EuroAngel Graffiti

This is one thing I love in Germany. There are always festivals round the year. From Christmas markets to Volksfest, Kirchweih, Spring festival, Oktoberfest, etcetera. The Gäubodenvolksfest in Straubing is one of the most interesting festivals I witnessed in Germany. It is the second largest genuine folk festival in Bavaria, Germany, after the Munich Oktoberfest.

There are more people especially Germans who are wearing Trachten, Dirndl for women and Lederhosen for men during Gäubodenvolksfest than the Oktoberfest in Muncih. These are the national costume in this region.

This year’s festival runs from August 12 to 22.

the Ferris wheel in Gäubodenvolksfest, Straubing last 2009.

The Gäubodenvolksfest was founded by Maximilian I Joseph, King of Bavaria in the year 1812 as an agricultural festival to organize an annual meeting of the people in the Danube region.

The City of Angels has for sure a myriad of things to offer to its guests and visitors. Los Angeles is an important center of culture, international trade, business and media. Most of all, it acquired its global status being the center of the world’s entertainment industry. For these reasons millions of tourist each year are attracted to visit this famous city in California. Below are some of the top tourist attractions in Los Angeles.

1. Hollywood Universal Studios

Would you think I am lucky enough to visit this part of LA? It was one of my wonderful experience visiting Hollywood Universal Studios. I can’t imagine being there but I was not dreaming. I was truly there! There are a lot of attractions and movie-themed rides there, suited for both young and old. You can also see costumed characters roaming around the area and interacting with visitors. This park is truly a worth to visit place.

Universal Studios During Our Visit last June 2008.

Dubbed as the “Land of the Smiles”, Thailand is the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia. Most of you might know the reasons why? Its tropical climate like the rest of Southeast Asian countries, its being exotic, fascinating culture, great food and most of all the its beautiful beaches are only some of the reasons why. Thailand’s beaches islands attract millions of visitors from all over the planet every year.

You have to consider Thailand weather during your visit. With regards to the weather, the best time to visit this country is between November and February. There are relatively mild temperatures and cool breeze in the air during these months.

Here are some of the top beaches and islands in Thailand:

Pattaya is one of the famous tourist resort on the Gulf Coast of Eastern Thailand. It is famous for its go-go and beer bars. The resort is also visited by holidaymakers from far and wide, and local families too. The beach is full of life with hotels, restaurants, shopping malls all along the road facing the beach. If you are quite a conservative type, this resort might not be suitable for you especially when seeing fat old men hand in hand with young Thai women.

Phuket, Thailand by Phi Leh

I remembered a friend who happened to take some days vacation in Phuket. She mentioned that this is such a beautiful place to spend a holiday considering its beautiful resorts and beaches. Kamara, Karon, Kat, Nai Thon and Nai Yang are some of its famous beaches. Sailing, yatching, diving and snorkeling are the famous water sports and activities in Phuket.

Hua Hin and ideal getaway from Bangkok is known to be Thailand’s oldest beach resort. Luxurious but affordable spa and Thai massage are well-known in this town.

If you are in Bangkok, why not take a chance to explore its nearest island beach, the Ko Samet. It is famed for its white sandy beaches, exotic coral and crystal clear waters.

Ko Samoi which is around 700 km away from Bangkok, is also worth to visit. This big island has a lot of famous beaches like Chaweng, Lamai, Laem Yai Choeng Mon, Mae Nam, Choeng Mon and some other worth to experience beaches.

Stay safe when visiting Thailand and always be watchful of valuables and other personal belongings.

I finally had the chance to go online tonight. It was quite a busy day today but I still managed to attend the Filipino Summer Feast in Donaustauf near Regenburg. It is nice again to meet old and new friends and acquaintances especially fellow “kababayans”. This is a word for “fellowmen”. Thanks to facebook that I finally found my long lost friend Chato. It’s been almost two years since I did not hear from her and I was so happy that I finally met her this afternoon. To make the story short, she invited me for this gathering.

