European Travel Journal 2021 – Post 4

The last two days I have spent with my family in the village in which I grew up and around the town where I went to school.

Yesterday evening my brothers and I had an excellent dinner at one of my favorite restaurants called ‘Die Fuchshöhle’ (the fox hole).

Today I went for a walk around a small lake near town. This was a great opportunity to capture the beautiful autumn color and some local wildlife.

And this evening my brothers, a niece, a nephew and I enjoyed visiting a small local fairground (which is called ‘Chilbi’ in Southern Germany). Great fun, especially for the ‘young ones’!

Today’s picture was taken at the ‘Bergsee’ (= lake in the hill) near the town of Bad Säckingen, Germany.

Picture data: Canon EOS R6 with RF 24-240mm lens.

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An excellent dinner at The Fuchshöhle!
A new fountain in front of my Grammar school.
Bike racks and bike garages at the Bad Säckingen train station … a great idea!
A walk around the Bergsee.
Autumn …
… colors!
Local wildlife …
My niece and nephew having fun at the fairground!

European Travel Journal 2021 – Post 3

I took a plane from Zurich to Amsterdam to visit a good friend to help him set up his new Canon camera equipment. I configured two Canon EOS R6 with five new lenses from 15mm to 800mm and a lot of accessories.

In the evening we had a superb dinner at a small restaurant called ‘De Lage Vuursche’ near Utrecht with a few other most interesting dinner guests. I had a delicious beef carpaccio and an very tasty roasted duck main course. The restaurant was just next to Drakestein, the residence of Princess Beatrix, the former Queen of The Netherlands.

I stayed overnight at my friends’ house, which is a most beautiful place decorated in Art Deco, filled with incredible artwork including an original Rembrandt, Picassos and a golden clock from the Louis XV period.

And now I am on the way back to Switzerland …

Today’s picture is of a mint tea, as it was presented at ‘De Lage Vuursche’ restaurant.

Picture data: iPhone 12 Pro Max

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Flight to the Netherlands
Wind power farm from the air
What a dinner!
I stayed a this beautiful Art Deco home!
The gate to castle Drakestein
… and my favorite Swiss chocolatier called Sprüngli in the duty free area at Zürich airport

European Travel Journal 2021 – Post 2

My first full day in Germany was a very quiet one. I spent the day with my parents, brothers, nieces, nephew and their friends. We had a ‘local cuisine’ lunch with excellent ‘Spätzle’ and for supper I had my mum’s German sausage salad.

In the afternoon I took a walk with one of brothers through Bad Säckingen, the town in which I spent all my high school time.

Today’s picture is of the small local castle with the famous trumpeter statue in front (the trumpeter was the hero from a well known German novel – Der Trompeter von Säckingen by Victor von Scheffel).

I love the autumn flowers planted in the foreground. It was again a very beautiful sunny autumn day!

Picture data: Canon EOS R6 with RF 24-240mm.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography

Trumpeter statues all over the town.
The catholic church in Bad Säckingen.
Autumn colors everywhere.
My favorite sweets ‘Mozart Kugeln’ we’re a welcome present from one of nieces and her boyfriend.

European Travel Journal 2021 – Post 1

I have arrived safely at my parents’ place in Germany after a rather pleasant flight, which was only half full. I only needed my test certificate once at check-in, together with a new online registration document for Switzerland at boarding. And no-one wanted to see my vaccination document so far.

I enjoyed my first lunch with my family at a Greek restaurant in Germany and my mum had some ‘Münchner Weisswürste’ with sweet mustard and fresh pretzels ready for supper.

Considering that this is the end of autumn going into winter in Europe the weather was very nice with sunshine and pleasant temperatures (above 10 degree Celsius).

Today’s picture was taken during take-off from Johannesburg airport with my iPhone 12 Pro Max.

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On my first train ride in Switzerland from the airport to Frick (where my brother picked me up). PS: I only took the mask off for the picture
Autumn early morning mist through a train window
At Johannesburg airport waiting to board 😊

Europe! I am on my way!

Today I am leaving for a few weeks trip to Europe (Germany 🇩🇪 , Switzerland 🇨🇭 and The Netherlands 🇳🇱). I am looking forward to seeing my family and many of my friends again after almost two years of COVID-19 prescribed travel ban. During this period I will post less about wildlife 🐘 but a bit about my travels 🧳 . Early November I will be back in South Africa to resume my usual posts. I hope you will enjoy my travel diary 😊

Spiral horns in soft light!

Nyalas are some of my favorite antelopes. I took this picture of a young male on Thanda Safari in the most beautiful evening light.

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Having fun!

A baby White Rhino had a lot of fun, when its mum decided to have a mud bath in between a herd of Cape Buffalo. My guests enjoyed this very special sighting just as then sun had set this evening!

Music by Root

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