Reconnect with Koko in Paris, France, 2018

Paris with Koko.

Zurich with LB

Explore by 80K bike-ride, from Myra Canyon to Pentiction, BC, 2017

 

July 1, 2017 Canada Day, Okanagan, BC.

80K bike-ride, from Myra Canyon to Pentiction, BC 2017

Explore Elfin Lakce, BC, 2016

 

No running water, but two lakes: one for drinking, and one for swimming. Solar-power shelter available for those who need bunk-beds. Bring your own garbage down from the mountain/campsite, no garbage left behind.

Explore Sunshine Coast, BC, 2015

Explore Sunshine Coast, BC, 2015

Explore Eastcoast Winter, Canada 2011

December 2011 to January 2012

From Vancouver, BC

Fly to Winnipeg, MB
Drive to Lac Du Bonet, MB: Reunion with St. Amands.
Found out the real h****** from the Maples CC and Assiniboine CC.
Interesting route and lifestyle.

Drive across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan to Ontario.
Wow - what a lifestyle and food that was?

Drive to Woodlawn: Gathering with Cockerills over X'mas and Boxing Week.

Drive across lake superior to Wiinnipeg, MB.
Fly to Edmonton, AB: Reunion with G.St Amands and in-laws.
Cheers with Martin and Pfeffer over New Year!

Fly back to Vancouver, BC.

BBQ at the Barnet Marine Park, BC

Relaxing Weekend - Happy Canada Day!

So... need a trip this year!

Thinking of exploring the state of Washington...

Normande, France

October 23-30, 2007 - London England

October 16-22, 2007 - Normande, France

October 7-15, 2007 - Paris, France

Switzerland, CH trip

March.28.2007 - Vancouver, BC, Canada

March.26.2007 - Amsterdam, NL

March.24.2007 - Paris, FR

March.19.2007 - Stuttgart, DE

March.18.2007 - Amsterdam, NL

March.16.2007 - Geneva, CH
March.13.2007- Lucern, CH
March.09.2007 - Bern, CH
March.06.2007 - Zurich, CH

March.02.2007 - Frankfurt, DE

Feb.28.2007 - Toronto, ON, Canada

Nov.22.2006 - Back to Vancouer, BC, Canada

quick update, will post the pics later, k?

November - 06, Faro, Protugal
October - 30, Lagos, Protugal
October - 28, Porto, Protugal
October - 25, Lisbon, Portugal

October - 24, Vigo, Spain
October - 20, Madrid, Spain
October - 16, Valencia, Spain
September-27, Barcelona, Spain

September-26, Bratislava, Slovak Republic (2nd time)

September-25 Margit Island on the Danube River, Hungary
September-24 Buda side of the Budapest, Hungary
September-23 Kiskoros and Kolosca Town, Hungary
September-29 Pest side of the Budapest, Hungary
September-18 Budapest, Hungary

September-13 Brno, Czech Republic
September-06 Prague, Czech Republic

September-03 Versailles, France
August-22 Paris, France (2nd time)

August-18 back to Dublin, Ireland
August-18 Castlegar, Ireland
August-16 Galway, Ireland
August-16 Kerry and Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
August-15 Waterford, Ireland
August-14 Southeast Harbor, Ireland
August-14 Cork, Ireland
August-11 Dublin, Ireland

"Chilli Capital," Kalocsa, Hungary

Kalocsa Town:
You can smell the stuff when you pull into town. The plants are ripe for picking, and a pungent aroma from the processing factories fills the air. It’s such an important cash crop that the locals even call it "Red Gold."

It was 3 hours train ride from Budapest. However, there is 2 hours wait at Kiskoros town, because there is not much direct train from Budapest to Kalocsa direct on Saturday. So what the Heeee.....I started drinking Hugarian Rose Wine. About half way down the bottle, I started to talk to the locals at the Kiskoros train station. There is one woman had such a good time with me, she started giving me juicy plums for our trips. Another man was so happy that I shared my drinks with him, he stated offering me the local lñiquor (70% alc), strong stuff. So I am pretty much drunk, by the time the train arrives. I didn have memory of Kalocsa train station, but only the smell of Pepperika and their Gulasch. Boy-oh-Boy so much food in HUGE pots, so many different kind of peppers and the next thing I know, I was drinking with the police chief and his family at the fair and I have Paprika Ristras around my neck.

Apparently, I was also talking to Anna, who is a local reporter for the fair. She invited us to her house, fed us Pizza in the evening, continue drinking and headed out to the pub for more drinks. At that time I was done drinking (around 10pm). I couldn't take anymore, so I stopped and did not touch the Vodka and RedWine that they had. We also meet up with some of our Hostels-buddies from Budapest at the fair. So here we are one big drunken group in the Kalosca Town.

Had a very good time, tried out their mini potatoes, fish soup, different kind of Gulasch dishes, local dance, music and busy talking with locals in the fair. I noticed, Hungarian will put up a strong face at first, but then later on when you started talking to them they will start inviting you to their house for more food and more drinks.

I love Hungary, the people and its culture! One of my favourite country and also to revisit again in the future.

Kezes-Labos: Festival of Etyek, Hungary

I have never thought this way for the Gastrtonomy and Culture show. I only thought one thing - marketing! But now, Hugary taught me how to also think - in earthly manner as well...

