Wow, many things happened lately. I got a job, I got my first apartment, and my wonderful girlfriend has come to visit me. The both of us decided to check out Cesky Krumlov, a wonderful old town in the south of the Czech Republic. We stayed at the Villa Krumlov, in an apartment, and it's nice to be in an apartment, you can cook your own food and can more or less live there. But we didn't just live there, we also took a guided tour around the city, took lots of walks, explored the streets in the peninsula and ate yummy food, for example the crêpes place (nom!). The city is truly cosy and calm, specially in the winter time. The Christmas stands and christmasy music make it even more cosy. Grog also helps. The castle is amazing, check out the photos!
.. we will come back in summer so see the castle from the inside. And also, we want to sit at the river and just enjoy the view of the castle. It's a really nice place to be, it's surprising that I've never really heard of that place before!
2014.10.11 - Prague
A band called "machine supremacy" was the reason that we, a group of friends, drove to Prague for a week-end. We got there, checked into our hotel, explored the city, went to the concert, and on the next day we had some nice time to walk around the city center, eat yummy street food and explore the city. Always a nice city to explore and visit. Maybe, one day, I will have the possibility to learn some words in czech. Until next time, Prague.
2014.08.31 - Budapest
My mum and I went to a tour to Budapest. We stayed at the Danubius Hotel on the Margaret Island.
What did we see?
The hotel was really relaxing with its thermal waters, like a spa.
Margaret Island has sculptures, many sporting people, fountains, it feels like Central Park in NYC.
Public transport is to begin with a little bit difficult to understand, but works well.
City castle is nice and pretty and good view of the city and lots of old houses of different eras of the history
City centre, nice, views like in Vienna. After all, history supports that.
Városliget, a mesh up of different styles in a park
Gallert hotel with beautiful view on the indoor pool (should stay here next time), and the Gallert hill with Statue of Liberty.
Café Central was nothing new for people from Vienna.
Parliament is big and pretty.
What did we see?
The hotel was really relaxing with its thermal waters, like a spa.
Margaret Island has sculptures, many sporting people, fountains, it feels like Central Park in NYC.
Public transport is to begin with a little bit difficult to understand, but works well.
City castle is nice and pretty and good view of the city and lots of old houses of different eras of the history
City centre, nice, views like in Vienna. After all, history supports that.
Városliget, a mesh up of different styles in a park
Gallert hotel with beautiful view on the indoor pool (should stay here next time), and the Gallert hill with Statue of Liberty.
Café Central was nothing new for people from Vienna.
Parliament is big and pretty.
2014.08.22 - Carinthia and Slovenia
Home in Austria. Not even going home, staying in Vienna, visiting a friend in Klagenfurt, visiting Slovenia for the first time in my life, although it's just 300 m just over the boarder to go shopping. Going to a concert of my mum in Feldkirchen, then going home. Home sweet home.
2014.08.18 - Chilling in Chile - Thinking about Argentina
tl;dr -- Go to Mendoza or Argentina, it's nice there! (But not in summer)
Not relevant information (aka introduction)
Yes, I agree. There are better word plays than 'Chilling in Chile', but I needed to get your attention somehow. 'Thinking about different things without writing something special' would have been even worse as a title. But that is what I want to do, I want to reflect about my last five weeks in Argentina. Why I came here. How I got here. Who I met here and what I did here. I am currently on my way back to Austria, and start writing this unusually personal blogpost in Chile, in the Santiago de Chile Airport. A flight from Mendoza to Chile lies behind me. I am awaiting seven hours of overlay, a long flight to Madrid, refuelling there, then to Frankfurt, and then with Austrian Airlines to Vienna. Home sweet home, as they say.
This trip is a wonderful chance to write down some of the thoughts I have about Argentina.
2014.08.04 - Buenos Aires
I apologise for this really fact based and unpersonal post, the next one makes up for it.
08-04: arrival by bus in Buenos Aires, picked up by family of a friend. Lunch with them.
08-05: walking in the city: from our hosts place (Palermo, Bustamante), parque de chile and other adjoining parks, av. 9 de julio, lunch at vegan place in Florida, placa de mayo and pink (~white) house, home via av. de mayo, calleo(?)
08-06: cemetery (Evita's grave) and MALBA Museum (Contemporary, but good installations.
08-07: Puerto Madero (river area, food at 'i', of course with dulce de leche). Seeing a guy from buenos aires who was in Norway with us, but who I actually never met in Norway.
08-08: lazy Day, shopping
08-09: Palermo Soho, cabildo museum, San Telmo
Home again to Mendoza by night bus
08-04: arrival by bus in Buenos Aires, picked up by family of a friend. Lunch with them.
