Ballroom Dancing in Blackpool with Panasonic

I will try to publish (link) some of the best high quality Ballroom video's from YouTube on this blog. The first video is a commercial from Panasonic in Blackpool. Enjoy it.

Ik ga proberen enkele van de beste hoge kwaliteits Ballroom video's van YouTube op deze blog te publiceren (linken). De eerste video is een reklame filmpje van Panasonic in Blackpool. Geniet er van.


Return to main page

Read more »

Viktualienmarkt, München

Early morning, I am going for a walk on the Viktualienmarkt on my way to work. It's very cold but surprisingly no snow, which is exceptional this time of the year. The viktualienmarkt is a market place where they sell food products like: fruit, cheese, meat, fish, vegetables, wild products... The name Vitualien comes from "lebensmitteln" or food products. This is a very nice place to visit during spring and summer where you can enjoy a beer on a terrace or a freshly squeezed juice. In the background you see the church of the Holy Spirit (St. Peter). I can't wait to go there again to enjoy a beer in the summer.

In de vroege morgen op weg naar het werk, wandel ik op de Viktualienmarkt. Het is zeer koud en er ligt geen sneeuw wat uitzonderlijk is voor deze tijd van het jaar. De Viktualienmarkt is een markt waar voedingsmiddelen worden verkocht zoals: fruit, kaas, vlees, vis, groenten, wild... De naam Viktualien komt van "lebensmitteln" of voedingsmiddelen. Dit is een zeer mooie plaats om in de lente of de zomer te genieten van een biertje of een vers geperst fruitsapje. Op de achtergrond zie je de kerk van de Heilige Geest (St. Peter). Ik kan bijna niet wachten tot de zomer om hier terug een biertje te gaan drinken.






Previous Munich article: Sendlinger-tor and Isartor, Munich
Return to main page

Read more »

Farewelled the "Kopex" town

After an overnight trip to Duke of York Islands, we are back at Kokopo.
This was the last day at East New Britain and we strolled around the town.

When I first visited here in 1995, there was few permanent buildings. No Kokopo Beach Bungalow, No Rapopo plantation; ANZ bank was operating from barrack-type house.
Now it is one of the fastest growing towns of South Pacific - it has many new permanent buildings, big shops, warehouses, as well as historical buildings - one of the oldest Catholic Churches in Papua New Guinea, Modern History Museum .....
Kokopo Market was very busy with people selling and buying the food, cloth, basket etc...
Unlike other big towns in Papua New Guinea, people mind their own business and very safe.
We wish Port Moresby is safe like East New Britain ....
After several days of re-discovering Rabaul & Kokopo, we reluctantly left the "Kopex" town.


Vunapope = "place of the Pope" is one of the oldest catholic missions in Papua New Guinea .
The cathedral has been refurbished recently.

Queen Emma portrait at the Kokopo Museum.

Japanese Fighter "Zero" at Kokopo Museum.

Read more »

Sendlinger Tor and Isartor, München (Munich)

It's always nice to go for a walk in Munich. Here in the early morning you see the medieval Gothic Gates (in German Tor) of the ancient city wall. There are still three gates in the city. Here you see the Sendlinger Tor and the Isartor. They were both build early 14th century. On the Isartor you find a fresco painting which displays the triumph of Ludwig from Bavaria after the victory against the Habsburgers in 1322.

Het is altijd leuk een wandeling te maken door München. Hieronder zie je de Sendlinger Tor en de Isartor in de vroege ochtend, twee van de drie nog bestaande gotische stadspoorten. Beide poorten werden gebouwd in het begin van de 14de eeuw. Op de Isartor vind je een fresco van de overwinning van Ludwig van Bayern tegen de Habsburgers in 1322.





Previous Munich article: Christkindlmarkt, Munich
Return to main page

Read more »

Restaurant Van der Valk, Nootdorp

When driving around in The Netherlands and looking for something to eat, keep an eye on the Toucan. This bird is the symbol of the Hotel chain Van der Valk. Most of these hotels have a restaurant that serves good quality food at reasonable prices. All the hotels are located near highway exits. On Sunday we enjoyed the lunch in Nootdorp. We were surprised that the fried Tiger prawn starter in combination with a prawn Carpaccio was absolutely excellent. The beef Carpaccio was also very good. All restaurants have a high capacity. I can only recommend this chain when you travel around in The Netherlands. It will be very difficult to find something of the same quality for this price.

