Spreewald

The Spreewald (German for "Spree Woods"; in Lower Sorbian: Błota) is a picturesque section of the German state of Brandenburg located about 100 km south-east of Berlin. Spreewald was designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1991. It is known for its traditional irrigation system, consisting of more than 200 small canals (called "Fließe"; total length: 1,300 km ) within the 484-square-kilometre (187 sq mi) area. The landscape was shaped during the ice-age. Alder forests on wetlands and pine forests on sandy dry areas are characteristic for the region. Grasslands and fields can be found as well.

The Spreewald is a treasure.  A must see and do.  Here is why:

First get a fine group of people to share the Spreewald with.  In my case I had my wife (Celia), brother (Sven), uncle (Harry), and three cousins (Doerte, Silka, and Nicole) join me.  Second rent kayaks!  Affordable, fun, it is the best way to paddle around the Spreewald and truly enjoy it.  Here we are getting instructions from the guy renting kayaks to us.  Everyone is not listening cause we are counting on Sven to listen and be our guide.  Little did we know he was tuned out as well.  Great. No problem we still managed to find our way back.

I promised to paddle my Uncle Harry around and he held me to my promise.  Was a pleasure and a great work out.

Doerte and Silka are funny and a lot of fun.  They were constantly talking in German while Celia was constantly talking in English with Nicole.  Meanwhile Harry, Sven and I grunted a few words here and there.  No matter the language or culture girls talk more than boys.

Harry and I drifting through the canals of the Spreewald.

Sven our fearless leader taking a few pics.

Celia taking a selfie with Nicole.

It costs 12 Euros each to be jammed on a boat like this and pushed around a very small part of the Spreewald.  Not recommended.

We eventually paddled on canals well away from the crowds.  The peace was serene and tranquil.

My cousins letting me do all the work.

Peaceful.

A consultation or rather a debate on where we are.

We eventually found our way back to the lovely village in the middle of the Spreewald...

...once there we rested at a restaurant and enjoyed matjes (raw herring) and fried potatoes.

After lunch we paddled on past lovely houses and scenery.

Awesome.  It was a great day paddling with family through the Spreewald.

Spreewald is great!

Have a great week.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Luebeck

Lübeck (pronounced [ˈlyːbɛk] ( listen)) is a city in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany, and one of the major ports of Germany. On the river Trave, it was the leading city of the Hanseatic League, and because of its extensive Brick Gothic architecture is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In 2015, it had a population of 218,523.

The old part of Lübeck is on an island enclosed by the Trave. The Elbe–Lübeck Canal connects the Trave with the Elbe River. Another important river near the town centre is the Wakenitz.

My Dear Great Ones,

Celia and I enjoyed a great day with our Uncle Hermann and Aunt Dorte in Luebeck.  Must sees are the Holstentor,  Niederegger Marzipan cafe,  St. Mary's Church, and meandering through the the Alt Stadt to check out the great architecture.

Holstentor.  On all Neidegger Marzipan packages,  this landmark is a very interesting building with one of its towers leaning in.  Inside is a museum of middle ages torture techniques.  Yuck.  Stay outside.

Niederegger Marzipan 

Marzipan heaven!

Marzipan torte.

Euros were on and  the Marzipan was keeping track of Germany's results. 

They also sell bread in Luebeck.  Awesome.

St. Mary's Church.  Amazing!

The church was bombed during the war and the bells came crashing down.  New ones were put up but this remains as a remembrance to the war.

The houses and architecture in Luebeck is amazing.

A lovely courtyard between the buildings.

Lunch was charming in Luebeck with my wonderful Tante Dorte, Onkel Hermann, and wife Celia.

Luebeck is a great place and a must do if you are in northern Germany.

Have a great week!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

My German Family

My Dear Great Ones,

I have a wonderful family in Germany who are encouraging, generous, smart, and at times very funny.  It was great visiting them recently.  The fact I can call them family is amazing considering  I grew up in another country and continent with a different culture, language, and political system.  For a while Canada was an enemy of the old DDR, German Democratic Republic, where many of my German family were born and spent the majority of their lives in.  Yet despite all that, family bonds are stronger and my life is a lot better having a wonderful German family who welcome me, every time I visit them, with plenty of love, German buns, cake, great little trips, and the best beer in the World.  Thank you.  I love you all. 

Meine Lieben,

Ich habe eine wundervolles Familie in Deutschland.  Sie sind sehr ermutigend, grosszugig, schlau, und manchmal sehr witzig.  Es war toll mal sie Wiederzusehen.  Das ich sie Familie nennen kann ist erstaunlich weil ich in ein anderen Land und Kontinent mit ein ganz andere Kultur, Sprache, und Politische System aufgewachsen bin.  Fur eine zeit war auch Kanada einen Fiend mit der DDR wo die meisten von meiner Deutsche Familie geboren und aufgewachsen sind.  Trotzdem ist Familien Bindung starker und mein leben ist viel besser weil ich eine Deutsche Familie habe die mich begrussen, jedes mal das ich sie Besuche, mit viel liebe, Brotchen, Kuchen,  tolle kleine Ausfluge, und das beste Bier in die Welt.  Danke schon.  Ich liebe euch alle.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk     

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk