tales from on the road

Sunset Saturday XXXXVIII

2012-01-28T11:38:00.003+01:00

Sunset behind palms and rice paddies in Ubud, Bali. During my first trip to Bali we stayed in a villa in the middle of the rice paddies and went for a walk around the area just before sunset. From a distance we could hear the chanting and drumming in a nearby temple and the air smelled of flowers and incense....

Blue Zebras

2012-01-25T12:51:00.009+01:00

It is the first time that Botswana has qualified for the AFCON and now that the tournament has started, the country is going slightly crazy. Yesterday was the first group game of the Zebras against mighty Ghana and it was amazing to see the support of the fans throughout the city.

Cars are waving the national flag, people everywhere (even in the bank!) are wearing their trikot, and the Orange Fan Park at Game City was shaking from the stomping and dancing of the crowds.
And even though the result was disappointing, it was an exciting match and everyone is looking forward to the next matches!
Go Zebras!

Sunset Saturday XXXXVII

2012-01-21T14:56:00.003+01:00

Evening sky with big clouds and beautiful colors at our house. The past week we've been settling back into life here and trying to get into some kind of routine. Our garden is green like never before and our dog seems really happy to have us back. Things are pretty much back to normal, with some uncertainty remaining as to what this year will bring...

Sunset Saturday XXXXVI

2012-01-14T09:59:00.000+01:00

Another wintery evening sky in Bavaria. The last couple of days were sunny and rather cold but still no snow down here. We're flying back to Botswana today, saying goodbye to winter and hello to summer in the Southern hemisphere!

today

2012-01-13T23:14:00.004+01:00

- it snowed a little bit
- is the last day of my holiday in Germany
- I found a beautiful wedding dress!!!

Plaisir d'Hiver

2012-01-11T16:39:00.015+01:00

Before I leave, I wanted to spend some more time in the mountains. In the past few days it snowed a lot in the Alps and today it was sunny, so I went on a day trip with my dad. We drove to Spitzing and hiked up to the Firstalm with our sleighs.
There we sat in the plain sun and watched the panorama and the skiiers before tobogganing downhill all the way back to the car - yay!

Chiemsee-Bankerl

2012-01-10T19:49:00.002+01:00

Greetings from Bavaria!
We went on a family day trip to Chiemsee shortly after Christmas and I loved to be near the mountains. During the summer it is also beautiful there, but during the winter months it is more peaceful and quiet, and the views are just as nice.

Sunset Saturday XXXXV

2012-01-07T09:44:00.000+01:00

A sunset in the bush at Mabuasehube. The sun was scorching during the day and even the wind was hot, so all we did was hide under the shade and wait for the sun to paint a golden sky behind the thornbushes. As much as I complain, the European winter makes me realise how spoilt I am and I really miss the warmth and the sunlight of Botswana.

Impressions from Berlin

2012-01-06T19:21:00.009+01:00

We spent a few days in wintery Berlin, and got to see a lot of different quarters while looking at different locations and meeting friends. The city is full of history, beautifully restored buildings, and lots of interesting architecture to discover, but I guess January is not really the best time to explore Berlin...
pictures:
1, Deutsches Historisches Museum Berlin and Fernsehturm
2, Berlin Wall
3, Museumsinsel (Bode Museum)
4, Friedrichshain Südkiez

Welcome 2012!

2012-01-01T18:08:00.005+01:00

We welcomed the New Year in the snowy mountains, with good friends, beautiful fireworks and champagne. It felt like a good way to start 2012!

Thanks to everyone for a great time!

Sunset Saturday XXXXIV

2011-12-31T17:19:00.005+01:00

I finished the year the same way I started it: with a day on the slopes. Except this time there was no sunshine, but snow, snow, snow.
Happy New Year!

Jahresendurlaub

2011-12-27T11:56:00.005+01:00

We're off to the mountains today for some skiing, and to celebrate New Year's Eve!
Rutschts guad and see you in 2012!

Sunset Saturday XXXXIII

2011-12-26T21:26:00.002+01:00

A winter sunset near my parents' house in Bavaria. The sun is gone as early as 4pm at this time of the year, making the days quite short, and it is way too warm for snow at the moment, which makes it even darker during the long nights. At least we got to see some blue sky and sunrays today!

Christmas time

2011-12-25T22:49:00.002+01:00

Christmas traditionally is a family holiday, and so we left Gaborone to spend some time with my family in Bavaria, and to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. It was great to catch up with everyone, who has travelled from various parts of the world to our hometown, and to eat lots of homemade, delicious food...
Hope everyone had a peaceful Christmas!

Sunset Saturday XXXXII

2011-12-17T12:02:00.003+01:00

The sky is on fire. A burning, red evening sky over Gaborone. These days, the light over here is just incredible. The rainy season has started for good and different layers of clouds break the sunrays in various colors, making it most spectacular during dusk, like this flaming red, orange and pink.

Photo taken by Björn and the iphone

the final nights

2011-12-12T12:59:00.015+01:00

After an informal dinner with lots of last-minute strategizing, I returned to the ICC on Friday on what was supposed to be the last day of negotiations. Througout the morning, we camped out in front of the meeting room where Ministers from major countries tried to come up with a deal.

