KalliHH, Nistertal, Germany

RikeH


Posted Sep 5, 2010, 8:51 pm
Hello World,

Hi it's me - KalliHH the Bee. I love to fly around and talk to others. Next to me you see HelgaHH, a friendly ladybird - she is my best friend.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/RikeH_2009/A2010c/IMG_1049.jpg

We both love flowers - as you can see.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/RikeH_2009/A2010c/IMG_1050.jpg

I am not sure if the purple one is nicer...

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/RikeH_2009/A2010c/IMG_1051.jpg

...or the yellow one. What do you think?

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/RikeH_2009/A2010c/IMG_1054.jpg

Hey, HelgaHH called me - she found some nice grapes...

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/RikeH_2009/A2010c/IMG_1055.jpg

...and shared the grapes with me.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/RikeH_2009/A2010c/IMG_1057.jpg

There were so many grapes - so we invited a friendly bunny - Dicker Kumpel, who walked through the garden. You know - I love to talk - so we talked a lot - and he told us about ToyVoyagers. What a great idea - I want to try it out!!!

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/RikeH_2009/A2010c/IMG_1058.jpg

Please help me and invite me! 

Greetings
KalliHH
RikeH


Posted Sep 13, 2010, 1:12 pm
Hello again,

today I will start my travel. I said good-bye to Dicker Kumpel and HelgaHH.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/RikeH_2009/A2010c/IMG_1156.jpg

HelgaHH went to the envelope with me – I will miss her.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/RikeH_2009/A2010c/IMG_1157.jpg

Hopefully the trip will be fast – and I will meet becka_kate soon. Australia I am coming!

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/RikeH_2009/A2010c/IMG_1158.jpg

Bye
KalliHH
becka_kate


Posted Sep 27, 2010, 8:43 am
Hi
I arrived safely about a week ago. We apologise that I didn't check in straight away, but it was the last week of the school term and just so hectic!
I spent the week hanging out in Bec's classroom, improving my English. I was surrounded by lots of great company, as most of the students at the school are learning English as a second language as well!
I am proud to say that after a week of instruction I have...


* brushed up on the alphabet,

* learned lots of  great words,

* can tell you all about action verbs

* have enjoyed reading about how plants grow!

Now, its school holidays, and I'm very excited because on Wednesday morning, we're hopping on a plane to visit Adelaide & Kangaroo Island!
Will write more then.
Bye
becka_kate


Posted Oct 5, 2010, 11:45 am
Up bright and early this morning, ready to make the trek to the airport and down to Adelaide, the capital of South Australia!

Adelaide is a beautiful city, the first city in Australia to be settled by free citizens and not as a penal colony.

After checking in at our hostel we raced over to the Haigh's Chocolate Factory for their free tour. If you ever come to Adelaide, this tour is highly recommended (and their chocolate is great - just ask AbbyB!) Haigh's is  the oldest family-owned chocolate manufacturing retailer in Australia and they apprenticed under Lindt, so that should tell you how yummy their chocolates are, though the chocolate is so rich that by the end of the tour we were slightly chocolated out!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5053478345_df617ceef0.jpgKalliHH in Adelaide by becka_kate, on Flickr

After the chocolate factory we walked back into Adelaide centre at a much slower pace than when we walked out, enjoying the scenery and the beautiful gardens that surround the inner city. These beautiful flowers are a native called a bottle brush  - because they look like the brushes used to clean bottles!! Clever people these Australians!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5054098564_09d5d6d5ed.jpgKalliHH in Adelaide by becka_kate, on Flickr
becka_kate


Posted Oct 5, 2010, 11:57 am
We headed for the famous Rundle Mall, Adelaide’s main shopping area. We did a little window shopping and checked out some of the popular sculptures that line the arcade, like the silver balls and the piggies.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5054098804_30cb8d6f68.jpgKalliHH in Adelaide by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5053479129_db2b99b896.jpgKalliHH in Adelaide by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5054099286_d627a17584.jpgKalliHH in Adelaide by becka_kate, on Flickr
(Don't you love how happy this piggie looks?)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5054099380_c04ebdbf1a.jpgKalliHH in Adelaide by becka_kate, on Flickr
(Even the rubbish is sculpted!)

This is Bec’s (and, with its name!), I think my favourite building in Adelaide – Beehive Corner, home of a Haigh’s Chocolate shop!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5054099960_01d1fcba87.jpgKalliHH in Adelaide by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5054100244_af8327be98.jpgKalliHH in Adelaide by becka_kate, on Flickr

Mmmmm…. Chocolate frogs, chocolate pandas, chocolate bilbies & chocolate Murray River Cod (though I’m not too sure about the idea of chocolate fish!)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5054099756_87b47ef0cf.jpgKalliHH in Adelaide by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5054099858_eea199be59.jpgKalliHH in Adelaide by becka_kate, on Flickr

On our way back to the hostel we stumbled upon these really cool murals. Aren't they great?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5054100370_0fbf29bb23.jpgKalliHH in Adelaide by becka_kate, on Flickr
becka_kate


Posted Oct 5, 2010, 12:41 pm
Today we visited the Coorong National Park, which consists of a large lagoon where the Murrary River meets the Southern Ocean. It is home to many types of birds and the destination of many migratory birds, some of whom fly here for the summer from as far away as Alaska and Siberia!

To access the Coorong, we had to pass through a lock at the Goolwa barrage, which was built to keep the fresh water of that part of the  Murray from the salt water of the ocean.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5054131884_c3ef094a19.jpgKalliHH @ Coorong National Park by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5053512171_59964a17c2.jpgKalliHH @ Coorong National Park by becka_kate, on Flickr

Can you see the sea lion sunning itself on the wharf?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5054132094_5f91519564.jpgKalliHH @ Coorong National Park by becka_kate, on Flickr


Time for lunch on our cruise... a typical Aussie picnic lunch - cold meat, garden salad, pasta salad & coleslaw with bread and butter. Followed with a cup of tea. Does this count towards my mission??
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5053512391_e3b0331334.jpgKalliHH @ Coorong National Park by becka_kate, on Flickr

Further along we came across the dredging operation that has been in action for last few years desperately trying to keep the mouth of the Murray River open. This has become a problem due both to the drought and over use of the water system by farms all along the Murray. Did you know that the Murray is the largest river system in Australia?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5054132318_5d4804f93a.jpgKalliHH @ Coorong National Park by becka_kate, on Flickr

And, here it is... where the Murray meets the sea, well, the Southern Ocean to be exact!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5054132420_b710b30b31.jpgKalliHH @ Coorong National Park by becka_kate, on Flickr

The beach was covered with all these beautiful cockle shells :D
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/5054132698_ab34c97f22.jpgKalliHH @ Coorong National Park by becka_kate, on Flickr

This is just such a beautiful part of the world.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5054133002_fc303990e9.jpgKalliHH @ Coorong National Park by becka_kate, on Flickr

And here I am on the edge of the Southern Ocean. Next stop.... Antarctica!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5054133146_cfea3db1cd.jpgKalliHH @ Coorong National Park by becka_kate, on Flickr

To get here we had to cross some pretty huge sand dunes (Luckily the track was marked with a Dutch ladder, which made it a lot easier than it might look here!)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5054133250_dbb80b751c.jpgKalliHH @ Coorong National Park by becka_kate, on Flickr

Sand dunes are quite a challenge for a tiny ToyVoyager!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5053513539_7640ccda16.jpgKalliHH @ Coorong National Park by becka_kate, on Flickr

Soon it was time to head back to Adelaide, meet up with our other travelling companion (who had passed on the Coorong trip, preferring to go wine tasting) and prepare for our next little adventure.
becka_kate


Posted Oct 5, 2010, 12:55 pm
Day three of our South Australian adventure and we hired a car to head out into the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley where I started to really feel at home. This was because of the history of the area... it was primarily settled by German immigrants in the mid 1800s and this influences a lot of the tourist industry in the area.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5054205568_13529ba1d9.jpgKalliHH - Barossa Valley by becka_kate, on Flickr

The area is also well known (world over) for its wineries.
Nearly everyway you look you can see vineyards stretching out over the mountains.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5054205682_121aa0c198.jpgKalliHH - Barossa Valley by becka_kate, on Flickr
becka_kate


Posted Oct 5, 2010, 1:01 pm
Next stop, Gumeracha (pronounced Gum-er-ack-a), home of the Big Rocking Horse - the biggest rocking horse in the world. It is 18.3 metres or 60.0 feet, approximately the height of a six-storey building!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5053585659_00702dc425.jpgKalliHH - Barossa Valley by becka_kate, on Flickr

Just to show you roughly how far from home I was....
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5054206288_9f7e12ba65.jpgKalliHH - Barossa Valley by becka_kate, on Flickr

Bec was disappointed that Sydney was missing from the Australian places signpost.
becka_kate


Posted Oct 5, 2010, 1:21 pm
Soon we headed on to Hahndorf for lunch, but on the way we got a little bit lost and while looking for somewhere to turn the car around came across Fairy Land Villiage, home to tiny cottages containing animatronic figures from many of the Grimm's Fairy Tales and other popular children's stories. Very strange we thought and of course we had to go in and check it all out!

Red Riding Hood...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/5054206590_8a986870fd.jpgKalliHH - Barossa Valley by becka_kate, on Flickr

Alice in Wonderland...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5053586245_11797b7fd1.jpgKalliHH - Barossa Valley by becka_kate, on Flickr

and a really cool playground where I got to see what it's like to ride a kangaroo!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5054206466_c97e9d88e2.jpgKalliHH - Barossa Valley by becka_kate, on Flickr

becka_kate


Posted Oct 5, 2010, 1:30 pm
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5054207020_d96a204ddc.jpgKalliHH - Barossa Valley by becka_kate, on Flickr (translation please?? My German is seriously rusty. Have worked out most, but need help! Thanks  :rolleyes:)

Finally we made it into Hahndorf, in time for a very late lunch of kransky's and saurkraut at one of the German Inns that the town is famous for.

Hahndorf is Australia's oldest surviving German settlement. The first settlement took place in 1839 when Prussian Lutheran families arrived and you can see this influence in many of the old buildings.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5053586711_7d1edf4752.jpgKalliHH - Barossa Valley by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5053586897_64fd9c07b8.jpgKalliHH - Barossa Valley by becka_kate, on Flickr
becka_kate


Posted Oct 5, 2010, 1:50 pm
Yay! Kangaroo Island and our reason for heading off to South Australia!

Kangaroo Island is the third largest island in Australia (not counting mainland Australia!) It is 155 km (96 miles) from east to west, 55 km (34.5 miles) at its widest point and 1 km (.6 miles) at its narrowest point and home to most species of Australian animals, including some that have been made extinct on the mainland and can only be found here on the island.

It was named Kangaroo Island by the explorer Matthew Flinders, who circumnavigated Australia and was saved from starvation by the kangaroos he found here!