08-05: walking in the city: from our hosts place (Palermo, Bustamante), parque de chile and other adjoining parks, av. 9 de julio, lunch at vegan place in Florida, placa de mayo and pink (~white) house, home via av. de mayo, calleo(?)
08-06: cemetery (Evita's grave) and MALBA Museum (Contemporary, but good installations.
08-07: Puerto Madero (river area, food at 'i', of course with dulce de leche). Seeing a guy from buenos aires who was in Norway with us, but who I actually never met in Norway.
08-08: lazy Day, shopping
08-09: Palermo Soho, cabildo museum, San Telmo
Home again to Mendoza by night bus
2014.07.29 - Andes
Today, another day trip with a guided tour in a small bus and another 10 people. Guiding in Spanish, I try to understand what I can (it's getting better)..
Driving over the first chain of the Andes, after that and before the second and main mountain chain, it's relatively flat. Stop in Upsallata.
Beautiful mountains. Beautiful views. View on the highest mountain in America and second highest chain/peak after Mt. Everest: Aconcagua.
Penitentes. A skiing resort. How nice to walk in snow, enjoy the sun, breathe good cold air, watch people slide down the hill with sledges!
Puenta del Inca. The Incas spent some time here and already discovered this natural phenomenon; a bridge over a well of thermal water. Area later discovered (exploited) for a hotel, now it's just looking.
Driving over the first chain of the Andes, after that and before the second and main mountain chain, it's relatively flat. Stop in Upsallata.
Beautiful mountains. Beautiful views. View on the highest mountain in America and second highest chain/peak after Mt. Everest: Aconcagua.
Penitentes. A skiing resort. How nice to walk in snow, enjoy the sun, breathe good cold air, watch people slide down the hill with sledges!
Puenta del Inca. The Incas spent some time here and already discovered this natural phenomenon; a bridge over a well of thermal water. Area later discovered (exploited) for a hotel, now it's just looking.
2014.07.18 - Cacheuta
Our first organised trip: Cacheuta. A touristy place in the Andes: first a hike through the rocks and the valley, with three times abseiling (12, 7 and 40 m- that's new and fun!), then two hours in the thermal baths Termas Cacheuta. Nice mountains, those Andes! .. Pictures will follow!
2014.02.12 - to Mendoza
Nope, the flight did not have entertainment. But it was calm, the food was quite ok, and it felt shorter than 13 hours. I think the times where I think long distance flights are cool or thrilling are over.
Welcome to Santiago de Chile! From 9 am to 2 pm, it should have been, but the flight to Mendoza was delayed, so I left at 4 pm.
Boarding begins, soon I will see my sweetie. And then there is the FIFA final tomorrow ...
Welcome to Santiago de Chile! From 9 am to 2 pm, it should have been, but the flight to Mendoza was delayed, so I left at 4 pm.
Boarding begins, soon I will see my sweetie. And then there is the FIFA final tomorrow ...
2014.07.11 - Layover in Madrid
Hola! Just home from from 10 months abroad, and away again? Yes. I haven't seen my sweetie for 2.5 weeks, so it's time to visit her in Argentina. (long distance relationship after that...)
Anyway! 15 hours layover between my flights Vienna-Madrid and Madrid-Santiago de Chile-Mendoza. 15 hours to explore Madrid. Spain. I should learn the language anyway.
Subway to Nuevos Ministerios, Plaza de la Republica Argentina (because there's Argie in the name), walking further down the Paseo de la Castellana, deciding not to stand in line several hours to get into Prado museum, Parque del buen retiro, streets around La Latina (pretty!), lunch, Plaza Mayor, Catedral de la Almudena & Palacio Real (big), the whole Gran Via, (then I found an Apple
Shop - Wifi! Finally!), then I spent approximately 1 hour to find a supermarket. Then I finally found a really small carrefour express- I wanted to buy bread and such things, proper food for the evening and the next day. But the shop just had chips and stuff like that. So, my diet for the next 30 hours: the fruits I had bought before and unhealthy stomach fillers.
One quick stop at the cool park two stations away from the airport.
Madrid seems to be a really nice city! Really cosy. I am probably hard to be impressed with big churches and buildings (standards from Vienna). Would be worth to come here for a more detailed tour. That time I'll book the Prado beforehand to skip the queue.
At the airport, I was 2.5 hours too early, but as it turns out: I need the time, it's alone 30ish minutes to get from terminal T4 to "T4 satellite" - by an own internal train. Now time to charge my devices .. Nope, not even enough time for that.
23.20: I was the third in line for boarding but I wasn't allowed because I'm in the wrong group. Whatever. I am tired and just had nose bleeding for almost 40 minutes. I hope I can sleep in the plane... Or watch some good movies, something chill.
Anyway! 15 hours layover between my flights Vienna-Madrid and Madrid-Santiago de Chile-Mendoza. 15 hours to explore Madrid. Spain. I should learn the language anyway.