It was a day spent waiting, with rumours flying up and down the corridors, interrupted by the occupy COP17 that happened in the afternoon.
I was watching from the gallery when it started and the amount of cameras present was just incredible.
After about two hours, the group of protesters were removed, leaving us with more hours waiting, trying to find out what's happening in the Indaba.
The plenaries were short and without much news, indicating how difficult the negotiations were at this stage.
Around midnight the news were that the stock-taking plenary would not happen until the next morning, so I went back to the hotel eventually after saying goodbye to the amazing Germanwatch team, and leaving for the airport in the morning.
Turns out, I didn't miss out on the news while traveling, but was able to follow the final night via twitter and the livestream, before finally, finally, a decision was made.
I guess this is as close as you can get to political power play and international climate diplomacy in the 21st century...

Sunset Saturday XXXXI

2011-12-10T22:21:00.005+01:00

Here's a picture of the sun setting over that bridge at the ICC in Durban. COP17 didn't end on Friday night as discussions were still ongoing, and I left way after sunset on what was supposed to be the last evening. In the end, a solution was agreed upon in the early hours of Sunday morning, making this the longest COP ever. For full coverage, see here (in German) and here.
(Apologies for the late post, but I had to fix my laptop that had died somewhere on the way in Durban.)

a week in Durban

2011-12-04T06:56:00.000+01:00

This past week has been quite hectic and I don't know how many times I have walked over that dreaded bridge to get into the COP17. Below are a few pictures of where I am spending my days.

1, inside the plenary
2, the bridge
3, SADC exhibition booth
4, ICC cafeteria
5, in front of the Africa Pavilion

Sunset Saturday XXXX

2011-12-03T07:36:00.005+01:00

I am still in Durban and running around the ICC, climbing over the bridge, organizing things, attending meetings, and hoping for some successful outcome of the COP17. In all this craziness, I hardly know what the weather is like during the day, and I certainly didn't have time to take any scenic pictures (yet). So here's a photo of the sun setting behind the high-rise buildings in Valparaiso, taken during my trip last year. Enjoy your weekend und den 2. Advent!

Sunset Saturday XXXIX

2011-11-26T09:54:00.001+01:00

A peaceful, quiet evening sky behind the high reed at Gaborone dam. Love the fluffy little clouds up there - these days it's more about big mountains of thundery clouds piling up all over the sky as the rainy season has (finally) started. Happy weekend!

saving my day

2011-11-24T23:06:00.004+01:00

when I left the house this morning I realised I am left with no fuel in my car, no credit on my phone, no cash in my purse, and no way to get money from the bank account.
I panicked.
then I managed to send "callme" messages from my phone.
luckily, a friend came to the rescue and seriously saved my day - thank you!
little did I know that even though this crisis was solved, many others would follow....
sometimes I just can't wait for a day to be over.

camping with friends

2011-11-21T20:12:00.011+01:00

This past weekend, we went to Botsalano with a group of friends. It was a sort of farewell for dear friends who are leaving Botswana soon, and so everyone joined in for some time in the bush. After setting up the tents,

there was some frisbee action,

a game drive with a tiny little mini giraffe,

and then a rainy Sunday morning breakfast.

With all the heat we had in the past weeks, the rain actually felt really nice, and I am kind of looking forward to some more!

Sunset Saturday XXXVIII

2011-11-19T10:48:00.004+01:00

Sunset over the Chobe River during our boat cruise last weekend. It was an incredibly hot day and only started to cool down a little in the evening, so it was great to be on the water and get some breeze on the boat. There were many fires over in Namibia, and a lot of smoke in the air, but the colors of the sky and the reflections on the water were amazing as always.

zwei lange schlangen, die schlängeln viel herum

2011-11-16T11:47:00.000+01:00

We visited the CARACAL Biodiversity Centre in Kasane, where they have a variety of snakes, birds and other animals. As the Chobe National Park is so close, many animals do venture outside the park, and snakes in particular like the food options available at the lodges. So whenever a lodge finds a snake on its premises, they bring them to the biodiversity centre. There, visitors and schoolclasses can learn about snakes - which ones are dangerous and which are not.
We got to hold a young python, who is actually quite pretty and didn't fell cold at all. However, you could already feel its strong muscles, which they use to kill their prey by constriction and clearly, I am not exactly comfortable holding it.

The other one is a brown house snake, which apparently is the best remedy against rats and frogs around the house, and is completely harmless to humans. It showed us a little trick, making a knot into its body and releasing itself like a true escape artist. Despite this, I am not sure I'd like to have a snake in my house - but it definitely was a very interesting snake session!

This may seem like a quite touristy place, but it is actually very informative and most snakes are released into the wild after a while.

Land of the Giants

2011-11-14T11:49:00.010+01:00

While in Kasane, we went for a boat cruise on the River Chobe and saw plenty of elephants. They say there are about 30.000 elephants in the Chobe National Park and I guess they must be about right. The land is very dry, so they all come down to the river in the afternoon to drink. Some are even brave enough to cross over to Sedudu Island through the water.
Below are a few of them, including a striped African elephant and a very cute baby giant.The water is so low at the moment - the big ones can actually walk across!