This is where the ferry docks in Penneshaw, the second largest town on the island.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5053666095_db7b695c9a.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr
becka_kate


Posted Oct 6, 2010, 2:14 pm
Our first stop on the Island was at Pennington Bay, one of the very, very many beautiful beaches you'll find here.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5054286394_fdfdaf3f8c.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

Look at how blue the water is! Absolutely gorgeous!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5054286924_8c90a3a978.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

We climbed to the top of these very high rocks in order to take in the views.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5054286692_8686e6a563.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr



becka_kate


Posted Oct 6, 2010, 2:19 pm
Next we climbed the 509 steps to the top of Prospect Hill. From here you can see nearly the entire island and it is where Matthew Flinders trekked to to discover that he was not, in fact, on the mainland, as he had initially thought, but on an island!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5053667165_668df0c105.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

The view was completely worth the climb!

On the way we kept passing signs like this. Sadly, we didn't see any of the wildlife or their tracks.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5053667045_9bd871c494.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr
becka_kate


Posted Oct 6, 2010, 2:21 pm
Next stop was at the Emu Farm Eucalyptus Distillery where I met an emu!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5054287430_1bf5f90073.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5053667609_06dfb43ce1.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr
becka_kate


Posted Oct 6, 2010, 2:34 pm
After lunch we went koala spotting. There is one up this tree. Can you see it?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5054287816_8ba2e0151e.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

Here it is!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5056633371_3f715d8689.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

Some gum leaves. Ever wonder why koalas sleep all day? Its because the eucalypt oil is actually poisonous and their bodies need all the energy they can get process it.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5053668619_538a4951b7.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

and some gum nuts...
Which are actually the blossoms and seeds for the gum trees.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5053668441_566ed66577.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

Along with a number of koalas we also saw kangaroos, including a joey (a baby kangaroo)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5053667975_ef32bbb6b7.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

becka_kate


Posted Oct 12, 2010, 9:37 am
Our next stop was to check out the Remarkable Rocks in the Flinders Chase National Park. The huge rocks look like a creation of the crazy sculpturer - its simply amazing what water and wind can do to granite!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5054288768_44bcaf473a.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5053669125_4e57e6a4b2.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

This part has been nick-named "Sad Sam". You can see why, can't you?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5054289396_0fb9011bfe.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr
becka_kate


Posted Oct 12, 2010, 9:50 am
Last stop of the day was Admiral's Arch to see a colony New Zealand Fur Seals and sun set over the ocean as we were at the western point of the island.

The seals were a major factor in the European settlement of Kangaroo Island.The first white settlement on Kangaroo Island was by ‘sealers’ in the early 1800s. Fur-seals and sea-lions were hunted relentlessly for their skins and fat and until about 1920 when they were almost hunted to extinction.

They're a bit hard to see here, but there are four seals on this ledge.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5054289790_657bb211f3.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

This is Admiral's Arch, which has been formed by weathering and erosion from the sea over thousands of years. The scraggly bits hanging down are actually petrified tree roots! Cool!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5054289958_4f0c400d32.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

Sadly, clouds rolled in and covered the sunset  :(  - bec thinks she's cursed when it comes to seeing sunsets while on holiday!
becka_kate


Posted Oct 12, 2010, 9:55 am
We started our second day on Kangaroo Island with a spot of sandboarding, which is a lot like snowboarding, but on a sand dune instead!

At first glance the sand dune didn't look too bad...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5053670017_cfde0d1f36.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

but then we got closer and started to climb...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/5053670289_b1ecdc698c.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

Scary..... but SOOO much fun!!!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5054290610_19895be5b7.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

becka_kate


Posted Oct 12, 2010, 10:03 am
Our next  stop was very exciting. We went to Seal Bay where we sat on the beach just a few metres away from a colony of Australian Sea Lions! They come up on to the beach to rest as they spend three days at sea feeding. There were also a number of female sea lions up on the beach with very young pups. It was just very cool, and when it was time to go, we just didn't want leave.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5054291296_b6c6358b97.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5053671569_b1efcc7a84.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5053671769_c6d093a074.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

becka_kate


Posted Oct 12, 2010, 10:16 am
Time for lunch, so we stopped at Vivonne Bay (and I am most disappointed that someone forgot to take photo of me eating kangaroo!!)

Vivonne Bay is stunning and was once named "Australia's Best Beach"

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5054292462_035671e73f.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5054292666_ab06e1f4d3.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

We went paddling in the Southern Ocean, which was not as cold as you would expect it to be
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5053672437_1659ee13b0.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

before going wading in Harriet River, which flows along this part of the beach.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5054292860_fd7fa4b91e.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

It is quite safe to paddle in despite its unusual colour, which comes from the eucalypt oil from the trees surrounding the river further up stream.
becka_kate


Posted Oct 12, 2010, 10:25 am
After lunch we headed off to Kelly Hill Caves, a huge cave system that was discovered when a farmer and his horse (Kelly) fell into a sink hole in 1880. He managed to get himself out, but the horse was never seen again and nobody really knows just how big the caverns actually are.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5054293190_2e2bc28710.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5054293020_44d1d6c4a9.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

On the walk back to the bus from the caves I was introduced to this beatiful flower, which is the Australian floral emblem and the reason why Australian sporting teams always dress in green and gold.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/5054293372_420318f28c.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr
becka_kate


Posted Oct 12, 2010, 10:34 am
On leaving the caves we had to make a mad dash across the island to get to Kingscote (KI's largest town) in time for the daily 5 o'clock pelican feeding with John the Pelican man.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5053673291_7243ab75c2.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

Pelicans mainly eat fish, but will pretty much eat anything they are offered, so I was seriously grateful that Bec was keeping a firm grip on me. Look at how big their bills are! They can hold up to 15litres of water in there!
becka_kate


Posted Oct 12, 2010, 10:42 am
And, back to Penneshaw again so we could catch the ferry back to the mainland (where we would have to get ready for a very, very, very early start to the morning the next day!)

Don't you think that this is a brilliant view for a dinner spot?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5054293622_105b8c0d3f.jpgKalliHH on Kangaroo Island by becka_kate, on Flickr

Kangaroo Island simply a beautiful part of the world, and one which I can highly recommend! We were very sad to be heading home again.
becka_kate


Posted Oct 12, 2010, 11:00 am
While I've been staying here I've been making progress on one of my missions. Bec is currently 'fostering' her sister's menagerie of pets as she's renting and obviously can't have the animals in their apartment!
So, this is Lady (the big dog) who is a collie cross kelpie (Australian Sheep Dog) and Angel (the little dog) who is a Tenterfield Terrier.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/5074306189_dee94496f5.jpgIMG_6943 by becka_kate, on Flickr

There is also a cat, 3 birds and 4 fish, but they're all a little camera shy!
becka_kate


Posted Oct 12, 2010, 11:05 am
And, we're off again!
This time to Canberra to visit Bec's friends.

After someone kept forgetting to get a photo of me enjoying a barbeque in South Australia, I was glad to hear that barbeque was on offer for dinner Friday night.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/5074904066_51aa6ca3fb.jpgKalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr

And, here it is - an Aussie barbeque for dinner (minus the garden salad...)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5074904326_3bba626e39.jpgKalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr
becka_kate


Posted Oct 12, 2010, 11:17 am
Every year in spring Canberra holds a flower festival called Floriade.  This year there were more than one million flowers organised into artworks celebrating Imagination. Most of the flowers on display are tulips, but you will also see lots of pansies, lillies, daffodils and daisies.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/5074906754_b9ecdc4990.jpgKalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5074307167_4e27842252.jpgKalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/5074904770_332d27fa40.jpgKalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/5074905250_6843e6d899.jpgKalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr

We also got to meet a family of black swans who were swimming in the lake, and more than happy to come up to the shore where people were offering food.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5074906504_91dc3db226.jpgKalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr

I really would have liked to stay and buzz around the flowers all day, but unfortunately it was soon time to start the long drive back to Sydney.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5074906302_78056fa052.jpgKalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr
becka_kate


Posted Oct 12, 2010, 11:27 am
On the way back to the car we took the scenic route, following the walkway around the lake. Lake Burley Griffen forms the centre of Canberra (which, in case you didn't know, is the capital of Australia)

Most of the important buildings are near or on the edges of the lake. The large building to the left is the National Library and the pointy bits to the right is the flagpole above Parliament House, the seat of Australian Federal Government.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/5074309491_7bd489abe8.jpgKalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr

Sadly, we weren't there at the right time of day to see the Cook Fountain going - due to water restrictions and the drought, it only runs for an hour or so a day.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5074907396_4ef2815399.jpgKalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr

We thought this provided an interesting view of Parliament House. It is very hard to see against a cloudy sky.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/5074310123_46dee21cfa.jpgKalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr

Lake Burley Griffen is very popular for family days out and you can hire canoes, kayaks and paddle boats to ride around on it. That looks like a lot of fun. The bizarre building in the background is the Australian National Museum by the way!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/5074310245_efaa7e12cd.jpgKalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr

Black Mountain Tower (for telecommunications, but also has a viewing platform for tourists) is a very handy landmark when travelling in the Australian Capital Territory!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/5074907930_d936573280.jpgKalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr
becka_kate


Posted Oct 19, 2010, 11:25 am
On the way home we stopped at Lake George.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5074310985_3d95c8020a.jpg
KalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr

I bet you're thinking its a pretty strange looking lake. Where's all the water? 

Lake George is a freak phenomenon. It has been known to disappear virtually overnight. The lake has been totally dry in 1837, 1870, 1902, most of the1930s and the early1980s. It has been completely full in 1852, 1897, 1925, the 1950s and the mid-1980s. There is no pattern to this strange phenomenon. It is almost dry now (this is probably the first time in 11 years of regularly driving to Canberra that my host has spotted any real water in it at all). 
Sometimes it appears as though there is water in it, but it is only a mirage!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5074908710_0d58b6caf2.jpg
KalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr

It is a very eerie place to be in, especially at night (or so my host tells me). Its Aboriginal name is Weereewaa, which means  "bad water". When it has been full, the waters are very rough and a number of people have died while participating in sports on it.
becka_kate


Posted Oct 19, 2010, 11:35 am
Australian country towns are very fond of building 'big things'. There are over 146 such objects around the country, such as big bananas, pineapples, oysters, trouts, rocking horses etc!

On the way back we stopped in Goulburn for a "stop, revive, survive" break(Australian drivers are encouraged to take a break from the road every two hours to beat fatigue) and visited the Big Merino.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/5074908840_d740f08ea3.jpg
KalliHH in the ACT by becka_kate, on Flickr

The Big Merino is a 15 metre tall cement Merino sheep. It has a shop  and tourist centre underneath and visitors can climb to the top and look out through the Merino's eyes to view the local area.

