Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.
The Wadden Sea (or German “Wattenmeer“) is a 450 kilometers long section of the North Sea in the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. The fauna in this area is formed by the tides: at low tide you can walk through the Watt which is flooded twice a day. Therefore you have to check the current schedule of the tides – they are shifting every day. Lots of animals live there and are an important source for birds and fishes. Continue reading “Wattenmeer”
The Himmelsstürmer is one of the most famous art works in Kassel, Germany – originally named Man walking to the sky by the artist Jonathan Borofsky. It was created for the art exhibition documenta IX in 1992 and was placed by that time on the Friedrichsplatz in Kassel. It is a 25 meters long steel tube, inclined at 63 degrees with a man (in yellow trousers and a purple shirt) on it. Continue reading “Man walking to the sky”
It’s a place for shopping and kids entertainment: Karls Erlebnisdorf in Elstal, belonging to Wustermark, Germany is a farming theme park close to federal road 5 leading to Berlin. It is a theme park chain with different locations throughout Germany – but it is worth a visit. You can shop numerous items related to strawberries and in country house style, eat pancakes and burgers and have fun on the different playgrounds. Continue reading “Strawberry village”
Big horticultural shows like the Bundesgartenschau (BUGA) or Internationale Gartenausstellung (IGA) attract a lot of visitors, cost a lot of money and transform landscapes. If all goes well the areas become important parks and recreation areas for the locals and still attract tourists. That’s the case concerning the Britzer Garten, the area of the Bundesgartenschau 1985 in western Berlin, Germany. Continue reading “Britzer Garten”
The Deutsches Technikmuseum in Berlin, Germany is a vast technology museum close to the station “Gleisdreieck” – it can be best accessed via subway. It consists of different buildings: the entrance building with a plane (“Rosinenbomber“) is connected to the main building, a park and two engine sheds. Some meters away you’ll find the Science Center Spectrum and additional smaller buildings. The ticket is valid for all of them. Continue reading “Technology everywhere”
Especially older people getting to the Spreewald (Błota in Lower Sorbian) want to explore the old artificial channels in small traditional ships. These have benches and tables, often drinks are provided and they are moved by a person with a long bar pushing them forward. It is the Venezia of German retirees. Like it or not, it’s a big factor in local tourism. Continue reading “The right harbour”
The Döberitzer Heide close to Dallgow-Döberitz, Germany is a 5000 hectares large nature protection area not far away from Berlin. From the year 1713 on it was a military training ground and as it was only closed in 1991 there are still some relicts: old buildings and unexploded bombs. Today the Heinz-Sielmann-Stiftung uses the area to reestablish species like the European bison and Przewalski horses. Continue reading “Döberitzer Heide”
In my youth it was impossible to go by car through Lower Saxony and not to here the radio advertisement for the “Vogelpark Walsrode” with its iconic jingle. But we never went to the biggest bird park in the world in the Lüneburg Heath, located near Walsrode, Germany. Now was the time for that and the park created in 1962 is definitely worth a visit, even though you will find some deterioration here and there. Continue reading “Watching birds”
These days you can get strawberries everywhere. If you don’t want to simply buy them and have the fun of gathering yourself you can get to Göttingen, Germany and visit the strawberry fields of family Mecke. Since 30 years they offer the possibility to collect the fruits of up to seven different kinds of strawberry plants on a large field close to Göttingen. Continue reading “Strawberry fields”
The Palace of Holyroodhouse or Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, Scotland is the official residence of the Queen in Scotland. It is located at the east end of the Royal Mile – directly opposite to the Scottish parliament. It was once the guesthouse of the Abbey of Holyrood now lying in ruins. It was built from the year 1671 on and the Queen stays here at least one week each year. Continue reading “Palace of Holyroodhouse”