Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

250k BMW

Saturday, September 2nd, 2017

No, I’m not talking about 250000 Euro.

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Recently when I was at the gas station (where I usually note down the current kilometers), the speedometer showed a somewhat significant number. I had to take the photo because even the digit was 0 by coincidence.

Another day in London 

Tuesday, July 4th, 2017

Today I took a walk around the area where my hotel is. I went to the west end of Hyde Park.

Then I circled around Royal Albert Hall and Imperial College. Finally I came back to Earl’s Court station. There is a Pub called Blackbird which advertises Ale & Pie. When I went in it was 19.50. So with the one hour time difference I was already quite hungry. When I wanted to order the waitress told me the kitchen might open at eight. I asked if she meant it might open at eight or it might open later, but apparently she meant it might open at eight if at all. Anyway I sat down for a beer. Needless to say that was not a good idea on an empty stomach, since I’m known to be a lightweight. It went straight to my head. Anyway I got my pie at around 20.15 so all was fine. 

One other funny thing about the Hotel. They really use every bit of space in the tiny room I have. The TV is oddly placed next to the window. 

And speaking of which, the window uses a peculiar mechanism for securing it in open position. 

Anyway, I somewhat enjoyed the stay in the Hotel. Since the weather was fine I didn’t need a large room and in the morning I got English breakfast :)

Arminius

Monday, June 5th, 2017

Finally managed to visit the Hermannsdenkmal in the Teutoburg Forest.

This commemorates the Varusschlacht (Battle of Teutoburg Forest) which took place 2000 years ago and was a significant defeat to the Roman Empire. Modern archeology tells us that the actual site of the battle was probably 100 km further north. 

The 19th century inscription translates the latin Arminius to German Armin. While due to lack of other sources the original name of the prince of the Cherusks will remain a mystery, I prefer Armin over Hermann.

Close by are the Externsteine, which were apparently an occult ritual site. Not hard to imagine given their impressive size and odd shape.

Rotterdam 

Monday, April 3rd, 2017

Finally been to Rotterdam on the weekend. 

We crossed the Erasmusbrug. Next time I want to see the maritim museum.

Kasteel de Haar

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016

Am Montag waren wir in Utrecht. In einem Vorort befindet sich das Kasteel de Haar.

Dabei handelt es sich um eine mittelalterliche Burgruine, die Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts restauriert wurde.

Wie man bei Wikipedia nachlesen kann wurde der Innenhof mittels einer Stahlträger Konstruktion überdacht.

Das innere der Burg war zwar interessant aber eigentlich schön ist die Anlage von außen, wo man in einem Park spazieren kann.

Von dort waren wir noch in Utrecht selbst und haben uns u.a. den Turm vom Dom angesehen. Sehr eindrucksvoll. Anscheinend deshalb frei stehend weil das sich ursprünglich anschließende Kirchenschiff im 17. Jhd. eingestürzt ist.