The philosophy and goal of the festival
"Your life is on your table, i.e. the day of copious meals"
September-23-2006

Culture has arisen when mankind settled and brought land into cultivation for the first time. Culture ends when mankind detaches itself from the land.

We have to regain the ability of living in the landscape, instead of dominating over or fighting against it. What we have on our table is reserved to our stomach, but it arrives at our head and inflicts our mind. Synthetic dairy products, puffed-up and tasteless vegetables, decorative but indigestible artificial fruits and the plastic-meat of the cattle nurtured on plastic-fodder … all of them are the wastage of the lifeless soil.

We are searching for the living man in the living landscape, who is longing for the soil, seeking beauty, goodness and delight, and is also able to preserve things of importance. Who is not counting time in pennies. We are searching for the baker whose bread is made of crops, the jam-maker who collects the most beautiful fruit and the cheese-manufacturer who uses full-cream milk. We are searching for the man who tends his environment with the work of his own hands. The chemical basis of dynamite and fertiliser is the same, and they both destruct the soil. The land does not need fertilisers – it needs us.

Fast food, fast death, short life. The path to enjoyable life does not lead through the incredibly overcomplicated meals or shiny luxury restaurants, but through people creating something from the pure soil, enjoying their work. Get to know them to let them get to know you. Try their work and taste the shine of the sun, the flesh of the Earth, the power of the plants, the pleasure of honey, the blood of wine, the body of bread, the fire of distillates, the fat of cheese and feel that the world is created for you and you are created for the world.

This is why we organised this meeting for you.

Budapest = Buda + Pest (Eastside + Westside)

The capital city of Hungary, Budapest, was created out of the unification of the separate historic towns of Buda, Pest and Óbuda in 1873. Whilst the area had been inhabited from early times, it was from this date that the city’s expansion into a world capital really began. Budapest is bisected by the River Danube, with the city as much a natural geographical centre as it is the country’s transport hub. Covering an area of two hundred square miles and divided into 23 administrative districts, it is home today to a population of 1.8 million people.

Flowing north to south through the centre of the city is the mighty River Danube. Buda and Óbuda, comprising roughly a third of the total, are situated mainly in the hills to the west, with commercial Pest on the plains to the east. There are three islands – Óbuda Island, Margaret Island and Csepel Island – and nine bridges, two of which carry railway lines.

History:
The Eravisci, a tribe of highly cultured Celts, had already settled at Gellért Hill in the third and fourth centuries B.C. They worked with iron, decorated their earthenware pots and even minted their own coins. Later, the Romans built a settlement at today’s Óbuda. They called it Aquincum and it was an important station along the limes which ran alongside the River Danube.During the reign of King Béla IV. When Hungary was invaded and devastated by the Mongols (1241-1242), King Béla ordered new castles and fortresses to be built all around the country.

Buda became the royal seat around the turn of the fifteenth century under the rule of Sigismund of Luxembourg, and the Royal Palace grew ever larger until its zenith was reached under King Matthias (ruled 1458-1490). Following the dire Hungarian defeat at the Battle of Mohács (1526) the Turks sacked and burned Buda.

Pest and Óbuda, too, suffered dreadfully as a result of the century-and-a-half of Turkish rule that followed. The Turks did, however, build baths fed by the hot springs. Their cupolas appear on contemporary engravings, and of course some of them are still extant today – the most visible legacy of that period.

just arrived in Budapest, Hungary

Safe and Sound in Budapest. Arrived at midnight, but the City is calm and quite, unlike CNN exaggerated news regarding [ 'Lies' tape sparks Budapest riot ]. We plan to visit Kalocsa town this Saturday, after experiencing Budapest, the Paris of the East.

Glasgow, Scotland

Fort William, Scotland

We met a real-hunter on the way. He is wearing highland camouflage. Really smell like the mountains and he seems to have plenty of equipment in his gear-bags. Another one bag is really huge, looks like a deer or a mountain-goat body.

Also met another group (a family of 3), a father and two sons, wearing the same style of pants, looking very unique and scottish. I asked them were you guys also hunting? They said no, they were camping out in the wild. How cool is that?

Meet Wallace and the Bruce, Scotland

First, Robert The Bruce and the Castle
Then headed to William Wallace Monument via infamous Stirling Bridge!
Real Men wear Kilts!

paying a visit to Loch Ness but didn't see Nessie, the monster

Scotland's most famous mystery: the Loch Ness monster
LOCH NESS sits across the enormous geological gash of the Great Glen. It is the largest fresh-water lake in the UK and is 24 miles long. It averages a depth of 450 feet, but plunges down to a depth of over 1,000 feet in places.
It is deep enough to hide very large creatures without most people noticing.

Most people.

This loch, as anyone who knows anything about Scotland, is also the reputed home of the Loch Ness Monster.

The first recorded sighting of "Nessie" – as she is most commonly known – was in 565AD when St Columba summoned and then banished a monster in the loch. For many centuries after this there were sightings of an Each Uisge – or water-horse – a beast that lived in water and drowned unsuspecting mortals.

