Germany & Austria Trip

This morning we intend to visit the stadium for the UEFA football game; however it is still in the construction process. So we stop by to take a "sakura" picture instead before going to Graz.





GRAZ is Austria's second largest city, 200 km south west of Vienna. In 2003 Graz enjoyed its unique position as 'Cultural Capital of Europe’ and its old town was recently granted world cultural heritage status by UNESCO. http://www.visitgraz.com/



View from the landmark clock tower which overlooks the city gives wonderful view of the red roofs below.
Actually when we reach the bottom of the hill and see the crisscrossed staircase leading up to the top, Oh, Chim and I decide to wait at the bottom. Until Mer finds out that there is a Euro0.60 lift to carry us to the top.


Magnolia in full bloom.



Contrasting to the surrounding is the new Kunsthaus, labelled by locals as the ‘friendly alien’. It was constructed right next to the River Mur in 2003, housing Contemporary Art.



Groundfloor of the museum.



And here come the café or the floating Island in the Mur which bring Graz boldly into the 21st century. The New York artist Vito Acconci designed a steel grid structure in the shape of a half-opened shell.

Walking all day long, I am quite exhausted by the end of the day.

Germany & Austria Trip

Wake up in the morning with the snow is all over the roof and field.

We drive and stop and drive along the way until we reach our destination for tonight at Klagenfurt. A town that will be one of the 5 cities for UEFA Europe 2008. Three European top teams will play to reach the quarter-final of the Euro here. The town is feverishly awaiting this grand game, the advertisement is all over town.



The famous Dragon (Lindwurm) Fountain in Neuer Platz is the emblem of the city.


Cobber street in old town.

Germany & Austria Trip

We start our today tour by walking along the bridge for a while before its start raining. Here is the famous golden roof, a classic Austrian hybrid of Gothic and Baroque,



After walking and window shopping in the old town for hours, we decide to leave for our next destination, Zell Am See.


Too bad that the highly recommended road in Austria, Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse, is still closed during this time of the year. The only Alpine Road available is Gerlos with a day ticket of Euro 7.



The scenery is beautiful as we climb higher and higher up the mountain.

The snow are all over the place so we couldn’t tell where the glacier is. With a maximum gradient of only nine percent through eight bends and a maximum height of 1,630 metres, and a length of 12 kilometres, the road offers us the panorama view. info@gerlosstrasse.at


We are prepared for snow fighting.



Zell Am See, the medieval town is situated on an lake with a mountain backdrop. Zell am See and the town of Kaprun have collaborated to develop the Europa Sports Region. We meet an England student group who comes here for skiing.
http://www.khs.info/

Our hostel is near the lake. So we have a superb view during dinner at the balcony; though I almost alternately eat and dance due to the cold wind. Can’t sit still though.

Germany & Austria Trip

We start our trip by renting a Budget car and plan to stay overnight at Innsbruck, Austria.



Our first stop is at Ettal, a small town on the way to Oberammergau. Coming from a hot pot Thailand, we can’t stand passing by the snow town without taking any pleasure in playing in snow covered field and taking lots of pictures.



Oberammergau is our second stop for today. What I like most for this town is the painting on the buildings. It is so charming. But with a time running so fast when one is on vacation, we rush to Linderhof.



Flowers are ready for the coming spring season.




Linderhof is one of the palace built by King Ludwig. Among his three famous palaces, I like the interior in this palace most. Though we don’t have time to visit the inside this time because another of his, Neuschwanstein Palace is waiting for us.



Lake Phansee is still covered with ice.



Neuschwanstein Palace, the original model for all of Disney’s palaces.



Near by Neuschwanstein Palace is Hohenschwagau Palace.

And finally we reach Innsbruck hostel in the evening without getting lost. Thanks to the GPS borrowed from my brother.

Germany & Austria Trip

Again, almost on the last minute (for oversea trip) – two weeks before Songkran holidays, we decided to have a trip. Not only all top-list-Europe-destination-airline ticket’s price is skyrocket; but also the answers to our booking are “full/overbook”. Munich destination is the only available and affordable choice for us.

Visa is another problem to tackle: a long queue at every Schengen embassy. Apply to Austria Embassy seems to be the least difficult one, but you need to have ALL accommodation booking confirmations.

Finally everything is ready for us. Our friends, Mer and Chim, fly and travel around Munich 4 days before I and Oh meet them there.

ดูแผนที่ขนาดใหญ่ขึ้น

เกี๊ยว เหลียว หนิง

My second time to have lunch at this chinese restaurant, ห้องอาหาร เกี๊ยว เหลียว หนิง (Kiew Liew Ning Restaurant). The food comes from the Northeastern part of China. No fancy decoration, serving simple food. The price is good. The waitress maybe imported from China with the strong Chinese accent.

There are several varities of Gyoza to choose from. My order are fried gyoza (เกี๊ยวทอด), Tofu salad (สลัดฟองเต้าหู้), fried fofu (ผัดเต้าหู้ใส่คึ่นช่าย), fried pig's kidney (ผัดเซี่ยงจี้), ผัดมะเขือยาวใส่ปลาเค็ม (a bit salty so you need some rice to go with), หมูสามชั้นต้ม, และ Sechuan Soup (ซุปเสฉวน).

