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Turquoise Tulum
Amazing Tulum, located on the east coast Yucatan Peninsula, is famous for ruins of former Mayan stronghold. Tulum was the last place inhabited by Mayas. The peak of this empire is dated between 13th and 15th century. In 16th century the appearance of Spanish conquistadors brought about Mayas’ descendants death from rare diseases. Reportedly, we „owe” them also the name Yucatan. Even nowadays, in the time of progressive globalization, clashes of civilizations are often based on culture and language misunderstandings. It’s no wonder that Spanish conquistadors didn’t have an idea of Mayas’ culture, let alone their language. Word “Yucatan” sounds exotic but in fact it means: “I don’t understand what…
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Sweet Lviv and the best coffee on sand!
During organizing a trip to Lviv, it didn’t run through my mind that it’s the land of milk and coffee. We used to connect Ukraine mainly with cheap alcohol, cigarettes and halva made of sunflower seeds. By the way, it wasn’t only our image. We saw it on our way back to Poland. When we heard one big noise of bottles at the bus station, we knew that this journey would be very hard. In a fact, the reality turned out to be worse. During more than 6-hour customs inspection which was ended in pushing the bus (battery had gone flat) I was thinking why in the depths of 54…
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Christmas in Thailand
Temperature above 30ºC (86ºF), exotic drinks, beach and turquoise sea, is there any better way to spend Christmas? Unfortunately, we must disappoint you, but yes… When we saw budget flight tickets to Bangkok for Christmas and New Year 2012/2013, we thought that Santa Claus finally heard our wishes and made us up the lack of Porsche or apartment with swimming pool. But how about Christmas magic which can be felt in the air from the very beginning of November, every time when we watch red truck/lorry commercial or hear White Christmas on the radio, hopeful that this year we won’t be wading through the mud on our way to Christmas…
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Tunisia – Sand Wars
Somewhere in Tunisia, at the gates of the Sahara, Matmata is situated. This place hasn’t been known for at least 1000 years. It’s no wonder because there’s nothing special, only a barren, semi-desert landscape. But then again, this place is visited by hundreds of tourists every Day, who are warmly welcomed by tourists agencies and locals. Matmata owes its popularity to George Lucas, who located here Star Wars hero’s home – Luke Skywalker, in a one of the underground hotels. Lucas derived the inspiration from the ancient Berbers’ settlement who had hid there from Arab invaders in 11th century. If it hadn’t been for the flood which occurred there in…
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Mauna Kea – invisible Hawaiian cows, avalanches and a lot of more…
This time, I won’t write on gorgeous Hawaiian beaches, turquoise Pacific, colorful underwater coral reef world, high cliffs, tropical rainforests or spectacular waterfalls. It’s time for bitter cold of Hawaiian tundra and inhospitable polar climate. Only on Hawaii, more precisely on Big Island is possible to swim in the warm ocean in the morning and go snowboarding in the evening. This island has 11 different climate zones. What’s more, the highest mountain in the world, to be exact extinct volcano – Mauna Kea is located here. Mauna Kea with the height of 33 000 ft (10 203 m) is higher than Mount Everest when measured form oceanic base but form…
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Tallinn, Helsinki and Petersburg without visa – budget travel
We weren’t planning the trip to Tallinn, Helsinki and Petersburg. Actually everything started from LOT special offer for the flights: Warsaw – Tallinn and Helsinki – Warsaw. From Tallinn to Helsinki we traveled by Tallink ferry, but it’s possible to go with other companies such as Viking Line or Eckero Line. You need to check in at least 30 minutes before the departure of the ferry. Check-in desk is located at the Terminal D. Tallink shuttles 6 times a day and the voyage takes around 2 hours and definitely it isn’t boring (you can read about it here). The ferry arrives at the West Harbor. To the city center you can go…
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Rotterdam – the unreal city
Rotterdam, called also the „Gateway to Europe/World” is mainly associated with the biggest port in Europe and the third – biggest in the world (just after the Singapore and Shanghai). Another famous symbol of this city is Erasmus of Rotterdam. This famous philosopher matches perfectly to the multicultural character of this cosmopolitan city. During our visit there, we had an impression that in this second – largest city in the Netherlands, the Dutch are in the minority. It is said that there’re at least 160 nationalities in Rotterdam. But not only the biggest port and cultural diversity make this city an unique place. Nowhere in the Netherlands you will find such interesting…
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Thai pumpkin in a coconut
Ingredients: – medium pumpkin – can of coconut milk – lemon grass – 3 dried kaffir lime leaves – broth – medium onion – 3 garlic cloves – dried galangal or grated ginger (thumb-size piece) – 3-4 tablespoons of fish sauce or oyster sauce (I used oyster sauce) – 1 teaspoon of brown sugar – optional – lime juice, puff crouton, fresh basil or coriander leaves (for garnish) Grinded Spices: 1 teaspoon of: Cayenne pepper (you can add more), turmeric, coriander, cumin, sweet pepper Preparing: – chop pumpkin into small cubes, – fry finely chopped onion with brown sugar, – add pressed garlic and fry for a while (avoid burning it…
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Lychakiv and Cemetery of Eaglets – difficult History lesson
On the Lviv hills is a place which is the best History and Art lesson. It’s Lychakiv Cemetery. It was built at the end of 18th century and it’s one of the oldest burial grounds in Europe. The whole necropolis is somewhat a metaphor of the death embodied in sculptures which look like real figures which present grieved angels and sounded in eternal asleep or fossilized in mourning people. Beautifully decorated gravestones, tombs and shrines seem to struggle not only with passing time but also they fight a losing battle with overgrowing vegetation. But not only artistic aspect makes this cemetery exceptional. It’s an expression of multicultural character of Lviv…
