Category Archives: Holiday

Holiday, Travel New Zealand South Island

The Snares

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Snares Island also known as the Snares, is a small island 200km south of Invercargill, the snares have a land area of 3.5km Square. The island has been first sighted by European on 23 November 1791 by the Captain George Vancouver and LieutenantWilliam R. Broughton, both of the Vancouver Expedition, and called the island as the Snares they believed that the island is a shipping hazard. Unless other sub arctic islands that where affected by whaling and sealing in the late 19th the Snares remain one of the pristine islands of New Zealand.

The Island is uninhibited. The Island has the privilege that is highly protected, and get monitored by DOC. Visitors are not allowed to visit, from time to time research monitor the impact of the wild life, special permit must be asked for.

The Snares are home to the Snares Penguin, Seal Lion and Buller Albatross.

All the Snares Islands are bordered by high cliffs expect to few eastern parts. Climate is mostly influenced by weather constellation, which moving in from Australia or Arctic, weather can change rapidity.

The Snares are part of the New Zealand sub arctic Islands and are protected by UNESCO and have a world heritage status.

China, Holiday

Yangshuo; Kunming; and Haikou

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For the last 1.5 years I was planning a motorbike tour to Asia. I looked into a transport option from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur for my BMW Sertao bike. My flight was booked from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur. Early March. If I would be able to do my original plan I would ride my bike after I finished my summer season with Real Journeys to Auckland. At the end I had to change my plan due problems which could not be solved by BMW in New Zealand. Since I have bought the bike I experience problems with stalling. After many service arrangements in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Queenstown I decided not going on the bike on holiday.

I started make last minute changes and booked a flight from Queenstown to Auckland, and continued with my first booked flight to Kuala Lumpur. As soon I passed the customs I looked for a transport option to Kl, there are 2 Taxi operators one of them is a metered Taxi and charge peer Taxi meter; the other one is a fixed price, I juice fixed price option and paid 71 Ringgit to my accommodation. Be aware if your flight leave early in the morning the Taxi charge a surcharge of 50% of regular price between midnight and 6.00 am, the ride from my Hotel to airport cost me 150 Ringgit at the end.

Check in by Air Asia was easy, my flight to Guilin was on time. Guillin experienced a very heavy rainfall over last 2 days, and the humidity was very high. The immigration officer didn’t ask any question about my visit, checked my visas and return ticket that was everything, entering China was very easy. English is not widely spoken in public places. Before I left Malaysia I took a screen shoot of the Hotel name and saved it on my I-phone. It took some negotiation about the fee from Guilin Airport to Rosewood Hotel in Yangshou, Taxi driver want RMB 500 for the transport, what was to much, at the end I paid RMB 400, which seems still very expensive. We used the highway passed many small villages to the right and to the left, all of them where imbedded in between beautiful mountainous landscapes with rice fields and farmland around. Due the heavy rain the highway was covered in water sometimes it seemed like a river, the car was sometimes unstable on the road. After we used the highway the Taxi driver took a side road, which was not sealed, had many potholes and more water on the surface. At this time I have had no idea what direction the taxi was taking, houses got less and less. After 40 more minutes we reached Yangzhou. The rain was still pouring down and I showed the Taxi driver the Hotels address once more, he stopped beside a Hotel which didn’t look like Rosewood Hotel at all, my driver took a second look and rove down the road to an other Hotel which didn’t look Rosewood again, he “called” the Hotel and reversed the Taxi, than stopped in the same road, hotel here, took my bag out of the boot of the taxi and the taxi dissapierd. I was happy that I reached the hotel. As I checked in, no one spoke English oops I thought something is wrong. However we called the Hotel I have booked, the direction I had to take was very easy go to the petrol station opposite the hotel and turn right go to the next round about and turn left, by the bridge turn right again. I started walking in the warm summer rain up the road, kept walking and walking, endless long roads, in the pouring rain. Last time I have been soaked that much it was in Milford Sound the only difference this time was that I have been asked every few meter if I need an umbrella, if I would have one it wouldn’t make a difference, by now, because I have been drenched already. But I couldn’t find the 2nd bridge, where I have turn right, as wet I was I went into a Hotel I passed and asked the receptionist, usually in every Hotel, Bank or Post office is one person who is speaking English, not to worry if you get lost, we called my Hotel once more, one of the office staff had to walk from Rosewood Hotel to the Hotel I was stranded, to pick me up. I couldn’t believe I have been so close to Rosewood Hotel already; it took us only 3 minutes walking.

