Things To Do In Brussels
We relaxed alot on our third day and Jeremy´s friend Martin was working. In the afternoon we drove to Brussels and met Martin at the Grand Place at 7.30pm where we had our first Belgium waffels which tasts so good, that I could eat these every day 🙂
On our walking tour through the City Jeremy got almost hurt by a man on his bike, who was really really fast and didn´t look forward. Jeremy took this photo when he almost got hit:
Martin showed us the Manneken Pis, which is a famous little fountain-statue in Brussels.
And now we have a quiz for you 😉
Find the mistake in this photo and commend below if you found it!
Walking around the city made us hungry and we wanted to get some really good Belgium Food with Martin. He took us to a amazing restaurant, where Jeremy got “carbonnades a la chimay” Blabla which was meat in a traditional beer sauce and marshed potatoes with brokkoli and chicorée. I got the “EntreCôte Grillée” which came with a Baked potatoe and Salat. Martin had another Steak with Belgium beer Sauce. We tried from everyones plate and enjoyed the evening a lot.
We walked around the City and took photos.
On our way back to Martins house, we stoped at the Waterloo battlefield, which was light up in the night.
Bruges Belgium
We woke up around 10am and both of us had a little bit of a Belgian beer hangover No worries though, nothing a Belgian espresso couldn’t cure. Unfortunately, Martin had to work today so he was unable to join us for our day trip to Bruges but we made plans to meet up later in the afternoon in Brussels for dinner. On the way to Bruges we saw some spectacular views that seemed to be straight out of a painting. Belgium is truly one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.
We arrived in Bruges just before noon and we took a little walking tour of the city. The architecture is nothing short of spectacular with beautiful canals that flow throughout the entire city.
After lunch and a Little power nap in the nice fat boy, the weather changed for foggy and rainy to sunny. So the weather was perfect now to do the canal Boot Tour, which was 8€ per Person and Takes 20-30 minutes.
About 25 People in one boot and the Captain tells Stories and gives informations in English.
For Exemple he told us Colin Farrell jumped in the Movie “In Bruges” only one time in the River but he saw that scene so often 🙂
It was a very nice boot Tour and Bruges is a beautiful city.
On the boat we saw the Tower of the city. With Only 350 stairs to the top it is the half of the stairs of the Ulmer Münster, which we climbed a few weeks ago, so we wanted to do that.
We arrived in the queue at 3.45 and somebody told us they let people in till 16.15 pm because the tower closes at 5pm. We crossed our fingers to get in but unfortunately the system closes itself at exactly 4.15 and there were to many people who can only go in when others come out and only 70 People can be in the tower at the same time.
So we went back across the market place, took some more photos because the sun was in a perfect spot and the light very good. On our way to Bruges we drove to the city Gent, which is about half way.
Europe Road Trip
Day one of the road trip started out pretty much how we expected. We knocked out a big chunk of the journey and arrived in Brussels for our first night away from home.
Along the way we picked up 2 passengers from Blah Blah Car, Katharina and Sebastian. Catherina rode with us from Wurzburg to Frankfurt where we picked up Sebastian who then rode with us all the way to Köln. Katharina and Sebastian were both a pleasure to be around and the conversations made the 4 hour drive to Köln a lot more fun.
Köln, Germany
We arrived in Köln just after 3pm where we wandered around the city to check out some of the sites. Köln is a beautiful city with tons of history but its mostly known for Carnival, which is held every year in the month of February.
After we spent a few hours wandering around Köln we got back on the road and headed for the second country of our journey, Holland.
Maastricht, Holland
We arrived in Maastricht shortly after 5pm. Maastricht is a beautiful city in the southern tip of Holland. Sadly I have never heard of Maastricht before but that’s partly because Holland is more commonly known for its party cities Amsterdam and Rotterdam. However, Maastricht is an incredible city with its own identity and it’s definitely something you don’t want to miss when you are in Holland.