Subway to Nuevos Ministerios, Plaza de la Republica Argentina (because there's Argie in the name), walking further down the Paseo de la Castellana, deciding not to stand in line several hours to get into Prado museum, Parque del buen retiro, streets around La Latina (pretty!), lunch, Plaza Mayor, Catedral de la Almudena & Palacio Real (big), the whole Gran Via, (then I found an Apple
Shop - Wifi! Finally!), then I spent approximately 1 hour to find a supermarket. Then I finally found a really small carrefour express- I wanted to buy bread and such things, proper food for the evening and the next day. But the shop just had chips and stuff like that. So, my diet for the next 30 hours: the fruits I had bought before and unhealthy stomach fillers.
One quick stop at the cool park two stations away from the airport.
Madrid seems to be a really nice city! Really cosy. I am probably hard to be impressed with big churches and buildings (standards from Vienna). Would be worth to come here for a more detailed tour. That time I'll book the Prado beforehand to skip the queue.
At the airport, I was 2.5 hours too early, but as it turns out: I need the time, it's alone 30ish minutes to get from terminal T4 to "T4 satellite" - by an own internal train. Now time to charge my devices .. Nope, not even enough time for that.
23.20: I was the third in line for boarding but I wasn't allowed because I'm in the wrong group. Whatever. I am tired and just had nose bleeding for almost 40 minutes. I hope I can sleep in the plane... Or watch some good movies, something chill.
2014.06.20 - Stavanger
This was the last trip in Norway, who knows for how long.
Coming home from Longyear, I had one day of break for unpacking, washing clothes, getting Uni things in order. The next day (06-20), we flew to Stavanger and actually walked from the airport to the city, which took us 3 or 4 hours, also because we made breaks and took pictures of the nice landscape. In the afternoon, our couch surfing host picked us up from the city centre and took us to his amazing flat, a 30 min walk away from from the city centre.
On 06-21, we explored the city, visited the oil museum.
On 06-22, we went to Preikestolen, maybe one of the most famous touristy sites in Norway. And as it was a Sunday, there was an awful amount of tourists everywhere. Nevertheless it was great view up there - the last time I was here, we saw the fjord for 5 min, after 1h25min of waiting for the clouds to go away.
On 06-23, we intended to go to Kjerag, but ended up not going for different reasons. There has to be something new for the next visit.
On 06-24, we took the train home.
Home to Oslo.
Oslo, home for one more night.
Then it's going to Austria....
My two semesters in Oslo are over now.
Coming home from Longyear, I had one day of break for unpacking, washing clothes, getting Uni things in order. The next day (06-20), we flew to Stavanger and actually walked from the airport to the city, which took us 3 or 4 hours, also because we made breaks and took pictures of the nice landscape. In the afternoon, our couch surfing host picked us up from the city centre and took us to his amazing flat, a 30 min walk away from from the city centre.
On 06-21, we explored the city, visited the oil museum.
On 06-22, we went to Preikestolen, maybe one of the most famous touristy sites in Norway. And as it was a Sunday, there was an awful amount of tourists everywhere. Nevertheless it was great view up there - the last time I was here, we saw the fjord for 5 min, after 1h25min of waiting for the clouds to go away.
On 06-23, we intended to go to Kjerag, but ended up not going for different reasons. There has to be something new for the next visit.
On 06-24, we took the train home.
Home to Oslo.
Oslo, home for one more night.
Then it's going to Austria....
My two semesters in Oslo are over now.
2014.06.17 - a glacial walk
At 9.30, we were picked up by our guide - it was just the two of us and the guide, a girl from Canada. We walked up the hill, another cosy Sunday walk up, next to the glacier right next to the city. On the way, we almost stepped onto a female Ptarmigan, we just saw her head sticking out of the snow. On the top we shared snacks and made ice cream (fresh snow with cranberry syrup). We built a snowman, snow angels, and found fossils, and had beautiful weather (snow fall and no wind at all).
At 15.30, we arrived home and had a two course meal before we celebrated our last evening in Longyearcity with a cider.
At 15.30, we arrived home and had a two course meal before we celebrated our last evening in Longyearcity with a cider.
2014.06.16 - Easy day
Today, we did not have booked a tour. But after yesterday's walks, that's just right. So we got more time to look for the arctic fox (we didn't see it a second time) and visit the museum, look around in the rest of the city and write post cards. After checking out the menu at at Mary-Ann's Polarrygg where they serve all kinds of meat that is locally available for mainland prices we went to the "Russian" restaurant and had some delicious burgers. In the "evening" we met a phd student from unis for a chat and a drink. So we are connecting to the locals and we start being recognised by people on the street ;) so after 4 days you are almost a local here.
