Category Archives: Travel

Pocket knife – lost & found

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lost pocket knife massoptier thiers found itTwo weeks ago I lost my favorite pocket knife, a French one from Massoptier – Thiers. The knife is special, I bought it on a rugby trip to Montélimar where I played quite well and which also marked the end of my rugbytime.

I lost it while taking a break during hiking in the Alps. Luckily it was a not to popular place and I did not make too many breaks. So the options where to look for the knife where not to many. The knife was lying exactly on the grass, real easy to spot. So mission accomplished and after a bit of cleaning an some Balistol the knife looks even better with some new patina.

Frank van Rijn +500.000 km cycled the world

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Part 1/2

Part 2/2

Two nicely done videos with great interviews about cyclist, traveler and writer Frank van Rijn (21-4-1948) from the Netherlands. A person I heard not much about him, until recently. But his way to speak and his answers show he gained a lot of wisdom and his attitude seem quite down to earth.

take it easy – relax

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sometimes you need a break, just take it. Take it easy & relax. Sometimes too much info and stuff is queued up in our brains. Last weekend I found a spot where you have a nice view and are surrounded by high mountains. It is not too far and hard to reach and the best is that a nearby river and a waterfall is muting all other noises. A great place to calm down. The only noises I heard there was the distant clicking of some hiking sticks hitting the rocks and 2 shoots by hunters, that’s it. I have to go there soon again before the winter, because I have lost my pocket knife there somewhere. If there is a chance for a clear sky at night I will stay there until sunrise.

Hiking in the Moostal – Darmstädter Hütte

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With some friends we went 2 days of hiking in the area of St. Anton – Austria – Tirol. One of my favorite mountain huts is the “Darmstädter Hütte” (2.384m). The scenery is just amazing – a couple of 3000m peaks surrounding the hut, a perfect view in the valley, a rustic over 100 years old hut and the welcoming Weiskopf family which runs it since 3 generations… just to name a few things.

First day was rainy but the idea of having a cold beer and some “Knoedel” dumplings if we can make it before 7pm did motivate us a lot. We made it and were welcomed by Andi with some Schnaps to warm us up and soon we made the order for dinner. This year the choice between cheese-, bacon-, liver- and Tirolean dumplings was made even more difficult to choose when he told us they have this year a mozzarella with tomato dumpling. They are just so good, believe me. And if you haven’t had enough try their “kaiser” a Kaiserschmarrn (kind of fluffy pancake) which is more than enough for 2 person or a really hungry one.

Next day we hiked and climbed the area, had a great pick nick and a swim in the lake which you can assume was very refreshing. On sunday we had to leave, weather turned bad again and we were soaked while walking down the valley. But the atmosphere was mystic and on the way we saw dozens of mountain salamander, so much we had to take care we did not step on one.

All together a great trip, just 2 nights and 3 days but a real vacation.

Finally “Holidays” ?

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Holidays – beach, sun and the sea. Sounds perfect but sometimes we were happy to see bizarre sceneries on the beach and do not have to stay. One of the good things if you have not booked in advance, are not absolutely fixed in the mission of getting a sunburn with others or able to see alternatives. (I have to explain this is a collection of what I saw over the years – beware not on only one holiday, photos are taken in Italy, Mexico and Dubai)

who was it ? – trekking in Norway

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While trekking in Norway, after I setup my Tent (Vaude Hogan) I found this nice preserved can of fish under a rock. I liked the aged look of it and took it as a souvenir. Who was this hiker who hide it there years ago? After he had his meal on a  a long day hike on this wonderful spot. It´s close to the Harteigen the biggest mountain of the Hardangervidda close to Torehytten. On the one side you can look down the valley on the other side you see the lake. The water is refreshing but when you wash your feet are close to be numb before you washed yourself. Hard to find a nicer spot for camping If you ask me, quite mystic.

Armenian Silversmith – Istanbul Grand Bazaar

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Zeus rings in silver from the Armenian Silversmith at the Grand Bazaar in IstanbulFirst of all, if you haven´t been to Istanbul hurry up and have a go. Great food just everywhere, nice people and great scenery and ancient monuments hard to match somewhere.

But actually I planned to write something about our experience at the Grand Bazaar.
Basically one of the main attraction of every tourist with all side effects – BUT if you walk a bit away from the central streets you find some true gems where great artisans still make wonderful things with their own hands and for a reasonable price. So we had the luck to stumble upon this Armenian Silversmith / Goldsmith who did these two Zeus rings. He changed the one of my girlfriend within a couple of minutes. Full program – cutting out a pice, welding the ring together and trimming it to the perfect size. And this with joy and a hospitality you wont find so easily, the show of his craftsmanship alone would have been worth the price we payed for the rings. So if you should go to Istanbul and are for the search of something special or want a copy of an existing jewelry, pay him a visit. (address / directions can be provided, just write me a mail).