WOW 
Sunday, 14. December 2008
Pearls of the Caribbean - Bayahibe, Hacienda Dominicus Resort
We had a fantastic time, a glorious vacation and the fabulous cruise was perfect! We will definitely go on a cruise again! Maybe next year ...So enjoy the last video of Bayahibe
Not so famous like Punta Cana and not so crowded like Boca Chica, the La Romana/Bayahibe region in the southeast of Dom Rep still offers beautiful beaches and nice resorts.
For the next 7 days we stayed in Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus, three miles from the fishing village of Bayahibe.
Part 1: The resort area - what a lovely place! This resort offers peace and seclusion. Everything is surrounded by extensive tropical gardens. Fountains spin & fly in just about every corner of the main complex. I loved the tame Flamingos.
Part 2 (start around 05:42): Sports & Fun - over all days, there was a wide variety of land and watersports and other activities.
Part 3 (start around 08:16): At the beach & around - the resort is situated directly on Bayahibe beach. We enjoyed often to grab a cocktail or two from the beach bar. A nice place to sit and watch the world go by.
Part 4 (start around 15:13): Sunset and the beautiful display of sky color that occurred shortly after the sunset. Just one of them ...
On March 27th we had to fly home ... but we definitely left a little piece of our heart in the Caribbean.
Note: It's a 18 min HD video and a pretty large file (300MB+), it takes awhile to load! If the player stops, this could be because the server is overloaded, your Internet connection is slow, and/or overall Internet is slow. You may need to pause it and let the video load a bit more before watching it straight through.
Previous Video: One day at sea and arrival Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
First Video: Aruba & Start of the Cruise
Tuesday, 09. December 2008
Pearls of the Caribbean - Day at Sea & Arrival Santo Domingo
The cruise came to an end. But the adventure continued ... enjoy!Part 1: March 19th - Final day of the cruise at sea. Some impressions of the ship, some last shopping, a lazy afternoon and a wonderful sunset.
Part 2 (start around 05:42): Arrival at Santo Domigo, Dominican Republic, March 20th at 6.20 am.
Everybody went home - we wanted to stay longer.
Part 3 (start around 08:14): Per Taxi to Bayahibe,
Hacienda Dominicus Resort. Impressions from the drive.
Note: It's a 11 min HD video and a pretty large file (300MB+), it takes awhile to load! If the player stops, this could be because the server is overloaded, your Internet connection is slow, and/or overall Internet is slow. You may need to pause it and let the video load a bit more before watching it straight through.
Upcoming Video: Bayahibe
Previous Video: St. Kitts
Ice Hotel
Ten thousand years ago, glaciers carved a riverbed and the Torne River was born. Since then, the crystal-clear, pure water of the Torne River has flowed freely along its 600-kilometer path through Lapland out to the sea in the southeast.The entire Ice Hotel is on loan from the mighty Torne River and is a place where time stands still. When the spring comes and then finally the summer, the entire creation will once again become part of the rushing rapids coursing toward the sea.
If it is possible to build a hotel of ice in a small village 200km inside the Arctic Circle, which strikes the whole world with amazement, then anything is possible. The story of Ice Hotel is indeed a fairy tale come true.
Sweden's no 1 destination: Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi.
You may also like:
MegaStructures: Ice Hotel
A film by by National Geographic, 2004 - Duration 47 minutes
And don't miss to tune in live art work!
Between the 5th and 20th of December, you can follow the artist Benny Ekman crafting his Art suite "Get bad" in ICEHOTEL. Each day, Benny will switch on the web cam in his suite to share his art project with the whole world. So tune in the Benny cam, and watch ice and snow being chiseled into beautiful art.
To the Benny cam
Wednesday, 03. December 2008
Pearls of the Caribbean - St. Kitts
Do you want to know how the cruise continued?OK - here it comes: St. Kitts!
Part 1: Arrival at Basseterre, March 18th 2008, 8am. It is believed that in 1493, Christopher Columbus was so smitten with this volcanic island that he named it after himself.
Part 2 (start around 02:42): Scenes along the way to the secluded Romney Manor Gardens (short).
Part 3 (start around 03:45): Botanical Gardens and Caribelle Batik at Romney Manor. A must for visitors interested in art, history and gardens.