When a new road was built round the loch in 1933, the number of sightings soared. Nessie’s first outing in print came the same year when Alex Campbell, a bailiff with the local fisheries board, told the Inverness Courier of his encounters with the beast. More sightings followed, and in 1934 the famous "surgeon's photo" was published. Taken by R Kenneth Wilson, a London surgeon, this is perhaps the most recognisable face of Nessie with the trademark long neck and small head. Recently the photo has been judged to be a fake, but it certainly led to increased interest in the subject at the time.

Throughout the late 20th century a number of studies have been set up to investigate whether or not there is anything in the loch. In 1960 students from Oxford and Cambridge universities conducted the first sonar soundings of the loch. Their results? Inconclusive. Two years later the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau covered the loch with cameras, sent down submarines and even swept over the whole area in a hot air balloon. Like every other investigation before and after their findings were inconclusive.

In 1967 a young cinematographer filmed something that he did not recognise in the loch. The investigation bureau asked him to join their team, and Dick Raynor has been looking for the monster ever since.

Stirling, Scotland

Stirling makes a very good base for exploring it is situated between the Highlands and Lowlands. It was here that the Scots under William Wallace defeated the English in 1297 at the Battle of Stirling Bridge, they fought and won again under Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. I, personally love this town. So much self-confidence, friendly and courageous.

Potree, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh (pronounced ED-in-burra) is a major and historic city on the east coast of Scotland on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, and in the unitary local authority of City of Edinburgh. It has been the capital of Scotland since 1492 and is the site of the Scottish Parliament, which was re-established in 1999. The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. In the census of 2001 Edinburgh had a total resident population of 448,624.

The origin of the city's name is understood to come from the Brythonic Din Eidyn (Fort of Eidyn) from the time when it was a Gododdin hillfort, perhaps when it was the home of the mid-6th century King Clinog Eitin whose epithet records the placename. After it was besieged by the Bernician Angles the name changed to Edin-burh, which some have argued derives from the Anglo-Saxon for Edwin's fort, possibly derived from the 7th century Northumbrian king Edwin. However, since the name apparently predates King Edwin, this is highly unlikely. Edinburgh is well known for the Edinburgh Festival, a collection of several arts festivals, and for the Hogmanay celebrations which are becoming one of the largest in the world.

Cardiff City, the Capital of Wales

Meet the archers!
We went to several places but my favourite place is the Archeological Museum of Wales. Discorvered how "WE ARE ONE" in millions of years ago. Moment like this put things in perspective. The Welsh (Cymry) are an ethnic group or nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language, which is a Celtic language. Here, the official language is Welsh and English.

Also discorvered step-by-step history of Wales;
1 Prehistoric Wales
2 Wales under the Romans
3 Sub-Roman Wales and the Age of the Saints
4 Early Medieval Wales
5 Wales and the Normans
6 Annexation: from the Statute of Rhuddlan to the Laws in Wales Acts
7 From the Union to the Industrial Revolution
8 The Nineteenth Century
9 The Twentieth Century
10 The Twenty-first Century

Crop Circles in Avebury and Salisbury Plain, England

CROP CIRCLES: There are few mysteries more accessible than crop circles. Each spring and summer these enigmatic patterns appear overnight in crop fields, particularly around the Avebury landscape temple in Wiltshire, England. These beautiful creations within hours of their forming, when the energy of a genuine formation is at its strongest. Cosmic works of art, ET communications in sacred geometric format, pranksters’ hoaxes, spiritual guidance or a warning voice from Gaia, whatever your opinion crop circles are fascinating and truly remarkable.

Bath, Salsbury, England

StoneHenge is all right, but I am more excited about the "crop-circle" that happened in 2002 a nearby farm. Cool stuff eh?

Bristol, England

Very comfortable working week in Olney Town, England

Today is the last day of our working week. Everything is caught up now.
We leave for Bristol, Wales tomorrow and onwards......

Second time in Olney, Bukinghamshire, England

In this market town of Olney, several houses still using thatch roofs. We gonna take a break here for a couple of weeks and catch up on some work. Then we goona sweep the British Isles and Emerald Isles.

Sony Center, Berlin

The headquarters of Sony Europe, at Potsdamer Platz, Berlin.
The Sony Centre was designed by Helmut Jahn. The vast tent seen in the photograph covers a futurist fountain and the neo-baroque vestiges of the Grandhotel Esplanade, which was moved on jacks and air cushions so that the centre could be built.
We spent quite sometimes in Sony Center, explore and rested. The Sun is killing us. Raymond test drove one of the VolksWagon new virtual-car. We also saw the LG 'chocolate' was just launched in Germany.
We also saw the original Esplanade "Breakfast Room" where Charlie Chaplin used to dine. They moved the entier wall and the breakfast room behind the thick glass, but I am impressed with several detail amount of art that sitting on it.

The Old Berlin Wall, Eastside exhibit

My favorite statue in Berlin

This statue says alot (for me). How about for ya??
Its yours to imagine...