Situations of the day:
Religion wars are like adults fighting about who has the cooler imaginary friend
Jesus was the first reported zombie
You should only eat zombie steak well done, otherwise it could jump up and try to eat your face
We know why it is forbidden to burry people in Svalbard.... Point a: you can't burry then deep enough so the can return to easily out of they graves if they become a zombie. Point b: if they would be a vampire they would have two whole months where they can walk around without being stopped by sunlight.
In reality people here do not carry their rifles around all the time because of polar bears. It is because of the zombies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Situations of the day:
Religion wars are like adults fighting about who has the cooler imaginary friend
Jesus was the first reported zombie
You should only eat zombie steak well done, otherwise it could jump up and try to eat your face
We know why it is forbidden to burry people in Svalbard.... Point a: you can't burry then deep enough so the can return to easily out of they graves if they become a zombie. Point b: if they would be a vampire they would have two whole months where they can walk around without being stopped by sunlight.
In reality people here do not carry their rifles around all the time because of polar bears. It is because of the zombies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2014.06.15 - an arctic challenge
That was the name of the plan for today- an arctic challenge: taking the kayaks to the other side of the Adventfjord and walk up to the Hiort-mountain (950m). But due to strong wind, we could not do anymore the kayaking and thus had to walk up another mountain named Nordenskiöld (1050). So, we, a group of 12 walked up there. Easy Sunday walk for an Austrian. The occasional snow storms and the strong wind did not bother us that much. Our guide was a friendly Russian called Vladimir, and as the Russian guide yesterday (in Pyramiden), a good guide in Svalbard is a Russian guy with a gun. Always trust the Russian guy with the gun. (Keyword: polar bears. No, we have not seen one so far.). Landscape: no words.
We came home around 16.00.
There were plans to re-do the kayaking part of the hike, so we agreed that our guides would call us if it's possible. But no, the wind came back, no kayaking. On the way outside, we ran across a South African guy who turned out to be tour organiser and needed big fancy camera equipment. He said he's not really good in landscape photography and showed us his 7D with a 10-22 lens. He said: go and play with it. Just wow. At least 5000 Eur lent for the afternoon. That's why we spent the time from 18.30 til 23.00 outside, made adequate pictures, and also saw an arctic fox.
At 2.00, after Argentina won the World Cup game, and all together 13.5 hours outside and walking - good night.
Zitate des Tages:
- Unser Sommerurlaub. Schneeweißer Strand, Blick aufs Meer, keine Gelsen.
- Schade, die Arbeit am Nordkapp wär schon nett gewesen, so weit im Süden...
- Quasi tropisch!
- Uh, ein Mensch!
- Ohne Gewehr. Quasi ein Selbstmörder.
We came home around 16.00.
There were plans to re-do the kayaking part of the hike, so we agreed that our guides would call us if it's possible. But no, the wind came back, no kayaking. On the way outside, we ran across a South African guy who turned out to be tour organiser and needed big fancy camera equipment. He said he's not really good in landscape photography and showed us his 7D with a 10-22 lens. He said: go and play with it. Just wow. At least 5000 Eur lent for the afternoon. That's why we spent the time from 18.30 til 23.00 outside, made adequate pictures, and also saw an arctic fox.
At 2.00, after Argentina won the World Cup game, and all together 13.5 hours outside and walking - good night.
Zitate des Tages:
- Unser Sommerurlaub. Schneeweißer Strand, Blick aufs Meer, keine Gelsen.
- Schade, die Arbeit am Nordkapp wär schon nett gewesen, so weit im Süden...
- Quasi tropisch!
- Uh, ein Mensch!
- Ohne Gewehr. Quasi ein Selbstmörder.
2014.06.14 - Pyramiden
After no night but good sleep (at least for me) and breakfast, we entered the Polargirl (a boat) to a trip into the Billefjorden at 9 in the morning. First we got to Skansbukta, where a trapper station is located. Pyramiden is a Russian settlement that was abandoned in 1998, it was used for coal mining. The settlement had 1200 inhabitants at some point and was used for showing the west how awesome communism is. But apparently communism didn't work out that well and so there is the northernmost cinema, gym, etc, there. Next up was a bird cliff and the Nordenskiöld glacier - landscape and wildlife wise: look at the pictures! No words fitting. At 20.00, we were back in the guest house and while we had our delicious dinner, the floor was still moving...
2014.06.13 - Winter is coming - Longyearbyen/Svalbard
Finally, another trip to another part of the world.
At the airport, we had to show our passport, we were leaving the Schengen area. So, yeah, three hours straight to the north. Far away. The flight over the southern part of Svalbard was beautiful, mountains, snow, glaciers.
