Two days in Vilnius – a week-end break for the meat and outdoor lover

Vilnius is not a top vegetarian destination. Lithuanians do meat and they do it very well. So get ready for a very meaty week-end, washed down with delicious local beers. But before we get to the food, let me tell you a bit about everything else that made me add Vilnius to the travel list.

Continue reading “Two days in Vilnius – a week-end break for the meat and outdoor lover”

Botswana with a short day trip to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

It is about this time last year that we were in the latest stages of planning the Africa trip. After a two week stay in Namibia, recounted in detail in the previous post, we crossed by car into Botswana. We had some reservations about the border crossing and feared that some clueless looking European tourists may be subject to additional checks and questions. However, it turned out both Lonely Planet and our travel agent that recommended the itinerary were right. Nothing more than a security and sanitary check (for fresh fruit or vegetable) were organized at the Ngoma Bridge crossing into Botswana.

Continue reading “Botswana with a short day trip to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe”

Expeditionary feeling and great wildlife spotting – snapshots of Namibia

What better thing to do in Winter in Europe than reminisce about a past adeventure and maybe plan a new one. Recounting past adventures is a bit like re-living them again. For a couple of hours, I am therefore transporting myself back to Africa and taking you with me. I took this trip in May 2014 but I still have vivid memories of all the places we visited. Everything started with

Continue reading “Expeditionary feeling and great wildlife spotting – snapshots of Namibia”

Island discovery – Mauritius outside the 5 star resorts

It is Summer in Europe, therefore the time when everybody travels. I am between travels myself but using the time to catch up on about 6 months worth of trips that I was not able to document due to a busy work schedule. So, Mauritius. First, if you tell your friends that you plan a Mauritius holiday, you will probably get a few ‘wish I were you’ looks. Mauritius is a synonym to paradisiac beaches and infinity pools in 5 -star resorts.

Continue reading “Island discovery – Mauritius outside the 5 star resorts”

Komodo Dragons – Island of Flores, Indonesia

There are three things you will find about Indonesia on all travel blogs: 1) relax and visit temples in Bali; 2) dive and go to the beach in the Gillis and 3) visit the Komodo Dragon. You probably wonder why all the fuss about a lizard. Subject of countless documentaries and TV nature programs, the main thing about this lizard is that, like many other rare animals, it is only to be found on two little islands in the vast archipelago that is Indonesia: Komodo and Rinca. This usually involves either a long boat trip from Bali or a flight with a local carrier. These lizards are fierce creatures, the size of a large crocodile but more agile and ready to attack pretty much anything on two or four feet. Komodo National Park is a UNESCO site and is the only place to see the world’s largest lizard in the wild.

Continue reading “Komodo Dragons – Island of Flores, Indonesia”

Outside Bali – Gili Islands

Few visitors venture outside Bali or even southern Bali for that matter. Accommodation is definitely high standard and you can get pretty much all the amenities you are used to in Europe/US. Also in Bali, there a still a few places that managed to keep their pristine beauty but they are getting less and less as big hotel chains advance toward the center of the island. East of Bali is Lombok. Somewhat less traveled than Bali but still firmly established on the tourist map. The north of Lombok holds a few treasures in the form of the Gili Islands. We have travelled to Gili Ayer and spent a few days in the sun. The atmosphere is very laid back. You can go about your business around the island without any shoes.

Continue reading “Outside Bali – Gili Islands”

First encounter with Ubud, Indonesia

After a 16h flight and two transfers, this was a much awaited encounter indeed. First 7 impressions:

1. Flip-flops are in fashion. Even more so, there must be a note somewhere saying they are mandatory in Indonesia as 99% of the people we met were wearing them.

Continue reading “First encounter with Ubud, Indonesia”

Un peu d’air frais – Short break in Normandie

Last week-end, encouraged by the very nice weather forecast, we decided to jump in the car and explore a bit in the North of France. With no prior bookings we decided to head to Deauville and Mont Saint-Michel for a short break.

We were initially set for Le Havre to watch the big ships sail into port. As we arrived there, the rain started to fall and ruined our plans for a short stop and lunch. Despite warnings from booking.com and Agoda that the town is fully booked, we decided to continue to Deauville in search for accommodation.

Continue reading “Un peu d’air frais – Short break in Normandie”

The steel and concrete jungle of the city that never sleeps

Image

A trip from March 2010, one of the best so far.  Also, the trip in which I managed to wake up at 7 A.M. every morning, without an alarm. That never happens to me :).

Unfortunately, I have no good picture of the High Line, one of the highlights of the NY trip. We spent hours walking up and down and admiring the old buildings of the Meatpacking District.

Continue reading “The steel and concrete jungle of the city that never sleeps”