Part 4 (start around 06:33): 'The Gibraltar of the West Indies' - The Brimstone Hill Fortress. I'm not a history buff, but this is one of the most impressive historic attractions I've ever seen.
Part 5 (start around 07:49): Way back home with a short stop on Timothy Hill on the South East Peninsular.
Part 6 (start around 09:43): Impressions of Basseterre. We were charmed by the island and its inhabitants! Don't miss the funny police woman! We laughed a lot ...
Part 7 (start around 13:25): Back on board as the last rays of the sun touched the sky. We said farewell to St. Kitts at 7pm.
Note: It's a 14 min HD video and a pretty large file (300MB+), it takes awhile to load! If the player stops, this could be because the server is overloaded, your Internet connection is slow, and/or overall Internet is slow. You may need to pause it and let the video load a bit more before watching it straight through.
Upcoming Video: One day at sea and arrival at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Previous Video: Antigua
Friday, 28. November 2008
Pearls of the Caribbean - Antigua
And now - enjoy the sequel of our cruise: Antigua!By the way, Antigua is pronounced An-tee-ga, not An-tee-gwa.
Part 1: Arrival at St. John's, March 17th 2008, 8am. What a morning! What a glory!
Part 2 (start around 03:52): Impressions of the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Divine, one of the lasting tributes to Europe's early exploration of the Caribbean islands.
Part 3 (start around 05:56): In the streets of St. John's. Time for a nice cup of espresso at Hemingway's Caribbean Café.
Part 4 (start around 08:33): A stop at Monk's Hill. Here you see the Falmouth Harbor and English Harbor. And a short stay at Turner's Beach.
Part 5 (start around 11:12): Chill out evening on the ship and a beautiful sunset. Also filmed the departure of the Sea Princess.
Note: It's a 14 min HD video and a pretty large file (300MB+), it takes awhile to load! If the player stops, this could be because the server is overloaded, your Internet connection is slow, and/or overall Internet is slow. You may need to pause it and let the video load a bit more before watching it straight through.
Upcoming Video: St. Kitts
Previous Video: Martinique
Tuesday, 25. November 2008
Pearls of the Caribbean - Martinique
Alright, here is the next clip: Enjoy Martinique!Part 1: Arrival at Fort-de-France, March 16th 2008, 8am. Martinique has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean.
Part 2 (start around 03:57): By boat along the West coast to St. Pierre.
Part 3 (start around 06:26): Impressions of St. Pierre - St. Pierre was the "Paris of the West Indies" until 1902 when Mont Pelée Volcano erupted and turned the city into a New World Pompeii.
Part 4 (start around 08:19): Upcountry by bus back to Fort-de-France. Close your eyes on the streets of Martinique and you could fancy yourself in France. But open your eyes and you'll see sugarcane fields, palm trees, bamboo, bougainvillea, poincinia, yellow alamanda and ... and ...
Part 5 (start around 10:35): Imprssions of Fort-de-France with its French provincial feel. Unfortunately all was closed on Sunday.
Part 6 (start around 12:09): We left the harbour at 7pm.
Note: It's a 13 min HD video and a pretty large file (300MB+), it takes awhile to load! If the player stops, this could be because the server is overloaded, your Internet connection is slow, and/or overall Internet is slow. You may need to pause it and let the video load a bit more before watching it straight through.
Upcoming Video: Antigua
Previous Video: St. Lucia
Saturday, 22. November 2008
Pearls of the Caribbean - St. Lucia
Here it comes! The next part of our cruise: St. Lucia. Enjoy!Part 1: Arrival at Castries, March 15th 2008, 8am. St Lucia is another lush tropical gem - at the heart of the Windward chain in the Eastern Caribbean.
Part 2 (start around 03:20): Sailed down the scenic West coast of St. Lucia on a catamaran.
Part 3 (start around 06:33): From Soufrière with mini buses to Fond Doux Estate & Plantation.
Part 4 (start around 08:05): A short stop at St. Lucia volcano - Sulphur Springs.
Part 5 (start around 09:10): Back to Soufrière - rejoined the boat to go back along the coastline.
Part 6 (start around 11:46): Impressions of Castries near the harbour.
Note: It's a 13 min HD video and a pretty large file (300MB+), it takes awhile to load! If the player stops, this could be because the server is overloaded, your Internet connection is slow, and/or overall Internet is slow. You may need to pause it and let the video load a bit more before watching it straight through.
