Passing-by at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Bavaria

First of all I would like to greet everyone a wonderful start of June! I hope you had a great start of the month. Yes, I do because I was busy again today doing some  offline jobs. It was quite tiring but I enjoy doing it much. I was just busy  with our homeville and gardenville.

I am just sharing this snapshot I took of the Allianz Arena located in the Bavarian capital city of Munich. I can't exactly remember how many times did I already passed this building. It is actually a football stadium.

The stadium was the venue for the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final.

The Allianz Arena while passing-by it  last May 31, 2012. It is visible from the highway and I took this snapshot  while inside the car.

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Having Fun at Regensburg Dultfest

It was truly fun! We went to the festival in Regensburg, Bavaria  last Monday. I accompanied some friends from the United States who are currently visiting Europe.  After going around the festival ground, we went to  one of the beer tents at the Dultfest, the name of the  fest.

It was  nice sitting there while drinking beer, eating Bavarian foods  and listening to the music.  Yes, there was a live band playing in the beer tent. I am not sure if they are using parker guitars but they really played good. Most of their songs  are  Bavarian.

Festivals in Germany like the Regensburg Dultfest is one of the best ways  to experience  German culture especially the Bavarian one. This is also one of the reasons why I love Germany.

I guess  the festival is ending tomorrow. You still have time to visit there. Have fun!

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My Adventure in Guadalaja, Spain

I decided to travel alone to Guadalajara, not in Mexico but in Spain.  Now I forgot if I took the train from Atocha train station or Chamartin  in Madrid.   Opps, I got it. I did took the Cercania train from Chamartin train station in Madrid going to Guadalajara. Depending on the time you are leaving from the station, usually it will only take up to 40 minutes going to this city.

It was quite an adventure for me when I visited this city in the region of Castile-La Mancha in Spain. It was my first time to visit there and I don't even know anyone. When the train arrived at the station in Guadalajara, I just followed the exit and tried to find the bus going to the city. I don't really know what bus should I take. Thanks to this friendly Spanish lady who told me what bus  should I take. I am lucky because she speaks English. My travel Angel truly helped me during my adventure to this city.

Without further adieu, I strolled around Guadalajara city  and found the sights that I wanted to see.

Ayuntamiento (city hall) of Guadalajara during my visit last March 2012.

San Nicolás El Real Church in Guadalajara, Spain.

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Things I Love in Germany

Almost nine years of living in this country now, I consider Germany as my second home. I love it here and there are a lot of things that made me fall in love with this beautiful European country.

First and foremost, I found my other half in this country. The most wonderful, loving and responsible person I ever met. I am thankful for having him in my life.

I love German food- I guess most men would say that they love  German beer but I would say I love German food. I can't imagine the first year I came here and I only weight 53 kilos. Its all the fault of the good German foods that made me weight now over 70 kilos. Quite a sad part of me and  I hope to bring back my previous weight.

Among my favorites are Schweinebraten (oven-baked pork, Leberkase, bratwurst, Sauerbraten with potato dumplings (Klöße) and more.

I love the nature around- I live in Bavarian region and I always love it here. The forests, hills, mountains, rivers and lakes, these are perfect for me since I really love nature. Germany is also a very clean country compared to other European countries I visited in the past.

My favorite German pastries on a wedding.

I love Brezen or pretzels and all of German pastries and breads. Another reason why I love this country. I can't say now when somebody will offer me German cakes and pastries. It really taste so good and not too sweet.

The historical sites, monuments, statues, castles and palaces and old cities in Germany are simply gorgeous. I always love history and whatever things or places that  represent  or speak about it, will truly bring interest to me.

The famous Fairytale castle of King Ludwig II of  Bavaria, the Neuschwanstein Castle.

I love German festivals.  If you say Volksfest, Dultfest, Fasching,  and the world's famous Oktoberfest in the Bavarian capital of  Munich, you will truly say that Germany is a festival country.  Germans love to party and have fun.

Oktoberfest in Munich. I was there!

Since my almost nine years of living here, I already understand the people, the culture and many things that made me embraced and loved this country.

If you are planning to visit Germany in the future, be sure to plan it ahead. Don't forget,  there are always cheap Flights to Germany. Among the affordable carriers are Ryanair, Air Berlin, Easyjet, German wings and more.

The Old City of Frankfurt, the financial capital of Germany.

For sure you will really say that this country is beautiful. Let me know if you are coming. I might be your tour guide.

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Luxury for Less: Low-Cost Cruises

Whether you’re a cruise novice or a seasoned pro, there’s no denying that a cruise holiday is a unique and somewhat luxurious way to see the world. Liners of all shapes, sizes and stature sail the seas from one port to another, stopping off for up to a day or more while customers have the chance to alight and explore each new-found destination as it comes. You can literally wake up to a new location every day - and in many cases, this offers value for money that knocks spots off package holidays.