This little one was maybe a few months old, but following his big mother around just fine and oh so cute....!

Sunset Saturday XXXVII

2011-11-12T08:42:00.006+01:00

Sunset over the Lago Cocibolca on the way back from Isla de Ometepe. I stayed with a friend there last year and we spent a beautiful, quiet weekend on the island under the volcano. During the return trip on the ferry in the late afternoon we watched a spectacular sunset while swaying on the waves. I really liked the atmosphere in Nicaragua, the nature, the beaches and the small-town live.

stuck on the road

2011-11-10T19:58:00.007+01:00

"Dear valued customer. Please be advised that fuel prices will be adjusted upwards effective 11th November 2011. The adjustment is as follows: petrol 40t per litre, diesel 51t per litre, paraffin 50t per litre."
- sms currently circulated regarding increase of fuel prices -
I didn't want to buy fuel, but I was stuck near the petrol station on my way home anyway.
edit: this is the third time that fuel prices increased in Botswana this year

dies & das

2011-11-08T15:14:00.014+01:00

While some are spending their time searching for elephants in the North, others have to stay at home and work. COP17 is just around the corner and things have started to get quite busy.

In the evenings, I'm "working" on something else: the annual craft market is coming up and I will share a stall with friends, where we'll sell some handmade accessories.
So overall, I don't really have time to be too jealous of the travellers ( I'll meet them in Kasane for the weekend in a couple of days anyway!)

around the bush

2011-11-07T12:16:00.004+01:00

The nearby Mokolodi Nature Reserve is a great place to take visitors for a first impression of wildlife and bush in Botswana, and we tend to go there every other month.
This Saturday, we drove around the lake,
saw a waterbuck looking for young leaves,
watched a tortoise crossing the road,
and came across an ostrich, who was taking a dust bath on the tracks.
Then we went up the hill and watched the panoramic views from the top before heading to dinner. As always, it was a nice afternoon there and every time we are amazed how close we are to the wilderness and the bush.

Sunset Saturday XXXVI

2011-11-05T12:16:00.009+01:00

A fiery, red and purple sunset at the Gabs dam. A few days ago I went there for a birthday party and we enjoyed a couple of sundowners in this beautiful evening light. Somehow the colors of the sunset are even more intensive if there's water around, or maybe it was because of the thunderstorm later that night.

a visit to Bahurutshe

2011-10-30T18:07:00.012+01:00

I went with some friends to Bahurutshe, a cultural village not too far from Gabs. The place is run by a retired woman, who is committed to keeping the traditional rituals and culture alive. We were greeted by a group of villagers from Mmankgodi and learned about the wedding ceremony, life in the olden days and how to ground millet Setswana-style. It was an interesting experience and a good way to get some more insight into traditional Setswana culture.

Sunset Saturday XXXV

2011-10-29T08:28:00.008+02:00

A gorgeous, golden sunset in Tasmania during our trip to Australia in 2009. We spent the day hiking around Wine Glas Bay and stopped to watch the sunset on our way back to Hobart. Tasmania is such as pristine and wild but exceptionally beautiful place, and it was fantastic to see some of the highlights while we were there.

lion country

2011-10-26T13:09:00.005+02:00

While at Mabuasehube, we got more than lucky and saw a total of 12 really big Kalahari lions.
We had heard that a bunch of lions was occupying a campsite not too far from where we were staying and so we drove there to have a look. Indeed, they were there, dozing in the shade and apparently well fed.

I would have probably freaked out completely, but the people staying at that particular campsite were surprisingly relaxed about being held hostage by the lions for a full day...

On our game drive on the next morning, we also came across a lioness. She was walking on the tracks and definitely not in a hunting mood, as the steenboks didn't run away. She was also very hesitant to leave the soft underground, but eventually we managed to pass her.
It definitely feels strange to sleep in a tiny little tent on the ground, knowing that this is lion country. On the other hand, it is so beautiful out there - I really wouldn't want to miss it!

in the wild west

2011-10-25T08:26:00.011+02:00

Last weekend, I went for a trip to Mabuasehube, a national park in the wild west of Botswana. From the tarred road, it takes more than 100km on a sand piste to the entrance gate and from there, another 25km to the campsite at Mabuasehube pan, so it's really in the middle of nowhere.

We spent two nights there,
saw the sun rise,hid from the scorching sun and the hot desert wind during the day,
went searching for some lions,
and had a little party with the squirrels and birds at our campsite.
On the way back, we followed another endless, bumpy track through the bush and finally found some fuel before heading back to Gabs. Thanks to the guys for driving all the way and for a fantastic trip!

Sunset Saturday XXXIV

2011-10-22T09:48:00.001+02:00

While I'm camping in the Kalahari, here's another beautiful sunset from a trip to Madikwe earlier this year. The combination of rich colors was fantastic: lush green bush, red-glowing sun and bright golden sketches on the blue sky. Africa's colors never cease to amaze....