We had fun during the festival. Foods were served including grilled meats, fried fish (which is the one I ordered), sodas, beers, cakes and pastries. The most exciting and enjoyable part was the different games and plays that they prepared.

I was again re-charged after the meeting especially with those old friends I met some years ago. Friendship can truly inspires us. Thanks to my dear friend Joy for coming with me in that gathering.

It was truly a wonderful day today and I am so thankful about it. I hope you had a good one too!

a statue in Donaustauf. The parking lot is near this statue and I took the chance to take a snapshot of it.

cakes, pastries and some Filipino sweets like Cassava cake, Palitaw, Kutsienta, binangkal, etc. were also served…good we still have some palitaw and cassava left..lol!

a so-called Pabitin play for kids and children…but later on the adults also entered the game..there are stuffs inside the small pack like candies and chocolates.

Vietnam

It is the 13th most populous country in the world. Officially known as Socialist Republic of Vietnam, it is a communist country in the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is a historical country being inhabited since Paleolithic times. There are some archaeological sites in Thanh Hóa Province purportedly date back several thousand years.

Vietnam is larger than Italy and almost the size of Germany. If you are spending some Vietnam tours here are some interesting sights to visit in this country; Ha Long Bay (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Son Doong Cave (the world’s largest cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park), Ho Chi Minh City’s Downtown, Saigon River Port, Cao Dai temple in Tay Ninh, Nha Trang´s coastline, Hoi An (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and so many more.

Philippines

This country is an amalgam of different races. Philippines is known as Asia’s sleeping tiger that has yet to achieve its full economic potential. It is the largest Christian nation in the region with over 7,107 islands and beautiful tropical beaches.

the beautiful Boracay white sand beach in the Philippines, one of the finest beaches in the world.

Interesting cities and places to visit include; Manila, Cebu, Davao, Antipolo, Quezon City, Zamboanga, Caloocan, Bohol, Palawan. Don’t miss the white long beaches and nightlife in Boracay. A visit to the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan where the First Philippine Republic was founded is also recommended. Don’t forget Makati, the country’s financial center. The 2000-year-old rice terraces of Banaue, built onto the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of the Batad indigenous people is also a must-see. Try wakeboarding at Southeast Asia’s largest wakeboarding center in Camarines Sur. Surfing and scuba diving is also a major draw for visitors in the Philippines.

Thailand

Known as he Land of Smiles with frenetic cities and chilled-out beaches, Thailand is the most popular destination in southeast Asia. It is the 50th largest country in the world slightly larger that Spain. The largest city is Bangkok, the capital, which is also the country’s center of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. Don’t miss the nightlife in this city.

The limestone cliffs, azure waters and perfect beaches of Krabi in Thailand is worth to see and experience. The Sight not to miss include Phanom Rung (a temple in Thailand from the former Khmer Empire), Grand Palace in Bangkok built in 1782 (the official residence of the King of Thailand), Statue of a mythical Kinnon at Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall (the old meeting place of the National Assembly, now only the State Opening is held there) are only some of the sights not to miss in this country.

Singapore

Known as “the Lion City” is a clean and orderly island-city state. The country is highly urbanised with very little primary rainforest remaining, although more land is being created for development through land reclamation.

a bridge in Singapore and the durian-shaped Esplanade in front of the Marina Square in the background.

The Port of Singapore, Sentosa Island, Singapore’s Parliament House, the durian-shaped Esplanade in front of the Marina Square area are some of the sights not to miss. The Southern island of Pulau Hantu, particularly, is known for its rich coral reefs. Water sports are popular, including sailing, kayaking and water skiing. Scuba diving is another popular recreational sport.

Indonesia

The sleeping giant of Southeast Asia and the world’s largest archipelago, with more than 18,000 islands spanning three time zones. Indonesia comprises 13,466 islands. It is the world’s fourth most populous country with over 238 million people, and has the world’s largest population of Muslims.

The eerie, continually erupting volcanoes of Mount Bromo in Indonesia is worth to see. A visit in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia and the country’s largest commercial center is a must. The Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta is also worth to see. Other interesting cities to visit include Surabaya, Bandung, Medan and Semarang.