeit" We had long gone, do not panic purchases at 23.12. and also put the long nights in the last minute gifts or to be sent Christmas cards is from this time. We have not missed it and ask friends to sponsor children as well as understanding. Maybe we'll do it now so ...

Christmas Eve we celebrate the traditional way. with the happy extended family in the late afternoon we go in the way of the German-Christian community. While outside of the good life at 20 degrees will continue its normal course and with constant noise, the cars and tuk-tuks corresponding Honking passing, we hear inside the Christmas story and sing "Silent Night / Holy Night". The church is decorated for Christmas, before the church is a globe made from clay built up, Marie and Joseph are decorated to match, flour replaces the missing snow.

This is well aware of how religious minorities must feel to their major holidays in Germany. We celebrate a happy Christmas and welcoming children with good wine and two delicious Christmas geese. Nicole and Alex are looking forward to a real Indian Barbie (though then at least in the Barbie Sari ...), Oskar and Katharina are pleased with the little noisy mobile phones by Maurizia and Carlotta, Antonia, and of course is not too short. In addition, we enjoy all time with 4 Christmas parcels sent from Germany.





When Skype with Mimi and grandpa on 24.12.09

Without knowing that the first Christmas Day is also celebrated as a holiday in India like, we prefer as a large family of 4 adults and 5 children going to visit the highlights of Delhi. Because of the mass people that are active everywhere and always speak at the sight of the now "5 Barbie Dolls" their photo needs, we soon retreated. Even the last attempt, the girls at least one slip or climb on the total of past to treat playground is canceled at short notice due to long queues at the devices. Chicken wings and fries from KFC to the conclusion - consumed in a small park where children can walk around relatively undisturbed and we can look at rest the Indian holiday doings - against the violent message of the park management.




the 2. Christmas Day, almost by accident after looking closer at the time of departure, unfortunately, contrary to long-term adoption of the last day in India, to use Erik and Ariane for a joint visit with Oscar to Old Delhi. Once more we plunge into the pure India and inhale the last time the amazing diversity of this country and a people. The visit to the lofty mosque overlooking the Red Fort reminds us of our honeymoon in the fall of 1997, then we stroll through the narrow streets of Old Delhi, we have from the hustle and bustle go along and enjoy the sight of the different "specialty shops": In a street are for example only securities transactions, here are Birth announcements, wedding announcements and anything produced on request. Amused, we see that bear many Indian faces of European birth announcements, blond babies who are considered true beauty. No wonder our Barbie Dolls in the past few weeks have been so besieged.



2 streets will continue to be offered in addition to beautiful wide tires and alloy wheels all that ever with a transmission, or generally the engine had to do a car. All these transactions in the true sense of the word are stuffed to the brim, whether with spare engines, silk, paper or clothing. Only the colorful and aesthetic presentation of the various spices and vegetables or fruit sets standards.





the evening we go one last time in a bicycle rickshaw from the crowded streets of Old Delhi's Gen New Delhi, the final pull bullock cart past us. A great and exciting time in a diverse country comes to an end. Early the next morning at 1:00 our plane going to Bangkok. For us zustöbern India was like grandma's treasure chest, where it was always exciting around. It was not only beautiful things we saw and discovered begging small dirty children sleeping on the roadside or the many slums that line the entrance roads and railway tracks were, as much as the color variety of different Sarie, creativity and the special friendliness of people here. Often we have heard either you love India or you hate it. We have the land and his people loved and we come back, because by far we have not seen the whole country. Trekking in Darjeeling or a tour of Kashmir are definitely still on our wish list.