Friday, September 2, 2016
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
From the Darß forest to the bodden countryside
Yeyaaa...! Our summer holiday this year takes us to the coast of the Baltic Sea. While we resided in a beautifully converted century old hotel which was until 2000 a retired train station in Prerow, we spent the rest of the days outdoor. To give you an idea, Prerow lies about a 2,5 hour car drive north east of Hamburg.
We chose Prerow because we read that this Baltic seaside resort is famous for its nature, the fine sandy beaches, the picturesque landscape and the many outdoor activities we could do with kids. Being hiking buffs, that was the first item on our to do list. And my, oh my...were we in for a surprise. For the very first time, we were kind of irritated with cyclists! So much for the well promoted "the primeval Darß having more than 50 km of footpaths and cycle ways". They should consider adding a footnote that cyclists take precedent, and that hikers should only hike at their own risk when using the same "footpaths"!
After that we ditched that hiking part and adopted the if you can't-beat-them-then-join-them attitude.
There's definitely plenty to do. Kids could sign up for a couple hours of photography session at the Max Hüten Haus, go sailing, snorkeling, paddling, bird watching, wildlife spotting, hanging around on the beach, and when you run out out of ideas, there's always cycling. Ha.ha..
Footnote: Because of it's distinctive bodden countryside, be sure to pack plenty of insect repellent. There're enough body of water enclosed by the peninsula, spits and islands to provide breeding grounds to some nasty and irritating mosquitoes and other bugs of the stinging kinds.
 |
| The ubiquitous Strandkörbe along the beaches |
We chose Prerow because we read that this Baltic seaside resort is famous for its nature, the fine sandy beaches, the picturesque landscape and the many outdoor activities we could do with kids. Being hiking buffs, that was the first item on our to do list. And my, oh my...were we in for a surprise. For the very first time, we were kind of irritated with cyclists! So much for the well promoted "the primeval Darß having more than 50 km of footpaths and cycle ways". They should consider adding a footnote that cyclists take precedent, and that hikers should only hike at their own risk when using the same "footpaths"!
After that we ditched that hiking part and adopted the if you can't-beat-them-then-join-them attitude.
There's definitely plenty to do. Kids could sign up for a couple hours of photography session at the Max Hüten Haus, go sailing, snorkeling, paddling, bird watching, wildlife spotting, hanging around on the beach, and when you run out out of ideas, there's always cycling. Ha.ha..
 |
| Max Hütten Haus - let your creativity go wild! |
Footnote: Because of it's distinctive bodden countryside, be sure to pack plenty of insect repellent. There're enough body of water enclosed by the peninsula, spits and islands to provide breeding grounds to some nasty and irritating mosquitoes and other bugs of the stinging kinds.
 |
| Footnote: Eat fish |
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Bremen
What to do when you have less than 4 hours to cover Bremen with kids? And all the time you have is between 17:00 to bedtime? Simple, stick to the oldest trick when visiting German cities. Head straight for the Marketplace. As with the medieval times where Marketplaces were the sources of commercial transactions, they have not lost their importance in today's world. Though today it's more of tourist magnet.
If you have time, Bremen is a very charming city, home to to dozens for historical galleries and museums, so there's plenty to see and do. If you are hard pressed for time, plus with two tired kids in tow, then take a nice stroll along the River Weser. There's plenty of happenings to provide enough distractions for the kids to keep on walking. Then head straight for the Altstadt, and try to follow the signs - with luck you will end up at the renowned bronze statue of the Town Musicians of Bremen. I said luck, because the signs takes you around like a wild goose chase. Haha.. We found it hidden between scaffolding of the church where the statue is erected.
If you have time, Bremen is a very charming city, home to to dozens for historical galleries and museums, so there's plenty to see and do. If you are hard pressed for time, plus with two tired kids in tow, then take a nice stroll along the River Weser. There's plenty of happenings to provide enough distractions for the kids to keep on walking. Then head straight for the Altstadt, and try to follow the signs - with luck you will end up at the renowned bronze statue of the Town Musicians of Bremen. I said luck, because the signs takes you around like a wild goose chase. Haha.. We found it hidden between scaffolding of the church where the statue is erected.
 |
| A stroll along the River Weser |
 |
| A modern re-interpretation of the original bronze statue. |
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Maifeld Derby 2016
Having being part of Maifeld Derby 2015, we felt we could now be crowned semi-veterans. First a quick recap. What is Maifeld Derby? This is a beautifully organised Music Festival, attended by various international and national upcoming artists. This is the core difference - the word "upcoming", so making this festival even more important for musicians to use this as one of career launching platforms!
Like last year, we snatched up a couple of early horse tickets (yes, horse, it's not a typo) making us eligible for the entire 3 day long music event. Mind you, there were also a few readings and a magic show plus the annual must have Hobby Horse Dressage. Want to know what we did last year, please time jump back one year.
So how did we get the kids to participate in a three day long program? First, as early as three months ahead, as the bands were gradually named and made known, daddy will began his indirect indoctrination of his favorite bands and music. This was by way of Deezer, with repeated playing of the music over breakfast on weekends, and sometimes in the evening. Not forgeting the auto playlist on the car stereo, if not available, then there will be the Bluetooth via the mobile phone to Deezer. Get the drift? This method of "music indoctrination" is perfection in itself. Finally as Maifeld Derby drew close, our music taste became one and the same!
We heard Kate Tempest read and rapped. We loved MØ, SGLewis, Sara Hartman, Destroyer, Fil Bo Riva, Boy, Neufundland, Isolation Berlin, we sang along "Käptn Peng und die Tentakel von Delphi" at 22:00, and we finally beat the storm after Dinosaurs Jr.!
Like last year, we snatched up a couple of early horse tickets (yes, horse, it's not a typo) making us eligible for the entire 3 day long music event. Mind you, there were also a few readings and a magic show plus the annual must have Hobby Horse Dressage. Want to know what we did last year, please time jump back one year.
So how did we get the kids to participate in a three day long program? First, as early as three months ahead, as the bands were gradually named and made known, daddy will began his indirect indoctrination of his favorite bands and music. This was by way of Deezer, with repeated playing of the music over breakfast on weekends, and sometimes in the evening. Not forgeting the auto playlist on the car stereo, if not available, then there will be the Bluetooth via the mobile phone to Deezer. Get the drift? This method of "music indoctrination" is perfection in itself. Finally as Maifeld Derby drew close, our music taste became one and the same!
 |
| Semi-veterans Maifeld Derby fans. |
We heard Kate Tempest read and rapped. We loved MØ, SGLewis, Sara Hartman, Destroyer, Fil Bo Riva, Boy, Neufundland, Isolation Berlin, we sang along "Käptn Peng und die Tentakel von Delphi" at 22:00, and we finally beat the storm after Dinosaurs Jr.!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)