Als je rondreist in Nederland en je zoekt iets te eten, let dan op de Toekan. Deze vogel is het symbool van de hotelketen Van der Valk. De meeste van deze hotels hebben een restaurant dat goede kwaliteit serveert tegen redelijke prijzen. Alle hotels liggen dicht bij autosnelweguitritten. Vorige zondag genoten we van de lunch in de Van der Valk te Nootdorp. We waren echt onder de indruk van de gefrituurde Gamba combinatie met Gamba Carpaccio als voorgerecht. De rundscarpaccio was ook zeer goed. Ik kan deze restaurants zeker aanbevelen als je rondreist in Nederland. Het zal zeer moeilijk zijn iets beter te vinden aan deze prijzen.

Read more »

Duke of York Island Adventure

On the next day, we have set sailed for Duke of York Islands. Duke of York Islands are group of 13 islands lie between New Britain & New Ireland on the St. George's Channel.

Today's main destination was Mioko Island, some 45 minutes boat ride from Kokopo. After we left our bags, we have departed again for snorkeling, and then fishing on the way. Not long, Dominic has caught a big Barracuda !!

After the marine activities, we have done a nature walk from the tip of the island to the Guest House. Mioko Island is where Queen Emma has set up her first plantation in 1878 and remains of her resident & Pool can still be seen in the jungle. (Photo below: remain of Queen Emma's swimming pool)

The flat walk can be done by any age group, and is full of attraction, history, tropical flowers, houses and curious local people etc...

The village life is very simple, people don't have anything luxurious yet have everything to live.

The trip was adventurous, heart-warming & educational.

Duke of York can be visited as a day trip if you want a modern comfort & hot shower, but if you really want to feel the village life and its hospitality, it is worth visiting by a overnight trip.

The next day, sea was very calm. When we are leaving the Duke of York, dolphins were chasing the boat and jumping as if they are saying "Goodbye and please come again !!"

Read more »

Village Tour our of Kokopo

We have visited a village called Menebonbon outside of Kokopo.

The village is 45 minuets away from kokopo on the hill side towards the tip of Gazelle Peninsula and have living with substitant agriculture with Copra/Cacao as cash crop.

When we visited, villagers were busy cutting the Copra (dried Coconut). The cut Copra is dried in an oven in the village and later sold to the Copra factory in town before being exported to overseas.

After the "factory inspection", we have moved to a nearby house. The ladies were already preparing the today's lunch called "Aigir."

Aigir is traditional dish in Rabaul area and it is similar to the "Mumu" in a way that they use heated stone for steaming the food, but it is unique in its own way and ingredients.

The biggest difference from Highlands "Mumu" is Aigir use full of Coconut Milk.

Heated stones are placed on top of the Banana leaves and coconut milk is boiling up.

Then you add Taro, Chicken, Aibika, etc... and cover it up with the Banana leaves.

After 30 minutes or so, delicious Aigir is done !!

Sweet taste of Coconut milk is absorbed in all the ingredients and all I could say was "Oh, its beautiful !"

The village is situated on the hill looking down Warangoi Bay (on the other side on Tokua Airport) and blessed with nature. When I carefully look around, I could see Avocado, Paw paw, Cacao, Star Fruit, Coconut... everything was there.

Village visit experience is something you should not miss in Papua New Guinea,　and I can say that Menebonbon is one of the "secret treasures" of Rabaul/Kokopo.

Read more »

The Harbour of Zeebrugge, De haven van Zeebrugge

We were invited to Zeebrugge by friends we met in Japan. For us this was the first time we visited this harbour. It was a cold day but sunny enough to go for a walk with the group. Zeebrugge harbour is very efficient in container handling. The container ship you see on the picture is the Hatsu of 300m long which holds 7.000 containers.

