While in Daejeon i visited the Hanbat arboretum too. It’s situated just behind the Daejeon Museum Of Art, which i skipped due the lack of time. The sunny day let me stroll rather trough the park, although it was bit too early for flowers. At least i had a calm and peaceful atmosphere within and could collect some more impressions.
„Busan is Good“ is stated at the main station. To check this statement i decided to join a day tour group with a guide to reach the bit further places too.
After the participants got collect from their hotels, a drive over the Gwangandaegyo, also known as Diamont Bridge, brought us to Haeundae District.
First highlight was the APEC house, where meetings of the ‚Asian-Pacific-Economic-Cooperation‘ are held, as the tour guide proudly explained. It is indeed a impressive building in a round shape, settled at the bay with beautiful view. From there it’s just a short, wonderful stroll along the coast to the Haeundae Beach, which i visited just the day before (check my prior post).
That stroll gave us first opportunity to learn more about the tour participants and our guide. And of course the first selfies and tourist photos are taken as well.
more are coming. stay tuned…
There’s a hike on Lü Dao which leads to the highest point of Green Island. And there was the most beautiful weather to do that. So, hiking boots on and up the hills.
The path is wide, well maintained and not to miss. But on its side is dense forest with rich flora and fauna. Most obvious are the many butterflies fluttering in the air, buzzing insects and the calls of different birds. Also obvious became these big spiders and their sticky webs, especially when you run into it. They use the space on the path and once i missed it, i was busy for quite awhile to get rid of the gluey threads all over my face and head.
A nice surprise was but the sights of these little deers. Even twice they crossed my path, had a look at me and jumped back into the bush, before i could grab my camera for it. And there was more. Small lizards and even a pretty big snake, which flee from me too. I could just take picture from its tail, before disappearing.
At the summit i was rewarded with a splendid view almost over the entire Island. From here, once more you can imagine how it came to its name Lü Dao, the Green Island. This day surrounded with the deep blues, not only by the sea but also from the sky. And look closely, the air is clear enough to see even the town of Tauting on mainland Taiwan.
Another beautiful day on this remarkable island. Only to finish with a local speciality, an omelette with local seaweed and of course a coffee in my favorite cafe @coffeestray
(sorry for the many butterflies, but they were too many too nice ;-))
Just another brief visit of a rather touristic but very pretty town in Sweden: Eksjö.
It’s famous for the typically red houses and the flair of the old days. But see for yourself…
Friends told me not to miss the island Senja. And they were right!
Typically Norway weather with quick changes from sunshine to rain and dropping temperatures also. The landscape however was stunning. In every weather situation. Especially at the cooler morning when the mist is floating around the mountains or falling from the cliffs.
I also had a hike on smaller mountain peak or a stroll along a beach. But not boring longer with words, let’s show some pictorial impressions.
It’s just happened i was in Jerusalem while the celebration of the Jewish holidays of Shushan Purim.
Already in the outskirts of Jerusalem i’ve seen people with masquerades, funny vehicles and music instruments . I’m told to go to the centre where in the pedestrian zones some street parties going on. Although the holidays are more than only the party and dancing, that’s a most awaited part of it. For more information about the origin of Purim read here!
I was wandering trough the crowd, dancing to music, watching the performances and just enjoy happy people around me …and took a lot of pictures from happy people….
My plan was a nice picnic and some rest in the famous gardens of Baha’i.
The Hanging Gardens of Baha’i are on the slopes of Carmel mountains and overlooking Haifa and its bay.
They surrounds the Shrine of Bab, where the founder of the Baha’i Faith is buried.
Unfortunately, only a small part of the gardens are open for the public. The shrine itself was not to enter.
However, i could had a little stroll in quite, peaceful surroundings and took some picturres.
Samstagmorgen. Die Hotelangestellten sind auch heute unfreundlich. Es scheint hier Pflicht zu sein, den Gast zu ignorieren. Wenn er doch Auskunft will oder Hilfe braucht, ihn mit so gekonntem Widerwillen zu strafen, dass man sich in einer Komödie wähnt.