Upcoming Video: Martinique
Previous Video: Barbados
Saturday, 15. November 2008
Pearls of the Caribbean - Barbados
Enjoy the sequel of our cruise: Barbados!Part 1: Arrival at Bridgetown, March 14th 2008, 8am. Barbados is the most eastern island in the Caribbean.
Part 2 (start around 02:31): With a 4x4 Jeep to the Eastern and North-Eastern sides, e.g. Cattlewash Beach.
Part 3 (start around 04:21): On the road - A splendid landscape.
Part 4 (start around 05:57): How did Barbados get its name? (short)
Part 5 (start around 06:43): Orchid World - Set on a hill in the middle of sugar cane fields in the heart of the Barbadian countryside. Just beautiful!
Part 6 (start around 09:02): A short stop at St. John's Parish Church and it's cemetery.
Part 7 (start around 10:14): A short stop at the Historic
Sunbury Plantation House and Museum.
Part 8 (start around 11:35): Good bye Barbados - We left the harbour at 7pm.
Note: It's a 13 min HD video and a pretty large file (300MB+), it takes awhile to load! If the player stops, this could be because the server is overloaded, your Internet connection is slow, and/or overall Internet is slow. You may need to pause it and let the video load a bit more before watching it straight through.
Upcoming Video: St. Lucia
Previous Video: Grenada
WildEarth TV
COOL! Go on Safari without leaving home!WildEarth TV is a LIVE 24 hour per day TV channel that gives you a unique window into the African bush. WildEarth go on an expert ranger lead LIVE safari twice per day, leaving at 06h30 and 16h00 CAT (Central African Time).
If no tour you can find cams along waters ...
Wow! I saw many many Leopards ...
Monday, 10. November 2008
Pearls of the Caribbean - Grenada
Today let's go on with the cruise! Here is Grenada!Part 1: Arrival at St. George's, March 13th 2008, 8am. Grenada is called the Spice Island of the Caribbean.
Part 2 (start around 02:48): Fort Frederick, perched atop Richmond Hill, offering an excellent view of the city and bays.
Part 3 (start around 04:19): Concord Waterfalls - a great place to stop off on the tour.
Part 4 (start around 05:19): Nutmeg Factory in Gouyave - you haven't done Grenada unless you've been to a nutmeg factory! You have just follow your nose!
Part 5 (start around 06:43): Plantation Helvellyn House, in the North near Sauteur. It is the setting which makes the place.
Part 6 (start around 08:22): River Antoine Estate - The oldest rum factory in Grenada.
Part 7 (start around 10:47): Grand Etang Lake, which fills the crater of one of the island's extinct volcanos (short).
Note: It's a 12 min HD video and a pretty large file (300MB+), it takes awhile to load! If the player stops, this could be because the server is overloaded, your Internet connection is slow, and/or overall Internet is slow. You may need to pause it and let the video load a bit more before watching it straight through.
Upcoming Video: Brabados
Previous Video: St. Vincent
Friday, 07. November 2008
Pearls of the Caribbean - St. Vincent
Here it comes! The next part of our cruise - St. Vincent. Enjoy!Part 1: Arrival at Kingstown, March 12th 2008, 8am. Situated on the southwest coast of the island, at the head of Kingstown Bay.
Part 2 (start around 02:28): Fort Charlotte - Built in 1806 by the English to protect the harbor from French invasion.
Part 3 (start around 03:55): St. Mary's Cathedral, or Cathedral of the Assumption, also one of St Vincent's primary attractions.
Part 4 (start around 05:04): The Botanical Gardens - Offer an attractive, alluring and peaceful retreat. It is believed to be the oldest such gardens in the Western Hemisphere.
Part 5 (start around 07:12): A refreshing bath at Villa's Lime beach (short) - The weather this day was very hot.
Part 6 (start around 08:14): Way back to town.
Part 7 (start around 09:31): The Kingstown fish market - will excite you with its range of kingfish, snapper and grouper.
Part 8 (start around 11:16): We left the pier at 7pm (short).
Note: It's a 11 min HD video and a pretty large file (300MB+), it takes awhile to load! If the player stops, this could be because the server is overloaded, your Internet connection is slow, and/or overall Internet is slow. You may need to pause it and let the video load a bit more before watching it straight through.