City Tour on foot and on bike, Berlin

The following is a partial list of highlights at which we stop and discuss the story of Berlin:
Memorial to the Murdered European Jews - a massive and controversial new memorial of 2700 giant concrete blocks
Brandenburg Gate - the famous symbol of Germany yet previously almost inaccessible during the Cold War
Checkpoint Charlie - the famous border crossing between the American and Soviet sectors of Berlin
Gendarmenmarkt - perhaps Berlin's prettiest square with beautifully restored cathedrals
Topography of Terror - the former headquarters of the infamous Nazi 'Gestapo' and SS, now a free museum
Graffiti-painted Berlin Wall - we saw two sections of original Berlin Wall on the City tour
Potsdamer Platz - the 'new' downtown of Berlin with unparalleled modern architecture
Siegesäule - the symbolic Victory Tower, relocated under Hitler along the middle of his famed East-West Axis
Site of Hitler's bunker - stood on where Hitler spent his final weeks of WWII as the Soviets approached
Reichstag - the famous parliament building, previously a ruined shell, now restored to its former glory
Museum Island - home to some of the world's most important museums
Palace of the Republic - former parliament of the communist East German Republic, now just a shell
Soviet War Memorial - saw the massive burial of 2500 troops and the first T34 tanks to have entered Berlin
Bebelplatz - finally restored to its original grandeur, this is also the site of the infamous Nazi book-burning
Nazi Luftwaffe Ministry - see the former Nazi Air Force Ministry in 'typical' Nazi building ´style
Deathstrip - bike through the buffer zone separating East from West Berlin
Watchtower - one of the last remaining Deathstrip Watchtowers of the Cold War
And much, much more, including a ride through the massive Tiergarten Park and along the Spree River

Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche

The church is located at the Breitscheidplatz, the center of former West-Berlin.
It is still the commercial center of Berlin, with the Ku'damm shopping street and Europa Center near by.
Construction: Built between 1891 and 1895 by Kaiser Wilhelm II, the church was a symbol of Prussian unity and a mark of honor for his grandfather, Kaiser Wilhem I.
The neo-romanesque building was designed by Franz Schwechten.
A new church: After allied bombing in November 1943, only the broken west tower of the church was still standing. Local opposition saved the structure from demolition in the 1950s and in 1961 a new, octagonal church designed by Egon Eiermann was built alongside the existing tower.
A freestanding hexagonal bell tower was constructed on the site of the former main nave of the destroyed church. A third and small rectangular building is also part of the new complex. The church is a reinforced concrete structure with blue-colored glass bricks.
Memorial Hall: Below the west tower of the destroyed church is a Gedenkhalle or Memorial Hall. It documents the history of the church and contains several of the original objects in the church as well as photos from before and after the bombing. Some of the mosaic decoration and reliefs that survived the bombing can also be seen.

Gold Game at Treptower Park, Berlin

As usual, I did the bargaining for Game in the Park: popKick 06. Got it at 5Euro/ticket. The popKick 06 fan park takes over Treptower Park, with two huge screens, live music from participating nations, shows, snacks and a chill out lounge. We chilled outside the venue before the game with some polish sausage and German Beers! So much Fun laughed and bubble diarrhea with neighboring fans. We asked the Italians how to cheer for Italy, the Italian says "Fortezza Italia".

Go Italy!

And..............WE WON!!!!!

The Bronze Game at Fien Mille, Berlin

For those who couldn’t join the fans at the Berlin Olympiastadion…

The city has arranged to have many TV Venues like: Big Screens: Brandenburg Gate, Game in the Park: popKick 06, and UK Favourite: Oscar Wilde's Irish Pub. So no worries. Giant screens across the city follow all the action on the pitch, and won't miss anything.

We didn’t join the English, but watched the Bronze game on the big screens overshadowing the Strasse des 17 Juni, between the mighty columns of the Brandenburg Gate and Siegessäule monument.

Deutschland - Deutschland!

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

It's me.... at the Brandenburg Gate before going in the Fan-Stadium for the Bronze Game.

Chilling infront of Berlin Domo

Today we cover the places of interest like - Brandenburg Gate, the TV tower on Alexanderplatz – a 368-metre observation tower with rotating restaurant; Memorial Church on Kurfürstendamm, Gendarmenmarkt square – a beautiful and harmonious architectural synthesis with the Konzerthaus concert hall, the German Cathedral and the French Cathedral; the dome of the Reichstag – fascinating architecture and splendid views of the government quarter and the city centre; Hackesche Höfe – Berlin's famous nightlife; Potsdamer Platz – ultra-modern buildings, shops, entertainment and commercial centre.

Sunflower Hostel, East Berlin

I love this hostel. Look at this decos. The theme is "submarine". They have every little thing you can think of starting from a fish-pond at the entrance/lobby. Here is Raymond working on a sketch in the common room. We booked for 3 days here and moving to the West Berlin (HostelXBerger, newly opened this year) for the next 3 days.

1472 Astronomical Clock at St.Mary's, Rostock, Northern Germany

We also went and studied the St.Mary's chruch - Building started mid 13th century, expanded in the 15th century in the style of the French cathedral style and the Marienkirche in Lübeck. Features include the astronomical clock built in 1472. Building started mid 13th century, but in 1398 the nearly finished building collapsed. After that a cross-shaped Basilica emerged, built in the style of the French cathedral style and the Marienkirche in Lübeck. Its tower is Baroque. The art treasures of the Marienkirche are worth seeing including the astronomical clock built in 1472, the bronze baptismal font consecrated in 1290, the Rochus altar from around 1530 and the Baroque organ.

