Tuesday 23 January. After some Maori rock carvings we stay at Lake Aniwherua for a Maori experience. Well, the place is the same as the rest of New Zealand, but we see how they prepare a traditional meal. First heat…
Off the beaten track to the most eastern point
Saturday 20 January. Yesterday I went mountain biking in the Redwoods near Rotorua with Leon. Many tracks lead through the Redwoods. Big Sequoias and the national symbol of New Zealand, the Silver Tree Ferns. Good fun. And a bit of…
Privileged with the company
Sunday 14 January. Today the trip South starts. First stop is, of course, the beach. A big beach but just a part of it is really crowded. Everyone digs and sit in water-filled holes. Looks quite strange, but these small…
Aucklands, first stop in New Zealand
Wednesday 10 January. After a twelve hour flight I arrive in Auckland. It’s still just the start of the evening and time to explore the city. Everything is within walking distance. The coming days I have enough time to explore…
Shanghai, from Shikumen to highrise
Sunday 7 January. Have breakfast and then by fast bus into town. We walk through the center and especially the Chinese part. All the way to the Jews Museum. Here a guide and the displays tell the story of Jews…
A good start takes more time – going to Shanghai
Wednesday 3 January. At Schiphol Amsterdam, I check in early for my flight to Shanghai. At the gate, 2 ½ hours later, I can’t fly to Shanghai now, but tonight is possible. The flight to Moscow leaves at 22:35 h.…
Last day on Sicily
Monday 6 November. The last day of this trip on Sicily. Too bad… but still a day left. See more of fall at Mount Etna and a lava tunnel along the road. Descend to Catania. Meandering roads, small beautiful mountain…
Climbing a volcano on Vulcano
Sunday 5 November. In Milazzo we take the boat to Lipari, one of the Aeolian islands. At arrival in the harbour a small beer and a kind of pancake. We stroll through narrow streets. Houses with laundry on the balconies.…
Greek temples and decorated churches
Friday 3 November it’s to the far west. First stop is Agrigento. The valley of temples. Well you could see the temples from the valley. An old Greek town from the fifth century BC, with several temples. First is Arcosoli…
The godfather was here
Wednesday 1 November. It’s rainy in Sicily. The Northern part seems better, so today it will be Messina. From Toarmina to Messina the coast road brings us first to Forza d’Agrò a nice mountaintop village. The second stop is Savoca,…