Since we were in Holland I couldn’t help but be curious about the coffee shops. The Netherlands is famous for legalizing the recreational use of marijuana and I wanted to visit a coffee shop and see how they compared to the ones in Amsterdam. After walking around the city for about five minutes we found Cool Running Coffee Shop. Ina has never been inside a coffee shop so we decided stop in and check it out. Upon entering we were stopped immediately by the clerk who asked us for our identification. We eventually discovered that it wasn’t our age that he was checking rather it was our proof of residency. He explained that unfortunately a new law was passed a few years ago that prohibits anyone who is not a resident of Holland to visit a coffee shop in Maastricht. SORRY GUYS NO GANJA IN MAASTRICHT. So we thanked him for the information and headed out. Ironically enough as soon as we stepped foot out of the coffee shop we were confronted by a shady looking dude who was obviously aware of the “no weed for foreigners law.” He immediately offered to sell us weed and coke. “NO THANKS BRAH” Guess the prohibition is good for the black market.
Later we visited the main square in Maastricht where we found a nice café. We each ordered a coffee and shared a white chocolate stratsatella ice cream. We chilled out for a bit, peopled watched and took a couple of photos.
In front of the cafe was a rainbow painted cross walk that reminded me of the Rainbow Road course in Mario Kart so I had to snap a photo of it.
The main square in Maastricht had lots of shopping, really nice architecture and a cool gazebo right in the center. It seemed like the perfect place to spend an afternoon.
When we realized that it was getting late we made our way back to the car and headed to our final destination for the day, Belgium. Our plan was to stay with my friend Martin who lives in the city a half hour’s drive outside of Brussels called Nivelles.
Nivelles, Belgium
We arrived at Martins house shortly before sundown and he was very excited to see us. It had been almost a year since the last time I had seen Martin so he was nice enough to prepare a delicious dinner for us. Towards the end of meal Martin brought out a bunch of his favorite Belgian beers for us to sample. Needless to say the beers were delicious and very strong. After dinner Martin took us for a quick night tour of his city. Nivelles is unlike any city I have ever seen in my life and I am so happy to be warmly welcomed by such a great old friend. Today served as an incredible beginning to our 6 week long Euro Trip.
We arrived at Martins house shortly before sundown and he was very excited to see us. It had been almost a year since the last time I had seen Martin so he was nice enough to prepare a delicious dinner for us.
Towards the end of meal Martin brought out a bunch of his favorite Belgian beers for us to sample. Needless to say the beers were delicious and very strong.
After dinner Martin took us for a quick night tour of his city. Nivelles is unlike any city I have ever seen in my life and I am so happy to be warmly welcomed by such a great old friend. Today served as an incredible beginning to our 6 week long Euro Trip.
Europe Road Trip
Here you can see our route of our Europe Road Trip 2015.
Follow us on our Way through Germany, Belgium, France, Spain and Italy.
After 4-6 weeks we will come back home to get a few things done and we have a flight from Germany to Copenhagen on the 17th of September. 2 Days later we are flying to Bangkok again.
Bali
Bali is one of the most beautiful destinations in South East Asia. Bali is famous for its lush green forests, deep blue water, and warm tropical weather, which make it a honeymooners destination. Here you will find the best of both worlds, party and paradise. The Southern part of the Bali is known for heavy tourism and traffic but if you travel further north you will find it a bit more peaceful. Don’t miss out on some of Bali’s best locations like the Monkey Forest in Ubud or the Blue Lagoon in Lembongan. Weather you have come looking for an exciting adventure or a relaxing getaway; you are in the right place.
Things to do in Bali
Get a Massage
The first thing anyone should do when they arrive in Bali is get a professional massage. In fact you should get a massage every day that you are here because they are cheep, extremely relaxing and you will miss it when you’re back home where the spas are ten times the price and half as good. It is about 5 $ per hour.