For those on a budget, cheap cruises are widely available yet still come with many wonderful holiday highlights. You’ll enjoy a full-board basis on the ship with breakfast, lunch and dinner all provided, along with delicious snacks in-between and a fantastic choice of cuisine on offer at every meal. You’ll have a full range of entertainment from cinema showings and Broadway-style musicals to cabarets, along with use of the ship’s facilities, which can range from a fitness centre and pools to spa treatments.

When it comes to finding a cruise to suit you, there are plenty of possibilities - a quick search online will provide a massive choice, many of which are run by established tour operators such as Thomas Cook Cruises.

While a cruise may offer good value for money, it can seem expensive on the outset - but there are always plenty of deals to be had. One of the best ways to secure a great discount is to book early - as soon as the brochure hits the shelves - and secure early bird deals with such incentives as free upgrades or drinks packages. In most cases you can also split the cost of the holiday and pay it off in instalments. It’s a great way to enjoy a luxury cruise holiday for less.

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Clubbing Holidays: Try something different

Many clubbers looking for sun, sea and superclubs usually follow the crowds to Ibiza, check out the scorching appeal of Malia in Crete or jump on the bandwagon to Malaga. But there are plenty of other party hotspots dotted around Europe that are pushing these legendary locations aside, blazing their own trails and earning a great reputation on the way.

Take Gumbet for instance. When it comes to awesome clubbing experiences, this is one of the Med’s best kept secrets. Located in the Bodrum region of Turkey, Gumbet is all fun in the sun - with a generous helping of some seriously cool clubs and its fair share of big-name DJs too. You’ll find everything here from open-air clubs and barefoot beach bars to all-night parties.

It’s non-stop - and when it comes to clubbing getaways, this is what Summer holidays are made of. Not only have you got famous nights out that last til the small hours, by day you’ve got scorching sun and adrenalin-pumping water sports to keep you busy. It’s full of fun and brings plenty of different options together to suit every taste, whether you’re into big-time clubs, chaotic foam parties or some cheesy 80s disco action.

Another great up-and-coming resort is Sunny Beach in Bulgaria - Turkey’s neighbour. It’s bringing in top DJs and spinning the latest tunes to crowds who know when they’re onto a good thing. Like Gumbet, these places might not be as well-known as their Mediterranean counterparts but they’re certainly working hard to earn their stripes.

Every Summer, more and more people are ditching the bandwagon and venturing out in search of something new. So if you want something a little different - and perhaps the chance to brag when these party hotspots take off and join the big time - this is the place to be.

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Canal Cruise in Amsterdam

It was not really a bad idea cruising on the Canals of Amsterdam. This is one of the best way to see the largest and capital city of Netherlands. That is also the reason why we did it and it was truly great. We also had fun.

Due to its more than one hundred kilometers of canals, about 90 islands and 1,500 bridges, Amsterdam has been called the "Venice of the North". I can see the similarity of Amsterdam and Venice because I was also in Venice thrice.

 A boat  cruising the canals of Amsterdam. I took this image during our cruise there last August 2010.

boats on the side of the canals.

The three main canals, Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht, dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, form concentric belts around the city, known as the grachtengordel. The 17th-century canal ring area, including the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Jordaan, were placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010.

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Things I am Thankful Of as A Traveller

Travelling has been my passion ever since. I am glad that I was able to visit some of the cities and countries that I always wish to see.  I am still counting for more.

And yes, there are just a lot of things I am thankful of  when I travel.

Good Health- For sure, you will not enjoy your travel if you are not in a good condition. I am thankful that I always have healthy body and mind everytime I travel.

The Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Spain during my second visit.

Cheap Flights and Hotels- Finding cheap flights and accommodations is always the delight of every traveller. Thanks to the advent of internet and computer where we can easily browse and find all the information we need including finding the cheapest flights and hotels. I am always glad when I find cheap ones.

Digital Cameras- I will never go for a vacation or any trip without having my cameras with me. I always love to take travel memories and only the pictures I took from my trips can always bring back memories. It also help in recording my travels. That is why I always have 3 digital cameras with me when I travel.

Cellphones- Would you believe that I also take with me two cellphones when I go for a long trip especially abroad. Sometimes I even take three cellphones in my bag. Since most of my cellphones have camera functions, I can also use it to take pictures when my regular cameras are out of batteries. Most of the time, I use it for emergency calls.

Internet Connection and Computer- Computer is another gadget which I always pack with me when I travel. Thanks to the availability of  internet connection to most of the hotels we stayed in Europe.

I remember my recent trip to Madrid, Spain where Iberia changed my return flight to Germany because of National Labor Strike. It happened last March this year. If I did not check my mails the day before  return flight, I ended up  going to the airport and will just waste time and money for taxi fare.

Safe Travel- This is the most important things of all. I am always thankful that I always return home safe. Thanks God for bringing me whole back home with good health both in body and soul.

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The European Parliament Building in Brussels, Belgium

It has been almost two years now since we visited Brussels, the capital city of Belgium. That time my friend from the U.S. spent her  first vacation in Europe. One of the cities we visited was Brussels.