History of rostock: The name "Roztoc" first appears in 1161 AD in a chronicle by the Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus. At that time the Slavic stronghold was attacked by the king of the Danes. In 1200 German merchants and craftsmen founded the settlement of Rostock here. Eighteen years later, it received its charter from Prince Borwin I. In the course of time, the Middle and New Towns were built. In 1265 they and the Old Town united in a single community. Trade and crafts flourished and the city gained monetary sovereignty as well as full judicial authority. In 1323 Rostock acquired the little fishing hamlet of Warnemünde, thus securing free access by water to the Baltic Sea. Soon Rostock, Lübeck and Wismar founded the Hanseatic League. Rostock became one of the largest and most powerful cities on the Baltic – due not least of all to establishment here of Baltic regions first university in 1419.
The city's dynamic growth was halted for a lengthy period by collapse of the Hanseatic League, effects of the Thirty Years' War and the devastating conflagration of 1677. Only in the late 19th century did Rostock experience a renaissance of shipping under sail, becoming an important harbor for the export of grain.
Today Rostock is a vibrant seaport which proudly bears the name "Hansestadt" (Hanseatic City). Her churches, Town Hall and typical patrician town houses recall a glorious era of sailing ships dating back to the early Middle Ages. Old and new harmoniously blend to form a city-scape that could only have emerged over the course of many centuries. University Square, the Convent of the Holy Cross, the old town walls and St. Mary's Church are but a few of the witnesses to the past bringing Rostock's history to life.

University of Rostock, Germany

We went to the University of Rostock, discover their classrooms, faculties and architectural designs. Learnt alot....

Finn Line across the Baltic Sea to Northern Germany

July-03-2006 2100hrs- After 5 weeks of enjoying Finnish Summer.... we finally said Goodbye to Finland. So sad to leave (I love this country the best thus far (Out of all the Scandinavian countries).

We took Finn Line, cross the Baltic Sean and headed out to northern Germany, Rostock. It is 24 hours trip. All the cabins are sold out, so we got seats only. The Ferry structure is the same as Stena line, except it doesn't have Cinemas. But my favorite, the deck is an open deck. As usual... drinking "Koff" on the deck and reminiscing our memories of Scandinavia.

One cynical thing - we saw many old-couples traveling and taking pictures together...we looked at each other and smiled. In my head I was thinking, "Thank God I don't have to wait until my old age to travel". some of you know already.... that's the devil in my head. Ha...Ha...

And the picture is me the next day on the Ferry - the shaded deck area, drinking, when the Ferry just started to dock at Rostock.

Suomenlinna Island and the sea fortress

Suomenlinna was designed to protect Sweden's interests [Finland was part of Sweden at that time. ] in the Baltic Sea against Russian expansion towards the west. Work began in 1748 and was led by Augustin Ehrensvärd. By the end of the century Suomenlinna had more inhabitants than Helsinki itself at that time. In 1808 Suomenlinna was surrounded by Russian troops as part of a war between Sweden and Russia. The fortress quickly surrendered without a proper fight. This surrender lowered the morale of the other groups and the whole of Finland was soon occupied by Russians.

During the Russian occupation period the fortress also experienced its only proper battle: during 1855 a large Anglo-French fleet bombed Suomenlinna for several days as part of the Crimean War. Heavy damage was caused, but this time the defenders didn't surrender.

After Finnish Independence was declared in 1918 the area was handed over to the new nation's army. Following the civil war the fortress was used for a year as a prison camp and later as a garrison. Technical development quickly reduced the fortresses military importance and in 1973 Suomenlinna was handed over to the civil government.

Today - Suomenlinna consists of eight islands, totalling a land area of around 0.8 km [0.31miles . ] . The fortress's wall length is about eight km [Five miles. ] and there are 290 buildings within the fortress. Today, Suomenlinna is home to 850 and workplace for 400 people all year round. It hosts several cafes, restaurants, museums, a shop and even a summer theatre. Suomenlinna is a variety of things to different people: home, work, a major tourist attraction, and one of the most popular recreational areas in Helsinki.

Raymond standing at the King's Gate.

Finnish Traditional food

Finnish appetizers, Reindeer Stew and famous Beer sausage with Potatoes.
the restaurant is called "Zetor Uutizet 18". Their menu is like a mini newspaper. Interior decoraions is so country style. Full of animal skins, bones and gold panning equippments. We really enjoyed it. Fantastic experience.
Oh yeah...I asked for the "Kampella" fish, they don't have it. So may be next time then.

Heavy Metal Service at the Rock Church

Heavy Metal Choir (everyone wears Black and Red colored shirts)
Heavy Metal Pastor (We saw him in both metal clothes and Lutheran pastor clothes)
Heavy Metal Gospel Songs for the Congregation
Heavy Metal crowd and
Metal Candles

Very new and diverse experience.
I wonder what my Baptist friends would think....
Underground church with very dark songs.....

Temppeliaukio – The Rock church, Helsinki

We visited the Temppeliaukio – The Rock church: Another famous tourist attraction is Helsinki's Rock Church, built entirely underground by digging out a hill, with only a dome showing through. A circle of sturdy old buildings, housing apartments and shops, surrounds it like a fairytale city. Tomorrow is the "Heavy-Metal" service. Looking forward to that.

