Hanging out in HAITI

HAITI

French speaking Haiti which shares its island with the Dominican Republic is known for its sandy beaches,

warm weather, and Caribbean lifestyle.

There's no visa needed for travel to Haiti

The population of Haiti is 8.7 million

The capital is Port au Prince

Have some Pineapple Nog when in Haiti

Recipe

1 cup pineapple, crushed

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 cup coconut milk

1 cup milk

Mix everything together in a blender.

Pour into glasses and sprinkle nutmeg on top.

Doumbry is a popular dumpling dish

Recipe

2 cups flour

1/2 cup water

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

Sift flour, salt, & pepper; add water to form dough.

Roll dough into 5 inch ropes. Add more flour to prevent stickiness. Boil pot of water and add dumplings to the water.

Cook for about five minutes; 

Bon Appetite

Attractions in Haiti; Norte Dame Catholic Cathedral, Parc National Historique La Citadelle, Musee du Pantheon 

National & Etang Saumatre

LODGING OPTIONS:

JACMEL:

Cap Lamandou Hotel

Hotel Kabic Beach Club

PORT AU PRINCE:

Le Plaza Hotel

Park Hotel

Kaliko Beach Club

PETIONVILLE:

Allamanda Bed & Breakfast

La Chateau Phoenix

HAITI has some stunning beaches where diving, snorkeling, and swimming are the name of the game. Check out these

blue/turquoise beaches:

                                  BEACHES IN HAITI

                             

                                 Labadie Beach

                           

                                  Kyona Beach

                                 

                            La Tortue (Tortuga Island)

                                  Ca Ira Beach

                            

                            RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS

                                         JACMEL:

                                   La Crevette

                                  Petit Coin Restaurant

                                  Eritag Cafe

                                      PORT AU PRINCE:

                                   Mun Chez

                                   Papaya

                                   Tiffany's

Hanging out in Haiti is a good thing especially if you can devote a bit of time to help rebuild parts of the island hit by the destructive 2010 earthquake. Any help is appreciated.

See you in H A I T I...................

Adrianna (Travel World)

Germany (A Little of This & That on a Budget)

 


German born Ludwig Van Beethoven
is the king of classical music.
His compositions are some of the best in the 
entire world and his music is still loved
throughout GERMANY.
                                                       
                                                                                Ludwig van Beethoven
 

     G   E   R  M  A  N  Y  

                                    A Little of This & That on
                                    a Budget $

water, water, everywhere....

Hamburg  the city of water to Lake Constance a water playground resort to Passau where three rivers of water meet to Munich for delicious beer made of water from the Bavarian Alps. 

Water; you can swim in it , boat on it, and drink plenty of it; Water is a part of everyday life in one way or another.

Budget; spending less money on attractions, dining, lodging, and transportation.

BLOG READERS please join me in Germany as I write about a bit of this and that to do in four spectacular areas of Germany that all revolve around water!!!

Hamburg is known as "the Gateway to the World" and as "the Venice of the North." It's close to the Baltic and North Sea and located on the River Eibe,

There's plenty to do in Germany's second largest city without having to spend a lot of Euros. 

                                                Hamburg on the Water


A)  Fish Auction Hall and Market (open air market)

B)  Reeperbabn (a long boulevard known for dining, shopping, and nightlife)

C)   A boat tour on Alster Lakes

D)  Treppenviertal Blankerese; walking on a historic hillside neighborhood

E)  City Park has a planetarium, lake for swimming, and cycling trails

F)  Hamburg Harbor; strolling the waterfront and eating fresh seafood

G)  Park Plauntenun Blomen; fountains, lawns, floral displays & more

H A M B U R G: 

Restaurants on a Budget;                                            

A) Balutshi; Indian Food

B) Il Buca; Italian Food

C)  Parlament; German Food


Lodging on a Budget;

A) Generator Hostel Hamburg

B) Novum Hotel Hamburg

C) Aachener HOF

Lake Constance (Bondensee)

                     The largest lake in Central Europe

Lake Constance known as Bondensee is the largest lake in Central Europe. Four countries share this jewel of a lake; Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, & Switzerland.


A trip to Germany should include a few days on Lake Constance. Lake Constance is one of the top vacation spots for Europeans.

On the German side of Lake Constance are a cluster of towns suited for a holiday. Here's a few to consider:



                                   1) Friedrichshafen
                           
 2) Lindau (island)                                             3) Meersburg



                                        4) Immenstaad

                                                             

                                                      PASSAU

      PASSAU situated at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers

      is an enchanting little city near the Czech Republic border. The train

      station here serves many regions in Central Europe.