We waren uitgenodigd in Zeebrugge door vrienden die we ontmoet hebben in Japan. Het was de eerste keer dat we de haven van Zeebrugge bezochten. Het was koud die dag, maar toch was er genoeg zon voor een wandeling te maken met de groep. De haven van Zeebrugge is zeer efficient in containerverwerking. Het Hatsu containerschip op de foto is 300m lang en heeft een capaciteit van 7.000 containers.

Read more »

South Sumatera

TOURISM

1. SITE SRIWIJAYA
location in the village of Karang Anyar district. West Ilir Palembang municipality. President Soeharto inaugurated on December 22, 1994 with the laying of the replica back Kedukan Bukit inscription. The inscription is telling two armies laksa Sriwijaya Wanua Srijayanasa build on the Saka year 606 (684 AD) at the foot of Mount Siguntang.

2. PARK HILL Siguntang
Located to the west of Palembang. This place is a hilly area, where there are several tombs, among others: the King of The Nature Trembling, Dadar Flower Princess, Princess Hair Selako, Commander of the Great Yellow, Commander of the Great Reef, Chief Master Master, Earl King and Commander Fire Stone Jago Lawang.

3. PARK Ki Gede Ing Suro
Islamic cemetery complex was built mid-sixteenth century, this park is located on I Kelurahan Ilir. There are 38 tombs, including the tomb of Ki Gede Ing Suro, which is the origin of the Sultan of Palembang. Historically, in the year 1552 Ki Gede Ing Suro founded the kingdom of Palembang.

4. PUNTI WOOD FOREST TOUR
Forest is an area of 50 ha, located on Jl. H. Burlian (KM 7) which is the main road between the Airport Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II and the city of Palembang.

5. ISLAND KEMARO
Is a delta at the river musi, about 5 km to the downstream Ampera Bridge. On this island there is a monastery. In celebration of Cap Go Me Chinese people, including thousands who came from various cities and even from overseas visited the island to conduct Kemaro prayer or pilgrimage. This celebration lasts 2 - 3 days. Kemaro the island can also be seen at the Pertamina refinery and River Plaju Gerong and PT Pusri fertilizer plant next to the various activities on the river Musi.

6. Ampera RIVER BRIDGE AND MUSI
It is a landmark for the city of Palembang. Ampera bridge was built in 1962-1965, across the Musi River and connects the Ilir Palembang and Ulu. Since the 1970s the center of this bridge was not raised again with the consideration would cause long traffic jams. Musi River is the longest and largest river in South Sumatra province, with a length of 406 Km. Palembang distance to the river mouth in the Strait of Bangka ± 106 Km.

7. PAGARALAM
Located at the foot of Mount Dempo, the city tourism potential menyinpan very amazing. With the expanse of verdant tea plantations, Pagaralam has a very mild climate throughout the year. In addition, there are many waterfalls that add beautiful scenery. In this region also found in archeological sites thousands of years old.

HAND CRAFT

1. FABRIC SONGKET
Is a typical woven fabric of South Sumatra mas yarn imported from China and Singapore, songket is not made in manufacturing but with hand woven by traditional craftsmen. Songket very common use in the customs and other official events such as marriage, circumcision and other special dances. Songket has many motifs and colors, usually brightly colored fun and gaiety describe the people of South Sumatra, among other motives boyfriend china flower motifs and heart motif.

2. FABRIC JUMPUTAN
Made of silk, in ancient times was a special cloth used by the girls palembang but now this cloth worn during traditional events Palembang and other official events. Cain has a blend jumputan very distinctive color generally like bright red, green, yellow.

3. FABRIC BLONGSONG
Made of woven silk and cotton yarn used, commonly used by older women or young mothers. This cloth is usually used for traditional ceremonies such as shaving Palembang, fiance but can also be used at a wedding reception as the clothes.

4. FABRIC TAJUNG
Specifically used by adult males is usually to add beauty can also be paired with suits or clothing pot bay. This cloth is used during traditional parties and other formal events, usually made of woven silk fabric with motifs and colors are attractive. Well-known motif, among others limar,

5. Palembang specialty CARVING
Usually Tembesu made of wood or mahogany, the wood is a typical wood South Sumatra. Object of the carving is brand bridal, sofa, buffet and chairs, generally floral carvings with the dominant colors of red and yellow gold.