Friends from the Stadion Hostel

Along our journey, we’ve been making new friends and exchanging emails. But NEVER got a chance to take picture with them. This photo was from Rob’s email. Thank goodness. This is one of the typical nights; we went up the stony hill to enjoy good conversations and local Beer. “Koff” was appreciated by Burmese, Aussie, Irish, Singaporean and Canadian.

1952 Olympic Stadium - Stadion Hostel

We are staying at 1952 Olympic Stadium here in Finland. The city turns
part of the stadium facilities into Int'l youth Hostel. The room we are in is one of the athletes' room in the Olympic time. Pretty Cool Huh? We are learning so much and loving it. Very clean and nice green areas.....

Party continues at the Hietaniemi Beach

June.24 – 0200hr arrived at Academica Hostel, Helsinki. Got a 3-beds private room at a dorm bed rate. Euro 15/person. Lucky! We slept the whole day and recover from yesterday drinking. Juhannus (mid summer). EVERYTHING in town is closed. So quite no activities at all. Managed to take a short walk to the Hietaniemi Beach at night, people are dancing on the beach and in the water. All drunk. Candles lits on the shore, people drinking, kissing, dancing, partying, mini-Bonfires going on and Polisi are there.

June.25 – Update the website list of Finland, work on one sketch, update my blog and head out to Onele club for some drinks (Again). What a wonderful Holiday! I love it!

June.26 – Try Makkara sausage. Crayfish season in the beginning of August. We are not going to get to the Rovaniemi, Capital of Lapland because we got to head out to Czech Republic before the Soccer Final in Berlin. But cover the Suomenlinna Sea fortress and the underground church.

Juhannus: Midsummer Celebration, Seurasaari Island

June.23 – Midsummer Eve, Seurasaari Island, Euro 12/person. Celebrating Juhannus (Midsummer) is an old tradition in Finland. In Finland, there are total of two event for BonFires.

The first is Easter Bonfires on the April.15, originated from the Northwest Finland. According to their tradition The Bonfire was lit because people in the old days believed trolls and witches were our and about in the dark of night. They destroy the livestock and do damages for season crops. “Warf off the evil spirits”.
The second is Midsummer Bonfire on the June.23, originated from the Eastern Finland. Its festive mood celebrated with flowers and leafy twigs. Variety of tells and omens were likewise a strong features of Midsummer. Pre-Christian days: magic to promote growth and Christian day is “John the Baptist Birthday. Walked around the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum. Witness a whole range of Finnish architectures, life-style, house hold equipments, fences, etc…

Juhannus/Midsummer Program:
Roadside Program 18-21 hrs
Log Floaters, craftsmen, folk music, folk dancing for the public, Midsummer in farmstead, swing and playground for children, puppet show and horse driving. What I love the most is “Food”. The small little fishes that goes so well with “Koff” (Finnish Beer). Still haven't try the "Kampella" fish. Cannot find anywhere near here. May be in another country side up north.

Festival Grounds 19-21 hrs
Finnish Folk music, Jari Komulainen et al, the procession of flags, Karelian folk dances, children polonaise and bonfire, Play: from one hill you can see another, Finnish Folk dances and Wedding couple’s waltz.

The Bonfire Shore 21-22 hrs
Words for the songs were given to sing along when the couples are rowing to light the main bonfire. (Karjalaisten Laluu and Jo Karjalan Kunnailla). There are bonfires – not just one, but many which are just spectacular. The whole wonderful atmosphere. I love the processing of lighting of bonfires.

Midsummer Dances on the Festival Ground 22.15-01 (Finnish Folk Music) and we drink-drink-drink-prictures-prictures-prictures…

Midsummer Weddings: in Finland, it was quite popular to get married at Midsummer. In Seurasaari you can see the wedding couple in old style. The couple walked to the festival ground under a colorful, traditionally made canopy, followed by folk dancers. The couple is rowed in a traditional rowing boat to a nearby island, where they have the honorable duty of lighting up the main bonfire. There is the over three-centuries-old Karuna Wooden Church for the weddings.

Midsummer Spells: In Finnish tradition, the Midsummer Eve has always believed to have magical qualities. People do all kind of spells and charms. Most of them are in some way or another, linked to ones love life.

La Reverie du Nord – The Nordic Day dreaming

Relaxing before the crowd arrive

How nice is the country side? Peace and Quite.

chilling and working in Helsinki

June.17 - Kiasma – Museum of contemporary art ARS6, Helsinki contemporary art exhibits where 60 of the world artist rotates their work in the exhibits. kiasma.fi

June.18 – We went to buy the concert ticket for LORDI at Hakunila Place, Myotatuulirock, which is near Airport, Euro 24.00, Forum shopping Center (info counter) or online ticket - Ticketti.fi. No avail. Too late.

June.19 – Moved back to Satakuntatalo Hostel, FREE breakfast and spent the rest of the day at the beach - “Hietaniemi”. Watched “Anti-Drug” live bands and dances at Kamppi Square. Very relaxing day.

June.20 – We worked at Biz Com center at Kampi Shopping Center for FREE WIFI access. Work day.

June.21 – We worked at the Librabry, peace and quite. FREE WIFI as well.