Uluwatu
The Monkey Forest in Ubud is probably the most popular place in Bali to see monkeys but the Temple in Uluwatu is a good alternative if you also want to see some epic views of the coastline.
Ubud
Located in the mountains of Central Bali, Ubud has some of the most spectacular views of the jungle. You can also see the nice rice terraces there.
Monkey Forest
The tourist favorite, Monkey Forest, can be found in the mountains of Ubud. No where else in the world will you get the opportunity to be this up close and personal with so many monkeys. Make sure not to wear any loose jewelry or sunglasses, the monkeys are known to be collectors of our human accessories and will snatch them from you if you are not careful.
Seminyak
Located north of Kuta and along the eastern coast of Bali is the lively city Seminyak. If you are looking for a good time check out any of the beach clubs or lounges along the coast.
Potato Head Beach Club
If you looking for a fun night out, meaning good drinks, good view and good vibes, check out Potato Head Beach Club in Seminyak. I celebrated my birthday here a few years ago and it was perfect. The drinks are great, the staff is fun, and they even have an infinity pool that overlooks the beach. This place is awesome!
La Plancha
The best place to watch a Bali sunset is La Plancha in Seminyak. The restaurant serves delicious seafood, good drinks, and you can enjoy it all while lounging on couple of beach beanbags as you watch the sunset.
Nusa Lembongan
The island of Nusa Lembongan is located just off the shore of the Indonesian Island of Lombok.
Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon in Nusa Lembongan is the bluest water I have ever seen in my life. On a clear day the color is so vibrant that it looks like it’s glowing. Cliff diving can be done at the Blue Lagoon from either 10 meters or 13 meters. The dive is fun but the current can be a little rough coming in and out of the cove so I wouldn’t recommend jumping unless you are a good swimmer.
Rock Bar
Check out Rock bar in Jimbaran Bay. Rock Bar is carved out of rock and overlooks the coast. Some of the best views can be had here at sunset. Enjoy!
Kuta
What can I say about Kuta other than it’s one hell of a ride. Kuta is the tourist party hub where you can drink all hours of the day and it wont be seen as unusual.
Alleycats
Check out this place at night. Alleycats rages so much that it’s almost impossible to get a drink and come back without having a little spilt on your arm. Order the double double and you’ll understand what I’m talking about. I don’t know exactly what is in a double double but I can tell you its two drinks filled to the top. You wont experience Kuta until you’re double fisting at Alleycats. >’..’<
Dreamland Beach
Dream beach is pretty cool. The beach is hard to swim in because of the rough current but the view is incredible. Check out Dreamland Beach and have a Bintang Beer at one of the spots overlooking the cove.
Delicious Food and Drinks in Bali
BINTANG
Enjoy the beer of Bali.
Mexicola
Mexicola is a Mexican style restaurant in Kuta that serves pretty good Mexican food and good drinks. The pace is painted bright colors which is typical of Mexican restaurants and the music playing inside suits the theme.
Mona Lisa
Inas favorite restaurant in Sanur. It is so delicious and also really cheap. Try the meat with mashed potatoes and the spaghetti with seafood!
Accommodation in Bali
Nusa Dua
I stayed at the Marriot in Nusa Dua in 2014 and it was the nicest hotel I stayed in for under $100. Check out some of the resorts in Nusa Dua for nice luxury hotels at very affordable prices.
Transportation
Mandara Toll Road
The Mandara Toll Road was opened in 2014 which connects the lower part of Bali to the Northern Part. The new Mandara Road cut the travel time in half from north to south Bali not to mention it’s a very cool road to drive on because it offers some incredible views.
Scooter Taxi
Almost everyone on the streets of Bali is a Taxi. When you find one, tell them where you need to go and make sure to agree on a price before you get on.
Dubai
Dubai is absolutely unreal. The city is full of attractions that you wont find anywhere in the world.
