when only the sky and the sea count

In the middle of winter. Among all my little and big businesses it was she, Ελλαδα μου (my Greece).

It was like coming back home…It is always like this. First evening I couldn’t wait to see the sea. I have never seen the winter’s sea. It was amazing. Yachts are everywhere. 

 In dark dark water. Silence is hitting the water and going up so you can hear it.

Long night came in luminescent Athens.

What do I love the most in Greece? Peloponesse's never disappointed me. Colors, air, more colors...

It was a little bit changed with fireplace and colder weather that time. But still colors...

All these valleys and mountains put you into a fairy-tail (I imagine it's like in the Nord-West in Middle-earth from "Lord of the Rings". Here I am also like Gandalf among hobbits. I think for locals I am like a giant:)

We spent two beautiful days in the village. Here you can find the best feta cheese.

I was also lucky to tried the best local homemade food (potatoes and meat from the oven)

In January in mountains isn't so sunny and hot like it seems when you are in Berlin watching weather broadcast. But when we returned to Athens the weather prepared a surprise for me: hot sunny day.

Sunlight was jumping on the waves. People were relaxing under the pure blue sky. It was hard to imagine that somewhere is raining now (somewhere in Berlin indeed).

(the sigh shows – Olga’s driving is prohibited)

Mice, watch out! Cats are everywhere. It seems like they were fishing or catching crabs. Whatever. They were eating something for sure.

 Last day but not the last walk in the "Monastiraki" area.

I don’t remember when I wore so light last time in January (in Minsk last January it was -20)

And the last notice. If you see mandarins on the street don’t take them. Greeks keep saying that it's something wrong with them. Mandarins in January:)

Fish market in Hamburg

         Certainly there are a lot of attractions in such wonderful city like Hamburg. Our short trip for a weekend to Hamburg in January seemed longer then just 2 days. The story began when my German friend told me I must go to the fish market in the early morning to try fresh “fish Brötchen” (sandwich). 

     So following her advise I woke up after 3 hours of sleeping (Hamburg is very party city so it is hard to go to bed early especially when you stay at the most party area in downtown), I also woke up my companions (haha) to go in the dark along empty streets, meeting  from time to time some “not fresh” persons on our road…to the market!

        I had so much fun waking up my polish friend Kamil. Knocked his door as he asked me on the eve, saying, Kamil, I am going to the market if you want you can join us with Kasia. After 15 minutes of drama through the doors (Kamil was begging me to go later or to not go without him, wait for him. After I said my final word – ok, stay in bed, we are leaving, he appeared all dressed up and ready to eat the most fresh fish sandwich in the country).

      

        When we approached the market  and(I was worried there is no any market cause my friend was doubting all the road) we found that: (amazing choice of fresh and fish products)

You can find whatever your soul (taste) wants:

And here they are: fresh, tasty, with the different stuffing:

Me and my little fishy partner.

He in en face

  We left the market full with a lot of thoughts: about the concert that took place exactly there, 6 in the morning (!) something like after party for those who still has some power, about the strange trade of fish and a basket with the goods (it was wonderful, the salesman was so professional). We wanted to buy one (basket included a lot of oranges, pineapples, carrots, grapes and etch. and cost only 10 euros!!!) but we had our train back to Berlin and I don’t thing the basket would survive.

If you ever are in Hamburg – don’t miss the opportunity to go to that place. It is worth it!

Berlin. Christmas market “Weihnachtsmarkt”.

From the middle of November dozen of Christmas markets appear in Berlin. All of them are different. There are a lot of possibilities of spending your time.

You can either try Glühwein (Mulled wine) or eat various kinds of sausages, roasted potatoes, and there is a massive amount of different sweets.

You can make some shopping as well. There are all kinds of items that you can find on the Christmas markets: Christmas decorations, brilliant souvenirs, sweet things made from natural sources like wood or etch. For those whose heart has been stolen there is a possibility to buy a new one – from the tastiest dough – big and bright. 

For children and not only there are a lot of entertaining attractions: roller-costers, shooter gallery or panic room.

There are joy and happiness in the air. It seems like all citizens of Berlin have gathered here, sharing their emotions, waiting for a miracle of this wonderful holiday. And it does not meter if you are young or you are old: somewhere deep inside we are always children when it is about Christmas…

And my sweet best friend:

Rain. Night. Ghent.

  There are a lot of wonderful places in Belgium that is worth to visit.

One of them is Ghent. Small, student town on the river, with a lot of bars and restaurants. I am so grateful to my friend, who lives in this wonderful place, for the "pizza night" with 11 pizza, for the "rainy" Ghent

There are some specialties like liquids “jenever” called also Dutch gin for aperitif and spare ribs for dinner. We tried some other liqiors: kivi, caramel, tiramisu taste.

already empty

Jenever. Ever.

In Belgium all restaurants close very early. Belgium people seem to live healthy life and do not eat after 18 o’clock. So hurry up to book a table because in some spots in Ghent you may stay hours in line, waiting for the table. Nevertheless you won’t regret any minute of it – meal will be delicious, beyond your every expectation.

we chose this

 After dinner it is time to go in a small and cozy bar, they are so different and every of them has something special. 

my lovely friend, Damiano

 The time here is passing slowly with no hurry in the air.

Night sightseeing in Ghent will bring you many pleasure minutes. It feels like you are in the town from Fairy-tail…