           

     FRIZZ bakery inside the train station has some of the most addictive
   pretzels, breads, and pastries in all of Passau. Purchase a cup of  coffee  
   (tasse kaffe)  and a bag full of bakery treats and sit on the Danube River
   and watch the boats sail by.

                                                                  

WHAT TO SEE IN PASSAU:

St Stephens Cathedral, Oberhaus Museum, The Glass Museum,

Passau University, Residenzplaz

WHAT TO DO IN PASSAU:

Have a beer from Hacklberg Brewery (circa 1618)

Bicycle or Walk along the Danube Bike Trail

Sit in the park where the three rivers meet and watch the

boats coming in on the calm waters of the rivers

Stroll the historic city of Passau and take some pictures of

the cobblestone streets and various buildings

Buy a pair or two of authentic Birkenstocks in one of Passau's shoe shops and reward your feet with comfortable walking

Authentic Birkenstocks

where to stay in PASSAU

                            

ROTEL INN

Shaped like a ship "Rotel Inn" sits on the Danube River.

Rooms are very small but clean, bathrooms are shared, and

there's a full service restaurant on sight as well as a friendly staff

ROTEL INN is a real bargain!!!

Also Consider:

Fahrrad-Pension & Hotel Garni Herdegen

RESTAURANTS:

WeinGut & Chandni

The "McDonald's" in Germany are some of the best in the

world for coffee, desserts, and unique veggie burgers!

(MU N I C H)

Munich

Before leaving Deutschland (Germany) spend a few days in Bavaria's largest city known as Munchen (Munich).

With a population of  1.3 million Munich is a city of world class museums, picturesque parks, and interesting architecture.

Sights:

1)Residenz

                   2) Deutsches Museum

             3) English Garden 

         4) Marienplatz

                5) Beer Gardens

Lodging:

1) Wombat's

2) Euro Youth Hostel

3) Hotel Jedermann

Munich Treats:

water here, and water there.... so many choices..... whatever direction you choose to go by bicycle, boat, foot, or train you'll enjoy the German attractions, beer, food, and people that make Germany: W u n d e r b a r

Walking around Germany in Birkenstocks is very enjoyable!!

     

  G  E  R  M  A  N  Y            G  E R M A N Y    

Germany on a Budget

                      

                                                                
                             Wilkommen in Deutschland    


Guten Tag!  My first visit to Deutschland (Germany) was in the 1990's when I had to pay for everything in German Marks. I fondly remember how far my money went in those days. Staying at a cozy pension, eating good food, and buying Birkenstocks was very affordable. But things have changed in the 21st Century and Germany has gotten to be rather expensive. 

Still there's so many things that I like about Germany and I come back as often as I can to visit especially when I'm working in neighboring Austria. I have friends in Germany, I can get by fairly well with the language and I'm always yearning to go back to Germany to hike the Alps and be addressed as Frau Adrianna.

Germany can very much be enjoyed on a budget whether you travel north or south or east or west. So follow me as we travel through Germany on a budget.


Berlin is earning a very favorable impression as the city that's the "it" place to visit. From first class theater to late night cabaret Berlin is buzzing with excitement. Some of the restaurants rival Paris and the art, design, fashion, and music scene are pretty awesome. A city hop on and hop off tour is a wonderful way to get in tune with Berlin and its beat.

                             Berlin

There's a lot to see in Berlin so after you get to know the city a bit be sure to spend a bit of time checking out Pariser Plats, The Reichstag Building, and Charlottenburg Palace and Park. Across from Charlottenburg Park are six museums.

After all the exploring have an affordable meal at City Chicken known for outstanding rotisserie chicken. Berlin Burger International has large and tasty burgers at reasonable prices and Requisite Currywurst adds a bit of spice to its wurst.

Spending a few nights in exciting Berlin is loads of fun. Hotel Huettenpalast is a unique kind of place known for gramping (glamour & camping). It's an eco friendly hotel that offers comfortable sleeping in a loft room, caravan, or wood cabin. The City Hostel of Berlin is located in the historic heart of Berlin known as the "Mitte" and is a popular place to stay. For an old fashioned atmosphere try the Pension Funk. The Pension Funk is steps away from Ku'damm Strasse a street well known for shopping.

After Berlin it's off to the university town of Heidelberg.
Consider staying at either Pension Jeske or Steffi's Hostel and than enjoy the youthful atmosphere of Heidelberg. The university here is the oldest in Germany. Don't miss the Old Town (Alstadt) and the famous Heidelberg Castle when visiting the area. Enjoy a walk on the path of the Philosopher's Walk as well as crossing the Old Bridge over the Neckar River. Before leaving Heidelberg be sure to have a few beers at a local beer garden.