Things to do in Dubai
Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is tallest building in the world and it was designed for that purpose exactly. Construction of the Burj Khalifa spanned only 5 years starting in 2004 and completed before 2010. Today tourists can visit the observation deck and even go up as far as the highest point on the tower.
Marina
The Marina in Dubai is my favorite place to explore and relax. Have lunch at one of the many restaurants around the area and pick a spot with a view of the million dollar yachts coming in and out of the harbor.
Atlantis
Atlantis is a 5 star hotel located on the Palm Island of Jumeirah. The rooms are ridiculously expensive but if you have it like that then book a room and go on with your bad self. If you’re like me an just want to go check it out then take a taxi to Atlantis and tell the workers at the front gate that you are just sightseeing and they might let you in for a look around. I wasn’t so lucky when I visited in 2014 but give it a shot. It doesn’t hurt to try. I hear there is a really cool aquarium inside. Good Luck J
Beach
Check out the beaches here. The water is very still, salty and warm, the kind of water that makes you feel all sticky afterward but if you’re looking for a place to sit and enjoy the scenery the beach is perfect.
Underground Pub
ALCHOHOL IS ILLEGAL! If you’re the type to crack a beer when you sightsee you might want to rethink that strategy right now. The restaurants don’t even serve beer in Dubai so if you want to have a beer with your burger at lunch, I’m sorry but it will not be happening in Dubai. Alcohol is stickily prohibited and bars are secretly run and only serve beer. The only bar I know of in Dubai is the Underground Pub located on the mainland near the Habtoor Grand Beach Resort and Spa. The bar is open late and it’s a really cool place to chill just be careful to not get too wasted or make sure to take a taxi home and do your best to avoid the authorities.
Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is one of the most spectacular places I have every seen in my life. I believe the Dubai Mall I one of the biggest malls in the world and it even has indoor scuba diving, a ski park with chair lifts, live models in the stores and chauffeurs driving electric cars that will take you around the mall if you would rather not do any walking. The Dubai Mall is absolutely bananas.
The World Islands
Just north of the Palm Island is a cluster of manmade islands created to resemble all of the worlds continents. I don’t think its possible to visit the islands unless you know someone but you can see the island cluster from the top of the Marriot hotel in the Marina or on Google Earth.
Delicious Food in Dubai
Eat in the Marina- Everything in Dubai is pretty expensive no matter where you eat so at least pick a place with a good view. The Marina is beautiful and a great place to find some delicious food.
Accommodation in Dubai
Air BnB
Check out Air BnB for accommodation because most of the hotels in Dubai will be very expensive.
Marriot
The Marriot is one of the tallest buildings in the Marina and it has a great view of the coast from the top levels.
Transportation
Taxi
YES take a taxi here. It’s the cheapest taxi ride you will take in a developed nation. I wonder why?
Sky Bus
The metro system in Dubai is very advanced and a pleasure to ride on. The Sky bus runs above ground and provides you with spectacular views of the entire city.
Hamilton - Bermuda
Hamilton is the capital of the Bermuda, which belongs to the British Overseas Territory. It is such a nice and beatiful city. Espacially the little colourful houses impressed me, but also the very friendly people, who are so different to the Europeans.
Things to do in Bermuda
Church Bay Beach – Southhampton
This is such a cool and quiet beach and a great spot to go snorkelling. You can see big and colourful fishes only a few steps away from the coast.
The water is crystal clear and very blue.
I can give you the advise NOT to go to Horshoe Bay, because it is so packed by tourists, as you can see on the photo at the end of the page.
City Center
Hamilton has a beautiful and nice city center, where you can walk around and explore everything.
City Hall
The white City Hall of Hamilton is located on the north side of the Hamilton Harbour. Bermuda is one of the smallest capital cities in the world.
Bermuda Weather
The Weather in Bermuda is always very nice. The temperature is about 65 – 85 degree. Enjoy the sunny days on the beach and in the nice town of Hamilton!