Upcoming Video: Grenada
Previous Video: Tobago
Saturday, 01. November 2008
Pearls of the Caribbean - Tobago
Are you impatient for the next part of our cruise? Here it is: Tobago.Part 1: Arrival at Scarborough, March 11th 2008, 8am.
When Columbus discovered Tobago, he called it Bellaforma.
Part 2 (start around 01:50): Fort King George - On Mount St. George, a short drive up the hill from Scarborough, you get a beautiful view over the sea and the surrounding neighborhood.
Part 3 (start around 03:02): Along the way - Typical houses in the South.
Further, what will Tobago offer you? Of course: MUSIC!
Part 4 (start around 04:22): Along the way - Steeldrum, Calypso and Folklore
Part 5 (start around 08:53): Impressions of Scarborough. A place where you can watch the islanders. But there isn't much to see in Scarborough - the town itself is rather plain and boring. So let's go back to the ship ...
Part 6 (start around 09:51): Back on board for a cold beer (short)
You naturally expect the sister islands of Trinidad and Tobago are similar. In many way they are. In other ways they are worlds apart.
Note: It's a 11 min HD video and a pretty large file (300MB+), it takes awhile to load! If the player stops, this could be because the server is overloaded, your Internet connection is slow, and/or overall Internet is slow. You may need to pause it and let the video load a bit more before watching it straight through.
Upcoming Video: St. Vincent
Previous Video: Trinidad
Wednesday, 29. October 2008
Pearls of the Caribbean - Trinidad
Today I show you the clip from the next day of our cruise: Trinidad.Part 1: Arrival at Port of Spain, March 10th 2008, 8am.
Part 2 (start around 05:14): Visited the Asa Wright Nature Centre, located in the Arima Valley deep in the Trinidad rain forest, famous for its amazing diversity in animal and plant species.
Part 3 (start around 08:56): Visited the Caroni Bird Sanctuary. Not only for bird-lovers!
Enjoy!
Note: It's a 13 min HD video and a pretty large file (300MB+), it takes awhile to load! If the player stops, this could be because the server is overloaded, your Internet connection is slow, and/or overall Internet is slow. You may need to pause it and let the video load a bit more before watching it straight through.
Upcoming Video: Tobago
Previous Video: Aruba
Saturday, 25. October 2008
Pearls of the Caribbean - Aruba & Start of the Cruise
Maybe - as a regular reader of my blog - you remember: My husband Roland and I were on a cruise through the Caribbean in March 2008. Within 14 days, we visited 11 stunning islands with historical towns, colorful people and spectacular nature. And hopefully, you saw the photo album, includes 229 photos with short descriptions.Then, in August, I promised to bring up the Video Travelogue to "The Pearls of the Caribbean". Now - finally - I have finished editing all the videos, altogether 12 clips!
I am pleased to share with you our travel experiences - enjoy!
Note: It's a 11 min HD video and a pretty large file (300MB+), it takes awhile to load! If the player stops, this could be because the server is overloaded, your Internet connection is slow, and/or overall Internet is slow. You may need to pause it and let the video load a bit more before watching it straight through.
Part 1 - The Intro: The route from the voyage
In the evening of March 7th, we arrived in Oranjestad.
The first thing was boarding the ship MS "Delphin" (German for "Dolphin"). It's a ship more or less unknown outside the German-speaking countries, but a most lovely, small ship indeed. Carrying 450 passengers and a crew of 200.
Part 2 (start around 03:00): Saturday, March 8th. A tour around Aruba, before the ship was leaving on its journey. Just photos, because we forgot the video camera ... uh!
Part 3 (start around 06:06): Yepeee! At 7pm our cruise ship leaved the dock!
Now we were on the way to Trinidad. March 8th was a full day at sea to relax and explore the ship and all of the many options it offers. Soon we found our way around the floating village ...
Upcoming Video: Trinidad
Saturday, 20. September 2008
Soothing Glimpses of Tokyo
I love Japan, this was my 5th time there. It was cold and raining at the start of April and it improved later on. So annoying filming in the rain with an umbrella but the camera survived.(so did I)Tokyo is amazing and I find new places to explore every time I'm there. There are lovely places to relax and other places that excite the senses!
Enjoy this video by Sugoi!