A couple of years ago, the Big Merino was moved to a location 800m up the road, closer to the Hume Freeway, to increase visitor numbers. This was very complex operation as the Merino is  as high as a four-storey building and as wide as a country road! It involved cutting the power cables on that section of road, cutting off the rams legs (and other unmentionables!) and using an 96 wheeled truck moving at three kilometres an hour!
Crazy, huh?

becka_kate


Posted Oct 25, 2010, 11:17 am
KalliHH left Australia today and is on his way to Hong Kong.
vivyanhui


Posted Dec 28, 2010, 12:56 pm
After a long trip,
I can't wait to fill my stomach!
The breakfast I had today is congee with sesame, vegetables and the fried flour,
it makes the congee much chewy~  :D
vivyanhui


Posted Dec 28, 2010, 1:05 pm
Today's dinner:
mushroom rice, fishball with mushroom, and a hot tofu soup,
what a nice treat in winter time~~!  :D
vivyanhui


Posted Dec 28, 2010, 1:09 pm
Decorations in shopping malls are always funny and full of imagination!
See all of us are sitting on such a giant apple! Next to us is a potato~
I meet some friends too, it reminds me of HelgaHH,
don't know when will we meet again?
vivyanhui


Posted Dec 28, 2010, 1:13 pm
Jade Market is a popular spot for tourist,
here you can see many colourful gems and giant jade.

Behind me is one of the two kinds of calligraphy of the chinese word "jade",
it sounds "yog".

Besides, there are some stalls selling Buddha items too,
but I like the colourful flower cloth that behind me more~  B)
vivyanhui


Posted Dec 28, 2010, 1:16 pm
Guess what I ate today?

Steamed pork rice with sauced chicken leg~ yumyum!  B)
And the buns are good too,
the smaller one is filled with egg yolk / salted egg mustard,
the bigger one is with vegetables and chicken fillings.
They are common buns in the region.

Both of them are bigger than me!  :o
vivyanhui


Posted Dec 28, 2010, 1:21 pm
Behind me are some dummies of the old style street kiosk,
there are many kinds of them,
some selling vegetables, dried food, flowers, and even goldfish!

At night, the stall keeper will pack all things back to their "green box",
and setup everything again at the next morning,
just can't imagine how to store all the things inside?  :o
Delenna


Posted Feb 1, 2011, 11:44 am
I have arrived in Finland! It's snowy and chilly but sunny. Can't wait to get out and bee touristy  ;)
Delenna


Posted Feb 2, 2011, 2:52 pm
Not touristy yet, but it's my first group photo here :) There's me and Banyo and Gary Boldie plus two Travelbugs.

My host found another geocache nearby and there were these two TravelBugs - a scubadiver (Fridolin the diver) and a duck (Little Duck Just4U). They look like toyvoyagers! They were the first ones my host had found and she was pretty thrilled  :D
vivyanhui


Posted Feb 6, 2011, 9:14 am
Finally it's December,
I am glad that I met Santa Claus in the shopping mall~
I rushed to him and told him my wish~
vivyanhui


Posted Feb 6, 2011, 9:17 am
Decorations were everywhere, I like Christmas~~
Taking festive photos is such a wonderful thing~~  :cyclops:
vivyanhui


Posted Feb 6, 2011, 9:20 am
Finnish decorations here in Hong Kong,
Do the animals really look this way in Finland?  :stare:
vivyanhui


Posted Feb 6, 2011, 9:25 am
Exciting games at Ocean Park tonight!  B)
Other than rides and games,
there are also other kinds of animals like seal, shark, pandas, peacock and so on.
However, they all went to sleep since it's night time...
vivyanhui


Posted Feb 6, 2011, 9:32 am
Another theme park today! Snoopy's World!  :)
It is full of different Snoopy decorations and statues, and friends too!
Some of them are habving barbecue, some are fishing,
and even riding the boat.  :)
vivyanhui


Posted Feb 6, 2011, 9:37 am
New experience on new food,
first comes the beef offal in sauced, it's hot and yummy~
Then it's the fried sausage with becon, great~  :cyclops:
vivyanhui


Posted Feb 6, 2011, 9:39 am
I met Santa again! But he looks a bit different...?!?!  :o
vivyanhui


Posted Feb 6, 2011, 9:42 am
Merry Christmas~~~  :D
vivyanhui


Posted Feb 6, 2011, 9:45 am
To celebrate Christmas,
we the toyvoyagers decided to have a great meal together!
Cheers everyone~ ;)
vivyanhui


Posted Feb 6, 2011, 9:47 am
After the dinner, how can we miss the dessert?  :p Hee~
Delenna


Posted Feb 9, 2011, 11:43 am
The Baltic Sea! All frozen and snowy. Tallinn (Estonia) is only 117 km away to the South and St. Petersburg (Russia) 267km east - both calculated via airline.
Delenna


Posted Feb 9, 2011, 11:48 am
This is me in the old town of Porvoo, by the river. In the first photo you can see Castle Hill where used to be a real caste hundreds of years ago.

The red shorehouses are also part of the old town - and the most wellknown attraction in Porvoo. The brochure tells this about them: The shore houses are now red, but they got their colour only in the late 18th century. Red ochre paint was used to paint the shore houses in honour of King Gustav III's arrival from Sweden. All of the houses along his route were painted, in order to make them more beautiful. The red ochre also helped protect the logs from wind and sun damage. Exotic fruits, wines and spices were brought to Porvoo, and the shore houses also served as intermediate storehouses for coffee an tobacco. Today the shore houses are used as private living quarters and storage space.
Delenna


Posted Feb 9, 2011, 11:52 am
After the old town we went shopping to the city center. Here's a quick look around the market square. There's lot more happening in the summer I was told...
Delenna


Posted Feb 9, 2011, 11:56 am
My host ran some errands in the capitol, Helsinki and I tagged along. She did some geocaching too and one was hidden nearby this monument. My host said she had never been to this Sibelius Monument before - so geocaching is educational as well!

Wikipedia reveals this about the monument:
The Sibelius Monument (Finnish: Sibelius-monumentti) is dedicated to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865–1957). The monument is located at the Sibelius Park (Finnish: Sibeliuspuisto) in the district of Töölö in Helsinki, the capital city of Finland.

The monument was designed by Eila Hiltunen and unveiled on September 7, 1967. Originally it sparked a lively debate about the merits and flaws of abstract art, for which reason an effigy of Sibelius was included in the work. It consists of series of more than 600 hollow steel pipes welded together in a wave-like pattern. The purpose of the artist was to capture the essence of the music of Sibelius. The monument weighs 24 tonnes (24 LT; 26 ST) and measures 8.5 × 10.5 × 6.5 metres.

A smaller version of the monument is located at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. A work with a similar concept, also designed by Hiltunen, is located at the grounds of the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
Delenna


Posted Feb 9, 2011, 12:07 pm
This is the very center of Helsinki. In the first photo you can see the Parliament, in the second the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma and in the 3rd the main post office and the main railway station behind it and so on :) My host had to run to a meeting we didn't have time for more photos  :(
Delenna


Posted Feb 9, 2011, 7:25 pm
My host is cat-sitting this week and she took me with her tonight. These are 3 male cats whose names I won't reveal  B) My hosts favorite is the lion one as the younger cats try to bully him - and succeed in driving him nuts, poor thing.

Does this count as three different pets as they're different - just all cats  :thinking:
Delenna


Posted Feb 21, 2011, 3:50 pm
Today we went to see the Disney On Ice -show in Hartwall Areena, Helsinki. The show was called  Disneyland Adventure and it included about all Disney characters. It was a suprisingly small ice they used! We didn't get good photos because my host thought cameras were prohibited and she only had her cell phone "camera" to use. But I was there!  B)
Delenna


Posted Mar 9, 2011, 6:13 am
I'm leaving Finland now :) Thank you for the visit!
TaisAfinskaia
maria.forletters@gmail.com

Posted Apr 18, 2011, 9:35 pm
Hello mummy!
I`m in Russia! And here are many TVs who immediately became my friends - great luck!
First we had a walk through Moscow narrow streets. But at any small street you can easily find some monumental building, seems that Russian people are crazy about everything big :)
TaisAfinskaia
maria.forletters@gmail.com

Posted May 2, 2011, 8:18 pm
Yesterday I cooked sushi for Maria. She can`t cook at all and I was afraid that we all will die without food  :stare:
TaisAfinskaia
maria.forletters@gmail.com

Posted May 9, 2011, 8:47 pm
Tverskaia street
TaisAfinskaia
maria.forletters@gmail.com

Posted May 9, 2011, 8:59 pm
Hello mummy!
I visited great park!!!!

Quote:
Tsaritsyno museum and reserve in Moscow (near Tsaritsyno metro station and commuter suburb train station) was founded in 1984 in the park of the same name.

The estate is known from the late 16th century, when it belonged to Tsarina Irina, sister of Tsar Boris Godunov. At that time it was called Bogorodskoye. In the 17th century it belonged to the Streshnevs and then to the Galitzines. In 1775, when the estate was bought by empress Catherine the Great, it received its present name, which means “Tsarina’s”. In 1776-85 architect Vasili Bazhenov built a new palace for the Empress here, but in 1786 Catherine ordered it to be partly pulled down. Until 1797 architect Matvey Kazakov was working on the construction, but the palace remained unfinished. Currently, in Tsaritsyno there are a history and architecture museum, a landscape park with an adjacent forest, an art museum, the Biryulyovo dendropark, and a cascade of the Tsaritsyno ponds.

The 18th-century architecture ensemble was built (though not finished) following the order of Catherine II in pseudo-Gothic style, after projects of the Bazhenov and Kazakov, and it is the only 18th-century architectural ensemble of such dimensions in Russia.

Around the palace, in the park there are a number of pavilions, pergolas, arbours, artificial grottos, decorative bridges (early 19th century, architect I. Yegotov), and a Russian Orthodox temple “Source of Life”, as well as a modern recreation center with an upscale restaurant. For a long time most buildings were ruined (and alpinists used them for training). Recently most buildings have been "completed": rooftops, interiors and decorations have been added and their historical appearance has been altered. A number of buildings house the Russian museum of folk and applied art. The atrium of the “Bread House” is used for concerts of Moscow musicians.

The park grounds contain the group of burial mounds that belong to the Early Slavs tribe Vyatichs dated to the 11th-13th century.


This park has great areas and many wedding couple come here to make photos with these beautiful places.
TaisAfinskaia
maria.forletters@gmail.com

Posted Jun 19, 2011, 7:04 pm
Hello mummy!
We had a bicycle walk in the park.
You can hardly see me and my friend Orpheus at the first photo, but I wanted to make picture with that bridge.
We were very good at bicycling!
marcie08


Posted Jul 20, 2011, 9:04 pm
Hi Mom!

I have arrived here in Austria. I was welcomed by Clyde, a fellow toy on the European trail. He told me a bit about my new home, but soon it was time for him to travel on. We shared the chocolate I had brought with me and then dropped him off at the postoffice.

Soon more from me!
Love, Kalli
marcie08


Posted Jul 20, 2011, 9:10 pm
Hi Mom!

Today I had a look around my host mom's flat. I met a super cute sheep, welcoming me here in Vienna!
There were so many postcards everywhere in the room so I had a closer look. Host-Mom told me that she is a postcrosser and she showed me some of her favorites. She has many cards on display, some of them in a kind of shower curtain that has slots for cards. Clever, eh?
Many interesting things to see on the cards!

Bye!
marcie08


Posted Aug 31, 2011, 5:24 pm
Hi Mom!