From this city, one of the sights we visited was the European Parliament building. This is not actually the seat of the European Union but a legislative chamber. EU's official home is actually in Strasbourg, France, where I also visited last December 2010.

It is estimated that around 15,000 people visit the complex everyday. I believed I am lucky to pay  a visit there last  summer 2010. Our self-guided tour did not really last long because we only have a day-sightseeing in this city and yes, there are a lot to see and to experience  in Belgium's lovely capital.

This was taken during my visit with friend last August 2010.

One of the many buildings of the European Parliament  in Brussels, Belgium. We had a short tour around the  complex.

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Souvenir Shopping in Seville, Spain

This is one thing I always do when I travel. I always bring  home with me some souvenirs from may trip. Postcards, key chains,  shot glasses,  fridge magnet, travel books,  are only some of it. I love these Flamenco dancer  figurines from Seville, Spain but it is quite expensive. I rather stick to what I usually buy when I travel.

When I travel, I also bring some woman paraphernalia like airbrush makeup kits, sunblocks,  lotions and other  gadgets.

There are a lot of souvenirs you can buy when visiting Seville. It is also a very nice city being the capital of the region of Andalusia.

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It Was Cloudy in London, UK

What do you expect when you visit during Autumn or Fall season? Be prepared with visiting London during this time. For sure, it will be a cold rainy weather.  I first visited  this city last autumn  2008. It is almost four years  now and I hope to visit it again in the future.  I have seen some of  its sights  but not really explored everything. London, the capital city of both England and United Kingdom is a huge city. There are a lot of  sights to see and to experience  and a day or two is not enough to explore everything.

I might have the chance to visit it again because I auditioned as a Samsung Global Blogger. I hope and  pray to win this contest so that I can visit London Olympics for free.  Please support me by watching my video and liking it   in Facebook.  You can click the video HERE. Thanks in advance and I truly appreciate all your time and effort.

One of London's famous landmark, the London Eye. You can also see the Westminster Palace or the Parliament Building.  I miss cruising Thames River.. What can do you when you only visit it for two days.

London is a must-to-see when visiting Europe. I  was happy to be  there and hope to go back again in the future...maybe soon!

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Barajas International Airport, Madrid

I still did not want to say goodbye to Spain  last March 31, 2012  but I have  too. Some friends accompanied me to Barajas International Airport, Madrid. I am truly thankful for their help and thoughtfulness.  In fact, I  had a great time with them  during my three weeks stay in Madrid. Even I had a long stay in Spain's capital city but I forgot to look for incredisocks. I have been to many stores there  but the power of forgetfulness  to find this stuff  always  attacked me.

While sitting down at the waiting area for  my final boarding, I had a conversation  with these German couple. They said that they had a vacation in Morocco that time and had their connecting flight in Barajas.  Since I already heard them talking German, I was also conversing with them in German. They  couple said that I can talk perfect German. Not really, but I would say I can already  talk  basic  German and of course understand and read as well . I still have difficulty with German grammar sometimes. What is important, I can already communicate in this language.  The couple were really friendly. I am always happy when I met good people everytime I travel. I met as well good friends during my three weeks stay in Madrid.

If you happen  to visit Madrid  and did  not fly there,  I suggest you  visit Barajas  International Airport. Its architecture is worth to see. It is so far the biggest and busiest airport in Spain.

Barajas Terminal 4  when I  departed Madrid last March 31, 2012. This was actually my second arrival and departure in this airport. Madrid has a lot of travel memories that are still haunting me..lol!

my flight number last march 31, 2012.

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Calling The Car Experts in Lengenfeld

This time we need the help of car experts from Lengenfeld. Hubby's twin sister is married to a mechanic and car expert for over 20 years now.  Their auto repair shop is getting bigger now with all the modern machines to repair and paint vehicles. Hubby called  his bother-in-law yesterday to ask about shaft coupling. He also ordered new tires since his summer tires  are already thin. I am not quite sure how much do these 4 tires cost. We will see when the bill comes.

I am also thankful to hubby for changing my winter tires to summer ones. We saved around 30 Euros  for that.

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German-American Volksfest 2012 in Hohenfels

Today is the last day of the  Deutsche-Amerikanische or  German-American Volksfest  2012 in  Hohenfels. Here are some images  I took from the festival.

April 27 to May 1: Opening Ceremony takes place on April 27, 4:30 p.m. at the Festplatz. Enjoy food and Fun! Carnival Rides, Family Day, Live Music, Military Display, Fireworks, AFN live on air and more. Opening Hours:

• Friday: 4-11 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m. to midnight with fireworks at 10:30 p.m.
• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Monday: 3-11p.m. Family Day! Half Prices on Rides 4-8 p.m.
• Tuesday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The  Ferris wheel at the German-American Volksfest  2012

I am glad they have the Ferris wheel this year. This is the only carnival ride that I love!

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