June.22 – Had a good conversation with a girl from Hongkong who is an exchange student in Finalnd for two months. She said the city is located right at the Russian border. Bought 36 bottles of beers for tomorrow count-down. Bought cold cuts and snacks to go with Beers. Pack for tomorrow Island trip. We are leaving from Satakuntatalo Hostel to Seurasaari Island.

The sun never sets in Finland

This is taken at midnight on the hill of Olympic Stadium (1952), Helsinki.

Making new freinds in Helsinki

June.15 Visited the Helsinki City Museum, fishermen market, wet-market, old market (mostly Italian food) and eat traditional fishes. In the evening there are many air-balloons going up in the air but we were too tired to go out.

June.16 – bought “Koff” and head out to Senate Square (drink, took pictures) and head out to Esplanade strip and met up with visitors from Germany and some locals Finns. We shared our Koff with them and had nice conversations. Finns invited us for Vodka drinking at their place, we say no. Because during the conversation we knew they only had one bottle to share amongst 7 people. As usual, exchange emails Two German (couple) from the Esplanade.

The finns suggested us to check out Molly Malone, Tavastia (Rock Club) near Kamppi Central, on the map is E15-20, right turn and you can see smaller clubs. But we end up at the “humongous club”. Onele, different halls for diff music. Hard rock area was really cool, I liked it. Had to buy “membership Card” if you want cheap drinks. So we got one. Its good for a month.

Official Helsinki Day Celebration

Helsinki Day started heading out Downtown since 7:00am and got back at night around 10pm. Started with FREE coffee at Helsinki Cathedral (a Russia want-to-be “St.Petersburg”). Withness the opening ceremony of Hlsinki day by its mayor, accompanied with brass band. WE went to the Esplanade Park to listen to some Jazz, Finnish rappers and local folk singers. We watched the folk dancing at the Central train station square.Very eventful day. Ice-cream in the afternoon while watching the children show at Senate Square. Watched another Rock concert in the park, behind the “Finlandia Hall”. Drink again…..

Rock & Roll Finland

June.09 – Moved to another Hostel, Stadion Hostel. FREE internet as well. Change of environment. Watched women soccer, visit the 1952 Olympic Stadium and near by “Oopera Club”. Cheap drinks.

June.10 There is a bike stand where by you can deposit Euro2 and rented for the whole day. Parked it back at the same city-park area and you got your deposit back. So we took one-each and went around the Toolonlahti lagoon. See the entire-city with one cheap bike.

June.11 attended the open-air concert at the “TahtiTorninvuori” Park. Everyone, old young, children, grandma-pa all drinking and yet no single fight. Impressive.! Boy….Finnish girls rocks!

Helsinki, Finland

Arrived Helsinki, Finland. Satakuntatalo Hostel has FREE internet in the lobby as well as in the room, including breakfast (wet-oatmeal, small sausages, cucumber, prunet, tomatoes, fresh buns and cereals, coffee..etc..). Sauna is open for female and male in separate periods. Helsinki – Have not been able to sleep, so bright at night. The sun just touches the Horizon and went back up, so strange for me. Beijing Flight and travelers comes together at this Hostel from all over the world. Australians are everywhere as well. The most diverse group of travelers, I would say. Stadion Hostel is located right in the Olympic Stadium.

Changing of the guards (female)

We went back to the old city to cover the remaining part such as Kungliga Slottet palace and witness the changing of the guards. Some guards are women. Sweden House – Stockholm largest tourist agency.
At night, took the Silja Line – Cruise ship to Helsinki, Finland. It was a party-cruise Ship, young adults in disco, on-foot drunken fools…including me. Got a cabin to sleep in. Wonderful experience.

Party Town of Stockholm

Look at this statue, so much confidence. "THIS IS MY BODY AND DAM! I AM BEAUTIFUL". I so like its spirits. Love it. Thought I share it with ya'll..

Today is Sweden High School graduation day, all the kids on the utility trucks, decorated with branches drinking, yelling, singing, music blaring, police everywhere, jammed-up city. Cool atmosphere for Stockholm, like it or not they are lifting up the city-spirit for the weekend. Grona Lund – is on the other side, the amusement park. Gustav Adolf Square, with the Royal Opera. Mynttorget opposite the parliament building and the Royal Palace. This is where Vasterlanggatan starts, a very popular pedestrian st in Gmala Stan. Drottninholm palace.

Note: We are not going to make it to up-north of Sweden, Kiruna where the ice hotel is at. Because its only exist from October to March. Then melt.

Walked down the old city shopping street “Stortorget” and bought lots of Beer. In the supermarket or any groceries store, all the Beers are 2.8% max. We were very confused because the same packaging the same brand but yet smaller % of the Alc. Then we learnt that only at the designated liquor stores you can get REAL beers and Spirits. Again, we learnt that all the brands of Beers have a max content of 10%. So we really had to watch what we are getting into, because the same color, packaging of a brand made it confusing. We selected a variety of Swedish beers. We drank and shared it with some Canadian who also was very confused like us about the Beers here…. The % and all, etc etc… Good conversation though. Shared many wonderful experiences of their journey. In the late evening…we headed to a bar (BlueRain) or something…. By walking through Sveavagen street. Went to the Hotel and checked out the Ice-Bar. But it closes at midnight, so we missed it.

