23 January 2011
Posted in Sights and Sounds

January 23, 2011

The photo competition was based on the theme "the almond tree blossom," that ran in conjunction with the tourism of the Deutsche Weinstrasse and the Südliche Weinstrasse (wine street) of the Pfalz region here in Germany. My part was to capture the prettiness of the trees pastel bloom on this clear day of April 2. Why the precise date you may be thinking? In the view of early spring's unpredictable weather, it is actually the question of how long these delicate petals would remain on their stems.  Only one week prior to taking this winning shot, we had visited the region when the trees were at their semi blossom stage. I was eager to go back the following week. 

The winning prize had also included: a gastronomy weekend for my hubby and myself, and my very own 2-year-old almond tree (more on the planting later). I have named the tree "Mandy" as she is a Suß Mandelbaum (sweet almond tree) and she was planted on October 30, with a terrific view over the most hospitable wine-producing town of Birkweiler.

The tourism organisers are offering some great packages to their visitors that run from late March to mid April 2011. The packages include: guided walks around the almond trees paths; 2-5 overnight stays in charming hotels in the region; spring menus and everything educational regarding the almond tree and its produce. The getaways and prices can be found here.

You may like to take a look at  the almond biscuit recipe.    Above is the winning postcard.

...for more pink almond trees

06 January 2011
Posted in Sights and Sounds

January 6, 2011

If I had to describe Munich with just one word, this would definitely be "classy." One month before we had spent our cold advent weekend in Munich, I was touched to receive a message from a dear high school girlfriend to say- "Let's meet up in Europe," and Munich just happened to be our central meeting point.

This time leading up to Christmas had provided us with all the jollies and glitter that comes during this time of year, and not forgetting to mention...snow! Munich also boasts several Christmas market stalls around the city centre, selling: gifts, lebkuchen and mulled wine. Even Munich's six day Viktualienmarkt (Victuals Market) had shown its festive presence by selling its wares of fresh mistletoe, pinecones and pine trees. What is also impressive at the Vikualienmarkt, is the quality and variety of its unblemished fruit and vegetables. Here you could find a Mr stripy tomato or fresh cranberries for festive cooking.

...to read more and picture

19 November 2010
Posted in Sights and Sounds

Fifteen photographers had shown up on this particular cloudy day from Frankfurt and Karlsruhe's Flickr groups. Our meet and greet had started off in the dining area of the ever so cool 'The Cooking Ape.' Feeling cozy and well fed, it had taken us two and half hours to head off on our photo walk. We trekked along the river main into Frankfurt city by daylight, then for a new perspective with the city's early evening lights.

This was my first walk through Frankfurt city, as on a couple of occasions I had only managed to visit the city's annual International book fair and trips to its international airport. The city was buzzing at 6 on this Saturday evening and it was as though the residents and the city's international visitors had congregated just to shop. The combination of the old town area and the gleam of the modern skyline buildings had caught my interest in this shiny alpha city!

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05 November 2010
Posted in Sights and Sounds

The Val d' Orcia is an open space where nature predominates over residential areas. Hilly roads that wind between harvested landscapes separate its charming towns, but you probably know this right, from the ever so romantic books and movies that are written about Tuscany!  Driving through this scene I momentarily compare the landscape with parts of South Australia's own, which strikes a similar resemblance of dryness minus the presence of the Tuscan landmark of villas and cypress trees. 

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