Source by Bank Indonesia

Read more »

Restaurant Carpinus, Herent

The Carpinus on the church square in Herent is a very nice restaurant. The Chef Koen, is extremely motivated and he lives for his hotel and restaurant. The restaurant has a small a la carte menu but only with very good ingredients. The dishes are served in large portions and the taste is always balanced. Great place.

De Carpinus op het kerkplein in Herent is een zeer goed restaurant. De Chef Koen, is enorm gemotiveerd en leeft voor zijn hotel en restaurant. Het restaurant heeft een beperkte menukaart met enkel zeer goede ingredienten. De gerechten worden in grote porties geserveerd en de smaken zijn altijd in evenwicht. Zeker de moeite waard.

Read more »

Brasserie Hulstkamp, Antwerp (Antwerpen)

When visiting Antwerp it is always nice to have a place where you can eat something. I would recommend Brasserie Hulstkamp on the Keyserlei. They have a great choice of snacks, starters and plates. The quality of the food is good and the staff is very professional. Don't forget Belgium is a beer country and they serve serval nice beers from the tap.

Als je Antwerpen bezoekt is het altijd leuk een plaats te hebben om ergens iets te gaan eten. Ik kan u Brasserie Hulstkamp aanbevelen op de Keyserlei. Je hebt een grote keuze aan snacks, voorgerechten en hoofdschotels. The kwaliteit van het eten is goed en de bediening is zeer professioneel. Vergeet niet dat Belgie een bierland is, hier serveren ze verschillende goede bieren van het vat.

Read more »

Rabaul - Volcano Town

Rabaul was once called "the most beautiful towns in the South Pacific", until 1994 when the twin volcanic eruption ruined the entire town.


Since then, Government & Business Houses moved to Kokopo and no new building has been built in Rabaul. Most of the existing buddings have been collapsed because of the ash and subsequent effect of acid.

Rabaul township was first developed by the Germans. German Flag was raised at Matupit Island on 3rd Nov 1884, but the capital was in Kokopo. After they found that Kokopo does not have deep port to cater for a big ship, they have developed a new town with the big harbor - Simpsons harbor and named the town "Simpsonshafen".

Simpsonshafen was renamed as Rabaul after Germans have defeated the World War 1, but the town kept developing as main export town of Copra.

The Town was ruined by 1937 eruption which killed more than 500 people at nearby Matupit island and again by the World War 2.

But people who loved the "Frangipani" town came back and rebuilt the Rabaul.

With the mighty power of the mother nature, we are not sure if Rabaul will come back again to its beauty or not. However, with people still love the town and work hard to rebuild the town, I am sure there will be a hope.

Read more »

Central Station, Antwerp - Centraal Station, Antwerpen

Located on "Astridplein" in Antwerp you find the historical entrance of Antwerp's central station. This station is very special because of the eclectic building style. This style is a combination of historical treasures and modern elements. The trains enter and leave the station on three floors. The present meets the past via a steel roofing that covers the platforms. The roofing is 186m long and 43m high. This is the most interesting train station I have ever seen.

Op het Astridplein in Antwerpen vind je de historische ingang van het centraal station. Het station is heel speciaal omwille van zijn eclectische bouwstijl. Deze stijl combineert historische en moderne elementen tot een geheel. De treinen rijden het station binnen en uit op drie verdiepingen. Het verleden ontmoet de toekomst via een stalen perronoverkapping van 43m hoog en 186m lang. Dit is het meest interessante station dat ik ooit heb gezien.

In the station you find many Jewellery shops. Antwerp is the Diamond capital of the world. In the area you see many people in traditional Jewish clothing. Most of these families work in the diamond industry.

In het station vind je veel juweliers. Antwerpen is dan ook de diamant hoofdstad van de wereld. In de omgeving zie je veel Joodse mensen in traditionele kledij. De meeste van deze families werken in de diamant industrie.

Read more »