Stockholm, Sweden

June.01. Stockholm, Sweden. 0600hr. We stayed at Eriksgatan Hostel, I slept and recover from the bus Ride while Raymond was working. Hostel has neatlaunches with colorful leather seats, spacious kitchen, plenty of pots and pans, no breakfast, but FREE internet in the room and in the lobby. One can buy combination ticket for both Stockholm and Helsinki, Bus combine 2 cities SEK 340.

Walked down the river “Riddarfjarden”. Take pictures even though it’s a cloudy day. Visited Stadshuset (the city Hall), walked across the Vasabron Bridge and end up at the old city. Walked across Norrbro Bridge where the shopping strip went passed Kungstrad garden (Kungstradgarden – old and new part of Stockholm, the Park) and rushed to Skasen “theme park” by bus. Vasa Museum, Nordic museum, Junibacken story book museum, Skasen open air museum, containing historic buildings, a zoo, terrarium, folk dance performances etc. What a long walking day. Very tired but very happy.

Discovering Oslo City

Mar.31. We left our bags and went to the Nobel Peace Centre, Listen to people from all over the world in the Register. Walked the passage of Honour, The Gallery, Nobel Filed, The Eye, The Nobel chamber, the Global room, The Wall Papers, Genesis: renewal energy sources. www.nobelpeacecenter.org There was an exhibit downstairs, called “Children of Abraham” by Abbas. “Glue Me Peace” (Grip Freden) by Meschac Gaba where you can also participate in “Thoughts on Peace”. The title is a literal translation of the African French phrase “Colle moi la paix” meaning “leave me alone”, or the more aggressive “give me a break”. Visitors are invited to leave an electronic message relating to the topic of peace. In return, the visitor receives a flag poster designed by Gaba.This act of reciprocity is an exchange between the artist and his audience, and a means by which the artwork will continually develop and grown, nurtured by the visitors’ contributions.
Another thing I noticed from the street is Giangantic Lickerish and colorful ones in Norway.

Discovering Norway

Historical Museum/Museum of Cultural history, University of Oslo: Viking era, medieval ages and 9000 YEARS of Norway’s archaeological heritage. The Ethnographic exhibitions tell the lives of African and Artic peoples and highlighted from East Asia. But we didn’t get to see the two new permanent, exhibitions, from America and Egypt. Because they are still under construction. www.khm.uio.no

The Shaman, Noaiti, acted as an intermediary between humans and the hidden powers. In 18th Century the Christian confiscated the drum. Used by Sami people. Fire catalyst, made of ashes, water, and dry for a week, specific fungus, put it in the cassis soda.

Kon-tiki – www.kon-tiki.no/events
The Kon-Tiki Museum, institute for pacific archeology and cultural history.
Thor Heyerdahl (1914-2002). The Kon-Tiki Expedition, In 1947, he and his crew crossed 5,000 miles of Pacific Ocean on board the balsa raft Kon-Tiki. It took 101 days and proved that Polynesia was in the range of balsa rafts from South America.

Easter Island, in 1955, he went on an archeological expedition to Easter Island to study the mystery of the giant moai statues.

Ra II sailed from Morocco in 1970 manned by 8 men from 8 nations and reached Barbados in the Caribbean 57 days later. Heyerdahl demonstrated that Old World sailors could have influenced the pre-Colombia civilization of Central America.

Tigris – The reed boat Tigris crossed the Indian Ocean from Asia to Africa in 1978. It proved that there could have been contact between Mesopotamia, Egypt and the Indus Valley thousands of years ago. The Tigris was burnt in April 1978 in protest against the sales of arms to developing nations.

Monolith, Oslo, Norway

Early morning arrived OSLO – Norway
The peace city, OSLO. Norway, northern lights, midnight sun. Bergen is the second largest city in the west where the UNESCO office is located. www.visitOSLO.com. Non-Stop Visitation: Viking Museum by University of Oslo – www.khm.uio.no

Frederickshavn, Denmark

May-27: Skagen is the northern-most city in Denmark. It’s a fisherman’s town and art lovers city. About 30-40 km away, there is a church that is buried under the sands over the years called “ Den Tilsandede Kirke”. They have this fish that lives at the bottom of the ocean called “Dog…..”, and it is one of their famous fish in Denmark for eating. We took a train from Vjile to Aalborg and then transfer to Frederishavn.

May-28: Frederickshavn, a port city. In Denamrk there are many attractions for children and family such as Randers Regnskov Tropical Zoo, Bombark Danish handmade candles, Fiskeri-og Sofartsmusset, Fregatten Jylland tall-boats (a male attraction), Kattergatcentret Grenaa, www.dengamleby.dk, www.friheden.dk, www.aqua-ferskvandsakvarium.dk, www.aalborgzoo.dk, www.jylland.com, www.faarupsommerland.dk, ww.djurssommerland.dk, and so on… So Magical and wounderful Land of Denamrk. I love it. www.visit-us-all.dk

Across the Skagerrak Sea, north of Denmark, we took “ColorLine” ferry, very nice ferry, better than Stena line. Along the Pennisular of Norway and Sweeden, you can see little towns, yachting, speed-boats, sailings and beautiful coast lines.

Billund, Denmark