Sunset Saturday XXXIII

2011-10-15T13:44:00.004+02:00

Autumn evening sky in my hometown. Because of the clear days, I got to see some really nice sunsets. I was walking home and watched the colors and the sky behind a field against the dark trees. It still takes quite some time for the sun to completely set, but already the days are becoming shorter and shorter.

Autumn Glory

2011-10-14T22:52:00.001+02:00

We went to visit family in Schwerin, and took a walk around the castle grounds. It was one of these perfect, crisp autumn days full of sunshine and I really enjoyed the beautiful park and gardens.

I'm glad I finally got to see Schwerin at this time of the year! So far I had only ever been there in winter and could only imagine what it is like during warmer days...

on identity, home and switching between worlds

2011-10-12T21:35:00.000+02:00

During our trip to Italy, I spent some time to think and reflect on Europe, my roots and the big or not so big differences between life here and life in Botswana, and I must say, it felt like a pretty big culture shock to be back in Europe after some time abroad. Tuscany, with all its history, monuments and century-old culture, was probably the most contrasting place we could go to from the empty lands of the Kalahari, and I felt how strongly my own identity is impacted by European culture, history and whatever values come with it.

Coming back to Europe often leaves me a little bit lost, but at the same time every time I come back to my hometown, I feel like the place absorbs me, devouring my personality, and twisting it back to the standards and drawers that seem so eminent in German society - at least when entering it as a sort of outsider. I felt really out of place for the first couple of days in Germany, questioning my origin, my direction and missing my freedom, but then I somehow snapped back into the mode and adapted to the pace of life, knowing it will be a different life again soon.
Now, being back in Gabs, it feels good to be here, but part of myself is still in Germany, and so it will probably again take some time before I have arrived fully...

Panoramas from Tuscany

2011-10-11T21:39:00.005+02:00

1, View over Firenze
2, River Arno
3, Uffizi in Firenze
4 +5, City of Pitigliano

bei Kaiserwetter auf der Wiesn

2011-10-10T16:17:00.011+02:00

The weather during the Oktoberfest was exceptionally nice and so we enjoyed the sunshine and warm temperatures.

I went there with dear friends from Austria and we walked around the Theresienwiese, where the Oktoberfest is taking place, before we entered one of the beer tents. In the afternoon, we went for a ride on the "Wiesn-Rad" and had a beautiful view of the Oktoberfest, the masses of visitors, and Munich, and it felt really good to be home.

a whirlwind of weeks

2011-10-10T11:58:00.006+02:00

These past weeks in Germany have been great and extremely busy - especially compared to the pace of life back in Gabs - and we were traveling from South to North and back to meet family, friends and colleagues. It was really nice to be back home, but it took a while to get used to the speed. It always feels like time is running way too fast, and there is never enough time to see everyone and do everything, but now I am also looking forward to flying back to Africa tonight.

Sunset Saturday XXXII

2011-10-08T11:53:00.000+02:00

A little bit late, but here is another beautiful evening sky during our trip to Italy in September. We stayed on top of a hill in the middle of nowhere and enjoyed the view over the landscape and the sea in the distance for a couple of days. It was really great to calm down and relax for a couple of days...

Sunset Saturday XXXI

2011-10-01T18:03:00.005+02:00

Sonnenuntergang an der Hackerbrücke.

We were on our way back home from the Oktoberfest and saw the sunset over the train tracks near Munich main station. For the past week, the days were full of glorious sunshine and blue skies, and it was so nice to be around at this time of the year!

bella italia

2011-09-29T22:24:00.005+02:00

A few impressions from our trip to Italy. We did quite a bit of driving, to Florence, then on to the Maremma and back to Lucca. The weather was beautiful for most of the time, and the landscape in Tuscany is pretty, as are all the old little towns.

Sunset Saturday XXX

2011-09-24T22:18:00.005+02:00

The sunset seen from Pitigliano. The colors and the light were really soft, and I loved the sharp silhouettes and changing nuances of the hills in the distance. And all the green in the valley...

Firenze at night

2011-09-21T22:34:00.007+02:00

When we made it to Firenze, it was already dark. We went for dinner and then took a walk down to the River Arno, and into the historic center. It was quite late at night, but the atmosphere was great and I actually preferred it a lot to the crowds during the next day.

some snow & ice

2011-09-21T22:33:00.006+02:00

On our way to Tuscany we went over the Alps, where we got into the first snowfall of the season.
Not pretty, and not exactly what we had hoped for. But the good thing was that once we got closer to the Lago di Garda, the sky cleared and the sun was out...

And luckily, the weather stayed more or less like this for the rest of the week...

Sunset Saturday XXIX

2011-09-17T10:35:00.000+02:00

Sunset at the Chobe River. I took this picture during my first trip to Kasane last year on an evening walk through town. It's nice to be close to the water, which isn't really an option in Gabs. But I guess we'll get our fair share of water (probably mostly in the form of rain) in the next couple of weeks in Europe...

counting down

2011-09-16T15:51:00.008+02:00

(picture: Wiesn 2006)
This week was the last week before our big holiday and so I was busy finishing stuff for work, and meeting people before we leave for Munich tomorrow.

