Sunset at the Harbour
May 31, 2012
Fischereihafen-Rennen
May 28, 2012
When I was younger, I never had much interest in watching any kind of road-racing. WRC was ok for me but Formula 1 was incredibly boring and Nascar even worse. Things changed when I started to develop an interest in motorcycles. Suddenly there was the world of MotoGP, where riders were fighting fierce battles, sometimes overtaking each other several times a round.
Since the 1950s, my hometown hosts an annual motorcycle road-racing event. For that, part of the local harbour is closed down and turned into a racetrack. Admission is cheap and the whole atmosphere relaxed.
So far I haven’t been in town when the race took place but this year I was. Not only was I interested in watching the event, it also promised to be a great photo opportunity.
Educated Times
May 24, 2012
1944 - My grandfather is in his early thirties. He is wearing a SS-uniform and is fighting allied forces in the French Normandy.
2010 - Two generations later and at a similar age I am celebrating Christmas in Australia with a group of French, Americans, British, Japanese and Germans. Our ancestors clashed in a war that left more than 60 million people dead. Yet we form a group, share food and drinks and help each other out.
Khmer Money
May 21, 2012
Handling money in Cambodia is an interesting thing. Cambodia is one of the few countries where two currencies are used side-by-side and in the same transaction.
The local currency, Riel, is close to worthless with 4000 Riel to one dollar US. Like other currencies in the area (Kip, Dong) it is only useful in its country of origin and attempts to exchange it elsewhere are usually futile.
What many people don’t know and what the money changers at the border don’t want you to know is that the USD can be used in every Cambodian city.
Sank joo for travelling wiz Deutsche Bahn
May 16, 2012
Getting around in Germany is an easy thing to do, thanks to a railway network that is considered to be one of the best in the world. On long distance trains one doesn’t even need to speak German as the conductors announce all stops and connections in English as well. Usually with an accent that is so thick it’s almost a new language.
The most fancy way of travelling by rail are the ICE trains connecting the major cities.
The Co-Workers
May 14, 2012
Two years after my somewhat inglorious departure from the world if IT in Germany, I am now about to return. It is a prospect that is somewhat unsettling.
When I left, I absolutely hated the job and wasn’t sure whether I’d ever come back to it. I was fed up with sitting in front of a computer all day and having to deal with supervisors that know as much about leading people as a Malaysian butcher knows about pork chops.
Heidelberg Hike
May 11, 2012
While staying with my friends in Heidelberg earlier this week, we went for a little hike on mount Königstuhl. Actually we only hiked down and took a bus to get up there - a tribute we paid to the unstable weather. We arrived atop the mountain to sunny weather and could enjoy a nice view down the river valley.
The walk down to the city leads through the forest via numerous walkways and paths.
The Thai Prince
May 9, 2012
During my time in Chiang Mai I learned how different many Thais see the king and his son, the crown prince. Thais absolutely adore their king and his picture is literally everywhere. Apparently the guy did a lot of good things for the people during his reign and he keeps donating money to charitable causes.
Forbes estimates his personal fortune to be USD 30 billion so I guess he has a few Baht to spare.
The End of the Nomad Life - or is it?
May 7, 2012
June and my return to the world of work are getting closer. I decided to become a contractor which has two big advantages for me. I don’t have put up with the crap of idiotic superiors for too long and get more money on top of that.
There is drawbacks as well though. Once the step into self-employment is made, the unemployment money will stop coming in and I have make ends meet myself.