Old Bridge (Heidelberg)

In the foothills of the Black Forest is Baden Baden known for its thermal baths (hot springs). Why not splurge and spend a day in this spa town where good health and relaxation is the name of the game. Linde Gasthaus is a reasonably priced place to stay in Baden Baden for a night before heading to Stuttgart.

When your train arrives at the main station in Stuttgart you'll be stepping into a city that was founded in the 10th century. Stuttgart is the 6th largest city in Germany and is known for its automotive industry. This is the city of churches, towers, parks and squares. It's also where Mercedes-Benz and Porsche have their headquarters.
Attractions revolving around the automotive industry include a visit to the Mercedes Benz factory and the Mercedes Benz Museum and Porsche Museum.   

There's nothing quite like a Deutsch Bakeri (German Bakery) for delicious breads and desserts. One of Germany's most famous cookies are the Lebkuchen spice cookies. Especially popular at Christmas these cookies are simply irresistible. You can buy them in small tins and believe me after just one bite you'll be happy you bought the whole tin.                    
     

Lebkuchen 

When in Stuttgart the best budget lodging is either a stay at the Inter-Hostel or the Hotel Le Village. 

From Stuttgart it's time to had to the laid back region of Germany known as Bavaria. My favorite part of Germany is Bavaria. This is where I'd like to settle down for years to come and run my own pension in the heart of the Alps and enjoy the company of those happy Germans who know how
to enjoy life. 

Back in 2011 after spending several weeks working in Kitzbuhel, Austria I had a one week vacation at the end of August before heading back to the United States. I just couldn't make up my mind where spend that week and an inner voice kept repeating; "Go to Garmisch, Go to Garmisch." so I followed my hunch and bought a one way ticket to Garmisch from Kitzbuhel.

Three hours and 40 minutes later after taking a scenic train ride I arrived in Garmisch. I had no place to stay so I started looking for a tourist office and sure enough one appeared faster than I could have imagined. Within minutes a kind German girl found me a room in a pension for only 32 Euro's a night and it included breakfast. 

I arrived at Gastehaus Maurer, Schmiedstr 7 hot from the heat and very thirsty. Frau Maurer was very kind and offered me a complimentary bottle of water and took me up to my cozy room. There were mini Milka chocolates spread over my pillow and I enjoyed everyone of them.

Gastehaus Maurer, Garmisch

My room had a window that faced the mountains in the distance and I could hear the roosters in the yard across the street. (Music to my ears).

It didn't take me long to make friends with two nice gentleman from Stuttgart who joined me at breakfast the next morning. We enjoyed a bountiful buffet of German sausages and breads, cheese and yogurt, fresh boiled eggs, and a pot of coffee & tea. 

Herr Maurer and Frau Maurer are the perfect hosts. They run a very nice bed & breakfast and make their guests feel right at home. There's a refrigerator stocked with beers, juices, and water for when you get thirsty. The Maurer's were very kind in lending me a bicycle to explore the gorgeous region filled with cute cows, farms, lakes, and glorious mountains. Gastehaus Maurer is a delightful pension (bed & breakfast) in the heart of Garmisch. It's close to all the action and yet located on a quiet residential street. 

Neighboring Partenkirchen is a true Bavarian town with loads of pubs and restaurants. You can hear musicians playing Bavarian folk music as you sip on beer.

I fell in love with Garmisch and all its charm and having two friends to share my time with in lovely Garmisch made it all the more fun. 

Zugspitze Mountain

Hike to your hearts content. There are numerous hiking trails in and around Garmisch and Partenkirchen. Don't miss a hike to the top of Zugspitze Mountain. A refreshing swim can be enjoyed in beautiful Eibsee. A hidden gem of a lake near Garmisch is Lake Riessersee. Everyday I took a long walk to the trailhead that went up to this majestic lake that I consider one of the best to swim in all of Europe. The stunning Hotel Riessersee is a dream of a place to stay but prices are steep. 

Riessersee in Garmisch

If I ever return to Garmisch I intend to swim in the incredible Riessersee again and I highly recommend this lake for the ultimate swim. 

While in Garmisch consider side trips to nearby Mittenwald, Oberammergau, Neuschwanstein Castle, and Germany's largest lake Chiemsee.

Neuschwanstein Castle


A week in this region goes by so quickly but it's a week you'll cherish forever. So enjoy the restaurants, beer gardens, and  terrific scenery of Garmisch/Partenkirchen in Bavaria.
This area is a true vacation paradise.

The charming city of Munich is the last stop in Germany.
Spend a day or two enjoying Munich before saying goodbye to GERMANY.

               Auf  Wiedersehen!