Ein Markt, ebenfalls Bühne des Lebens, wo gefeilscht wird, dramatische Geschichten übertrieben wiedergegeben werden und noch zappelnde Fische entschuppt werden. Das riesige Dach überm Markt erinnerte mich sehr an eine Theaterkuppel. Damit gab es mir den Anstoss, das Leben als Theater zu sehen, das sich auf vielen Bühnen abspielt. Mit dieser Metapher gehe ich weiter durch Odessa. Gotteshäuser, zum Beispiel, in denen sich Menschen verkrampft an überholte Regeln und Rituale halten,die dann im nächsten Wirtshaus gleich wieder mit Bier runtergespült wird. Die Fassaden an den Strassen sind überzogen mit bunten Graffitis, verstecken die grauen, eintönigen Wohnbunkern. Davor kreuzen weisse Stretch-Limousinen und schwarze Nobelschlitten mit Stern auf der Kühlerhaube. Sie halten vor dem Opernhaus, was ich sehr passend finde, und inszenieren mit dem Fotografen eine romantische Szene in Kleidern, die sie den Rest des Lebens nicht mehr tragen werden.
Es wird Abend in Odessa, doch das Leben geht weiter, schläft nicht. Besonders nicht Samstagnacht. Also gehe ich in eine Bar, bestelle mir, nach längerer Wartezeit, ein Bier. Das Wechselgeld behält er grad bei sich. So spart er sich das Suchen von Kleingeld und mir die Überlegung, wieviel Trinkgeld ich da lassen soll. Auf dem Bildschirm zappelt ein Mann aufgeregt mit dem Mikrofon in der Hand, während aus den Lautsprecher eine schrille Frauenstimme ihren Hit rausbrüllt. Warum bringen sie in der Bar nie die Musik, die am Bildschirm als Video gezeigt wird? Ist es ein technisches Problem oder steckt da was anderes dahinter, sinnierte ich. Da wurde ich aber auch schon von zwei Frauen abgelenkt, die sich gleich neben mich setzten. Ich erinnerte mich gelesen zu haben, dass in Odessa, obwohl offiziell illegal, viele Prostituierte in Bars und Nachtklubs auf Kundenfang gingen. Davon zeugen auch die vielen Stripclubs und Cabarets, denen ich auf der Strasse vorüberging. Nach dem zweiten, oder dritten, Bier gehe ich aber ins Hotel zurück. Alleine, denn auf dieses Theater kann ich nun wirklich verzichten.
A dense jungle on both side of the road. A few times a steep slope gives the view free over the green, lush forest. Morning mist crawls up. Despite my early start this morning, i was too late for the chimpanzee tracking. A canopy walk would be an option, but too pricey. I decided to go for a guided hike instead. With only my guide, i walked trough the huge green. He explained about the plants, spotted some smaller animals, as frogs, birds and also mountain monkeys. A bat flew off when we approached its hide too close and some squirrel crossing in high speed our path. Not quite an adventure, but nice hike after cities and long road drives.
At entrance gate every passenger has to get off the vehicles for security check. After the car is parked a friendly staff at reception welcomed me with a smile and explained me there is a photography fee of 20 US$ inside the museum building, but outside it’s free to take pictures. Due the low light in the exhibition rooms i decided to focus on the stories, and taking only few shots from outside.
Just behind the welcome hall a room with rows of chairs is prepared to show an introductory movie. A brief overview of the history and some heartbreaking stories of survivors of genocide brings the viewer goosebumps.
In the museum a path leads from display to another, shows photos and and explanations on big boards or short movies on screens. Another room displayed stained clothes, broken skulls and piles of bones from victims of this horrible time.
The head full of thoughts and impressions i took a short walk trough the area. There are mass graves on terraces just beneath the museum. Some dried roses laying on the concrete lid of the graves and names of victims are carved in the stoney board next to it.
In the small, but pretty rose garden a few blossoms are left. And almost as sign for the future, the sun breaks finally trough the clouds and shines on the red flowers.
rene bauer photography 