I received a very warm welcome in the Hotel, with one glass of warm water and a towel. The Hotel is on the main street, at night time all social live is around, bars restaurant KTV are just beside, West Street is absolute boozing full of party hungry people, party time is until early morning. In many bars is live music, and karaoke. In the early morning hours is not much happen, break fast is taken in one of the restaurants, it doesn’t take long until first Tour Guides get in contact and dry to sell tours on a Tuk Tuk, motorbike, or bicycle. Few of guides where approaching me, at the end I booked a motorbike tour with Peter a local from Yangshuo. Following morning he picked me up in the Hotel, after a short walk we picked up our motorbikes. And left City and went into the country side, we passed many rice fields and went further down to the Li River, stopped by one of the old villages, after a short break we took off, the further we went the better it got, one other highlight was to stop at a melon plantation, one of the farmer came along with fresh harvested melons, without pealing skin off I took a big bite into the melon, the sweetness was awesome, even today I can remember the taste of it. Thanks my guide we took many beaten tracks through the farmland, many rice fields, and more plantations. Out of nowhere came a big black snake moving over the path. Now we where in snake territory!!! We continued out tour and had one more stop by moon rock. The whole tour took us at the end 6h. But 6 hours is not enough time to see all the fascinating country, I found out that would be a nice place to stay for a while, my time was limited this time. After I went back to my accommodation I got changed and get ready for nightlife, nightlife does not disappoint at all in Yangshuo. In general it is not easy to find a chines cooking class Omeida Academy offers different classes in cooking, I booked a 3 day intense cooking class. Classroom where located in an old farm house in the country side around 15 mins drive out of Yangshuo.

This time I took the public bus from Yangshuo to Guilin International Airport, to get my flight to Kunming in Yunnan Province. My taxi was waiting already in Kunming it took me 1.5h to get to my accommodation. I found a very cozy Hostel with very good references on Trip Advisor. It is called Lost Garden Guesthouse all staff is fluent in English and dressed in traditional costumes. The check in, was very relaxed and took its time. The rooms are very comfortable, and very quiet at nighttime. To my surprise the menu is very European, fancy salads, different kind of Pizzas, and pasta was on offer, at first I was suspicious about the food option, but I Joyce to eat in today and ordered a vegetarian pizza, pizza dough was home made a perfect cooked tomato sauce and a topping which best ingredients. There was no difference to an Italian Restaurant in Italy from taste flavor and presentation; the only difference to Europe was that no European chef was in the kitchen. I rate the food the most authentic Italian food outside Italy. Yuantong Temple is a 10 mins walk away from the Guesthouse and dated back more than 1200 years grandest and most important Buddhist Temple in Yunnan province, the temple closes at 5.00 pm. Next street down to the Temple is Kunming Zoo located. Dynamic Yunnan is an international awarded winning musical. Bird and flower market is on old street and is open until late, very good for souvenirs to buy.

Kunming is nearly 2000m above sea level, in summer month temperatures are moderate, not to hot.

After I visited Kunming for a week, there was still a week left before my departure back to Kuala Lumpur. For the whole holiday I have had a gut feeling that I need go back to Haikou for a visit, and to catch up with my friends. Usually air tickets are very expensive from any airport in China to Haikou. The only day I was able to fly to Haikou and back to Kunming was on sale, 70% off the regular price. I finalized my booking. One day before departure I received a message from my friend that Hainan got hit by a typhoon and the airport was closed for the whole day. My thought, went crazy, not again a cancelation of my flight, because I canceled my visit already for 2 times. The day my flight was booked I took a taxi to the Airport, at first there was a delay on the departure board. After some time passed by the delay changed to go to boarding gate.

I booked the same Hotel where I did stay 2 years ago. Nothing has changed, at Sheraton Haikou Resort Check in was fast, my room had sea view this time. A very welcoming place is always the sea breeze bar.

Haikou is one of the most beautiful city’s of china, with a no air pollution; its living cost is even very affordable.

 

Holiday

Auckland Island

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Auckland Island is the biggest subarctic island, which belong to New Zealand, and is 465 km southeast from Bluff peninsula. With a combined area of 625sq km, the Island is uninhabited by humans, there is a wide variation of wild life all over the island, yellow eyed penguins, albatross, elephant seals and the nearly extinguished snipe enjoy the idyllic isolation on the island.

On the Island are 2 hikes, both of them start close to the landing site by research station, from there on; for the first few meter you need to pass sea lion colony, usually the seal are very relaxed and sleep. One of the walk is a 3 hour return broad-walk very easy to do, which winds up to a higher altitude, you pass wetlands, small forest and rata trees. Yellow eyed penguin’s nest very close to the broad-walk, and are not shy by passing tourists as long they keep a safety distance of a few meter. All the way long the scenery change, to take a look back to the harbour is magnificent. At the far end is a small rest area, which invite you for a while to stay and have a snack. From that point the second longer walk turn off, and it takes around 5 to 6 hours back to the starting point.

The walk follow the cliff line, and pass many different fauna and landscapes. Albatross nests in December and early January, Elephant Seals are playing on higher altitude in the fields. As we took our lunch break one of the seals came very close to check out what is happening in his isolated area, it was a great experience to see the seal that close, not more than a back pack in between us, the seal was nearly the same high than me as he stood up on his flippers. But soon he lost his interest and he turned around and disappeared in the high grass. We continued our walk close to the cliff the view from there is overwhelming, the look down to the roaring sea open a variety of rugged rocks and dancing sea weed in the water, the swell was very thundering as soon it hit the cliff and the waves look like he explode in all directions with thundering noise. We took a rest in the sun in an open area it must be the location where the Derry Castel sunk in 1887, a monument remind to that tragedy that time. Soon we continued our walk through high flex and toi toi, on that part was no marker just we knew that we need to keep left and leave the forest on the right; it took some time to walk through that area. But we needed to turn back few times and look for a new track, all the tracks are made by seals and penguins, and going in all directions.

Penguin and seals are nesting in the overgrown area, if you get to close both animals make some noise, as a warning before you get to close.

After we walked through the flex we passed an open area from there we could see already where we need to go, we passed a beach, walked through an forest I never seen before.

Our last few meter back to the starting point where the most exiting for me, we need to pass an elephant seal colony.

 

Holiday

Antarctica

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It was just one more normal day as I boarded the Ship Spirit of Enderby in Bluff, with a different destination I travel to; this time I t will take me more than 30 days for the round trip to Antarctica, with stops at the Snares Island, Macquarie Island and on the way back at Champbell Island.

The ocean lower a 45 Lat until 60 Lat, is usually very unpredictable it belong to the roughest sea on earth. I did experience the motion of the ship every early not far away from Stewart Island the wind was around 40 knots and the swell was moderate 7 meters, but the small ship started rolling constantly from port to starboard side un aware what will come later that trip. The ship traveled to the rough sea very slow through the rough sea, the sell was as high as 18 meters chilly cold gale-force wind hit the small boat from all directions on the incredible trip, at the end it take us around 9 days on sea harsh sea to reach Ross Sea, every stops on the way, was very welcoming, to get a few hours sleep in a harbour the ships was anchoring. Some days it was impossible to find a good sleep at night time due the rolling ship, I laid on my bed and moved constantly from top to bottom of the bead in the same movement and ankle the ship was rolling, there was no mercy to stay in bead in the morning I had to get up around 6.30 am to prepare breakfast for 58 passengers which experienced the same on this trip, the menu changed daily everything what was cooked took longer than normal on land, what is absolute normal, due the rough sea and rolling ship. After the breakfast was finished I need to start to prepare lunch, and dinner. I found out that the work on a small ship is more to be very good organized and use every spare minute to do enough preparation, you simply just don’t know how rough the sea will be few hours down to Antarctica. There where days I had only 3 hours sleep following with a very busy day of cooking and do all the expeditions as well.

