TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE DIARIES

I took these pictures of Cologne last October (2016). Many of the shots were random street scenes during my walk from the Cologne Hauptbahnhof (central train station) to the office, to the hotel and to the core centre. I do not go to Cologne anymore as I have moved on to a different role in a new company since this summer. I cannot say I miss Cologne but I do not mind visiting the city in the near future again. The view from the office window. Autumn is my favourite season. Interestingly, drivers in Cologne are quite an aggressive lot tooting their horns for what seemingly little mindless city traffic. But the local pedestrians though are very disciplined to wait for the pedestrian stop light to turn green before crossing the street, even if there is no passing car.  The Deutsche Post - Compared to the Netherlands, snail mails by post are still very big business in Germany. Some random building art which reminds me of the 1970s. ...

During one of my regular Cologne business trips last year, I managed to schedule an after work visit to a local street food market, the “Meet & Eat” at Rudolfplatz. I learned about this street food market through someone who happens to chance upon this blog. He is from Germany, also very well-travelled and is into food markets. He emailed me about this street food market tip in Cologne after having read that I visit the city regularly for work. Don’t you just love travel, culture and food tips like this? Thank you so much! So if you have a tip for me, fire away =) The market is located at Rudolfplatz, at the site of the Hahnentorburg (Hahnen Gate Tower), a restored 13-th century gate tower that was once part of the medieval city walls. The food vendors came with their (food) trucks equipped with a kitchen. Some of my travels totally revolve around food and the delightful sensory-laden experience I get from it. I obsess about market places, the local cuisine o...

My love for food is real that each year my girth is growing arrogantly. How spectacular is that? Not. Perhaps too blunt for an introduction of a blog entry about a dinner in a classy hotel restaurant. But it’s a current personal topic that I am trying to address. When you are 46 going 47 and genes stand in the way, I guess one should take it seriously. The Cologne skyline. This is the view from Hyatt Regency Cologne Hotel where the Glashaus Restaurant & Bar is located. But what I really struggle, even when I eat just a little, is that I already feel so full. I seriously envy those women who can eat and laugh their way from a starter to the main course and a dessert. When I eat out or go to gatherings where food is served, I always check the plates of others and compare it to my mine. And it only leaves me with unanswered questions – Why am I already full with ½ or ¾ of what they ate? I always end up standing for the rest of the evening because my stomach is up to my thr...