The Oktoberfest is starting tomorrow as well, and since it's been three years that I've last been there, I am kind of excited for this as well (I even had a dress made ;) Plus, I am really looking forward to seeing my family and friends back home, and hopefully we'll get some nice, relaxing days in sunny Italy, too.

it's a celebration

2011-09-12T10:52:00.011+02:00

A colleague of mine got married last week and I was invited to the wedding, which was taking place in a beautiful outdoor place near Mokolodi.
The bridal party made their entrance dancing through the garden, and there were heartfelt speeches by the fathers of the bride and the groom, followed by food and drinks, music and entertainment.

I met some of the lapologa girls there and we all sat together at a table under the large white parasol. It was great to watch all the guests in their beautiful attire and I even got a (slightly blurry) picture with the newly-weds, glowing with happiness!

Congratulations to the bride & groom and thanks for the invitation!

a garden party

2011-09-11T20:49:00.009+02:00

We had our open air tribute-to-spring movie party yesterday and even watched two films (Ratatouille for the kids, and My Blueberry Nights for the grown-ups)!

Everyone was sitting around the garden in the mild spring air and the moon was rising above us.
It's good to know summer will be back soon...

Thanks to all our friends for coming and making this a special night!

Sunset Saturday XXVIII

2011-09-10T09:02:00.001+02:00

Another beautiful sunset at the beach in Cape Town during my first visit there in July last year. It was quite windy and the sky had been full of clouds earlier, but in the evening it cleared and so we got a great view of the sunset.
Enjoy the weekend!

what I am working on...

2011-09-09T16:08:00.005+02:00

We've just launched the first SADC Photo Competition 2011!

To find out more, check this website.

Party Planning

2011-09-05T22:13:00.003+02:00

We're having a tribute-to-spring movie party this Saturday!
You can vote for your favorite film until Friday, 9 September 23:59pm in the side-bar...
See you there!

Sunset Saturday XXVII

2011-09-03T10:30:00.004+02:00

The view of the evening sky from our balcony in Teresaville, Singapore. We were staying on the 10th floor and could see the back of Mount Faber from there as well as a whole lot of other high-rise buildings, a motorway and the communal pool of our condo. It's been almost two years now, and somehow I would like to go back for a visit...

today

2011-08-31T19:30:00.006+02:00

- is the last day of winter in Botswana
- I took a combi for the first time
- I bought a sewing machine

Buschbewohner

2011-08-28T13:56:00.005+02:00

A few of the animals we saw on yesterday's game drive in Mokolodi. It is getting hot again and its very dry, so it's easier to spot the animals in the bush. I'm glad its getting warmer, but a little bit of humidity would also be nice (I can't believe I'm actually saying this because I didn't really like the humid climate in Singapore). But these days, it is so dry you can watch the water evaporate from the pool...

Sunset Saturday XXVI

2011-08-27T09:38:00.001+02:00

Sunset in Old Havana. I was walking around town on one of my last evenings in Cuba and just happened to be in the right spot to see the sun going down behind a cigar factory. The moment I looked over there the sun was exactly shining through a round hole on top of the facade of the building. I loved this little feature - it was a perfect moment. Ahh, Cuba...

house guest

2011-08-26T22:19:00.009+02:00

We have a little guest at our house at the moment. Our friends' dog, Bobby, is staying with us and the two dogs are having quite some fun together. He is a cute little fellow and feels right at home, occupying the comfy chair in our living room or the sofa on the terrace outside. Apparently, the two like each other, but they are also watching each other jealously for attention (and food, of course ;).

in the village...

2011-08-22T17:45:00.004+02:00

During the weekend we went to stay with some friends near Molepolole. The days are getting warm, but it is very dry and so we went for some sundowners to a nearby dam, watching the cattle in the reed and the birds on the water.

In the evening we sat around the fire, listened to some stories and then even got to see a porcupine that was coming down the hill for a night stroll.
Life is quite different outside Gabs and the city felt very far away....

Thanks to Jes and Kelone for having us!
p.s. that empty bottle was mine and she was just goofing around with it!

Sunset Saturday XXV

2011-08-20T11:05:00.003+02:00

The evening light on the Altiplano near Cusco was incredible. I've never seen such a mix of sunlight, clouds, and green hills with the dramatic backdrop of the snow-capped mountain peaks - it was really amazing!

monkey business

2011-08-18T21:49:00.003+02:00

There are cheeky baboons living on Kgale Hill. They like to come to the office buildings and rummage through the bins or simply scaring people. Their favorite spot seems to be the car park, where they sit around or climb on the sunroofs, and jump over walls when someone comes close. It's quite a sight when you drive into an office car park that's full of monkeys...and a good reminder that this is, after all, Africa! :)

dog on top

2011-08-14T13:33:00.010+02:00

Yesterday we took the dog with us and climbed Kgale Hill, overlooking Gaborone.
She went up with us over all the rocks and through the herd of cows without any problems, and I was really proud.
Only the last bit was difficult, but Björn decided to simply carry her over the large stones so that we could all be on the top together and enjoy the view.

