A visit to Gabon – a dream I have had for some time, that now became real. Thanks to Kon-tiki resor this was made possible.
The trip started in the capital of Libreville, continued with a train ride to Lopé, a boat ride to Nyonié, and finally ended with a new stop in Libreville.
Fond memories from the Danish west coast
A summer in Greece…
Mykonos has it all! Beachfun, The food, history, great parties (especially if you happen to be into House music), friendly people…
…and here I give you pictures of some of my memories:
First some pictures from lovely Agios Stefanos. I had a very cozy stay at Paolas Beach Hotel – recommended even though the long stairs to the beach takes som exercise. The tsatziki at Limnios Tavern really was the best (as claimed by a Myconian taxi driver). Only good things can be said about the beach as well, with its nice taverns and cool atmosphere.
Mykonos town, what a place! Love it!
Best tip of the day; for some fabulous food, head to Nice n easy tavern in Little Venice! It just cannot go wrong with that delicious food! Oh, and thank you to all in the staff who made our visits outstanding with your welcoming attitude – all friendly smiles!
Finally, some pictures from the island roundtrip on ATV, visiting some beaches, but not the least, Club Tropicana on Paradise Beach.
Some pictures for inspiration
New York in spring – not a bad place to be…
A walk on the High Line, a bike tour over Brooklyn bridge, a walk through Central Park…
Best views in Tokyo, to experience the cherry trees bloom, and other fine things;
Chidorigafuchi – the moat outside the Imperial Palace
Hie Jinja – for the contrast of old and new, tall buildings in the background combined with traditional symbols, and in the midst of it… cherry blossom
Megurogawa
Winter, opportunities for skiing, and this year had me choosing the Almaty province of Kazakhstan.
The first resort, Shymbulak, surprised me in many ways, not the least by how conveniently most things worked out, from ski rental to the absence of linguistic problems. I stayed in a wonderful place, Hotel S.N.e.G., where everything was top notch. I was met by the friendliest faces, had a room with the grandest view over the ski slopes and Almaty in the distance, ate excellent food, and in general felt like a princess. Shymbulak has a nice variety of slopes, neatly groomed, and relaxing places where you can hang out, chilling to house music.
Next place – Ak-Bulak – turned out to be exciting for quite another reason, the weather. Heavy snowfall made this little place quite fun. There were easy slopes at the bottom, however more challenges higher up, especially considering the fog that made it difficult to see where the slope actually was…and I ended up skiing together with a friendly guy from the ski patrol.
Elik-Sai is something else! At this powder heaven I became friends with kindred spirits from Almaty with whom I had the best time ever! Thank you Aliya! This hidden gem does not provide its visitors with any modern facilities, however that perfect powder feeling that a lot of us ski freaks long for. The tow lift consisted of a rope, to which you attach your borrowed portable “lift” with a kind of a spanner fastening. After getting off, you tie the “lift” around your waist, bring it with you down, and use it when it’s time to go back up again. (First time for me to see a construction like this.)
In 2011 I experienced the Carnival in Venice, which that year had the theme “Ottocento – da senso a Sissi, la città delle donne”. It’s the time of year for the Carnival again (this year’s theme being “Creativity”). You can decide to visit the carnival as an onlooker, or take purt, wholeheartedly. I opted for the latter, in period style dress and all, and oh what an experience it was!
The accommodation of choice certainly contributed to the feeling of having stepped into a fairy-tale, with its very special atmosphere right on the Grand Canal. Completely swept away, I was in a different century, a parallell universe, if you wish – with two roles; the tourist who takes pictures of all festive attributes surrounding you, and the 19th century Cicci (How convenient that my nickname coincided with Sissi!) who was experiencing another Venice, photographed by those who chose not to participate in the theatre itself. The whole city is your theatre scene!
Look up Al Ponte Antico! It is ineed worth a visit, for the wonderful atmospere, the people, the breakfasts, the location – it has it all!
Cecilia's waypoints 