Germany - Freiburg

Welcome to Freiburg, sunny capital of the Black Forest, close to the French and Swiss borders. I made my way to Freiburg by river Rhine, I learnt some interesting facts about the river 15 million tons of goods are transported along the Rhine, Europe’s most important waterway.
Basel of Swiss, Mulhouse of France borders this southern region black-forest city Freiburg. This very city has captured my heart truly. I had to decide between Heidelburg & Freiburg, and these are the five primary reasons why I chose this city.
#1 The water ways that run along the sides of all the main streets on both sides of the road
#2 The way the streets are craved with colored pebbles, u will just love them to walk on

#3 Cathedral was completed in 1513 - making it the only German cathedral to be completed in the Gothic style

#4 Proximity to the Cuckoo clock manufacturing facility ;-)
#5 Last but not the least the Black Forest with its vast forests, open mountain heights and peaks with grandiose vistas, its deep and mysterious cirque lakes and charming valleys.

Few thinks I like during my stay, the hostel we stayed just on the foot hills of the black forest and the Bollenhut traditional hat with its pompoms suits , if the color of the balloon is Red then the girl is unmarried and if its Black she is married.

Koln - Frankfurt

A few pictures taken during the boat ride from Koln to Frankfurt, via Koblenz & Mainz by K-D

ABBA's - "Fernando"

One of the best songs I have listened in a long time, this picture was taken in Koblenz in Germany.

Can you hear the drums Fernando?
I remember long ago another starry night like this
In the firelight Fernando
You were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar
I could hear the distant drums
And sounds of bugle calls were coming from afar

They were closer now Fernando
Every hour every minute seemed to last eternally
I was so afraid Fernando
We were young and full of life and none of us prepared to die
And I'm not ashamed to say
The roar of guns and cannons almost made me cry

There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, FernandoThough I never thought that we could lose
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando

Now we're old and grey Fernando
And since many years I haven't seen a rifle in your hand
Can you hear the drums Fernando?
Do you still recall the fateful night we crossed the Rio Grande?
I can see it in your eyes
How proud you were to fight for freedom in this land

There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, FernandoThough I never thought that we could lose
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando
Yes, if I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando...

Germany - Black Forest - Titisee - Cuckoo clock

Titisee has a very nice lake. The 6 km trek or mountain biking around the lake is the best thing you can imagine for a perfect holiday. This is the place famous for the Cuckoo clock also. Some info about them read on

The story of clock making in the Black Forest begins around 1630. People there had always crafted and carved using the local wood that was one of the few natural resources in the area, especially during the long winters when the land was covered with snow and they could hardly leave their houses.

The first Black Forest Cuckoo Clock was designed and made by Franz Anton Ketterer in the small village of Schönwald near Triberg, Germany, in the depths of the Black Forest. .During the long winter months, the farms were snowed-in and the people had a lot of time to create finely handcrafted cuckoo clocks of many styles with rich and varied carvings.

The clocks that were made in winter were sold by the clock peddlars in the summer months during long journeys throughout Europe. The clocks were secured on a frame and carried on the back. They were works of art, sought after luxuries that conquered the hearts of people all over the world.



This picture show how it was carried by the peddlars for selling them.

Read on more about the Cuckoo Clock story here

Germany - Black Forest - Hinterzarten

Hinterzarten in the middle of Black forest is known for the Ski Jumping. You can have a look at the picture with the launching pad.

Germany - Black Forest - Feldberg

Feldberg is a nice small town in the middle of southern region of the Black forest. The trek is very long to reach this place. I really enjoyed the walk in the woods. U can see from the picture how dense the forest are.

Germany - Black Forest - Schluchsee

This picture was taken in while we are roving our mechanized boat in Lake Schluchsee. This picture is so color rich, the blue color of the water, the red color of the train and the green color of the forest around the lake

A trip to Germany

Unforgettable moments of the trip are the curse down the Rhine river along castles on the stretch for 2 days and a trek & biking in the black forest region in Germay.

First timer & next timer

This is a nice slogan from easyjet inviting people to visit the cities again if they have visited already. Hi what am I looking for from the mountains, yes looking forward for the long weekend. Yes I’m going to Germany again as a next timer for the next 4 days and will be away lost in the black forest region. See u all soon with the updates

Le Tour de France - 2005

Today the Tour de France 2005 departs from Grenoble. I was there with the team to cheer my leader, U can guess who is it from the flag I'm holding with Alex, who is not seen in the picture. Thanks to Alex for getting the flag and allowing me to hold the same. There was lot of delay due to a protest in Grenoble. The itinerary has changed slightly for the stage from Grenoble to Courchevel.

Sky vs Earth @ Grenoble

Thanks to http://maps.google.com and Sony DSCV1

Rainbow

Where is the rainbow which I was looking for in the weekend? Do I get to see it from the caves?

Don't click it

Lets check how many of you can resist this. Don't click is a www.dontclick.it/ very novel way of browsing. I liked this a lot, It's a lot fun to browse the site without any clicking. Happy clicking oops don'tclicking

Mont-Blanc @ 4810 meters

I wasn’t sure what was in store for me back in Grenoble, the small town where I live/work/sleep/blog/party for the moment, when I came back from Chamonix/Mont-Blanc last weekend. From the pictures you could make it how cold it would have been in that place. When I arrived in Grenoble last Sunday night it was too hot, could not catch up with some sleep. Later as the week went on with the dip in temperature I never that in the summer I need pull on my sweater. I see some people with a jacket on the sweater, they should be crazy not to enjoy this nice break in summer. What a swing from 37/35 to 10/12, I’m loving it.

People trying to capture Mont-Blanc

I wish I could also do this, after finishing my paragliding & ski experience, I think I can give it a try. This is an amazing to watch this, I’m amazed with the kind of determination these guys have. Same with the Tour de France, In the middle of peak summer these people cycle for close to 200 km in a day through all terrains in France. Read my previous post on my adventures in Chamonix. This is my 3rd visit to this place, u can read the previous post here.

Inside the ice cave @ the Glacier

This picture was taken at the entrance of the Glacier. It seems Until 1820, the Mer de Glace could be seen from Chamonix. However, each year it retreats little by little and only one part can now be seen. The immense moraines at the edge of the glacier are evidence of this movement, which u can see in the other picture.

La Mer de Glace - The Glacier

With a surface area of 40 km2 and a length of 7 km, this is France’s largest glacier.
Its width varies from 700 to 1950 metres and the thickness of the ice is on average 200 metres, and sometimes exceeds 400 metres.
The Mer de Glace extends over a difference in level of 2500 metres, between the altitudes of 3900 m and 1400 m. Read on further here

Happy Independence day my dear friends

cvraman

Go to yahoo search and then type cvraman, the first link it point is to my blog.
In google it used to point and now its pointing to a different link

Beautiful day

Wake up on a chill morning (lucky to have such a thing in the middle of the summer)

hot Nescafe in a mug,

facing the Brownie-greenish mountains filled with scattered white clouds,

A walk to office from the tram stop on a cloudy day with full thoughts, pickup the phone as you reach you desk and then say “Hello All” … too much ...

Just reminds me of Robert Frosts lines from After Apple-Picking
“The rumbling sound
Of load on load of apples coming in.
For I have had too much
Of apple-picking: I am overtired...”