Lichterloh Festival

Today we went to the first day of the ‘Lichterloh Festival’ in Hachenburg. It’s a little town in the deepest country side of the Westerwald, where my parents live now. Tonight, everything to do with light and fire was celebrated. Various artists showed their works, from body painters to musicians, actors, photographers, fire twirlers and so on. It was quite cold at night, perfect for German bratwurst and ‘Gluehwein’!

Hachenburg at night

Fire Twirlers

Body Art

Colourful houses of Hachenburg

Misteur Valaire

Really cool band from Canada, very entertaining.

Body Art by http://www.wolf-bodymagic.de

A lonely red street

Light textures on visitors

Light Pattern

Cologne

Today was a huge shopping day in Cologne. New clothes, Europe is fashion heaven!

We really wanted to climb the Cologne cathedral in the end, but unfortunately it was too late for that in the evening. It is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and one of the largest churches in the world, and standing just in front of it is really mind-blowing.

Cologne Cathedral

The Cologne Cathedral dates back to 1248 and took until 1880 to complete.

Detail of the Adoration window, 1846

Detail of the Lamentation window, 1847

Detail of the Petersportal

My home town Koenigstein

Before meeting up with my cousin and auntie today, Adam and I climbed up the castle in Koenigstein. It is my home town, where I was born and grew up. One of the most expensive places to live in Germany, surrounded by beautiful nature and known for its spas and at the same time close to Frankfurt. I love it!

View from the castle over Koenigstein

Kuala Lumpur Airport

This is it! We left Australia last night and 4 hours later, everyone seemed peacefully asleep (even the family in front with all their babies) except for – me of course. I can’t sleep folded in a pretzel in a noisy dried out cabin. Not with my feet on the front table and not in any other position. Unlike Adam, who sat in a coma next to me, mouth wide open like a fish, not moving a nerve. Oh well, time to listen to some music..

.. It helped! 9 Minutes have passed. I started to get grumpy, impatient as I am. Only 22 flights after this, o god.

What seemed to be AGES later, we eventually we made it. The airport hotel was practically at the top of the plane ramp. Hot shower with angel-poo smelling shower gel and a quiet dark room with comfy bed, I was in heaven!
When I woke up, Adam couldn’t wait to guide me through the airport, that he by now (after 10 hours) knew inside out: in the middle of it, there was a hot humid rainforest, it was unreal! An oasis with the most beautiful waterfall.

Waterfall at Kuala Lumpur Airport

We met some cool Germans and had the most amazing Malaysian food (spicy – Adam looked like he was standing under the shower while eating it). Slowly I’m beginning to realize that this is it: we are at the beginning of an AMAZING ADVENTURE!

The world is a book..

..and those who do not travel read only a page.  ~St. Augustine

The long wait is finally over.. The flights are booked, the bags are packed. We’re full of excitement and anticipation. The days are counted and this time it will be mainly a full-on America trip!

Peru, USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Equador and ha, let’s just finish it off with Fiji for good measure. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves..

First comes first and that is my home country Germany.

Rammstein

Only 22 days…

… and our voyage begins!

Until then, we still enjoy our beach at home:

Buddina Beach