As soon we passed 60th Lat we have had 24 h daylight, our goal was to leave the ship at any time and as fast as possible, as soon the weather and sea allowed to go on land; it could be at 2.00 am or 5.00am it doesn’t matter. We did a lot of multi hour hikes; one of my favorites one was; to visit Scott Hut and Shackelton Hut. Both Huts are perfectly conserved by Heritage Trust everything is set up, as it was the time the most sophisticated explorer used to live. It has been looked at all little details from the past. In Shackelton Hut is the original newspaper for display, which dated back to 1909. Shack Elton’s hand written signature is still visible on the head of the bed.

We did few more landings one of them was Franklin Island which is famous for the Adeline Penguin, as we arrived the sun was just on the right spot to lighten up the whole place it was at 2.30 this time the temperature was 6C and no wind, great to sit beside the penguin colony to take many pictures photographers are waiting for, I need just sitting beside the shore and need to wait that the penguins passing by. It was a incredible experience despite we walking around and keeping the respected distance to the wild life, the penguins didn’t bother we where around, as soon I sat still at one spot the penguins got nosy and came closer to investigate what happen around them, one of them was that cheeky and investigated my camera bag which was just sitting beside me.

We even so visited the first build hut, which dated back to 1899. At Cape Adore to my surprise the hut was build without any window, may there must be a good reason to keep as much warmth as possible in the hut. Today the whole place where former the explorer used to live are taken over by penguins.

Sadly we couldn’t visit Mc Murdow Station and Scott Base, the ross see was completely frozen, instate we cruised around the open sea and looked at Ross Sea Orca, Mink Whale and more Penguin’s. This day we have had an unexpected highlight for every one, we anchored or ship at the ice, transferred tables and hot chocolate to the ice and served our dessert open air, what a great experience that was I cant explain or describe, blue sky mild breeze from the water, and out of no where few fin’s from hunting orcas, penguins jumped out of the water on save ice one after another that was an lucky escape for all penguins, all Orcas dissapierd as fast the show up.

It was already time to move more north on the way we planed a stop at Champbell Island it took us 5 days at sea non stop sea was not to rough to say a swell of around 14m, the ship was rolling from side to side again but not to serious, live in the galley was good and the moral in good form, despite we traveled already more than 20 days with many challenges and many days and nights with only few hours of sleep. As Spirit of Enderby arrived at Champbell Island every one was relived to have solid ground underneath the feet, this was my only time I didn’t went on land. I decided to bake some more fresh bread as long we where on anchor. The next day looked very rough and the sea rougher than every condition we have experienced before, northerly 60 to 70knt!!!! Live in galley will be challenging once more and all of us will need all our experience to do a good work to satisfy our customer. The sea was already rough in the harbour at Champbell Island as soon we hit the sea holly cow, ship was dancing and rolling on the swell from side to sides, one crew member showed up in the galley and said that we reached an ankle of 52 degree port side, every thing, pots, trays, boxes moved from one side of the galley to the other side even I slide into the oven, my arm was bruised and showed two days later a blue mark. It was a rough day.

The last two days where the most challenging days on the whole trip; full of challenges in the galley, still today I don’t find an answer how we managed to cook in those rough condition and more to my surprise how we served the food, starter, main course and dessert without broken china and plates. The only conclusion I have we had a very good team spirit on the ship, every one helped the time the help was needed, operation manager, team leader, hotel manager to keep the service moving, it was a great experience for me to work for Heritage Expedition for those trip. The time I write this blog I’m back for 5 weeks and I miss the everyday challenge already. I am not surprised that the sea to Antarctica is called the roughest sea on earth. I loved to be there every day.