Sunset Saturday XXIV

2011-08-13T11:37:00.005+02:00

Evening atmosphere in Durban. While I was there last week, I caught the sunset from the pier at Ushaka. The view of the skyline and the ocean was beautiful, and at some point, the sun came right through a little space between the buildings, making the ocean and the air sparkle from the sun rays.

difficult day

2011-08-12T23:59:00.004+02:00

Sometimes days are just not working the way I want and everything is difficult. Friday was such a day and I didn't like it at all. But then, even difficult days can come to a good end, and the evening turned out to be a lot better than the rest of the day.
This art exhibition and the performance saved my day, and the party afterwards was fun with everyone dancing the night away. And now a full, free, weekend lies ahead!

a warm place to be

2011-08-10T18:17:00.000+02:00

I was lucky and got to see the beach again when I flew to Durban for a couple of days to attend some meetings. The temperature forecast shocked me with lows of -5°, but while I was there it was actually quite nice and warm. From my hotel room on the 19th floor I could see the harbour, and I even managed to get down to the beachfront for a little stroll.

I didn't have time to visit the Moses Mabhida stadium and go on top of the arch, and I also didn't manage to have a sundowner on the beach, but it was nice anyway to be in a city by the sea.Maybe next time I will have some more time and get to do a few of the fun things Durban has to offer...

Sunset Saturday XXIII

2011-08-06T16:04:00.001+02:00

The sunset during our last evening in Jambiani. It was low tide and so we were able to walk out quite a bit on the beach. Turning back, we caught the sunset behind the village with lots of people enjoying the evening atmosphere, women wading through the little pools of water and a bunch of children playing football on the beach. It was such a nice, calm atmosphere and a perfect ending to our holiday...

little italy

2011-08-05T18:05:00.001+02:00

We spent some time on the East coast of Zanzibar, in a wind-swept place called Uroa.
All the locals (and the "Massai") spoke Italian, as most of the tourists coming there are from Italy.

Our hotel was a nice little place, owned by an Italian (of course), who had trained the chef to serve Italian-inspired food such as Risotto, Spaghetti al Frutti di Mare and Prosciutto. It was delish!
The beach was nice, too, and we went for long walks, collecting shells and watching the water come and go.
But the best place was the hammock under the trees by the pool, where I spent hours just reading and taking some naps in between.

rooftop rally

2011-08-04T18:00:00.003+02:00

We spent a lot of time in Stonetown climbing stairs in various buildings to enjoy the stunning views on the many open rooftop spaces the city has to offer.

For breakfast at our hotel, we sat down to this view.
The House of Wonders offered these fantastic views over the city and the water.
From the tower-like space on top of another house you could clearly see all the patched, corrugated iron roofs as well as the spread out city.
Sundowners were enjoyed on this rooftop and so the days in Stonetown went by quite fast.
I am still dreaming of living in one of these houses so I could enjoy these views every day. Imagine what a great party space these rooftops would make....

looking at doors

2011-08-03T19:42:00.000+02:00

Apparently, Stonetown is quite famous for its doors as houses traditionally had very precious and beautifully carved wooden doors. Today, some of them have been restored or probably replaced, but many also remain in their original, often somewhat derelict, state. I think I actually preferred the old ones - showing signs of time and history.

Sunset Saturday XXII

2011-07-30T10:16:00.001+02:00

We went for a sunset cruise on a dhow and were sailing along the waterfront of Stonetown. The gentle breeze was pushing the boat over the water, and as we came back, the sun was setting on the horizon. These dows look so simple and haven't really changed over the centuries, but are a great way to get around on the ocean.

what really happened in Zanzibar

2011-07-28T22:15:00.009+02:00

they flew to a magical island, where love was in the air.

infatuated by all the exotic spices, they decided that marriage isn't such a bad idea.

on mango island, he found the perfect spot and so she found the ring in a shell.

to the sound of the ocean, he asked the question and she didn't have to think long about the answer.

so now they are planning a wedding and are looking puzzled at each other.

seems like the happily ever after has already started :)

back from the island

2011-07-27T16:29:00.006+02:00

We're back in Gabs and I already miss the ocean, the beach and the tropical green vegetation of Zanzibar island. It has been such an amazing trip, with everything and much more than I hoped for!

just because

2011-07-24T21:29:00.003+02:00

this was a beautiful, fantastic day and I am
so so happy

Sunset Saturday XXI

2011-07-23T08:45:00.006+02:00

A picture of a glorious evening sky in the Okavango Delta, when we spent a night on an island during last year's trip to Maun.
The sun was such a red-glowing ball, setting behind those sleek palm trees. We watched the sky go darker and darker, cooling our feet in the water of the Okavango, relieved that the day's heat was finally cooling off a bit.

Sunset Saturday XX

2011-07-16T08:43:00.005+02:00

Sunset behind the dome under construction in the newly built CBD of Gaborone.
I was stuck in traffic during rush hour and taking some pictures to pass time.
Funnily enough, I didn't notice the people walking on the dome until I looked at the picture.
Gabs is such a fast-growing city - I really wonder what it will look like ten years from now!

off to the beach

2011-07-15T16:44:00.001+02:00

We're off to the beaches of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean!
The weather and temperature forecast looks great, and so do the pictures I have seen so far. I'm so looking forward to escaping the cold and leaving my alpaca sweater behind for a couple of days.

picture taken during my last visit to the beach at Punta d'Oro, Mozambique

winter skies

2011-07-12T08:39:00.001+02:00

These days, there are quite a few clouds in the sky, casting shadows over the land and adding to the feeling of winter. The big, low-hanging cloud formations sometimes look like they actually belong into one of these massive oil paintings. Then again the clouds will open up to show a piece of blue sky, and disappear shortly afterwards, clearing the sky for the sun's return.

