Travel Impressions: Ilha do Mel

Ilha do Mel, or literally "The Honey Island", is a piece of paradise on the otherwise pretty ugly coastline of Parana (in Brazilian terms that is). It's located about 120 km from the capital, Curitiba, and therefore the perfect weekend getaway. Classified as "UNESCO Ecological Heritage" you won't find any motorised vehicle there, unless it's the boat that brings you there. Once upon a time you wouldn't even have electricity throughout the night.

Praia Grande - Ilha do Mel

Travel Impressions of Curitiba

Central "Botanical Garden" Park

Ukrainian monument

Mosque in Curitiba

Praça do Japão

Praça do Gaucho, probably the first skatepark of Curitiba, since 1978

The Zoo might be a little far, but it's free!

The all-seeing eye of Niemeyer (Oscar Niemeyer Museum)

Haha, yeah Ray, the centre of Curitiba is funny

If the city is getting to you, go to Morretes (by train)

Read also: Going out in Curitiba

Travel Impressions of Berlin

Berlin boosts quite some amazing street art and graffiti. So rather than boring you with Tourie pictures I bundled some shots of pieces that caught my eye during my last visit.

Top location for street art lovers are  Kreuzberg, the area around Ostbahnhof (incl. East Side Gallery) and the 'Mauerpark' in the north of the city. You could also try out the Hidden Path tour.

Fabulous wall at the Gleisdreieck Metro station in Kreuzberg.

I LOVE YOU - Am Ostbahnhof  

In the hood of Dom Pérignon

"Dom Pierre Pérignon, O.S.B., (c. 1638–1715) was a French Benedictine monk who made important contributions to the production and quality of Champagne wine in an era when the region's wines were predominantly still and red. Popular myths frequently, but erroneously, credit him with the invention of sparkling Champagne, which didn't become the dominant style of Champagne until mid-19th century.
The famous champagne Dom Pérignon, the préstige cuvée of Moët & Chandon, is named after him." - Wikipedia

Travel Impressions of London

 
It must have been 10 years since I last went to London with my parents. I remember taking the car and more excitingly the ferryboat, from Ostend to Dover. Nowadays, less than 2 hours of train lands you in the centre of this vibrant capital. I hope the Brussels politicians do that too sometimes, because my travel impressions from London read a bit like a "what Brussels could learn from London" guide.

Travel Impressions of Brazil

I've always thought of this blog as a bit  of a travel blog, but I've realised the occasional travel impressions are about all what's left of it. Living abroad proved more resourceful than the occasional travel. Anyway, after my latest travel to the South of Brasil + Rio de Janeiro, I'm happy to share some shots that caught my eye.

The visit of President Obama to Rio created quite a fuzz on Copacabana beach, with some half baked's spicing up the gathering.

Travel Impressions of Warsaw

In order to get a slight bit of continuity in this blog, I'll complete the "Travel Impressions series" with some shots of Warsaw, Poland, and later on Brasil as well, as I neglected to do that some months ago.

Travel Impressions of Paris

-nihilism dans le 4ième.-

 

la seine.

-"Il sont fous ces romains"-

-art installation at Paris Nord. representing some ascension or something, going up, blowing smoke and playing Gregorian choir music...

Travel Impressions of Zaragoza

Not in the mood to describe my past weekend in detail, but it was great. I hope the travel impressions reflect that. Here is a piece of Zaragoza.

España

wind turbines 30km outside Zaragoza

viva el capitalismo

cathedral of Zaragoza

Goya, the painter from Zaragoza

view on Basilica

Tabacos

Travel impressions of India

Another post with some travel impressions of our journey through India

Tropical birds in Agra

I really wonder how they guarantee the 'No Pain' at this piercing shop in Udaipur

Construction works on the highway towards Mumbai

A Rolls Royce in the streets of Mumbai

Sunset in Hampi, Karnataka

Besides fat tourists, also real pigs in Goa

Crossing the river in Hampi, 2 motorcycles + 4 bikes+10 people. By the time you reach the other shore the basket is half filled with water...

Colours of India

God is Love

vegetable portions on the market in Kochin, Kerala

Travel Impressions of India

Some impressions of traveling through India

The Hairdresser in Amritsar had no clue how to make a mohawk, this was his first attempt. A very funny episode....

The first hour in the sleeper train you are actually still able to smile. The smile gradually fades as more and more people start to stare, remove their shoes, start putting Hindi music, spit or don't succeed in shutting their babies up during the night. Luckely the smile returns once out of the train :)

Boys swimming in the Ganges, Varanasi


Mmmm, Mutton in Old Delhi


With Shankar, Officer at Raj Ganj, Delhi



Me, riding on a Cycle Rickshaw in Agra, the driver and Leti in the backseat.


People celebrating Mother India at Pakistani Border, Attari


Close up of the Taj Mahal, Agra.



No Torch in Tibet - Protest in McLeod Ganj



Hanuman, the Monkey God, Shimla