If some one juice to go to Antarctica on the first cruise, every other cruise will be plain sailing, may a bit disappointing too.

At the end I have to say a big thank you to every one, Nathan to give me the change to prove my self in the galley, Joss to encouraged me to take the job, and Don McTyre our very experienced Expedition leader, and all the team who support me all the time.

 

Holiday, Thailand

Koh Lipe

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Maldives of Thailand

 

Koh Lipe is one of the smallest islands, which belong to Thailand; this small gem is located in Andaman Sea. In the summer month is a ferry shuttle going from Langkawi twice a day to Koh Lipe, the ferry ride is going through the open sea and take around 1.5h for the 35 km journey. Many little island passing by on the left and right side of the boat.

The first highlight is at arriving at the harbor at Koh Lipe, there is no jetty or any thing look like, small boats which called taxi too will stop beside the ferry and the passenger have disembark on the open see and climb into the local boats to get on land.

For the last few meters each individual has to walk a short distance through the warm crystal clear water to the beach to get to the Immigration where the passport get hand handed back to each visitor, the whole procedure was a new experience to me, the immigration officer was calling the nationality and name of the passport holder.

 

Just beside the immigration office is Harmony café and bakery located, I would say the best long black coffee on the island, a small selection of international bakery is offered too such as Danish, Muffins and Scones.

 

The taxi service is based on motorbikes with sidecars, easy to get on and get a lift to the booked accommodation. On our first night we stayed at sunset beach at Porn Resort in a small bungalow, which was very warm, and no air conditioning was set up just a fan on the wall. For my first time I saw a tarantula spider in the room as I went for a toilet at nighttime, it scared the s… out of me because I didn’t expect anything like that to see at the wall in the bathroom. Spider was around 5 cm in diameter.

 

Our second night we spend at Wapi Resort which is located at sunrise beach, south of the Thai Andaman Sea, this resort is absolute spotless clean any where you look. Free Wi-Fi gets provided on the whole property. At the beach is the massage center located I took a traditional Thai massage which was very relaxing to listen to the soft rolling of the waves at the beach.

 

On the next day we booked a snorkeling trip by Baan Kasirin, which included 5 individual stops on different location, we had nothing to took at food was provided, drinks, fins and snorkeling mask even swim vests every thing was provided. All locations where special with so many different corals on the ground the visibility was awesome crystal clear water, the corals where very color full and the fishes where in all bright colors you can imagine, yellow, orange, green, purple. I never experienced that much variation of fishes in the water.

 

On our final and last night we want stay some where close in town and we booked Lipe Inn Motel, the price is reasoble but no breakfast get served. Every thing is in the room what is needed free water bottles, shower and a air conditioning.

For breakfast we went for one of the street stands, and ordered Thai panama and chocolate pancake, mango and sticky rice, and to drink a fresh coconut, the perfect start into the day.

It take us just few minutes to walk into the main street, to get our last dinner in one of the famous fish restaurants, don’t get surprised if the restaurant is not open at 6.00pm, it is far to early. All the staff set up the BBQ and fresh fish display in front of the restaurant. All kind of fish is available squid, jumbo prawns, tuna, crab is only a few I can remember, charged get peer kg. One of my best seafood I ever had.

 

The ferry to Koh Lipe from Langkawi operates only in the summer month. It depart from Telaga Harbour to Koh lipe twice a day. The seats on the ferry are very limited if you want guarantee a seat I would recommend to make a online booking few days before you travel.

 

 

Holiday, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

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2D1N in Kuala Lumpur

After about 10 hours of flight with Malaysia Airlines, finally I reached in Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Auckland. It was 830pm by then and time to hunt for dinner. It took about 45minutes to drive from airport to Sunway Pyramid.

