Zell Wine Village in Mosel, Germany

Before this trip, I did not know much about Zell. I have been to the Mosel River before but didn't really pay any attention to the small (wine) villages. It's usually on our second and third visits that we would go farther out the beaten path and explore the less popular ones.

The Boos von Waldeckhof is a popular historical landmark in Zell. It sits across the river where the church and the tourist office are located.

Our afternoon break or late lunch in Zell.

But having said that, I found Zell a very attractive and quaint place.

We arrived in Zell in the afternoon on our 2nd day in the Mosel River Valley. Dutchman and I hiked from Bullay where we stayed in this lovely B&B on the river. The hike took approximately 3 hours because we followed the wine trail that goes through the vineyards and a small forest. This hiking route is called the Moselsteig, but we only picked the Bullay to Zell trail, which is a fraction of the 375-kilometer total trail.

We also took a few stops to enjoy the scenery, inspect the vines and the grapes and took lots of souvenir pictures. This has got to be the most beautiful hike we've both had by far.

[To read the rest of the post and see more pictures, click the READ MORE link below]

Hike from Bullay to Zell through the Vineyards in Mosel, Germany

Around this time of the year (September), Dutchman and I went on an extended 3-day weekend getaway in the Mosel River area in Germany.

The village, Merl, between Bullay and Zell.

It is my second time in the Mosel.

Dutchman and I stayed in the idyllic village on the river valley called "Bullay". We really wanted to stay on the Mosel River, so we picked this village because it was the only one with an available accommodation right off the river. This was a priority for us, a non-negotiable requirement for the trip, so we were so happy to have found this Bed & Breakfast.

When we arrived here, we also found out that Bullay, was in fact, a great base area for hiking. It even has a very scenic route that goes through the vineyards and is very well recommended by many hikers. We were happy campers and felt really lucky because we booked this accommodation fairly late.

[To read the rest of the post and see more pictures, click the READ MORE link below]

Best Panoramic Dinner View in Skiathos: Olive Thea Restaurant and the Burlesque Toilet and Full Moon

This has got to be THE BEST DINNER WITH A VIEW ever on our summer holiday last year on Skiathos Island, Greece.

Simply gorgeous...

The best ever that I have decided to make the view as my blog's banner! Introducing, the Olive Thea Restaurant in Skiathos.

I mean, just look at that view. It's so beautiful and amazing. We were literally speechless when we arrived and saw this spectacular restaurant setting with the perfect and best view on the island. I was a happy camper that evening.

[To read the rest of the post and see more pictures, click the READ MORE link below]

Plane Spotting at Amaretto Cafe in Skiathos, Greece

One of the things that are really cool about the Greek Islands is being able to plane spot up close.

How cool is this? Planespotting from a cafe?

Dutchman and I have plane spotted in many islands in Greece and our favourite (well, at least mine) so far was our experience in Corfu in the Ionian Islands. We stood on this water dike behind the airport which is used as a pathway as well to connect the basin. The planes fly above it as they land. From the dike, we could see the belly of the plane up close when it flies above us.

Here in Skiathos, the experience is quite similar, although the planes fly much lower (low landing) because the airport runway is just across the road from the Amaretto Cafe where people stand on the parking area to plane spot. The airport runway is literally just behind the cafe, like 100-200 meters.

[To read the rest of the post and see more pictures, click the READ MORE link below]

Skiathos, Greece: Dinner and Views at Sofia's Family Restaurant

One of the really nice dinners we've had in Skiathos, in terms of stunning views, was at Sofia's Family Restaurant, Café & Bar.

Sofia's Family Restaurant from the Church's hilltop square.

We saw the restaurant from the working new harbour where the large public ferries dock. It sits on top of the hill just behind the Agios Nikolaos Church and Clock Tower. It has a very huge, but not a really sophisticated signage. I can’t say which caught my eye right away; if it was the worn-out too simple signage or the outdoor terrace where I saw people dining on. Perhaps both?

I always love a good view while dining so I told the Dutchman that we are going there for dinner one evening. He agreed with me.

[To read the rest of the post and see more pictures, click the READ MORE link below]

Skiathos, Greece: European Beach Culture Ruminations and Megali Amnos Beach

Paralia Megali Ammos (Megali Amnos Beach) is the main beach near the town center of Skiathos.

The Megali Amnos Beach (also called Paralia Megali Ammos in Greek) was the nearest beach from our holiday apartment, approximately an 8-minute walk and we can even see the beach’s bay from our apartment’s balcony, which we enjoy every single morning during breakfast. Ah, it was a beautiful sight to wake up to each day.