My hostmom is taking me on vacation to the US soon! But first, she had to keep up with her work in the office. I went along and had a look around, but then decided that it was more fun to eat my host mom's breakfast and drink her coffee  ;)
marcie08


Posted Aug 31, 2011, 5:36 pm
Hi Mom,

as we are now getting ready for the vacation, we went to Graz to pick up some things Mom needed for the US! Here are some pictures from my train journey. Luckily there were only few people in the train and I had my own seat!
My hostmom was also happy that I went with her as she usually traels alone and that is always so boring  :rolleyes:
marcie08


Posted Aug 31, 2011, 5:41 pm
Hi Mom,

we did some more preparation for the vacation! I helped my hostmom by scanning some of her documents and then I uploaded them to her google docs! My hostmom said that I was a huge help  B)
marcie08


Posted Sep 13, 2011, 7:37 pm
Hi Mom,

after a very long flight we have finally arrived in the United States. I am in Los Angeles now, the movie capital.
The first thing we did after having freshened up in the hotel was visiting the walk of Fame. Lots of very important and famous people have a star there.
Then we went to Venice beach. We saw the bodybuilders at Muscle beach and walked around a bit. We even tried out the water, but for me, it was far too cold  B) We went on a bustour of LA and drove by the houses of the rich and famous. And then we went up to a hill to have a look at the world famous Hollywood sign!

CU soon!
marcie08


Posted Sep 13, 2011, 7:45 pm
Hi Mom!

We picked up our car yesterday and started our round trip. We drove along the coastline of California and visited many scenic overlooks.
But we also drove along boring highways, where we only saw boring rows of bushes and trees and other agriculture...

Bye!
marcie08


Posted Sep 13, 2011, 8:05 pm
Hi Mom,

we went on along the California coastline and stopped at Hearst Castle. The castle is situated on top of a hill and all the land you can see from the top, once belonged to Mister Hearst and is today part of the Hearst trust. Mr Hearst was the first media tycoon.
The castle is really beautiful, especially the beautifully landscaped garden surrounding it.
Later we drove on to Monterey, a small town with a world-renowned aquarium. We saw a lot of fish, octopus, sea horses, penguins... That was really fun. Though I have to confess that I would not love living in the water - some of the fish were really scary... Better to fly around and visit the many blooms  :rolleyes:

Bye, Mom!
marcie08


Posted Sep 14, 2011, 7:22 pm
Hi Mom!

We have arrived in San Francisco. Wow, that was a drive...up and down and up again!
Our hotel was located near Fisherman's wharf, so that was the first place we visited. We walked along the pier there and came upon a historical landmark: It was an old submarine. I can't imagine living there...I would very much miss all the blooms  :rolleyes:

Thenw e went to a really cool restaurant: It was with Forrest Gump decor. They had kind of license plates on the table with"Run, Forrest, run" and Stop, Forrest. With these you could signal the waitress. What a lovely idea :) The restaurant was called Bubba Shrimp by the way...does it ring a bell? Im sure you remember the name from the movie!

Later we took a tour with a hop on, hop off bus. Oh, that was fun! I love riding the bus. I received my own earphones, so I could listen to the tourguide.

So far, I really love San Francisco!
Bye!
marcie08


Posted Sep 14, 2011, 7:35 pm
Hi Mom,

what would a visit to San Francisco be without a visit to Chinatown? This is a really different world, with all the shop, the different music and smells...
So of course we had lunch in a Chinese restaurant. We tried dumpling and had sweet and sour chicken. Later we had dessert, a wonderful grean tea ice cream and of course we also received a fortune cookie  B)

After lunch we took a walk through the neighbourhood and decided to drive with the famous cable cars. Of course, that is what all the tourists do,, so we had to wait a bit. But that was in fact quite interesting, as we could see how the cars drive by. They arrive at the end station, that is where we waited to board, and they stop on a platform. Then the driver and some helpers get out and they turn the platform around, so that the cable car faces the other direction! The car turns like a record on a record player.

Tomorrow we will leave San Francisco... I am a bit sad as I would have loved to visit some more...
Bye!
marcie08


Posted Sep 19, 2011, 11:13 am
Hi Mom!

Today we arrived here in the Napa Valley, the famous area for wineries. On our way there we stopped in a National Forest to have a look at the Giant Redwoods. Look at those trees, they are really old and huuuuuuuge!  :stare:

But back to the vineyards: You can see me looking out of the window while we drove through the small cities and passed many wineries. I am not sure if I will be allowed to visit a winery, as you have to be 21...but maybe my host-mom can smuggle me in?

Later we had lunch in a small park - some salad and a baguette. That was nice!

Bye!
marcie08


Posted Oct 3, 2011, 9:08 pm
Hi Mom!

My host mom managed to smuggle me in the Beringer winery...here are two more pictures from there. Later I wrote some postcards!

Today, we went to the Yosemite Valley, a huge National Park. You can see us driving around there. I travelled in the front, sometimes also on my host mom's knee. I even got a cookie to keep me entertained during the long drive.
marcie08


Posted Oct 3, 2011, 9:15 pm
Hi Mom!

Today we went into the National Park again! We looked at the map to see where we wanted to go today.
We stopped at a river and had a rest there. Then we drove on, through different forrests. We saw many beautiful trees and the view of the mountains surrounding the Valley was just breathtaking!
I really loved when we stopped for the waterfall. So much water coming down so fast, that was impressive!
marcie08


Posted Oct 3, 2011, 9:20 pm
So Mom,
we are still in the Yosemite National park, but today we went to a different part of the park.
There even was a fire! Did you know that fires are quite common there? They have special firefighters that control the fires, so you are not in danger as a tourist there.
But the smoke was a bit scary. I have never been this near to a fire before...
You even see burnt trees and I read in my information sheets that fires are really important for this area, as some trees need the fire to grow!
marcie08


Posted Oct 3, 2011, 9:25 pm
HI Mom,
I am in Las Vegas!

We are staying in the Mirage hotel, that is where Sigfrid and Roy did their magic shows!
You can see all those big hotels, so many rooms, that it is hard to find your way back to your room. Luckily you get a map that shows the way!
My host mom smuggled me into the casino area, though I was officially not allowed to go there...and as you can see I was quite a lucky charme for my host mom - she won  B) I got some delicious frozen yoghurt as a special treat!

marcie08


Posted Oct 4, 2011, 7:35 pm
Hi Mom!

Her are some night views from yesterday. You can see some of the hotels and also the volcano that belonged to our hotel. I watched the volcano eruption - the fire was quite hot...and above all it had about 40°C outside, so it was like being grilled on a bbq... :rolleyes:
We also visited other hotels and I took a picture in the Italian style hotel. Look, it is quite kitchy, don't you think?

Today we travelled on to Red Rock Canyon. I took some pictures while we were on the road. And then I finally saw the red rocks. What a color!
marcie08


Posted Oct 11, 2011, 9:12 pm
Hi Mom,

welcome to the Arches National Park in Utah! The national parks here in the US are really beautiful...and it is really comfortable as you can drive with your car!
Well and that was a real treat today, because we had 40 degrees!!!! And inside the car we had our lovely aircondition!
On one picture you can see me eating a special muffin: It was called "breakfast muffin" and it was a mix between a bacon muffin and a blueberry muffin... :rolleyes: I know that sounds really strange, but it was actually very good!
marcie08


Posted Oct 11, 2011, 9:34 pm
Hi Mom!

We are now on the way to Four Corners, the special place where 4 US States meet: Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona. You can sit directly on the point, where the States meet...well at least that was the plan. But lately some scientists found out that the actual borders are a couple of meters away - oops! B) Here you can find more info about it: Four Corners on wikipedia

This is also the area where several Native American Nations live. We were really looking forward to seeing the famous Monument Valley where the Navajo Nation lives. We took a tour but inside the valleye it was so sandy that we could not take pictures without harming the camera. And the road was really bumpy, so we were really shaken after the tour  B)
marcie08


Posted Oct 11, 2011, 9:40 pm
Hi Mom!

Hello from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The city is full of those red brown adobe houses and you can visit many little stores selling Native American crafts. There was also the State Capitol and we took a picture there.
We visited the Native American Museum, where we learned a lot about Native Americans, their history and contemporary art and crafts!
marcie08


Posted Oct 11, 2011, 9:56 pm
Hi Mom!

We have arrived on our last destination: The Grand Canyon in Arizona! Wow, it really is grand! We drove through the park and we even went on a little hike. It is very important to be aware of the sun, so I used my host mom's hat and drank plenty of water!

I really enjoyed my tour through this part of the US and I hope to see some more interesting places soon! Now I will travel back to Europe!
marcie08


Posted Oct 11, 2011, 9:58 pm
Hi Mom!

I am back here in Vienna. Look at all the stuff we have bought in the US! Can you even find me in the middle of all the souvenirs?

Now I am going to help my host mom with her wedding preparations!

Bye!
olgamaus


Posted Oct 17, 2011, 1:42 pm
Hi Mummy,
today I arrived in Germany, in Remscheid. Yes, the package with me inside was delivered today. on a Sunday :)

I was welcomed by my host Katja and two curious ToyVoyagers, Claire Squirrel, also from Germany, and Hryusha from Russia. I brought delicious candy from Austria with me, everyone was interested in those candy :D

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6096/6253041313_8f139f5b4e_o.jpg

As soon as I had a quick breakfast, we went outside to take a walk with one of Katja's friends.  We drove to Eschbach Dam, the oldest dam in Germany, opened in 1891 A.D.. We parked the car close to a Motel and motorway restaurant.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6119/6253570580_459b646290_o.jpg

After walking two minutes we reached the dam. What a lovely view with the autumn colored forest!

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6032/6253570746_58b60ac700_o.jpg

In the background you can see the Motel again.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6059/6253041861_9c2288f0ba_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6037/6253042067_3be9d28134_o.jpg

Because the dam is not really large, we departed from the dam and took one of the paths which are leading away from the dam.

We reached a small monument, a cross made of stone. It commemoreates a man who was killed in 16th century - at least there is a legend telling this. Here you can read the story (only available in German).

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6050/6253571298_8677b3678f_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6059/6253042529_7ba015dc97_o.jpg

This looks like a rural area, but do not be mislead by the look - the motorway A1 is crossing behind those meadows!

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6178/6253571846_df1b01fe43_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6033/6253571976_dc838b4a2e_o.jpg

Back in the forest we took a group shot (Hryusha thought me might pick those mushrooms for dinner).