Transportation Bermuda
Hop on a bus and get out when you see something cool 😉
Thats what i did. In the city center of Hamilton you can walk, but to get from the harbour to a beautiful beach you have to take a bus or taxi.
Nassau - Bahamas
Nassau is a very nice stop with a bahamas cruise or a perfect honeymoon destination. It is the capital of the Bahamas located on New Providence Island. Nassau was named in honor of William of Orange-Nassau after Nassau, Germany.
Most of the people think about the Atlantis Bahamas Hotel when the hear of Nassau, Bahamas.
The tropical climate, the colonial architecture and the natural beauty made Nassau a very famous and popular tourist destination.
Things to do in Nassau Bahamas
Atlantis Paradies Island Resort
We took the Taxiboat from the Harbour to the Atlantis Hotel on Paradies Islands.
The huge aquarium is free for everybody and you can walk around the beautiful garden of the Resort. There are so many cool fishes and things to explore and relax for a while at the nice beach. If you want to do more things there you can also spend about 25 $ for a one-day-pass.
Enjoy the Nassau Bahamas weather on the Beach
There are several beaches in Nassau and on Paradies Islands. To get to Paradiese Island you have to cross one of the two bridges or take a boat.
I spend a few hours on the beach at the Atlantis Paradies Island Resort and NO i didn´t spend money for a day pass =)
Go Shopping in Nassau & Paradies Island
You can go to a Mall, about 10 km outside of the City or walk around the City Center and find clothes, shoes or accessories in litte boutiques.
Have fun in Bahamas Capital Nassau!
Resorts in Nassau Bahamas
I am sure there are a lot of great Hotels and Resorts to spend you time on a Bahamas Vacation. I was there only for one day with a Cruise to bahamas.
Traveling alone is worth it
Traveling is my passion. There is not always somebody who has time for traveling or wants to go to the same destinations like you do. So I was Traveling Alone for the first time in 2014.
Traveling Alone
Don´t be afraid of traveling alone, it is so much fun and you got to know a lot of people you wouln´t meet if you would be traveling with a friend.
In July ´15 i was in Bali and my dream was to be an open water diver =) So i went to the diving school, took diving lessons and finally got my PADI diving licence.
Diving is so much fun and the world under water so completely different but so amazing.
under the sea ...
So i wanted to go diving again the same year in the winter. At first i was thinking about traveling with a friend to egypt, but that didn´t work at the end.
Well, then i should maybe change the destination and fly to thailand and travel alone.
I was in Thailand 2,5 years before with my best friend. We traveled from bangkok to the north to the south and to Cambodia. It was so much fun and between the destinations we often came back to Bangkok. So i thought i know Bangkok a little, i can find along in Khao San Road and i really liked the small island of Koh Phi Phi on the westcoast.
Koh Phi Phi <3
I booked the flight maybe 4 weeks before and i was so happy and really looking forward to it. It was so exciting but also a little scary because i never did it before. I knew there would be two options, rather i would love or hate it =)
At work I asked my colleagues if they think i can do that. They said “Of course, you are approachable and communicative!” But actually i am very shy and i don´t trust people i don´t know.
One day before my flight i was very nervous and 12 hours later at the airport i called my best friend and she helped me over it.
The flight felt a little weird, but time went by very fast and 15 hours later i landed in Bangkok Airport with perfect weather in December =)
I went by taxi to the Khao San Road, where all the backpackers from allover the world are. After i arrived at the Hotel i was very tied from the long journey and felt a little alone.
Do you know that there are a lot of Facebook groups where backpackers and travelers arrange to meet? After my first night i meet a girl from Germany too. We met at her Hostel and spend the day together in China Town, Khoa San Road for dinner and had a great and unforgetable evening together in the Hangover 2 Skybar. The next morning i had a flight to Krabi… I am still in touch with her and i am happy for the great day!
You will never be alone, so try traveling alone and you will love it.
i think Thailand is a very easy Country for travelling solo but there are so many places to travel alone.
Love, Ina