And very typical for the Dutchman and I is to search farther away located beaches before checking out the nearest one. We always reason out that it’s just there anyway and we can go there anytime. Do you do that as well? I mean, why do we always have to look far away when there’s something near? Um, I guess that’s being human, huh.

[To read the rest of the post and see more pictures, click the READ MORE link below]

Skiathos, Greece: "Foodporn" and the Fast Food with "No Name"

"No Name" Gyros fast food.

Foodporn burger fast food joint.

We had 2 evenings on Skiathos Island where we ate fast food, one of which was at a trendy burger joint and the other at a local Greek gyros place.

Eating out every night during a summer holiday can get a bit wee old. There are nights when you just want a quick grab and then go somewhere else to hang out or have a drink. Fast foods are also cheaper which relieves the stress our wallets experience during the holidays. The cost difference from a sit-down meal and a fast food is not even half! And the fast food in the Greek Islands are not bad at all as well.

[To read the rest of the post and see more pictures, click the READ MORE link below]

Auckland, New Zealand: Living in the countryside with nature

After a busy day out with Dahl, she finally brought me to her part of the world, to her safe homestead, far away from the hectic civilization of Auckland City.

Yup, we are in the countryside!

I knew that Dahl lived on a farm. She had always talked about her agrarian life on the farm before, especially during the years when she and her late husband were still running it.

However, the farms that I know and I am a bit familiar with are the farms in the Netherlands. They are flat and are usually rectangular in shape. You will see this symmetrical tapestry of farms when you are on the airplane, flying low and looking down on the country (such as this: The Netherlands from Above). Lush rectangle polders, some of them dotted with cows and surrounded by water.

The farms in New Zealand are far different from these though...

[To read the rest of the post and see more pictures, click the READ MORE link below]

Auckland Day Out: Lunch at Soljans Winery, Buying Macadamia’s, Plucking Blueberries and Shelly Beach

My second day in Auckland was spent with Dahl, a lovely friend who I met a many moons ago.

Our lunch at Soljans Estate Winery. I am feeling lucky with my fish n chips.

Shelly Beach on the Kaipara Harbour in North Auckland.

The last time Dahl and I met was more than 10 years ago, perhaps 12 years even, in Gouda, Netherlands. I cannot anymore recall the exact year and month. It's been that long. I think it was the time before I started blogging, which was 2004. Or perhaps it was on this year. Oh dear, I cannot believe I am still blogging after all these years, haha.

I did assure Dahl that I will visit her someday and that I will pop up on her side of the world and she can show me her place. Well, life has its own twists of fate. Who would have known that my sister will move to New Zealand? Not in a thousand years I guess. It only made my visit, even more, faster than planned!

[To read the rest of the post and see more pictures, click the READ MORE link below]

Auckland, New Zealand: Dinner at Ostro Brasserie & Bar

Chic and trendy Ostro Bar & Restaurant in Auckland CBD.

Ah, my first-night dinner in Auckland!

Well, I saved SisterJ and Myrhh from cooking and washing the dishes by inviting them to dinner with me at Ostro Brasserie and Bar in Britomart or CBD (Auckland's central business district). SisterJ has been here before at the restaurant's deck terrace during a company cocktail event evening so she told me that it's an upscale a bit trendy restaurant with views of the Waitemata waterfront harbour. Now, I kind of like that.

[To read the rest of the post and see more pictures, click the READ MORE link below]

Auckland City Views from the Sky Tower

After all that I have seen and done on my first day in Auckland downtown city center, I was finally ready to visit the Sky Tower for the 360-degree city views.

I have reserved this visit to be at the end of the day because I want to see a bit of the twilight transition, although I wasn't planning to stay here until it gets dark. I have a dinner appointment with sisterJ and Myrhh at the Britomart which I am very much looking forward to.

[To read the rest of the post and see more pictures, click the READ MORE link below]

Auckland Waterfront: Queens & Princes Wharves, Viaduct Basin and Wynward Quarter

The Queens Wharf and the beautiful Downtown Ferry Terminal Building.

The Viaduct Harbour.

From my recent visit to Auckland, I learned that there are 3 areas to go to and enjoy your time in the city. Whether it's for the purpose of entertainment, shopping, food, art and some sightseeing. So these are:

1. In and around the vicinity of Queen Street
2. The Britomart area
3. The Waterfront

Auckland city view from the Wynward Quarter.

The Waterfront is really where the action is. It is where people hang out for long hours to have a good time, and even to just waste time (hehe). The Auckland local government managed to convert the harbourfront into a buzzing place with a nice mixture of everything -- office, residential, public leisure space, entertainment, and hospitality.

[To read the rest of the post and see more pictures, click the READ MORE link below]