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6042/6253572244_9ac310499f_o.jpg

After walking for about two hours we lost our way in the forest, but we thought it might be a good idea to follow this creek because it probably would flow into the dam.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6174/6253043517_cb2d1b815d_o.jpg

We were right, soon we reached the dam.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6212/6253572636_bd790b3d77_o.jpg


Bye
KalliHH
olgamaus


Posted Oct 20, 2011, 1:39 pm
Hi Mummy,

Katja took me to the city centre in her lunch break. We started our trip at the city hall. Its tower is 48 m high, visible from a lot of places around the city, because the city centre is situated on top of a hill.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6175/6262987085_0cbddcac68_o.jpg

The city hall was originally built in 1906, but was nearly destroyed in World War II. When the war was over it was rebuilt in a more modern style.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6234/6263512110_1c8344a08c_o.jpg

There is a large open space in front of the city hall, the farmers market is taking place here twice a week. Here you can also find a pillar with a lion, the heraldíc animal of Remscheid.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6228/6263511956_f7d8f7dc60_o.jpg

The water tower is situated opposite of the back side of the city hall.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6091/6263512250_ba030f27b1_o.jpg

Here you can see the central bus station with one of the most busy streets in the city centre.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6106/6263512332_aefcfd334f_o.jpg

From a bridge we had a good overview to the district Hohenhagen in the background.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6032/6263512426_a762338b57_o.jpg

The main shopping street is beginning here.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6042/6263512570_48dbf59212_o.jpg

We went through a side street to leave the shopping street. In the background you can see the company building of the local newspaper, Remscheider General-Anzeiger.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6211/6263512670_cef2883f11_o.jpg

The central bus station once more ...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6115/6263512826_0bf2364e6d_o.jpg

This is the public library.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6216/6262988271_8b78aaeff8_o.jpg

We went to the shopping mall than, to do some shoppings for dinner.

Bye
KalliHH

olgamaus


Posted Oct 24, 2011, 7:55 pm
Hi Mummy,
we are still having fantastic weather, so we are taking long walks every day. Today we followed a railway track for some time.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6113/6269518677_e0136274cf_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/6269518787_ecd9fab172_o.jpg

We walked through the district "Reinshagen" where I saw those lovely houses that you like so much :)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6098/6269518941_d4f47926cc_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6033/6269519069_85b070b846_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6221/6269519225_27d92ef32a_o.jpg

We went into the forest than.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6110/6269519387_e415cfcff2_o.jpg

Katja showed me Germany's highest railway bridge today, Muengsten Bridge. She promised that we will visit it soon. Today we walked where the bridge's abutments are situated. You have a fantastic view to the bridge from here.

From one side ...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6040/6270046674_65285168c2_o.jpg

... and from the other side.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6099/6270046832_ecb46f887b_o.jpg

We followed a lovely walking path along the railway track, it seems at is was not used too often. There is grass growing even on the path.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6109/6269519943_0596636ae8_o.jpg

When we walked back home it was already getting dark.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6216/6269520057_c68f2d7bce_o.jpg

Bye
KalliHH

olgamaus


Posted Oct 25, 2011, 8:46 am
Hi Mummy,
we took a walk with one of Katja's friends today. We walked from the city centre to Luettringhausen, another district.

As soon as you are levaing the main streets of the city centre you can see the rural areas and woodlands around.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6237/6276948966_77448dba35_o.jpg

We had walk all the way from the city centre on top of a hill to a valley.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6116/6276428309_92a4d1359d_o.jpg

Morsbach creek is running through the valley. You can find a lot of industrial sites along the creek, based on all the historical industrial sites which you could find here in ancient times. They are mostly metalworking companies, like this one, a steelworks.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6276428443_e75ddd8960_o.jpg

After walking through a small hamlet we walked along the valley, between meadows and forests.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6230/6276428583_da7d6e61da_o.jpg

We found a fantastic place in the forest - a hammer mill.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6276429631_03496830f8_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6212/6276428797_9e1e6826f3_o.jpg

Iron and steel was produced here since 15th century - nearly unimaginable.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6240/6276429015_5c05006e2f_o.jpg

A large millwheel was lying on the ground.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6101/6277000422_f8abcd8c2c_o.jpg

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http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6112/6277000894_896e256331_o.jpg

Here you can see the rear side of the building.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6237/6276429345_5c0d038a24_o.jpg

We  had to cross a street later.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6036/6276429807_d23b47f72d_o.jpg

When we walked towards Luettringhausen, we went along a parkway. Some dozen apple trees were planted here, some of them sponsored by citizens of the city, some to commemorate celebrated public characters.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6040/6276429963_d9c0c64421_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6116/6276950934_0455f64d94_o.jpg

After passing a playground we finally reached Luettringhausen.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6211/6276951096_ac3a4868cf_o.jpg

I was so tired than I went into Katja's bag for a nap.

Bye
KalliHH
olgamaus


Posted Oct 25, 2011, 6:55 pm
Hi Mummy,
I met Shiva, Brighty and Zaehnchen in the evening. No, they are not ToyVoyagers. They are living here and they sometimes behave really bad :)
Claire Squirrel called them impudent, naughty, cheeky and hoggish creatures :D :D They are ferrets and behaving bad is simply ferret behaviour.

This is Shiva.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6237/6279623751_f42ac8a839_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6212/6279623963_5128d25405_o.jpg

This is Brighty, she is wearing protective mimicry relating to the sofa :D

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6222/6280143720_10dcafb846_o.jpg

And this is Zaehnchen, the most agile ferret in the whole world.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6095/6279624147_1f6a903bdd_o.jpg

Thankfully they do not consider me as their dinner :)

Bye
KalliHH
olgamaus


Posted Oct 29, 2011, 10:46 pm
Hi Mummy,
we took a walk in the late afternoon from Wuppertal-Ronsdorf, a district of Wuppertal on the border to Remscheid, back home. We started our trip in a rural area, close to a woodland area and a dam.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6056/6292868146_edcafab5e6_o.jpg

I met a curious cat :)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6046/6292346575_10b6801e9a_o.jpg

There are picturesque old house, one of them looking skew-whiff.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6239/6292868330_3f4507e1ca_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6058/6292346971_6b1a96ccea_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6101/6292868582_d1b7994659_o.jpg

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http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6212/6292347395_fd2e4d6e5f_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6058/6292347529_8ae5a4b23a_o.jpg

There are fish ponds along the path downhill.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6093/6292869232_6509f65208_o.jpg

Katja told me that this restaurant is existing here for more than 100 years now.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6212/6292869392_8d04c2632f_o.jpg

We reached the bottom of the valley between Remscheid and Wuppertal, from here we had to walk for about 50 minutes uphill to get home.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6052/6292869526_ecc2bbc6cc_o.jpg

Bye
Kalli
olgamaus


Posted Nov 6, 2011, 8:50 am
Hi Mummy,
today we planned to visit a museum, the German Tool Museum (Deutsches Werkzeugmuseum). It is situated in the district Hasten, we went there through the municipal park.

We all had fun playing in the leaves.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6038/6296014978_e243291c4c_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6216/6296016448_cf705f9a25_o.jpg

Hasten is one of the oldest districts here, you can still find narrow lanes with cute old houses here.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6093/6295993836_684afe2996_o.jpg

Inside the museum we had to hurry a little bit, they were closing 30 minutes later. The ground floor is dominated by a steam-engine.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6035/6295463867_5605b10868_o.jpg

In each drawer you could find different tools.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6096/6295994902_d9ab055659_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6295464399_737639bea6_o.jpg

A check clock ...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6057/6295995334_88cb00bc42_o.jpg

We also found displayed tools from early ages, for example Stone Age and Bronze Age.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6031/6295995452_3744682ef6_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6100/6295995706_6f7ed80765_o.jpg

A historic company sign ...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/6295465487_656db10a58_o.jpg

... and packed tools, ready for shipping abroad.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6048/6295465843_7e04912f1c_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6101/6295996824_305e4f1b9f_o.jpg

Outside the museum you can still find machines and tools.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6120/6295997932_70840d2b45_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6046/6295467491_22a359afbe_o.jpg

Afterwards we took a short walk along those old houses.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6225/6295467645_329b23f0f7_o.jpg

Bye
KalliHH

olgamaus


Posted Nov 6, 2011, 9:07 am
Hi Mummy,
today we took a walk in the vicinity of the medieval castle in the neighbour city Solingen. But first I have to tell you that we have a new visitor here, not another ToyVoyager, but a ToyVoyager host, fam-united. She will stay with us until Wednesday. She bought some plushy guests with her, of course :D

Before visiting the castle we took a walk in the surroundings. We started our trip in a rural area with lots of livery stables.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6292222291_085008ca36_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6292222463_a9fb690672_o.jpg

Far away in the distance the city centre of Remscheid, situated on its hill, is visible.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6049/6292222561_8d53734028_o.jpg

The castle came into sight.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6052/6292222669_a458a27db0_o.jpg

We reached this lovely outlook pavilion.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6292744208_54818f3bc9_o.jpg

From here we had a fantastic overview to the valley of the river Wupper.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6100/6292743884_e875cfc212_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6239/6292744390_e49dc957fc_o.jpg

We saw the castle which is situated high above the river Wupper several times before we finally reached it.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6097/6292744666_d49d588ff3_o.jpg

We went to this lovely outlook pavilion to have a look across the valley.

We saw a defence tower. It was built for protecting the outer line of defence, some  hundred meters apart from the castle.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6107/6292744500_9a3950b633_o.jpg

Here you can see me and all the other ToyVoyagers who went with us today.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6056/6315166387_aa287c3b4d_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6034/6315166575_91c1a2f634_o.jpg

Soon we reached the castle. A market for decorative arts is taking place here, as well in the courtyard as in the castle itself.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/6292223969_3d472b8a47_o.jpg

Schloss Burg was built in 1133 by Count Adolf I von Berg on a hill above the river Wupper.That's why this region is called "Bergisches Land". Many people believe that it's name refers to the landscape with hills and valleys. (For those who do not speak German: The German word for mountain or hill is "Berg", so many people think that the name "Bergisches Land" means "land with many hills" )

About a hundred years later it was enlarged by Count Engelberg II von Berg. This is the man on the horse in the courtyard.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6222/6292224105_123a1a3ba3_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6036/6292224231_0949dacaab_o.jpg

I saw a craftsman working.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6216/6317330037_043661220f_o.jpg

Inside the castle it was too dark to take good photos.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6230/6317330117_5a66663443_o.jpg

Later Katja bought wooden buttons for knitted cardigan.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/6292224403_eafe757d48_o.jpg

Bye
KalliHH
olgamaus


Posted Nov 6, 2011, 3:13 pm
Hi Mummy,
today we decided to show you Muengsten Bridge, one of the touristic highlights of this region. Muengsten Bridge is Germany's highest railway bridge, opened in 1907, 107 m high and about 500 m long. The bridge is overspanning the valley of the river Wupper which is marking the border between Remscheid and the neighbour city Solingen.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6098/6299392169_726b23aec9_o.jpg

Can you see the little pavilion in the background? It is a sibling of the one we saw on Saturday, created by the same architect. We had to walk for only  a few minutes until we reached the bridge.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6299392297_69dca32852_o.jpg

A few years ago a leisure park was built under the bridge. You can find lawns for relaxing here and a crazy golf course.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6109/6299392547_a8200efef5_o.jpg

We even climbed to the train station on the Solingen part of the valley.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6105/6299392769_4aae9de185_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6052/6299392979_7006fef5e2_o.jpg

When we reached the station we took the train to Solingen to have lunch in a restaurant.

