The Tazaungdaing Festival, also known as the Festival of Lights, held on the full moon day of Tazaungmon, the eighth month of the Burmese calendar, is celebrated as a national holiday in Burma (Myanmar) and marks the end of the rainy season. It also marks the end of the Kathina season, during which monks are […]
German Food
To whatever place I carried my backpack so far, I always wrote about the local food. My home country shall be no exception to that. One of the most unsual (visually) dishes prepared in northern German kitchens is Labskaus. Basically unknown to the south of Germany, this traditional seaman’s dish always creates a raised eyebrow […]
Scenic Train Ride
Thanks to (another) strike of Deutsche Bahn train drivers, I ended up on a different connection on my trip to the north. Took only 1.5 hours longer and provided some nice views along the river Rhine valley. Small cities, vineyards and a castle every kilometre or so. Definitely one of the most scenic rides I […]
Bangkok in Daylight
During the day Bangkok is as overwhelming as it is at night. The streets are full with taxis, tuk-tuks, scooters and buses and simply crossing the street becomes the first adventure of the day. The area around the hostel isn’t a major tourist destination so most people in the street are actually Thai. Which means […]
Cannstatter Wasen
“Cannstatter Wasen: prepare for overcrowded trains, delays and maladjusted people” – that message was showing on train departure displays at main station last weekend. The comedian in charge got into trouble with his superiors. Personally I think he should have gotten a commendation but there is no arguing with the wimps in charge of political […]
Small Things
It’s the small things I like about Australia. People greeting the driver when they get on the bus – and saying thanks when getting off. And that’s in a city of more than a million people. Or how you can go swimming at the beach and only minutes later you can run up to the […]