Soup on a Sunday morning

2011-07-11T08:46:00.016+02:00

I went to Old Naledi to visit the kids of Happy Home, who received some hot soup to keep warm on this cold and rainy day.
I am so glad whenever I get a chance to see them.
These kids just make my heart melt.

Sunset Saturday XIX

2011-07-09T10:17:00.007+02:00

A picture of the evening sky in Chefchaouen, Morocco taken in summer 2008.
The city in its blue colors was impressive at every hour of the day and even more special when seen from distance during dusk, in the "blue" hour when the sun set behind the mountains.

roadside scenes

2011-07-08T09:23:00.009+02:00

Some pictures from the way home to Gabs, taken from the car. Vast grassland and wide, open skies. Next to the road, some cattle and spread-out villages. Rising hills in the distance, empty land. Just across the border, but a different country indeed.

Beauties and Beests

2011-07-05T11:51:00.004+02:00

As mentioned previously, we woke up to this view and spent a couple of nights in the bush here. We had breakfast on the terrace overlooking the waterhole, took naps in the sunshine and went for some walks through the bush. In the evening, we lit a big campfire and made up some pretty awesome stories, listening to the hyenas howling around us. During the day, they were nowhere to be seen. Instead, we watched the graceful antelopes coming to the water and moving through the bush.

On the game drive we stopped and watched the Black Wildebeests, that look like punks with their big manes and the fluffy hair on the nose.The best thing about this trip?
It was only a 2.5 hour journey!

bedside view

2011-07-04T09:59:00.010+02:00

During the weekend, we woke up to this view.

Despite the cold, it was a great trip and we saw lots and lots of animals. More pictures to come soon.

Sunset Saturday XVIII

2011-07-02T13:13:00.001+02:00

Evening in the Blue Mountains. We went there for a daytrip and came back to Sydney smelling of Eucalyptus. For the sunset, we stopped at the roadside and climbed on a tree from where we watched the sky, the clouds and the sea of Eucalyptus trees beneath us.

A Wednesday Night

2011-06-30T11:16:00.004+02:00

After another looong day at the office, we decided to go for dinner and spontaneously called Caravelo for a table. It is one of the most famous restaurants in Gabs and I had heard a lot of good things about it but never been there myself.

We got a nice table near the open fireplace and enjoyed a delicious meal. I especially loved the red-checkered tablecloth and the quaint Mediterranean atmosphere.

Thanks to Björn for taking me there and to Caravelo for the best chocolate mousse in a long time!

bush braai

2011-06-27T19:00:00.002+02:00

On Sunday we met with colleagues and friends for a bush braai in Mokolodi. The picnic site was in the middle of the bush and on the way there, we saw quite a few animals.

The guys were mastering the grill and the kids were helping to put up such a good fire that our potatoes were totally burnt by the time we remembered them...

But the rest of the food was delicious and enough to also feed the ants, who were busy carrying away crumbs from the buffet.

It was a lovely afternoon in the sunshine and I hope summer will come back quickly!

Sunset Saturday XVII

2011-06-25T12:23:00.007+02:00

Sunset at the beach after a massive thunderstorm in Varadero. The rain was pouring down for an hour or so, accompanied by ferocious thunders and gusts of wind. In the hotel there were several leaks where water was dripping from the ceiling onto the floor. The dark clouds went out towards the ocean and the sun was setting under a dramatic sky, glowing red on the plain sea. I went down to the beach and watched until it got dark with a sundowner in hand. It's about time to go back to the beach and I can't wait for some warm days and beach time when we get to Zanzibar in about 2 weeks time!

signs of winter

2011-06-24T20:30:00.001+02:00

Over the last couple of weeks, winter has arrived over here.
The trees are shedding their leaves, the ants have disappeared and my alpaca jumper is my favorite piece to wear right now.
It still feels weird to be in the middle of the cold season when in the rest of the world (most notably home in Bavaria) everyone is taking out their summer clothes & flip-flops, and enjoying long days full of light while here, the sun sets as early as 5pm.

However, even in the middle of winter it is usually warm enough to have lunch outside.

That's not too bad for winter, right??

sour happy jam

2011-06-22T11:39:00.015+02:00

It's citrus season here and all over town you can see lemon and orange trees full of fruits in the garden. We got a huge bunch of lemons from a friend and were contemplating what to do with them. Turns out, for a lemon cake you only need two - not enough to kill the lemons sitting on our kitchen table. So we got down to work and made lemon marmalade with some mint leaves from our garden and some vodka for the taste.

Now we have enough for the rest of our lives (I don't really like lemon marmalade), but it was quite entertaining to make it. Anyone in Gabs fancy a glass, let me know ;)

Sunset Saturday XVI

2011-06-18T19:35:00.000+02:00

Evening sky at the Moon Palace grounds in Cancun during the COP16.