Already months before, I tried to find a couch surfing host for us, but nobody wanted to have us. So we booked the 'cheapest' hostel/guesthouse, so at least we knew for sure we didn't have to sleep under a bridge. Shortly after we arrived, however, after we had paid for everything, one of many many requests was answered, we could stay. Whatever.
The city - the 'northernmost city of the world' - has about 2000 residents, the whole island about 2500. There are more skidoos than people, and more polar bears than skidoos. Maybe we will see one in the next 5 days.
One (or several?) of those residents seem to be professional photographers who just sat down in a restaurant, where we allowed ourselves to eat a reindeer burger, after long consideration. And he just put a camera there which costs maybe 30.000 USD. He probably saw all the wildlife of the island..
We walked around in Longyear 'downtown', and within 2 hours we saw already most of the city, went to the beach, and are slowly starting to adapt to the occasional snow showers and the cool breeze from the glacier. We just came home from a walk to an abandoned mine - we would have guessed its around 19.00, but no, it was 22.30. The next night will be in Oslo again.
The weather around 10 in the afternoon (!) was a bit cloudy. At midnight we went outside for a walk, and - wow. Clear blue sky and warming sun at midnight.
At the airport, we had to show our passport, we were leaving the Schengen area. So, yeah, three hours straight to the north. Far away. The flight over the southern part of Svalbard was beautiful, mountains, snow, glaciers.
Already months before, I tried to find a couch surfing host for us, but nobody wanted to have us. So we booked the 'cheapest' hostel/guesthouse, so at least we knew for sure we didn't have to sleep under a bridge. Shortly after we arrived, however, after we had paid for everything, one of many many requests was answered, we could stay. Whatever.
The city - the 'northernmost city of the world' - has about 2000 residents, the whole island about 2500. There are more skidoos than people, and more polar bears than skidoos. Maybe we will see one in the next 5 days.
One (or several?) of those residents seem to be professional photographers who just sat down in a restaurant, where we allowed ourselves to eat a reindeer burger, after long consideration. And he just put a camera there which costs maybe 30.000 USD. He probably saw all the wildlife of the island..
We walked around in Longyear 'downtown', and within 2 hours we saw already most of the city, went to the beach, and are slowly starting to adapt to the occasional snow showers and the cool breeze from the glacier. We just came home from a walk to an abandoned mine - we would have guessed its around 19.00, but no, it was 22.30. The next night will be in Oslo again.
The weather around 10 in the afternoon (!) was a bit cloudy. At midnight we went outside for a walk, and - wow. Clear blue sky and warming sun at midnight.
2014.04.26 - Brussels/Ghent/Bruges
Yay, I am finally officially done with my Master degree! I could finally fetch it from the deans office as i was home for the first time in 4 months. I spent home 2 weeks, saw friends, had my graduation ceremony, went skiing.
On the 23rd, I came back to Oslo, to leave for the next trip to Belgium on the 24th of April.
We arrived late night and just found our way to our couch surfing host.
On the 25th, we had a look on Brussels, did the EU walking tour and mainly just walked around and enjoyed waffles.
On the 26th, we took the train to Bruges, then to Ghent, where we met our host who showed us the city for a bit.
On the 27th, we had another 2 or 3 hours in Brussels before we had to head back to Oslo.
Belgium seems to make a lot of things right. All of the three cities, specially Brussels, seem to be à l'aise (chilled/comfortable with themselves) and not making their lives comfortable. Thus, its a comfy place to be in. Also, the weather was really nice during the whole time. In Bruges, there were more tourists than inhabitants, but therefore the city is really picturesque. Ghent has a vegetarian Thursday, all official places just have vegetarian food. It's all so international and multicultural in Brussels, so many languages!
Recommendation to go and spend some time in Belgium: yes.
Sorry for the short post, it is going to be busy weeks again, lots of assignments and the first exam beginning next week....
On the 23rd, I came back to Oslo, to leave for the next trip to Belgium on the 24th of April.
We arrived late night and just found our way to our couch surfing host.
On the 25th, we had a look on Brussels, did the EU walking tour and mainly just walked around and enjoyed waffles.
On the 26th, we took the train to Bruges, then to Ghent, where we met our host who showed us the city for a bit.
On the 27th, we had another 2 or 3 hours in Brussels before we had to head back to Oslo.
Belgium seems to make a lot of things right. All of the three cities, specially Brussels, seem to be à l'aise (chilled/comfortable with themselves) and not making their lives comfortable. Thus, its a comfy place to be in. Also, the weather was really nice during the whole time. In Bruges, there were more tourists than inhabitants, but therefore the city is really picturesque. Ghent has a vegetarian Thursday, all official places just have vegetarian food. It's all so international and multicultural in Brussels, so many languages!
Recommendation to go and spend some time in Belgium: yes.
