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Maya pyramids in Yucatán

Gigantic stepwells, snakes, enigmatic masks and circles: the Maya culture left an impressive heritage in Yucatán, Guatemala, Belize and Chiapas. Most of the monuments were built in the classical and post-classical period from the third to the 16th century a.D. Tikal and Calakmul were powerful rivalling empires.
While Uxmal and Calakmul are monuments of the classical period, Chitchen Itza and Mayapan were built in post-classical times.

Chichen Itza the tourism magnet

Kukulcán-Pyramid, Chichen Itza
Kukulcán-Pyramid, Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is the most popular of the Mayan temples, full of tourists in the high season. It is located in the northern part of Yucatán peninsula, between Cancun and Merida.  The name means “At the mouth of the well of the Itza.” The main pyramid is the Castillo temple. In former times you could climb it to the top.  Now, this is not allowed any more. Continue reading “Maya pyramids in Yucatán”

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Coloured tiles and Port wine: history and lifestyle in Portugals genießer capital Porto

Tiled churches, wines and the Douro river are the first things to encounter in Porto. Narrow streets and steep alleys will fascinate you at every trail you walk. The opposite town to Porto is Calem, the place which almost exclusively consists of old wine cellars, places where the Port wine was produced, with Sandemann, Calem and Offley wineries.

Cafe Majestic Porto
Majestic Porto is a mus see and must visit place in Porto.

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Must see in Tamil Nadu: the Minakshi Temple in Madurai

A central female Goddess is a scarce phenomenon in Indias Hindu temples. Minakshi, a regional form of Parvati is the main deity of the temple in Madurai, that got its name after her. The temple impresses by numbers: 1000 Pillars hall (there are more in fact), a seemingly endless number of gods, demons and mythical figures at the gopurams at the outside, number of visitors: more than 20 000 daily. The Minakshi temple got its present shape in the 16th century. It became common in South India, to increase the size of the “door-towers” (Gopuram) of the temple in the outer fence and to build the inner sanctuaries in a smaller form. Very much in opposition to the North of India where the tallest parts lie more in the center of the temple area.

Minakshi Amman Temple

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Mamallapuram: Little Italy in India with a history

If you look for a synthesis of historical Indian culture and almost Italian vacation setting, Mamallapuram is your place. It is one of the most touristic places in Tamil Nadu but you do not feel crowded amomg tourists.  The hotels offer fair quality and you can walk out in the evening for a pizza (or Thali) with a beer and a sea view. People are relaxed and there is only few pressure from the shopkeepers to make you buy something.

Mamallapuram Restaurant
Italian Restaurant La Pizza de Mama and HIndu temple.

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Indian Street Food

Street food in Old Delhi.

Warning: danger of addiciton!

India Streetfood is awesome! So or similar to this every posting should start. In fact, I did not eat much of it but rather took photos. The first rule for eating streetfood ist: be careful. Usually things cooked or roasted for a long time cannot harm. But still. You should dive into that if you are used traditional Indian food for some time. But then taking some delights from the stand can be a revelation. Especially in the evening the foodies make a unique picture. I collected few of them mostly in the vicinity of Delhi Main Bazar.

tandoori oven
Preparing Chapatis in the Tandoori-oven

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Matrah is probably the most entertaining part of Muscat

Matrah view to Riyam Park

If you are in Muscat, do visit Matrah! You have a wonderful promenade and what is more, a traditional market, a souk. The market offers Frankincense in all qualities and prices, incence-lamps, knifes and grammophones. Directly above the entry there is a tower with a beautiful view over the promenade and, of course the cafe Corniche, good place to sit ant meditate about where you go or what you will buy next.

The promenade offers a great view over the Matrah harbour and  Ryam Park with its gigantic frankincense lamp.

Matrah view to Riyam Park
From the Promenade Matrah you have a great veiw towards Riyam Park with towers and the gigantic Frankincence-lamp.

Continue reading “Matrah is probably the most entertaining part of Muscat”