There are several places on our planet which call themselves ‘End of the world’, because once there, you get the impression that one step further would lead you into the nowhere of beyond.
One such place is to be found in Turkey and that’s the one I chose for a belated birthday party with my friends. The village is called Doganbey, located on the Aegean Sea. The village consists of two parts: one high up in the mountains and the smaller one down by the sea. Doganbey proper is fascinating and somewhat eerie. It has been abandoned for a long time and the big stone house have fallen into disarray. However, since a year or two, Doganbey is experiencing a survival and the houses are being lovingly restored.
The mountain part of Doganbey
One of the restored houses
But, my destination was the part by the sea because my friends and I wanted to eat fish. A winding road leads down the mountain and then comes to an abrupt end. You literally can’t go any further. A gendarme post puts an end to the world, because beyond just lies the sea and then…Greece.
End of the road
Karina, a well known fish restaurant marks the final stop of civilization. Utterly romantic, isolated, rustic, simple and unspoilt, what else could you wish for?
Still empty table
Doesn't it look romantic?
We are. after all, in the land of statues!
And then, of course, there is the fish, Fresh out of the sea, you take your pick, the charcoal grill is fired up and, in due course, the succulent fish is served to you. No fancy stuff, no sauces or elaborate garnish, just the pure taste with lemon juice and a selection of mezze for starters. Accompanied by a huge salad with many of the greens which are so typical for the area.
Enjoyed with a glass of wine, bread, breathing in the sea air and fooling a round with the ducks which live on the beach and a little monkey which is a mascot…nothing can be more relaxing.
My friend is an artist who makes the most wonderful pottery which resembles lace. She gave me a candle holder for my birthday and I took it with me. The candle burned whilst the sun was slowly setting. A wonderful way to celebrate a birthday, belated or not.
Tags: aegean sea, doganbey, pottery, stone houses, turkish fish restaurant
Posted by inka on Dec 11, 2010 in
Day trips,
Germany Bavaria is famous for three things: Oktoberfest, mountains and lakes. Munich is an ideal location to sample all three, the Oktoberfest when it’s that time of the year, but there is no shortage of beer all year around. Beer is considered food in Bavaria!
Yummy or what?
Mountains are visible from every angle of the city and several lakes are close by. My absolute favorite, the Chiemsee is just 1 ½ train ride away.
Alight at the small town of Prien am Chiemsee and you are faced with a picture post card of a Bavarian town, a marketplace, Fachwerkhäuser with plenty of geraniums on their balconies, Weisswurstkiosks and friendly people.
I make my way from the tiny station up the road towards the Marktplatz and never fail to pay the Heimatmuseum a visit.
Heimatmuseum in Prien
It’s the type of museum I love, small, located in a traditional house, exhibiting furniture, paintings and everything which makes up the culture and history of the Chiemgau, including fishing implements and clothes. You are even allowed to kid around in one room and are encouraged to try on a particular hat. Of course, the glamour granny couldn’t resist.
I like that hat even if the rest of the clothes doesn't match!
After that I make my way back towards the station and board the Chiemgaubahn, Germany’s oldest still operating steam engine which pulls three cars the short distance to the lake. Extremely popular with kids who can’t stop pulling the whistle.
Chiemseebahn
The beauty of the lake unfolds as soon as you step down from the train. No motorboats are allowed, except the ferries of the Fessler fleet which connect Prien with the two islands in the lake, Herreninsel and Fraueninsel and then continue on to Seebruck on the opposite shore if you wish.
Windblown on the ferry
First stop is the Herreninsel with its most famous site: King Ludwig’s dream castle Herrenchiemsee. It was his last castle and it’s unfinished because …even a king can run out of money. Built as an homage to his hero, Louis XIV of Franc,e Ludwig intended to even surpass the splendor of Versailles. And, if you visit the castle you can only say: he came pretty close. Mirrored halls, marble staircases, chandeliesr, sumptuous furniture where ever you look, until you turn a corner and find the unfinished part. It’ such an amazing contrast which makes the castle special from all others which have been completed.
Schloss Herrenchiemsee
The gardens and fountains, statues and walkways stretch forever from shore to shore. What’s not so well know however is that the island is a sanctuary for bats. Over 100 species have found refuge here and some live in the eves of the king’s castle. There are deer in the woods and it’s just wonderful to walk around and enjoy nature..sans cars of course. If you wish you can be carried around by a horse drawn carriage and you can stay overnight in pretty luxury hotel.
Fountain in the gardens
But I continued on to the next stop, the Fraueninsel. Many artists live and work on the tiny island which you can walk around at a very leisurely pace in about an hour. I take much longer because there is so much to see. First the monastery with i’s distinctive round tower and the Klostershop which offers a great selection of interesting books, votive candles and souvenirs. And of course, the two products the nuns make to help support themselves: marzipan and a very strong liquor.
Marzapan made by the nuns
I love to walk the length of the path along the shore, past benches where you can rest and enjoy the view of the lake and several kiosks which serves the island’s specialty: Renkenfilet. It’s a smoked filet of a fish which only lives in the Chiemss, similar in taste and texture to mackerel or smoked trout. Served in a bun with a cold beer it’s the best possible snack.
A view I would like to paint
Renkenfilets freshly smoked
And then there are the numerous potteries for which the island is also famous. One makes the best tiles for stoves and is of historical interest too. Others produce ceramics and you can watch how the artists paint them and, of course, buy them too.
A pottery aquarium
I take the last ferry back to Prien and then the train which returns me to Munich after an exceptionally enjoyable day trip combining history, nature and art.
Tags: chiemsee, heimatmusuem, king ludwig of bavaria, munich daytrip, pottery
Posted by inka on Dec 9, 2010 in
Germany What a nifty idea from Nancy to celebrate the One Year anniversary of her blog http://budgettravelerssandbox with the creation of Mr. Linky where her fellow bloggers can post a picture on their blog and then link it with hers.
Here is my Thursday picture:
A ceramic plate made to resemble coral
It’s my absolute favorite piece of ceramic. A plate made to resemble coral, found in a pottery on the Fraueninsel, an island in the Chiemsee in the south of Germany.
Tags: art, daytrip, fraueninsel, germany, pottery