Sorry for the short post, it is going to be busy weeks again, lots of assignments and the first exam beginning next week....
2014.03.30 - Riga
As you may know, I participated this semester in the buddy program of the University of Oslo. Buddy system means the following: Students, who are already familiar with how the university works (how to deal with the organisation of the courses, registration progress, where is what on campus) are helping new international students to find their way. Another student and me decided to take part in the progress.
15ish students became part of our group, and we had weekly dinners, other activities and much fun together. (Becoming buddy is awesome, you never know who you meet there!)
For this weekend, a latvian student invited all of us to come to Riga to see the city and the culture and discover Latvia. He did a stunning job in organising everything, even opened a closed museum for us or got us onto a tower where we were not really supposed to be.
We arrived on Friday, had a wonderful dinner and very adventurous and diverse nightlife. On Saturday, we had a breakfast with a little health related calamity (everything turned out well), 1 hour train ride to Sigulda, where we went bungee jumping, back to Riga, then we had a cosy come-together in a flat, with seven giant pizzas, all gone in several minutes. On Monday, the last day, we had delicious breakfast in a cafe. Later, three people of the buddy group were interviewed by national TV on their next project: read https://www.redbullcanyoumakeit.com/teams/pumba/37/ -it starts in a couple of days. So, national TV, life, exciting! Afterwards, the occupation museum taught us many things about history. Then, we had some hours to explore the old city on our own and buy some cheap food. Then, already -back to Oslo. Thank you Riga!
15ish students became part of our group, and we had weekly dinners, other activities and much fun together. (Becoming buddy is awesome, you never know who you meet there!)
For this weekend, a latvian student invited all of us to come to Riga to see the city and the culture and discover Latvia. He did a stunning job in organising everything, even opened a closed museum for us or got us onto a tower where we were not really supposed to be.
We arrived on Friday, had a wonderful dinner and very adventurous and diverse nightlife. On Saturday, we had a breakfast with a little health related calamity (everything turned out well), 1 hour train ride to Sigulda, where we went bungee jumping, back to Riga, then we had a cosy come-together in a flat, with seven giant pizzas, all gone in several minutes. On Monday, the last day, we had delicious breakfast in a cafe. Later, three people of the buddy group were interviewed by national TV on their next project: read https://www.redbullcanyoumakeit.com/teams/pumba/37/ -it starts in a couple of days. So, national TV, life, exciting! Afterwards, the occupation museum taught us many things about history. Then, we had some hours to explore the old city on our own and buy some cheap food. Then, already -back to Oslo. Thank you Riga!
2014.03.23 - Oslo Voices Sørlands-tour
Oslo Voices, my choir at the moment, traveled again. This time, we had a concert in the church of Kristiansand, took part in the mass in the church of Arendal, and had another concert there. A full week end with a nice glimpse on how the Sørland of Norway looks like.
It didn't really help though that I was and still am a bit sick... (Germs from Dublin?)
It didn't really help though that I was and still am a bit sick... (Germs from Dublin?)
2014.03.17 - St. Patricks Day
2014.03.17 - St. Patricks Day
Our host drove us to Glendalough, one hour south of Dublin: a graveyard and landscape awaited us, and we were early enough to avoid the tourists.
Afterwards, we were driven to the city, and it was not surprising to see many many green people. We managed to find relatively good places to see the parade, and see the whole thing (-> pictures) before we had to head back to the airport.
On the way, of course, I couldn't stop myself to buy nine KitKat chunky for 3 EUR. What nice prices. (I am not affiliated with Nestle, unfortunately).
6 hours later, we were already home in Oslo. Travelling is a nice thing!
2014.03.16 - Hop On Hop Off
2014.03.16 - Hop On Hop Off
Today, we had basically just a lazy day. We took the hop on hop off city bus from next to the river. We saw how big Trinity College actually is, had a look in the national gallery, participated in the festival life of Merrion Square, had a look at Dublin Castle, and enjoyed a hot chocolate at a cafe nearby. We spent the evening with cooking at our host's place and watching a quarter of a movie. (Being tourist is exhausting ;))
Today, we had basically just a lazy day. We took the hop on hop off city bus from next to the river. We saw how big Trinity College actually is, had a look in the national gallery, participated in the festival life of Merrion Square, had a look at Dublin Castle, and enjoyed a hot chocolate at a cafe nearby. We spent the evening with cooking at our host's place and watching a quarter of a movie. (Being tourist is exhausting ;))
2014.03.15 - Howth
2014.03.15 - Howth
We took the bus to Howth, a peninsula in the northeast of Dublin. It it more green and windy there, and the landscape is really amazing and reminds me of landscapes on the other side of the world instead of right next to a city. Also, we saw a group of dolphins, additionally to seals.