The Zwilling company is situated here, well known in the whole world for their knifes and cutlery.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6094/6299926336_4c3ff6bc21_o.jpg

Here you can see part of the former railway track, now built to a lane called "Korkenziehertrasse". Those buildings were the freight depots once, nowadays you can find artist's stores and cafés here.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6299926482_62799cb76e_o.jpg

Bye
KalliHH
olgamaus


Posted Nov 11, 2011, 5:41 pm
Hi Mum,
Katja's cell phono was ringing, a SMS came in.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6112/6334388593_18f6319906_o.jpg

From HelgaHH? How should this be possible?

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6229/6334388691_259bc1c194_o.jpg

Helga?! I cannot believe it!
Now I have to hurry.

Bye
KalliHH
olgamaus


Posted Nov 11, 2011, 10:20 pm
Of course we went to the municpal park, it's only a few minutes walk from here.

Soon I found Helga's secret signs.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6036/6334388797_82f7786126_o.jpg

I watched out for more signs at the pond ...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6049/6335142850_23bf3b7831_o.jpg

... until I found the next one, on a bench this time.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6335142930_5fcfce74b4_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6099/6335143060_2000dd5922_o.jpg

I found several declarations of love on this tree, but none of them was Helga's.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6114/6335143170_a0a2a14f20_o.jpg

The other ToyVoyagers wanted to take the usual tourist photos but I was only interested in meeting Helga! By the way, here you can see the observatory, situatedin the entrance area of the park.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6091/6334389413_7823fecec5_o.jpg

Ah, Helga's next signs ...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6119/6334389541_a9e47605d6_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6091/6334389643_dae6d8cdf7_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6236/6335143688_e3f3982966_o.jpg

Here in the shrubbery Helga was awaiting me!

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6111/6335143848_4a35173927_o.jpg

My dear Helga - I could hardly believe my luck.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6239/6335143992_33d32b45b8_o.jpg

Helga was lucky, too. We took a long walk together in the park.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6240/6335144330_16ed5d49a4_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6034/6334390457_d9218e7d9b_o.jpg

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All our traveling friends shared our happiness.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6220/6335144772_bace9ffea7_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6036/6334390913_0d2fa14332_o.jpg

We were so happy that we met here. HelgaHH came here just to see me.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6112/6335145046_b235e6ea95_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6060/6334391157_f5f968aeea_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6240/6335145274_9ac03ff9bb_o.jpg

We found the perfect hiding-place for privacy.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6097/6335145426_6069a2b63a_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6114/6334391497_68ae5cae96_o.jpg

Later at home Helga asked for some romantic candles. Katja found some in her daughter's room :)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/6334391595_37ff2209a3_o.jpg

Good night!

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6053/6335145842_1e35d0de73_o.jpg

KalliHH + HelgaHH
olgamaus


Posted Nov 12, 2011, 4:51 pm
Hi Mummy,
today we helped Katja to prepare mussels for dinner. First the mussels had to be cleaned.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6093/6335142232_4f573d1161_o.jpg

Some vegetables had to be cut, leek and onions. We also needed mustard seed, salt, bay leaf and black pepper.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6238/6337789856_da0485af91_o.jpg

While Katja cooked the mussels in vegetable stock with the spices and some white wine I prepared a salad. Soon dinner was ready.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6092/6334388419_a18a9a99bb_o.jpg

Bon appetit!

KalliHH
olgamaus


Posted Nov 14, 2011, 7:40 pm
Hi Mummy,
today I spent another romantic day with HelgaHH. We took a walk in Solingen-Unterburg, a lovely historic quarter in the neighbour city Solingen.

First we visited an old formerly evangelic graveyard. It belongs to this little church from 18th century.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6032/6344517215_e2e6e3388c_o.jpg

The graveyard was opened in 1744 A.D. and closed in 1854 A.D.

52 graves remained. This graveyard really is a speciality because the tombstones were created in a nearly unitary style, made from an originally yellow-reddish sandstone. Presumably they were made at the same time around 1745 A.D. They were probably made with the inscriptions and sayings, later the dates of death were filled in.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6046/6340656157_04023792e1_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6053/6341405042_a9e6be5848_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6120/6340656447_665984d824_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6112/6341405374_7320c87f26_o.jpg

After visiting the graveyard we took a walk in the nearby forest. From a view point we saw Muengsten Bridge in the distance.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6236/6341406278_29bf6e9123_o.jpg

Here is also a zoomed photo.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6213/6341406012_253fc97a3e_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6105/6341406456_a7b80835a3_o.jpg

Katja showed us a memorial for Hermann Löns, a German journalist and author, who lived from 1866 A.D. till 1914 A.D. He died as a soldier in World War I in France.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6104/6341406642_0890c1bc3b_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6225/6340658127_230f00a832_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6042/6340658347_3b7cd2bae8_o.jpg

When we left the forest Schloss Burg came into sight. I would love to show it to HelgaHH, but I will leave soon, and HelgaHH probably also will.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6114/6341407236_b4a0ab0d67_o.jpg

Bye
KalliHH
olgamaus


Posted Nov 17, 2011, 8:05 am
Hi Mummy,
today it was time to say good-bye to Germany and all my friends here. I also had to say good-bye to my love HelgaHH, that was really difficult for me. HelgaHH is going to Austria now, while I will visit my next host in the UK now.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6211/6350731013_8bf22d1574_o.jpg

We both packed our things and were ready to leave.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6229/6350731259_01690f29ba_o.jpg

Almost ready :D :D

One last kiss ...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6239/6351475182_1d6cba6927_o.jpg


Good-bye HelgaHH!!

KalliHH
miapearl


Posted Nov 26, 2011, 9:07 pm
Just to let you know I have arrived.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WbQ08Sg1ZJM/TuXjpzpntsI/AAAAAAAAEuc/iwMfz1qFPH4/s500/hellokali.jpg
miapearl


Posted Dec 12, 2011, 11:12 am
My host is doing a jigsaw
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WJ7cATn7pJ8/TtkxvnFvUrI/AAAAAAAAEsA/Q4HjU1EDlK8/s500/jigsaw1.jpg
She isn't quite finished yet...
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-okKUP2SxCes/Ttkxxny6aUI/AAAAAAAAEsE/zP0FcytY8rk/s500/jigsaw2.jpg
Luc Zeke is leaving today.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wGbqbLfxvE0/TtkxzfPSdlI/AAAAAAAAEsI/zq0M4cKYgYM/s500/jigsaw3.jpg
For travel, he's popped back into his egg. ...
miapearl


Posted Dec 12, 2011, 12:14 pm
My host had put in some dried fruit for soaking in brandy the other day.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nbGT8u3ZpXg/TuXkknFMfLI/AAAAAAAAEuk/yKWazQxz4qA/s500/cake1.jpg
Today, we will make the Christmas cake.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G_mcWoqCLG0/TuXlYsqcxjI/AAAAAAAAEus/oTRVahO86ao/s500/cake2.jpg
The butter and sugar is being creamed.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ixQ44L2gixo/TuXmWGe1vCI/AAAAAAAAEu0/3m6_LCRet8c/s500/cake3.jpg
Eggs were added.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MDL9Qta3NXs/TuXmXzEmEJI/AAAAAAAAEu4/IhDUBusX30U/s500/cake4.jpg
Flour, spices, the fruit, nuts and treacle also get added.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NyseJn-5WQY/TuXmbc77GfI/AAAAAAAAEu8/u6eM16-2Zno/s500/cake5.jpg
The cake will take 4 hours in the oven, after our bedtimes. Maybe we'll have a photo with it when the cake is fed some more brandy.
miapearl


Posted Dec 12, 2011, 7:40 pm
Today, we've come out late to Porthmadog to find a Geocache.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-14b3Gs_YR9M/Ttkxmw7xh2I/AAAAAAAAEr0/435HapKvEp0/s500/ycob1.jpg
We are in a bird hide. Porthmadog is a coastal town and is sited on the estuary of the River Glaslyn. On another occasion, my host has seen a red-breasted merganser bird.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sJ6ig0dN8oY/TtkxoyaTkBI/AAAAAAAAEr4/W0HEYL4iW8Q/s500/ycob2.jpg
I can't see any birds out there.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tmQHw-tKqic/TtkxqYXCU1I/AAAAAAAAEr8/f-dzgPEy7HI/s500/ycob3.jpg
This is a geocache, with the logsheets in a 35mm film canister. It is getting dark and time to go home.
miapearl


Posted Dec 16, 2011, 7:50 pm
Today, we went for a walk. We've come to Penrhos Coastal Park on Anglesey.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2lkRKjdLyp8/TuChg0goQPI/AAAAAAAAEtk/OreMHI5L08c/s500/penrhos1.jpg
It is a  bit windy.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fpNSdK0xUjM/TuChjbQzysI/AAAAAAAAEto/uWd0cR696n0/s500/penrhos2.jpg
The coastal park also has a woodland. They have a pet cemetery.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aa0p-N5mzCU/TuChlhL1IGI/AAAAAAAAEts/DDgicXFNJzc/s500/penrhos3.jpg
Having a rest on Tunnicliffe's seat.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ExXrZV5U7Kg/TuZdlVkYqpI/AAAAAAAAEvM/kCbEzwkZOeU/s500/kallipenrhos1.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cCkIpMY-buk/TuZdoJ2XPgI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/nifkZgHM8EM/s500/kallipenrhos2.jpg
We saw some fungi.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HVHqSP90jvM/TuZdg0vJlPI/AAAAAAAAEvE/DdNVtaPlKUc/s500/kallipenrhos3.jpg
Not sure why this yellow bear is on the fence post.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BW9Jzfy4jmw/TuZdixBLhGI/AAAAAAAAEvI/aTaYbROBunY/s500/kallipenrhos4.jpg
Holyhead mountain is in the distance.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eHxp-GWYL1Q/TuChasoB8VI/AAAAAAAAEtY/bDZ5_wq4Zvs/s500/penrhos6.jpg
Near here is a geocache.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uTprn4YW71s/TuChcWvqkuI/AAAAAAAAEtc/Pao3q28ixwk/s500/penrhos7.jpg
The geocache was found but we didn't want to reveal the exact location of it.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-STmaVgYzsag/TuChe4cLlsI/AAAAAAAAEtg/HCjzNE4Qwp0/s500/penrhos8.jpg
More fungi. Brr, it is cold.
miapearl


Posted Dec 20, 2011, 11:02 am
Oh dear...
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0VOw6IJX3Hk/Ttkx4tm-LuI/AAAAAAAAEsM/duDci_2rD6Q/s500/missingsaw.jpg
There's a piece missing....
miapearl


