Unspoiled beautiful golden Myanmar

Myanmar the country of gold, the country of pagodas, monks, lovely people, beautiful nature, more pagodas, more monks, tea, quite some rubbish everywhere around you, very very slow trains, Buddism, longyi, guesthouse Mr Kid, vomit bags, winery, some English but mainly sign language for tourists, Mandalay, Inle Lake, Bagan, Yangon or Rangoon.

And did I mention unspoiled? Within 24 hours somebody had asked me if the mobile phone I was carrying was an Iphone5. 'You know Iphone5? It is the newest version of Apple's smart phone. It is really fast, slim, light.' ehhhhh how come YOU know about the existence of Apple and Iphone at all. I thought this country was still untouched by western marketing…. apparently not. But that doesn't make this paradise less interesting. 

Mountains, valleys, many many yellow flowers, amazing sun sets, terrific sun rises, dogs and dogs and dogs, incomprehensible script, meditation, saddle pain, intestines for dinner, no cash machines what results in black markets to change your dollars, Infinity Buddha Power pills, Golden Rock, Pakokku, Hsipaw, Amarapura.

A country you really should go to! Especially if you love the challenge of finding your way around and the uncertainty of having a nice bed each night. In that case, please go as soon as possible. Since 2012 tourism is exploding; the number of hotels and buses is growing. One time I had to pay for a - what they called - a 'toilet'. Myanmar still has the charm of Buddhism and peacefulness  

Try this at home: home cook

Something completely different, but what I really would like to share and promote: the home cook from Silverlicious.

Imagine: a special occasion is coming up. You would like to invite all your friends and family at your home but you don't feel like spending too much time on upfront preparation nor on serving during your party. But on the other side, it will be a special occasion and you are in for a great party with your loved ones. Oh and not unimportant you love good food ;-)

I had a really great experience at my father's 65th Birthday party this summer: Home Cook. The fresh ingredients and equipment needed to prepare the dishes were brought in. Even a  mobile kitchen was brought in, since the party was in the garden.

In our case, Laury and Paul the owners of Silverlicious amazed us with the best dishes. And they really had a hit by serving lots of .... truffles! You might remember my post about my favorite: One truffle is not the other.

Please see below some mouthwatering snapshots. Trust me, it was amazing!!

(Silverlicious: Paul & Laury)

Capital of design, that is Køpenhavn

Looking for a place to visit for a weekend trip? Copenhagen it is!!!  The whole city breathes design and relaxation, locals are very friendly and the food is amazing. Perfect location for a 2/3/4 days trip. 

Hire a bike and cruise across the city, stroll around in the many design museums, shop till you drop in the longest pedestrian street of Europe or in all the small boutiques Copenhagen knows, drink your take away coffee or wine on the street, in the park or even at the cemetery…! Oh and don't forget to visit Christiania - a kind of tolerated hippy area.

Does it feel like I am promoting this capital? Well, hope that I convince you with this post. I was - and still am - amazed by all the beauty and variety of activities the city offers.

 Danish Design fills the city atmosphere and can be found in the streets, at each and every corner, in the shops, in museums, in bars, hotels. Really everywhere

 

    (Kunstindustrimuseet, Design museum)                         (Ecological design kitchenware)

            (Fancy design hotel 'key drop' in desk)

Great Views

                                             (Nyhavn)                                                               (on our route picturesque little church)

(city view from Vor Freisers Kirke,                                (courtyard Kunstindustrimuseet)

                                                         Christiania)

Food is a very good reason for visiting Copenhague!!

For foodlovers the city is a Walhalla with Fresh, biological, divers food. They also pay much attention to decoration and creativity. 

                                         (free water in bars flavored                                  (Smørrebrod: tastes good wit
                                                             with vegetables)                                                           everything)

                               (In our lovely and perfectly located hotel Ibsen we had the best breakfast buffet)

 Typically Køpenhavn

                                                                                  (Street art)

                       (Buy your coffee to go in Jægersbrogade)            (nope, this is not Amsterdam….)                                            

   ('must have seen': the Little Mermaid)

 Snapshots

And…. Are you convinced?