That's why we were too late and didn't quite make it to the rugby game, where our host had invited us to come to. Green hills and the Irish Ocean win over an overcrowded place and people watching other people running around and throwing a ball.
We had bought a ticket for the national concert hall, so we went to see and hear 'Ceili House Live in Concert', five groups performing really good Irish music. The concert was even broadcasted live on the radio.
After this 3 hr long concert, we had a slice of pizza, and then were already too late for the regular bus home, so we went into a pub in Temple Bar/Fleet Street where I tried to feel comfortable - but it was nevertheless full of energy. At 2, we took the night bus home.
We took the bus to Howth, a peninsula in the northeast of Dublin. It it more green and windy there, and the landscape is really amazing and reminds me of landscapes on the other side of the world instead of right next to a city. Also, we saw a group of dolphins, additionally to seals.
That's why we were too late and didn't quite make it to the rugby game, where our host had invited us to come to. Green hills and the Irish Ocean win over an overcrowded place and people watching other people running around and throwing a ball.
We had bought a ticket for the national concert hall, so we went to see and hear 'Ceili House Live in Concert', five groups performing really good Irish music. The concert was even broadcasted live on the radio.
After this 3 hr long concert, we had a slice of pizza, and then were already too late for the regular bus home, so we went into a pub in Temple Bar/Fleet Street where I tried to feel comfortable - but it was nevertheless full of energy. At 2, we took the night bus home.
2014.03.14 - Dance in Dublin
2014.03.14 - Dance in Dublin
On 13mars, we took Ryan air to get to Dublin. We were picked up by our host who drove us to his apparent in Lucan, a village 8 km west of Dublin. Nice, cosy village!
In the morning, we decided to walk to Dublin, it was a 2 hours walk, partly along the highway, but also next to nice landscapes. In Phoenix Park, we saw some deer.
Approaching the city, we already saw the huge Guinness factory - welcome to Dublin. Next to the huge (and impressive) Spire, we bought tickets and got our first orientation. A little cafe got us our first warm meal, and the prices were comfortably low compared to Oslo (not surprising, though).
At St. Stephen's Green, the Festival Céilí was kicked off; "where the public are invited to put on their dancing shoes and get involved in a unique outdoor celebration of Irish dance." It was a really good introduction to the Irish culture, and it is always fun when a crowd of people is trying to dance, watching step dance and listening to music.
Afterwards, I was invited to a nice birthday dinner, and we had a Guinness (which tasted way too bitter, IMHO). Good day!
2014.01.19 - ski
What a wonderful time here, in Winter. The possibility to go out just for one or two hours and go cross-country skiing. Just taking the bus for two stations, and to ski along the Sognsvann-lake. And on the way back, who knows, to see a deer.
2014.01.03 - back to Oslo
On this last day, we walked to the university nearby- this can be done by skis in winter! The university is modern, walkways between buildings are heated, and, as I learned later, they have a cafeteria with daylight tempered light, to have more energy during the day.
As a finale of the trip, we went into the Ishavskatedralen (Arctic cathedral).
Then, it was again exciting to get back to the airport. Not because it is so far away (the normal bus goes directly from the home to the airport!) but because I had forgotten my passport at home in Oslo; so this was my first flight without a passport!! But it was no problem.
These five days resulted in 2668 pictures, eg of the northern lights. The result of the postproduction can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXTVqF3f02o
As a finale of the trip, we went into the Ishavskatedralen (Arctic cathedral).
Then, it was again exciting to get back to the airport. Not because it is so far away (the normal bus goes directly from the home to the airport!) but because I had forgotten my passport at home in Oslo; so this was my first flight without a passport!! But it was no problem.
These five days resulted in 2668 pictures, eg of the northern lights. The result of the postproduction can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXTVqF3f02o
2014.01.02 - The Polar Museum
Our first stop was the Polar Museum in the middle of the city. A really well done exhibition about the Norwegians and their mostly successful attempts to become national heroes by exploring the north. We did not have breakfast this morning as our next station was Egon and its pizza buffet. Unlimited pizza for 105kr. After a long time there, we took a tour to Giæverbukta, the western centre of the city, and found out there is nothing of interest. So, we headed home to relax a bit. Then, around 23.00, we left on foot to the very north of the island for the daily hunt of the northern light. At the very top, we stayed for a couple of hours but saw 'just' smaller ones, nothing compared to the ones the day before. But at least, we were at the northernmost point of the northernmost city I've ever been too!
2014.01.01 - Aurora
The day started with seeing the Viennese New Years Concert. Nice to think about home, actually.. We went to the city centre, walked around a bit in the city centre. Prestevann, a lake in the proximity of the city was our next destination. We came home with the intention to warm up and going to bed early. This plan did not work because we had to gaze at the northern light for around an hour. Again, wow. Wow.