I attended the climate conference as part of the SADC delegation to present our proposal for a regional REDD+ approach and it seems that during the recent session in Bonn the idea was taken up by some countries...
So it will be exciting to see how things develop over the next months - despite the fact that overall, progress on a new climate agreement has been very slow.

total eclipse of the moon

2011-06-15T22:48:00.008+02:00

We were lucky and got a fantastic view of the total lunar eclipse!
To watch, we dragged out some chairs into the garden and sat there for almost an hour under thick warm blankets, watching the moon become darker and darker.It was a great experience to see the moon moving into the central shadow of the earth and then out again.

There is another one in December this year, but apparently this one was the longest and deepest in almost a decade.

Did you get to see the lunar eclipse?

today

2011-06-13T23:32:00.000+02:00

- the strike was suspended
- the new issue of lapologa is finally out and looks fantastic
- we booked our flights to Zanzibar!!!

Sunset Saturday XV

2011-06-11T09:12:00.000+02:00

I snapped this picture of one of the sunsets during the longest bus journeys I have ever been through, somewhere along the Pacific coast of northern Chile. After the earthquake I did not really want to stay in Santiago but the only way out was by bus. And so I booked the ticket for the 30-hour bus ride from Santiago to Arica. The sunset and the tranquility of the ocean were nice to watch, but I remember that looking at the steady swell for too long made me kind of dizzy. From Arica, it was 'only' another 10-hour bus ride to La Paz and then I did not even want to come close to a bus for a couple of days.

who let the dog in

2011-06-08T18:31:00.003+02:00

Some failed attempts of trying to take a picture of the dog and me.
She somehow thought it was playtime and started jumping up and down.
Not helpful.
The short session ended with a frustrated dog that seems to say:
'Just leave me alone, I am tired of having my picture taken'
Ah well, that's life over here ;)

on the Leopard trail

2011-06-06T16:34:00.029+02:00

We spent a couple of nights in a lovely cottage in a nature reserve in the Waterberg area, having breakfast on the terrace with impalas watching us curiously, hiking for hours through the hills and looking for leopards (who are said to be living in the rocks and trees around the reserve). Unfortunately, we didn't see any of the shy wildcats, but we sure saw some trails during our hike.

We also went horseback riding through the bush and came quite close to the game.
The best part of the day was to come back to the cozy cottage, eat a home-cooked dinner and spend some hours cuddled up in front of the crackling fire.
It was exactly what we needed.
(Even though I am still in pain because I fell off my bumpy horse)

Sunset Saturday XIV

2011-06-04T11:00:00.002+02:00

I took this picture on my very first gamedrive in Botswana at Mokolodi. It was the beginning of winter and it was rather cold on the open vehicle but I was fascinated by the wide sky, the amazing landscape and the vibrant colors.

the lethlafula dance festival

2011-05-31T15:58:00.023+02:00

On Saturday I attended the Lethlafula Festival that is taking place every year to celebrate Setswana culture and traditions with a day full of food and dance. The traditional dance groups were great to watch and I was quite fascinated by their moves and choreography of the different dance styles. They move so fast it is really hard to capture it in pictures, but I tried anyway...

It was really interesting to attend the festival and see all these talented dancers on the stage!
Also check the videos here and my review in The Botswana Gazette.

Reflections on Year One

2011-05-30T18:27:00.015+02:00

It's been exactly a year since I first came to Africa and I have been thinking quite a bit lately about the last 12 months on this continent. Obviously, I have not really seen a lot and there is still a lot of unexplored territory on my personal African map, but many of the bits that I've seen in the past year are definitely among the most beautiful places that I have ever been to. The most fascinating part of Africa for me is the beautiful nature, the amazing wildlife, the wide sky and the stunning sunsets. And of course, the people - even though interaction has at times been and still continues to be challenging. Coming from Europe, some of the habits and attitudes of people here are simply startling and I sometimes find it hard to understand their acts and choices in life. That being said, I also find that making an effort from my part almost always pays off. The reward is a beautiful smile and some very interesting insights into Batswana culture. Of course, the fact that I am not on my own here also helps a lot - so a big thanks to my favorite man and all the other people who have made me feel at home here!

A perfect Sunday afternoon

2011-05-29T22:05:00.002+02:00

After I worked hard all week(end), it was time for some pleasure today!

Luckily, the farmer's market was on at the Ladies No1 Opera House and so we joined our friends for an afternoon and some music in the sun.

The market stalls sold all sorts of food & crafts and the place was teeming with people.
We came home with some homemade jam, some olives and of course we also had some delicious cupcakes.

However, the best part of today was the glass of champagne.
There's (almost) nothing that makes me happy like sparkling champagne ;)
Hope you enjoyed the weekend!

Sunset Saturday XIII

2011-05-28T09:46:00.002+02:00

We took this picture last year on our way back to Cape Town from whale watching. The road was going high along the coast with amazing views towards the water and the bay and when the sun set we just had to pull over to watch the spectacular colors in the sky and on the water. Oohh, Cape Town...