Malaysia is a multi-racial country with so many races living together harmoniously. The food therefore affected by cultures and there are so much varieties here. We looked for dinner around Sunway town and decided to go for Murni Discovery Restaurant, Dataran Mentari. It is one of the only restaurants in town that serves fusion, custom-made food (Indian-Malay-Chinese-Western-Italian). Murni Discovery Restaurant is an Indian Muslim restaurant. We ordered the recommended dishes which are Nasi Lemak Murni Discovery, Roti Hawaii and 3 Layer Tea. There was a big projector screen located outside the restaurant showing the football match. At night there are many tables and chairs located next to road to accommodate more customers. This is a typical night life of Malaysians which is called “Mamak” (Indian-Muslim eatery). To locals, “mamak” is a popular term that also means to have late dinner at Indian Muslim restaurant with group of friends.

After dinner, we walked around Sunway Pyramid mall which is just next to Hotel Sunway Pyramid. Sunway Pyramid is located in the heart of Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya. It was opened in July 1997. One of the mall’s most easily recognized designs is the Egyptian-inspired Pyramid with a lion “standing guard” at the entrance. The rest of the building is embellished in the monumental style, complete with pseudo-hieroglyphics decorating facades, along with numerous Pharonic statuaries. Then we went for a drink at Overtime bar outside Sunway Pyramid mall and ordered local well known beer, Tiger.

Next day, after breakfast then we had a walk around Sunway Pyramid mall. The mall was fully decorated in conjunction with Indian festival celebrated on previous day. It was Deepavali festival, a festival celebrated by all Hindus to commemorate Lord Rama and his wife, Sita’s return to Ayodhya after his 14 years exile. It was a dark night when they first returned hence his people lit their houses with little lamps (diyas) so that Rama and Sita could find their way.

Then we proceed to next destination, Batu Caves which is about 20km away from Sunway Pyramid. Batu Caves is a limestone hill that has a series of caves and Indian cave temples in the Gombak district, 13km north of Kuala Lumpur. It takes its name from the Sungai Batu or Batu River which flows past the hill. When we arrived at destination, the 140 foot tall concrete statue of Murugan is clearly seen at the foot of 272 stairs which leads to the temple caves. The caves are home to colonies of long-tailed mazaque monkeys which roam the stairs and the caves. After getting up to the temple caves, we could see small openings letting in natural light and there is a smaller gallery up another flight of stairs, mostly open to the sky. There are many natural formations cave features like stalactites and stalagmites which are precipitated from mineralized water solutions. As we walked towards temple, there are water droplets from caves ceiling and the floor is wet.

Before leaving, I tried on the Fortune-Telling Bird. I was asked for my name at the start then a bird was let out to pluck a fortune card from a pile in front of the cage. The Hindu priest would then open up the card and tell about your life with a book in hand. Personally I think it is pretty accurate.

 

Next, we visited a Tamil Muslim operated store in a portable van. It has been there for years and getting more customers nowadays. We ordered a dessert named Cendol and well known Indian food, Rojak. Cendol is a traditional dessert made with brown sugar, coconut milk and green worm-like jelly. It is very refreshing to have during a warm day. Whereas Rojak is a traditional fruit and vegetable salad dish and it means mixture in Malay language. Our next stop is a well known Durian stall located at SS2. Durian is the King of the Fruits with strong putrid odors. Its shape ranges from oblong to round. There are many hybrids of Durian; we had the popular one called ‘Mao Shan Wang’. The price is expensive due to its non-seasonal price with RM35 per Kilogram. After Durian tasting then we went to the nearby night market. There are even more local dishes offered by various hawker stalls, ranging from traditional Malay snacks, Keropok, Chinese Dumplings etc. You name it and you can find them all in the market.