2013.12.31 - Beginning the new year
Somehow, me stayed up for a bit too long. During breakfast, a norwegian play on tv ('Boeing boeing') caused us to come just at around 14.00 into the city. We went to one of the two arctic expositions, Polaria, with seals and all kind of arctic knowledge and stories. Afterwards, we went up to Fjellheisen, the gondola up the mountain in the east of the city. From there, we had a wonderful view both on the golden city of Tromsø and on the other side on the stars. Then, we took the last bus home (10pm-ish) to warm up a bit. At midnight, we went in front of the houses to see the fireworks. A few minutes after midnight, in addition to the colours of the rockets, a northern light appeared. What a start in the new year. After that, good time, right?, we had dinner and went out again to have the first of several northern lights photo sessions. My camera got a software update to automatically make pictures every few seconds. The result of that hopefully will be a time lapse video.
-- my goodness, Aurora Borealis, wow.
Prosit!
-- my goodness, Aurora Borealis, wow.
Prosit!
2013.12.30 - Darkness in Tromsø
Cosy breakfast, going to the city, walking around the city, seeing the Hurtigruten ship "Nord Lys", and wishing to go all the way from Bergen to the North with it, one day, when I have more money. The city center is really cosy! Nice Christmas decoration and cosy atmosphere. They don't use salt here in Norway for the streets, just a bit of gravel was lying around. So, partly, we slipped around more than we went. However, we went over the bridge to have a look at the famous iceberg-like cathedral, which really looks nice. We walked around in that area and decided to take the cable car in one of the next days. Then we went to a coffee and had it comfy for a bit.
Dinner followed, two episodes of How I Met Your Mother in TV, and a walk outside, of course equipped with the camera. At 2.30, we came back home, having seen a glimpse of a northern light for approximatively one minute!
From 10.00 until 13.00 it was so-to-say day, but it was just brighter than the other 21 hours of the day, far from normal daylight luminosity. Those 21 hours are surprisingly not really dark, the lights of the city are reflected by the clouds and -we don't know why!- make it so bright that it's possible to read easily, also at 2 in the morning in the outskirts of the city (where we stay).
Tromsø is really nice!
Dinner followed, two episodes of How I Met Your Mother in TV, and a walk outside, of course equipped with the camera. At 2.30, we came back home, having seen a glimpse of a northern light for approximatively one minute!
From 10.00 until 13.00 it was so-to-say day, but it was just brighter than the other 21 hours of the day, far from normal daylight luminosity. Those 21 hours are surprisingly not really dark, the lights of the city are reflected by the clouds and -we don't know why!- make it so bright that it's possible to read easily, also at 2 in the morning in the outskirts of the city (where we stay).
Tromsø is really nice!
2013.12.29 - Tromsø
The master thesis and exam is done, it feels right to travel again.
Taking the flight to Tromsø, a city at almost 70 degrees up in the North, populated by 80.000 people. Here, at this time of the year it is dark. No sun, so I have read.
I was accompanied by a colleague from the Uni in Oslo.
Taking the bus directly from the airport to the student home (Ørndalen). The selection of this place was interesting and quite risky: in October and November, I desperately tried to find a couch surfing place in Tromsø for those five days, but no matter how many hosts I wrote, nobody would answer with a positive response. Youth hostels as well, all closed. So as a last possibility, I wrote into the Facebook group of international students in Tromsø, if someone could help me. And yes, a wonderful German person said I could use her apartment - without her being here! So, we really went to that apartment, found the key in the post box, and had an apartment all for us! After the stay in Tromsø, we are going to meet in Oslo where she is going to stay for a couple of days at my place.
In the evening we had a walk around the area (north east of the island). Beautiful. So much snow! The pictures talk for themselves. So peaceful and quiet!
Taking the flight to Tromsø, a city at almost 70 degrees up in the North, populated by 80.000 people. Here, at this time of the year it is dark. No sun, so I have read.
I was accompanied by a colleague from the Uni in Oslo.
Taking the bus directly from the airport to the student home (Ørndalen). The selection of this place was interesting and quite risky: in October and November, I desperately tried to find a couch surfing place in Tromsø for those five days, but no matter how many hosts I wrote, nobody would answer with a positive response. Youth hostels as well, all closed. So as a last possibility, I wrote into the Facebook group of international students in Tromsø, if someone could help me. And yes, a wonderful German person said I could use her apartment - without her being here! So, we really went to that apartment, found the key in the post box, and had an apartment all for us! After the stay in Tromsø, we are going to meet in Oslo where she is going to stay for a couple of days at my place.
In the evening we had a walk around the area (north east of the island). Beautiful. So much snow! The pictures talk for themselves. So peaceful and quiet!
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