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The West Coast of the Algarve in Portugal

When you are in Portugal it is kind of inevitable to visit the most western point of Europe. No sooner said than done. The view is stunning. Unfortunately there is no special spot for the obligatory photographic proof. Otherwise there is some hustle and bustle and there are some booths. You can also get the famous last Bratwurst before America… You can also climb through the rocks. But be careful. There are no barriers and it might be stormy. On our way back we stopped at the beach of Beliche. A wide way with short steps leads down to the beach. There are some surfers to be seen and there are some visitors. You can rent parasols and there is a beach bar. Small, quiet, cozy and beautiful. There are two restaurants at the street. That’s it. We have been to Terra. There you can get the best pasteis de

The Hinterland from Algarve

If you can get enough of the steep coasts and rocks and water that glows in different colours, you can go to the hinterland. We went by rental car to Monchique. On our way we admired the many many stork nests. They are everywhere. On lamp posts, chimneys and trees. Some storks where there and clattered loudly. When we arrived at Monchique there was a handicraft festival. There were lots of booths with handmade items. But there was also old handicraft like basket-weaving to be seen. And in one booth there was a hand-loom. In the center a sign says: Miradouru. So we walked uphill through small streets. We landed at a wide place with fountains. Unfortunately they were not running. But we had a nice view from there. Our continuation of the journey to the highest point ‚Foia‘ was due to a forest fire impossible. But the nice policeman

Culinary Algarve

At the coast of the Algarve you will get – oh wonder – a lot of fish and seafood. We tried out some restaurants and were also allowed to look behind the scenes. Our first restaurant was spot on: A Boneca. In the middle of grottos and caves but with sea view. Here you can get freshly caught fish which is grilled on charcoal. But also seafood and other Portuguese dishes are on the menu. And the sunset watched from top of the rock right beside the restaurant is stunning. A reservation is necessary. In the hinterland near Monchique there is a small but fine nice garden restaurant. Jardim das Oliveiras. In the middle of cork trees it offer Portuguese meat dishes. But also vegetarians find something on the menu. Both owner who speak different languages look for quality and put some effort in buying from the local neighbours and

Portugal – The Coast of Algarve

After having been to Madeira and the Azore island Sao Miguel in spring we now went to the mainland. We started at the Algarve. Already the flight was quite promising. First looking over the mountains with their special shape and then the view on to the steep coast. Great. Well, where to start if there are so many things waiting to be discovered? In front of your door. Right. The first beach was Praia do Paraiso. And soon you realize: Steep coast? That means a lot (!) of stairs and steps. A flight of stairs leads down to Praia do Paraiso. And when you have been down, eventually you have to climb up… Having said that… the beach of Carvoeiro is right in the center and can be reached at ground level. One of the exceptions. If you want to have a nice view over the beach though you have

How to make Cataplana

In a copper pot you put some slices of potatoes. Add some sauce that has been cooked before made from peppers, onions, tomatoes and garlic. Put on some pieces of different fishes. Add more of the sauce. Add some water, white wine and sea food stock. Add spices. Let it cook for 20 minutes. Add prawns and mussels. Let cook for another 10 minutes. Finally add some fresh coriander and serve in the copper pot. Enjoy your meal! Thanks to the restaurant ‚A Vela‘ in Carvoeira to let us have a look! While the Cataplana was cooking, we had the chance to taste some dessert. Maybe you want some of that after the Cataplana… Restaurant ‚A Vela‘-508, R. do Barranco 54,8400 CarvoeiroTelefon: 969 607 116 Website Restaurant ‚A Vela‘ All Photos © Waltzing Meurers

Week 62 and Parts of Week 63

Week 62 and half of week 63 we spent at the ‚Ruhrpott‘. First we did not know what to do there. But then we left without seeing so many things which we would have loved to see. But what we saw was just great. These pieces of art and sculptures on the old mining waste tips, these creative urban quarters called ‚Kiez‘ and this fascinating industrial culture. Brilliant! We really enjoyed it. Everything was wide and nice and lovely and we would love to come back. After that we had a two day break – if you can call that a break at all. We went to a garage with our car hoping that they could repair it while we are in Portugal. But it is not that easy. The part that might be broken is a part that had been exchanged two years ago together with some other parts.

Ten days at the „Pott“

Ten days we have spent at the Ruhr District or at the „Pott“ as it is called in the local dialect. The good old Pott. Everywhere pounding and steaming heavy industries. Coal, coke, gas and steel. Men with blackened faces which work under physical strain. The air is thickened with coal dust and smells awkward. TV-Superintended Schimansky rules in Duisburg and campaigsn for the miners with a famous sentence. Cut! That is history. Today everything is different. We asked ourselves before arriving: „Ten days at Ruhr District? What an earth can we do there?“ The answer: Pretty much. And. It still does have to do with coal, coke, gas and steel. But nowadays it is nice. We stayed in Essen at the Welcome Hotel. From there we drove to the other towns. Here are our experiences: One day in Bochum One day in Dortmund One day in Duisburg One day

One day in Duisburg

Duisburg. The so called Pott town on the banks of the river Rhine. Heavy Industries. A brash tv superintendent and lots of steel. And coal. And steel. And today? Today there is the landscape park ‚Landschaftspark‘. A former steel-mill became a recreation area. With climbing wall and diving pool, with ways, paths and ponds and with event venues and locations. With beer gardens and trade show halls. And a accessible furnace. Everything with lots of greens and plants. Some planted some wild growing. Good, that you needed always also water for the steel production. So there are already lots of water basins in which water lilies can grow. You can spend quite some time in this area alone. There are always events taking place like festivals or exhibitions. When we were there there was the attempt to break a guiness world record by building the highest sand castle. It is

One day in Essen

We admit we have been longer in Essen, but, in case that you only have one day we would have some tipps what to do. We knew Essen before only in connection with art and culture like the Folkwang Institution. But what else? A shopping tour? The pedestrian zone is very long and there are wide streets to stroll around and huge places to relax accompanied by cafes and restaurants. If that is not enough there are some shopping centres. Or you go to a ‚Kiez‘. A ‚Kiez‘ is a urban quarter. We have been to Rüttenscheid. There is a wide boulevard with big trees and nice restaurants and pubs. But there are also tiny shops and those typical kiosks. Here you can fiddle away quite some time. You want more than shopping and strolling around? Well. There is Zeche Zollverein. A world heritage and a really really huge area. To

One day in Dortmund

Dortmund. The town with the illuminated and from far visible turning „U“. With a football team. But what would you do one day long in Dortmund? We did a test for you. First there is „Westfalenpark“. A huge park subdivided in many many areas and subjects. If you would want to walk it all and look at everything you might need a couple of days. So the best is to pick your choice, a small corner and discover it. If you dare you can go up the tower and have a look from above. Or you just rest on one of the large sunbathing lawns and read a book, have a nap or a picknick or watch the clouds go by. There are playgrounds and toilets and beautifully designed gardens, a gallery and pieces of art, workshops and ponds and sculpture gardens, events and a small train and and and.