As the night falls, we drove into Kuala Lumpur city centre for Petronas Twin Towers. Soaring for a height of 451.9 metres, the 88-storey twin structure is Kuala Lumpur’s crown jewel. The towers are connected with Skybridge which is the world’s highest 2-storey bridge. Even though we were trapped in traffic jam but we were lucky to be in time for the water fountain light show outside the Petronas Towers. The KLCC Lake Symphony is a new attraction in the form of light and music fountain whose virtuosic performances of lights and water “dancing” to music fire the imagination and illuminate the night. The water shows scheduled 8pm daily. We waited about 40 minutes for the show and it is worthwhile.

After the Lake Symphony show, we headed to another happening place in Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang Street which is the last stop of the day. The whole stretch of street is full of bars alongside and usually is crowded at night. There are many shopping malls around the area like Fahrenheit, Lot 10, Pavilion, Bukit Bintang mall and etc. You may name it as the shopping paradise. About 10pm we bid farewell to Kuala Lumpur and headed to airport.

 

 

 

 

 

China, Holiday, Uncategorized

Peng Chau

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Peng Chau

Peng Chau is a small island located north eastern coast of Lantau Island., Hong Kong, which as a n area of 0.99km2.

Peng Chau is well known for his isolated island life style, accessibility to fresh seafood. Several temples are located on different locations of the Island, the most important one is the Tin Hau Temple build in 1792 and is on the highest point of the Island, Fingers Hill which is 95m.

 

Transportation

 

The main mode of transportation on the Island is the bicycle, there are no cars on the island apart from small construction, and emergency cars.

Peng Chau is accessible by ferry from Hong Kong ferry terminal, Central or Kowloon, or from Mui Wo, Chi Ma Wan, and Cheung Chau. Kai to  ferries is operating from Discovery Bay from Lantau Island.

Peng Chau is linked to Tai Lei Island by a bride. The bridge is a popular fishing spot by the locals.

 

External links

Peng Chau

Green Peng Chau Association

 

China, Holiday

Lamma Island

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Lamma Island

Lamma Island also known as Pok Liu Chau, is the third largest Island in Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Island District.

Lamma was named after the shape of the island that looks like a fork of a tree.

The original name of the island is Pok Liu. The island is shaped like two Y in opposite direction. When the British came first to the island, they used the colloquial pronunciation of Lam Ah (Lamma) as the name of the island. Another folk say that the name came from a former Lamaist monastery of the island.

 

Geography

Lamma Island is located to the southwest of Hong Kong. It has an area of 13.55km2 and is 7km in length. The northern village is called Yung Shue Wan, and the eastern village is called Sok Kwu Wan. Not many people live on Lamma Island, there is a hiking track going from Yung Shue Wan to the other side of the island Sok Kwu Wan, both villages get served by Ferry from Hong Kong. Sham Wan is a important breeding colonies for sea turtles.

 

About the island

Lamma Island is in contrast of Hong Kong Island, peaceful and isolated, with relatively natural scenery. The island has no air pollution. There are no buildings higher than three story’s allowed on the Island. The only cars that are allowed are for police force, ambulance and construction vehicles.

The community only transport is the bicycle or walk on foot. Property and rent is in comparison to Hong Kong very cheap and affordable. Lamma Island is very popular with young people and musicians.

 

Transportation

There are regular ferry services to Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan from Central on Hong Kong, as well as from Yung Shue Wan via Pak Kok, and to Sok Kwu Wan via Mo Tat Wan, from Aberdeen. It takes about 25 minutes by ferry between Yung Shue Wan to Central at Hong Kong.

External links

Lammazine

 

Holiday, Turkey

Istanbul

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Istanbul

Istanbul is the larges city in turkey, constituting to the country’s economic, culture, and history. Meanwhile Istanbul reached a population of 14 million people in the city, and make the city the largest one in Europe.

Istanbul is a transparent city that is build on both side of the Bosporus, the worlds most busiest motorway. The Bosporus waterway divides Istanbul into Europe part, as soon you cross on the Bosporus Bridge or the second bridge Faith Sultan Mehmet Bridge to the other side of Istanbul, Asia start. It is important to know if you going to hire cars, some rental companies have a clause with restrictions on the Asian side of Istanbul. The City had a strong position along the historic Silk Road network to Europe and the Middle East, and the only sea route between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

Approximately 11.6 million people visitors arrived in the City in 2012 after it was named a European Capital of Culture. Making the city the world’s 5th most popular tourist destination. Although the Republic of Turkey established capital in Ankara, places and imperial Mosques still line Istanbul’s hills as visible remainder of the city’s previous roll.