Posted Dec 20, 2011, 11:04 am
We heard that there had been snow in the mountains, so we jumped on a bus
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-595DDXZbTqw/Tu5L-epmqhI/AAAAAAAAEvc/zzyi35GxLHo/s500/kallibus1.jpg
and headed out to them. Can you see the snow on the mountain?
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-89_flnmVgYk/Tu5NSJ_GsnI/AAAAAAAAEx8/1wNWd63-4T4/s500/kallibus2.jpg
We came to Llanberis. This is Padarn Lake.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OmfsvlQ684U/Tu5MBH9TLYI/AAAAAAAAEvg/hQTkPIxHFEE/s500/kallibus3.jpg
On the other side of the lake is where the Quarry Hospital is.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Bu9nHKTlo6c/Tu5MDi8rPGI/AAAAAAAAEvk/hRpWtUVs99E/s500/kallibus4.jpg
Duck!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-22n-mIASixI/Tu5MGPD6RjI/AAAAAAAAEvo/WsD7GMZGtEk/s500/kallibus5.jpg
It is too late in the year to go on the train up Snowdon, in fact, they are closed for the off-peak season and are doing maintenance.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9Xt2WGdT5s0/Tu5MH5Fj8hI/AAAAAAAAEvs/Nw0CEvO76Tc/s500/kallibus6.jpg
Snow isn't all that far down the mountain.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cEr--OTRxfw/Tu5NUUnrk6I/AAAAAAAAEyA/I-tfmNA0YHA/s500/dolcastle.jpg
Before the bus home, we had time for a quick look at Dolbadarn Castle. You can't see the really snowy mountain in the background!
miapearl


Posted Dec 20, 2011, 11:14 am
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Jpo5Ib8a5qY/Tu5MKDzm-EI/AAAAAAAAEvw/tmhRxrTVnDw/s500/kalliport.jpg
We've come out to Porthmadog to go shopping, but first, a look at the snowy mountains.
miapearl


Posted Dec 20, 2011, 11:15 am


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lnkFysYsngA/Tu5MMF6vEMI/AAAAAAAAEv0/w0HqC4HlByI/s500/kallilights.jpg
Some houses on my host's estate have outside decorations.
miapearl


Posted Jan 11, 2012, 11:47 am
We went to my host's mum's for Christmas.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5vT6aVX-9qY/Twt5mfRTKVI/AAAAAAAAEyM/R2MJ6eBCR9k/s500/11tree1.jpg
We heard they were doing the tree so we all came for a look.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OBjhuHNZ57I/Twt5oTxuAcI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/v7xJlv4DVrA/s500/11tree2.jpg
These lights work!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GHKki4nSnFw/Twt52W7uQWI/AAAAAAAAEyk/06Ky_md117M/s500/kallitree1.jpg
I tested some of the other lights.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eK_C6p1hnqY/Twt55mVRQLI/AAAAAAAAEyo/R5K2Oc4EJ10/s500/kallitree2.jpg
They work too!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RFBEM3skroo/Twt57aLWJ_I/AAAAAAAAEys/CoLF251glDo/s500/11tree4.jpg
The tree is going to look good.[img][/img]
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZO9wCMqb-ow/Twt5-vVi9AI/AAAAAAAAEyw/kAud-Kh2oTE/s500/11tree6.jpg
miapearl


Posted Jan 12, 2012, 11:59 am
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S1fVRA_nkG4/Twt6A9NEBLI/AAAAAAAAEy0/9fm1QWOO27w/s500/wrap1.jpg
What is behind us in the wrapping paper?
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IoMT2tdXLOo/Twt6Ft2eQ0I/AAAAAAAAEy8/JUC9Do_wPeY/s500/wrap2.jpg
Gold!
miapearl


Posted Jan 12, 2012, 4:01 pm
We've come out for a New Year's Eve walk to the beach
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZTfbj-fLmp4/Twt6KlSQmJI/AAAAAAAAEzI/iFYoTjBjuig/s500/kalliwhale1.jpg
This is (old) Hunstanton beach, faces west but is on the East coast of England.
Oh dear, poor whale. According to one of the locals, it had died out at sea.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4UdZvEckrg4/Twt6cEI1GFI/AAAAAAAAEzw/y3UbvB7sFNs/s500/kalliwhale3.jpg
It was quite a big beast. Perhaps it died of old age.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kDci42tMJtA/Twt6jmZsyoI/AAAAAAAAE0A/p1fNF1lqVGg/s500/kalliwhale4.jpg
The brown layer is Carrstone, a sandstone with cement. Above, there is red and white chalk.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LKZoBpWodTA/Twt6tZMPVMI/AAAAAAAAE0Y/1C9o3PMVksA/s500/whale9.jpg
The old lighthouse sits atop the cliffs.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rdC8MIsW5OE/Twt6vRIVfSI/AAAAAAAAE0c/Ahmo3w_Rm9k/s500/whale10.jpg
The sun will set soon.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zLHdzyhVR3E/Twt6xIsFZ1I/AAAAAAAAE0g/mISt1ComTFM/s500/whale11.jpg
There isn't as much white chalk on the cliff, some had fallen down.
miapearl


Posted Jan 12, 2012, 4:16 pm
We are going to spend the rest of 2011 relaxing. Tomorrow is a new year!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9NqAjxKcMk0/Twt634TSbEI/AAAAAAAAE0s/TfvVAiofSjM/s500/cake.jpg
Let's celebrate with some cake
miapearl


Posted Jan 12, 2012, 4:19 pm
Happy New Year.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c64Jaen9dDQ/Twt65UBGkfI/AAAAAAAAE0w/SZanRQvO6kI/s500/freiston1.jpg
Today, we've come for a New Year's Walk at Freiston Shore. It is an RSPB nature reserve.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y_w4Zbo_aJw/Twt66_HjMVI/AAAAAAAAE00/UxB2WD1jr9E/s500/freiston2.jpg
The weather wasn't all that great but at least it was dry.
miapearl


Posted Jan 20, 2012, 10:38 am

Today, we'll be making our way back home to Wales. I wonder if we'll stop off anywhere interesting.
miapearl


Posted Jan 20, 2012, 11:08 am
On our way home, we went via Magna, an industrial science museum set in an old steelworks near Rotherham/Sheffield.
The museum is in 4 sections. The first section we visited was Fire.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o6go8JyEq7c/Twt7I__8G1I/AAAAAAAAE1Y/6VrWcfVhJ8A/s500/magna10.jpg
This shows the inside of an engine, middle in...
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sD2eHVp9mTg/Twt7K7dyisI/AAAAAAAAE1c/RpduqNlzTlE/s500/magna11.jpg
middle out...
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LARwUoZ-Ia8/Twt7L9Dh_8I/AAAAAAAAE1g/rMrR_yHB8tg/s496/magna6.jpg
The fire is lit.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U3zqH0M_CAM/Twt7M-rrw9I/AAAAAAAAE1k/IeLhD_VsXE8/s496/magna7.jpg
Twirling up into a tornado
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zHGaLF7VX70/Twt7N_-mpfI/AAAAAAAAE1o/lIEeXxhNOkw/s496/magna8.jpg
On to air next,
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ly6k2fPGIJE/Twt7Pi5MMpI/AAAAAAAAE1s/cqxLCsPWVPE/s500/magna9.jpg
but had a quick look at the Big Melt show
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-srBgK6TtjOc/Twt7XjfXpsI/AAAAAAAAE2A/c6TE9YaiZ6M/s500/magna12.jpg
This thing blows air to generate "music" at the press of buttons.
Then, onto water
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QYkqLOA7siM/Twt7ZjhL4ZI/AAAAAAAAE2E/F-L9dUEKbRs/s500/magna13.jpg
Lots of possibilities to get wet but we didn't bring any towels, so will be careful.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--y8dsB3ulpU/Twt7blRI2rI/AAAAAAAAE2I/tu0nTJ3vZWo/s500/magna14.jpg
A water blaster..
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P7W0MJzIjg4/Twt7d5Ve-0I/AAAAAAAAE2M/1mIEobC3Kgk/s500/magna15.jpg
Those cones will get full of water when someone raises the water up a rope or something.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EXufmQhtSVI/Twt7fw36YBI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/uK-ZFp_e8mg/s500/magna17.jpg
Those balls are being kept in the air!
Then, we went on to Earth
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yWMVU6HK__A/Twt7h5qx0sI/AAAAAAAAE2U/JBX3AacAzQU/s500/magna18.jpg
This film is showing the Earth.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6JoocDfCrKk/Twt7j6rh17I/AAAAAAAAE2Y/SDwgRv-5V0E/s500/magna19.jpg
We arrived here late and didn't have time to put our hard hats on.
miapearl


Posted Jan 20, 2012, 11:19 am
A package arrived
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YlcBMwDeGDw/TyEvcvsccgI/AAAAAAAAE3I/B4f-I7rhW0g/s500/IMAG1499%252520%252528299x500%252529.jpg
Henrik came to see us!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4kRNgq_N4bg/TyEvmlQ6ToI/AAAAAAAAE3g/LVR3ykF91Kk/s500/IMAG1503%252520%252528500x299%252529.jpg
Hello and Bye Henrik! Tomorrow I vamoosh!
miapearl


Posted Jan 20, 2012, 11:20 am
Bye bye Wales..... I hope my journey isn't too long
annix


Posted Jan 26, 2012, 10:36 am
Hi mum,
I've just arrived to my new host and I already have 4 new TV friends: Lupus-Tigger, Tomi the Bear, Finn and Ranil. We'll have a gret time together!
Love,
KalliHH
annix


Posted Feb 1, 2012, 1:52 pm
Hi mum,
this is me visiting Sforzesco Castle! I've visited it just in time because today it starts snowing and it's so cold here so I think I'm going to stay at home!
Love,
KaliHH
annix


Posted Feb 7, 2012, 9:40 am
Hi mum,
today I tried to go out with my friends Finn and Lupus-Tigger but it's so cold that we've immediately decided to came back home! Hope it's going to be better in the next days!
Bye
annix


Posted Feb 24, 2012, 1:08 pm
Hi mum,
in Milan there is a very important exposition called "International Tourism Exchange", there are leaflets about all the world countries (and also some typical sweets...) and so I'm thinking about all the other countries I'll visit in the future!
I find a lot of nice pitres about Tunis and the desert and...I took some photos in front of a desert picture! It seems that i was there but, believe in me, I'm still in Italy!
Love, KalliHH
annix


Posted Feb 25, 2012, 3:59 pm
Happy Carnival mummy! In Milan we celebrate it today so I'm having fun with my TV friends!
annix


Posted Mar 5, 2012, 9:52 am
After some very cold week now the temperature is getting warmer...I really hope winter is over!!!
annix


Posted Mar 12, 2012, 4:18 pm
Hi mum,
before leaving Italy I want to taste a typical Italian pizza! Then I'll be ready to start travel again!
Love,
KalliHH
annix


Posted Mar 12, 2012, 4:18 pm
The ETVT 2012 is waiting for me!!!!!!!
iloveletters


Posted Mar 17, 2012, 10:43 am
Hello mommy!

I arrived at my new host in Germany and was welcomed by Spencer, another TV staying here at the moment. I am sure we will have a good time!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010538.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010539.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010541.jpg

First I looked out of the window to see where I am. It is a nice green place and we have beautiful wheather at the moment.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010547.jpg

Mechterstädt is a little village in Thuringia. Thuringia?! I looked on the internet to get some information about this German state:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010545.jpg

Thuringia is situated in the center of Germany with a population of about 2 million inhabitants. The Capital is Erfurt.