Address: 152/6-7 Silom Road (the small lane opposite Silom Plaza) Bangrak, BKK
Tel: 02-635-6536

Milo, 1 year 3 months old, is recovering from his sickness.

For two weeks my dogs took turn getting sick. Finally, Aunn aged 17 years old (approximately 78 years old from a veterinary chart) passed away last Thursday.

Pe Nong and Pe Thanom brought me this delicious chocolate from Hokkaido.



Also from their trip is the frozen Mackerel or Hokke. Although, I am appreciated for your thoughtful, but next time could you please bring me the famous crab instead ka, Pe Nom?

From “Charm of Hokkaido" webpage about the taste of Hokkaido
http://kanko.pref.hokkaido.jp/kankodb/foreign/e/trv_i001.htm

Atka Mackerels (all year round : all over Hokkaido)
　Atka mackerels ('Hokke' in Japanese) are very popular fish often eaten at almost any households in Hokkaido. Briefly dried 'Hokke-no-hiraki' is often grilled to eat.

Day 4 - Surin Islands

A little French visitor with a painted face.
There are some foreign visitors, though not too many comparing to other famous beach.



We pack the tent and wait for the boat to get back to Khura Buri Pier where the renting van is waiting for us. It’s a place recommended you guys to consider if you are looking for where to go for a 3/4-day vacation.

Day 3 - Surin Islands

After a full night rest, I decide to join the morning snorkeling trip again. I should have known better of my inability about sea sickness. Anyway, I am well prepared by having little breakfast, but still donate it to the sea!!! We snorkel at Ao Suthep, Ao Mai Ngam.

So I spend my afternoon taking pictures. There are lots of big hermit crab and ghost crab on the beach.



Khung Ring and Aom Am spend their afternoon time on the big tree.

Day 2 - Surin Islands

Our group rents 2 boats for snorkeling trips:
In the morning, there are 3 areas for us to see the beautiful and unspoiled coral reefs and colorful fish: Ao Mae Yai (อ่าวแม่ยาย), Hin Gong (หินกอง), and Ao Tao (อ่าวเต่า). Though, it is very beautiful, and picturesque to see it by yourself; after the first stop point, I, who always get motion sickness, donate my breakfast to the sea and fish

The afternoon trip is to visit Morgan village, a sea gypsy village. Sorry, no picture since I am not quite capable of doing anything except wishing to be back and lay down on the white sandy beach.

Day 1 - Surin Islands

My first trip to Surin Islands at Phang-Nga province in the southern part of Thailand. At first I almost have to cancel the trip and contact our friend in the waiting list since I catch some cold from last weekend trip. Anyway, the trip is too tempting for me to skip it, so here I am at the “Mai Ngam” beach where we set up the tents. There are 20 persons in our group.

It takes about +/- 3 hours from the mainland to the islands. We board the boat arranged by Sabina tour.



AomAm, Khun Ring’s niece enjoys the ride on a single rope.
In the afternoon we walk from Mai Ngam beach to Khao Chong Kad beach.

A day trip to Amphoe Sam Chuk

After more than 10 back and forth emails, we finally agree to “Suphan Buri Province on this Sunday. Our first stop is at “Sam Chuk” or “100 year-old” market located on the bank of ThaChin River.



Received many warnings that the market is very crowded, so we start our trip very early in the morning. Our breakfast is at Steamed Rice in Lotus Leaf Bistro “ร้านข้าวห่อใบบัว”.



Next stop is at the Khun Chamnongjeenarak house which has been turned into a museum. It is well preserved as the old days. Here, our little lady guide is very patient with numerous questions firing at her. It is pleasing to see school children spending their free time for the good work of community for free. And to encourage her good doing, we give her some tips.



Then local ice coffee at “Tha Song” traditional café.




The above picture show how much that we shop just half way through the market trip. For me, I don’t have any particular food or Thai dessert stalls or shops to recommend if that is your main interest at this market. But the lively and well preserved old market atmosphere is there for you, if that is what you are looking for. And I would give my thump up for the local people for being able to revive this old place and it has become well known and worth a one-day trip from Bangkok.



As Pum has been proposed many times, we finally visit the “Bueng Chawak” for the aquarium and crocodile farm.

Khun Sivaporn's Birthday Party

A party is held at Le Grande Perle, River City. The view and the music are superb, but the "French" food there is not up to my expectation.



K.Sivaporn and Gen. Winai, each receives the Birthday Cake.


A very big box present from SOCCEF member.

Etia

The restaurant is at Ladprao 71. It was two years ago since I hear about the place but never had a chance to visit. All the dish we order are very good and live up to the high recommendation as one of the suggested restaurant by "Daily News" newspaper.

The funeral of Her Royal Highness Princess Galayani Vadhana at the Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall.

New Year Party

Firework over ChaoPraya River.



A new year gathering at Nong Aoy & P. Arm's House.
In the picture from left to right: Pe Noi, Khun Khem, Auu, Khun Ple and his other half, Pe Daeng, Nong Aoy and Pe Arm.