walking_on_sunshine

"In Amsterdam the water is the mistress and the land the vassal.

Throughout the city there are as many canals and drawbridges

as bracelets on a Gypsy's bronzed arms."

(Felix Marti-Ibanez)

-The tulip has come to be a loved symbol of the Netherlands. The Tulip was originally a wild flower, growing in Central Asia. It was first cultivated by the Turks and was introduced in Western Europe and the Netherlands in the 17th century.-

-Madame Tussauds-

-the top of royal palace-

-Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly large cities in the world.-

-Dutch traditional raw fish herring with onions.-

-statue of Rembrandt Van Rijn; Anne Frank House-

"Amsterdam was a great surprise to me.

I had always thought of Venice as the city of canals;

it had never entered my mind that

I should find similar conditions in a Dutch town."
(James Weldon Johnson)

Tanja V.

“All journeys have secret destinations
of which the traveler is unaware.”

(Martin Buber)

-Egypt: fairy tale country-

Sinai
Sinai peninsula is the only part of Egypt located in Asia.
Camel or jeep... all roads lead to desert...

...and desert is much more interesting than you can imagine....

-Beduins: an ancient people, with ancient customs and traditions, who these days are often subjected to a modern and changing world. Traditional Bedouins do normally inhabit the desert regions, including the Sinai. They know where and when they can find water and whether it's just brackish or toxic. Shrubs tell him when it last rained and how much. Signs left in the sand proclaim who has been there before him, when, the directions from which they came and departed, the size of their flocks, and perhaps even the ages of their camels. Bedouins navigate by the stars, familiar landmarks, and stone markers left on a previous trek. They travel light, leaving caches hanging in trees. Other travelers, if in need, are welcome to the food and water but are bound not to touch the remaining articles.-

-oasis in the middle of nowhere-

-huge areas of sand and stones-
.

-...coctail bar? :) -

Giza
Egyptian civilization, one of the world's oldest was developed in the valley of the Nile over 5,000 years ago. Close by Cairo is almost every Egypt Pyramids, such as the Great Pyramids of Giza on the very edge of the city.

Cairo
Cairo is one of the world's largest urban areas.
.

- river Nile, Cairo -

-Nice buildings, palm trees, pyramids on the horizon...
Cairo is really sweet "city of a thousand minarets"

...but if you look closely....

Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh is on the Sinai peninsula, the only part of Egypt located in Asia. Sinai is separated from the rest of the country by the Suez Canal.

-view while we driving trough Suez Canal-

About 40 years ago, Sharm el-Sheikh was nothing but a small fishing village with about 100 Bedouin citizens. When Sinai was occupied by Israel in 1967 Sharm el-Sheikh started to develop as a tourist destination. Sharm's 100 grew into 10,000 population.
.

-road to the beach-
.

-1001 nights: Alf Leila Wa Leila in Hadaba-

-Naama Bay at night; lights of Bedouin-style, modern restaurants, café Shops, hundreds 'Bazaars' and everything is glittering-

-in Sharm you are never alone and never bored :) -

-...and never hungry :) -

-private belly dancers :) -
.

Amazing beaches, clear water in colour I have never seen before. It´s amazing experience to swim with Nemo and other blue-orange-yellow...fish :) No wonder Sharm El Sheikh is the most extraordinary diving destination in Red Sea.
.