And this is the coat of arms :

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010546.jpg

CU!

iloveletters


Posted Mar 17, 2012, 7:58 pm
Today we went to Eisenach to see the big
parade of the 'Sommergewinn'. It is one of the biggest festivals in
Germany celebrating the beginning of Summer. And we had summer
like weather with blue sky and sunshine all day long.

The parade was great with music and all different kinds of cars.
There were many other people too.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010557.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010558.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010559.jpg

Mister Winter in chains:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010562.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010563.jpg

This was my favourite car: the honey and bee one!
All my friends up there!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010564.jpg

And last but not least Misses Summer - Frau Sunna!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010567.jpg

Many houeses were also decorated with paper flowers like this one.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010576.jpg

And there was a funfair! I had some candy floss!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010577.jpg

After a long day and many impressions we went home by train.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010579.jpg


iloveletters


Posted Mar 21, 2012, 1:10 pm
Today we went for a little walk in the village to
get an idea of where I am.

Mechterstädt is in Thuringia near Eisenach and there live about
1000 people. This map shows how small the place is.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010581.jpg

Mechterstädt has 2 twin towns: Saclay in France and Ballnicollig in Ireland.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010587.jpg

There is  a village hall

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010582.jpg

and a church

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010590.jpg

There is even a little shop and today was market day in front.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010588.jpg

The river Hoersel runs through the village.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010586.jpg

And at the moment there is a large construction site in the village
near the train station...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010591.jpg

because of this:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010594.jpg

The rail-crossing gates are closed very often because the railway
track is the main route from East to West. That's why there are
often traffic jams in the village and so the German Railway decided
to build a tunnel instead of the rail-crossing.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010595.jpg

My host lives near the crossing on this street:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010596.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010597.jpg

And this is the house I am staying at at the moment.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010598.jpg

We already put up some Easter decoration.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010607.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010608.jpg

And in the garden there are snowdrops everywhere. It is beautiful
spring weather with sunshine and blue sky - I love it!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010605.jpg




iloveletters


Posted Mar 30, 2012, 11:18 am
My host went to the town Waltershausen,
near Mechterstädt and showed me around. There is not that much
so see...

The market square with the old town hall is nice.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010615.jpg

And there is a well with a figure called 'Muschelminna', a woman
with a shell. It is still closed because of winter.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010617.jpg

The town church was built in the 18th century and houses the oldest baroque
organ in Thuringia.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010616.jpg

The 'Klaustor' is an old town gate.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010618.jpg



iloveletters


Posted Mar 30, 2012, 11:22 am
At home I took a time-out and relaxed
with the two cats living here, Bonnie and Clyde.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010614.jpg

But because the weather was brilliant with sunshine I also spent
some time on the balcony, together with Spencer.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010622.jpg

I enjoyed a good book...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010619.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010621.jpg

and the nice view from the balcony. In the background you might
see the 'Inselsberg', the second highest mountain in Thuringia with
about 1000 metres.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010624.jpg


iloveletters


Posted Mar 30, 2012, 11:24 am
Today it was time to say Goodbye to Spencer.
He travels in the Big German RR and will visit Munich next.
Bye Bye!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010627.jpg
iloveletters


Posted Apr 5, 2012, 4:50 pm
The last days were very busy because we went on several trips.

First we went to Leipzig for the weekend. We went by train and it
took us about 2.5 hours. We had to change trains in Naumburg.
Ah well, not much going on here...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010634.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010633.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010632.jpg

When we arrived in Leipzig it was very rainy.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010636.jpg

But we wanted to visit the zoo anyway.
And we found the way easily because animals left their traces on the sidewalks.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010637.jpg

And there we are!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010638.jpg

There is much to see and do here so I took a view on the map to see where to start.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010639.jpg

Because of the weather we went to 'Gondwanaland' first -  a huge tropical
hall with 31 °C. It felt like summer holidays!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010668.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010654.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010643.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010644.jpg

KalliHH in the jungle....

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010645.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010647.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010649.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010652.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010650.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010651.jpg

After our walk we enjoyed and ice-cream.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010653.jpg

Next we visited the animals outside.

There were tigers and monkeys and elephants and zebras and and and.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010657.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010656.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010659.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010670.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010661.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010662.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010666.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010667.jpg

And the suricates are soooo cute!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010663.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010665.jpg








iloveletters


Posted Apr 5, 2012, 5:03 pm
After our visit to the Leipzig Zoo we took a stroll through the city centere.

The university building at Augustplatz is amazing. They tore down
the old GDR building and rebuilt the whole campus. In former times
there used to be a church which was demolished for the GDR
building. Now they kind of recreated the church tower in a modern way.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010676.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010677.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010673.jpg

This is the old university tower which  belongs to the MDR TV nowadays.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010674.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010675.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010671.jpg

The Leibniz monument:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010672.jpg

Next to the university is the Gewandhaus.....

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010678.jpg

....and the opera.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010679.jpg

That's where we are going tomorrow to visit a musical.

Leipzig is famous for its shopping archades, e.g. Speck's Hof and Mädlerpassage.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010681.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010680.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010682.jpg

In the latter one you can go and eat at Auerbachs Keller, a place
that appears in Goethe's FAUST. In front of the entrance there are
monuments of that scene from FAUST.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010683.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010685.jpg

At the end of our stroll we saw the old town hall (which is built in
the style of the golden section).

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010686.jpg

And we finished at the train station because  our hotel was next to it.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010687.jpg

iloveletters


Posted Apr 9, 2012, 4:02 pm
Today we did some more sightseeing around Leipzig.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010710.jpg

We went  to the 'Völkerschlachtdenkmal' (Monument to the Battle of the Nations) by tram.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010711.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010689.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010695.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010696.jpg

The monument to remember the 1813 Battle of Leipzig, also known
as the Battle of the Nations was completed in 1913 for the 100th
anniversary of the battle.

We went inside and then climbed to the top with a great view over Leipzig.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010698.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010701.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010709.jpg

There were maaaany steps...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010705.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010702.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010703.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010704.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010706.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010707.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010708.jpg

In the afternoon we went to the Opera House again to watch the
Musical 'Rocky Horror Show'. Well, we were not allowed to take
photos inside but  here are some impressions from the outside.
Crazy fans....

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010712.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010713.jpg



iloveletters


Posted Apr 9, 2012, 4:09 pm
My next trip this week lead me to Bad Steben in Franken. My host visited her
parents there who were on holidays. Bad Steben is a quiet health
resort town for elder people. It was not too exciting.
We went for some walks in the park and in the countryside.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010718.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010716.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010717.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010719.jpg

Brrrr, there was a cold wind and it was a little rainy, too.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010720.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010721.jpg

Can you see the castle in the background? That's were we hiked to: Lichtenberg.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010722.jpg

I saw patches of beautiful anemones.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010723.jpg

As a tradition the people here decorate the wells for Easter.

Can you see me, mommy?!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010725.jpg

It was not busy here, we were almost the the only people and
animals in the town and castle.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010727.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010728.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010729.jpg



iloveletters


Posted Apr 9, 2012, 4:28 pm
Back 'home' in Mechterstädt there was a surprise for me.
A package had arrived. I was curious to open it.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010733.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010735.jpg

I welcomed my friend SunnyHH who travels on the Big German RR and will stay in Thuringia for April.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010737.jpg

He brought some Easter presents with him and we read some
stories about Easter in our new book.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010741.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010743.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010744.jpg



iloveletters


Posted Apr 10, 2012, 11:09 am
Today we got ready for Easter and baked an Easter Bunny!

First I read the recipe. Let's see what we need...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010751-1.jpg

Here I have all the ingredients.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010753.jpg

And the baking dish.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010755.jpg

First I have to weigh all the ingredients. Hey, let's see how much I weigh!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010759.jpg

SunnyHH joined me.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010758.jpg

Ok then, let's put all of it together in a bowl and stir well.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010764.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010766.jpg

The dish must go in the oven for 45 minutes.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010772.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010775.jpg

And voila: there he is - our Easter Bunny! What a pity that he will loose his life tomorrow  :(

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010780.jpg


iloveletters


Posted Apr 10, 2012, 11:19 am
For the Easter weekend we went to Berlin to visit my host's brother.
We also took some time for sightseeing. We started our tour at the Alexanderplatz.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010789.jpg

With the World Clock:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010783.jpg

And the TV tower:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010786.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010787.jpg

We wanted to go to the top but that was what about 1000 other
people wanted to do , too. The queue was too long. So we moved on.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010791.jpg

And saw the read town hall:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010794.jpg

The Neptune Well:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010795.jpg

Marx and Engles Monument:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010802.jpg

The Berlin Cathedral

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010804.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010810.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010825.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010824.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010815.jpg

The New Museum

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010809.jpg

The National Gallery

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010838.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010835.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010836.jpg

And the Pergamon Museum

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010851.jpg

We were lucky to be able to jump the queue, because we had online tickets!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010845.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010841.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010840.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010848.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010849.jpg





Oppenheimer


Posted Apr 15, 2012, 6:56 pm
Hey hey hey! :)

Yesterday I arrived at my new host's house in the beautiful area of Westerwald! Here is some information about it, if you haven't been there yet (;  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westerwald

My new host told me to say thanks for the sweets and the postcard I brought with me - I think he really liked it ^^
By the way, he told me that unfortunately he goes to a class trip for five days and can't take me with him, because insects like me aren't allowed :/  But guess where he's going? To good old Hamburg, near my hometwon ! :)

After he's back, he promised me to do something really cool ... something with music - keep your eyes open! ^^

Love,  KalliHH
iloveletters


Posted Apr 18, 2012, 8:25 am
Byebye Thuringia! Today I am travelling to my next host. SunnyHH waved my Goodbye.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010853.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/iloveletters/KalliHH/P1010854.jpg

Oppenheimer


Posted Apr 22, 2012, 4:39 pm
Hey there! :)

It's me again. my host came home from his wonderful class trip and he told me many stories about his great class and how nice it was to see Hamburg.

After that I got to see some new friends. One told me that his name is Xinzu and he came from Asia a long, long time ago!
Maybe you know the others, I think they are really nice people :D

By now I'm reading the current issue of my host's favourite magazine, the german "Musikexpress". Thanks to that, I now know tons of things about Britpop!

All the best and greetings home,
Kalli
Oppenheimer


Posted Apr 24, 2012, 6:45 pm
Hello, Hello.

Look at this, mom, I started making music myself. Ain't that cool?!
The first song I learned was 'Gloria' by Mando Diao, really great one.

I hope you're doing fine at home - I miss you... but just a bit. I'm a rockstar ;-)
Oppenheimer


Posted May 1, 2012, 3:11 pm
Hey! :) happy first of may to all!

Today was a day off, so I decided to let you know what we did in the last days !
Yesterday my host came back from hospital, after having an allergic shock. Silly me, I shouldn't have passed him the peanuts ;D

After that we just relaxed and played some records. Now I know the maybe greatest band of all time ... The Beatles! Do you know them? Well ... I think so. :D

Peace & Love!
Kalli

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