History

However the history of Istanbul begins around 660 BC, when the Greek settlers from Megara start to build Byzantium of the European side of the Bosporus. The settlers proceeded to build an acropolis adjacent to the Golden Horn on the site of the early Thracian settlements, fuelling the nascent city’s economy. The City experienced a short period of Persian rule at the turn of the 5th century BC. But the Greek recaptured it during the Greco Persian War.  Byzantium then continued as part of the Athenian League and its successor, the second Athenian Empire, before ultimately became independent in 355 BC. Long allied with the Romans, Byzantium officially became a part of the Roman Empire in 73 AD.

Geography

Istanbul is located in north western Turkey in the Marmara Region in a total of 5.343 square kilometres. The Bosporus connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea. Istanbul is located near the North Anatolian Fault, close to the boundary between the African and Eurasian Plates. This fault zone, which runs from northern Anatolia to the Sea of Marmara, has been responsible for several deadly earthquakes through the city’s history. Between the most devastating of this tragic seismic activity was in 1509 earthquake, which caused a Tsunami that broke over the wall of the city and killed more than 10.000 people. More recently, in 1999, an earthquake with its epicentre in zmit left 18.000 people dead. The people of Istanbul stay concerned that an even more catastrophic seismic event may be in the near City future, as thousands of structures recently build to accommodate Istanbul’s rapidity increasing population may not have been constructed properly.

Climate

Istanbul has a border line Mediterranean Climate and humid subtropical climate. Since it has only two warm summer month with less than 40mm of rain fall, the city can not be classified as solely Mediterranean or humid subtropical. Due its size and location Istanbul has a microclimate. Northern part of the City expresses characteristics of oceanic climate because of the humidity of the Black Sea. The climate to the more populated areas of the city of the south is warmer and less affected by humidity.

Winter are colder in Istanbul than in most other cities around the Mediterranean Basin, with low temperatures averaging 4-5°C. Spring and autumn are mild but often wet and unpredictable; chilly winds from the north west and warm guts from the south, it could happen on the same day. The highest and lowest temperature ever recorded in the city are 40°C and -16.1°C.

Culture

Istanbul was known as cultural hub, but its cultural scene stagnated after the Turkish Republic shifted its focus towards Ankara. The new national Turkish Government established programs that served the oriental Turks towards music traditions, speciality those originating in Europe.

Coinciding with this cultural reemergence was the establishment of the Istanbul Festival, which began showcasing a variety of art from Turkey and around the world in 1973. From this flagship festival came the International Istanbul Film Festival and the Istanbul International Jazz Festival in the early 1980s. With its focus now solely on music and dance, the Istanbul Festival has been known as the Istanbul International Music Festival since 1994. The most prominent of the festivals that evolved from the original Istanbul Festival is the Istanbul Biennial, held every two years since 1987. While its early incarnations were aimed at showcasing Turkish visual art, it has since opened to international artists and risen in prestige to become among the elite biennales, alongside the Venice Biennale and the São Paulo Art Biennial.

 

External link

Official website of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality

Istanbul

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality: Istanbul Bulteni Magazine official website

For more information I refer to:

Wikipedia

 

My travel experience

 

When I arrived in Istanbul at the Airport I have have been very surprised that German was widely spoken, and English too. At the airport are many Taxi stands who offer transport into the city and to your booked accommodation, before you take the first deal you have to check the prices with different companies usually the first offer is to high and the price is coming down if you compare. The town has a lot of history to offer such as the Sultans Palace, or the Blue Mosk is only few ot the attractions, definitely you should visit one of the historic Souk’s, I went to one in the historic part of Istanbul.