Buying Tulip Bulbs near Keukenhof (The Netherlands)

21 May, 2015 | Travel guides | 24 seen

If you are the person who loves to bring flower seeds or bulbs from your travels abroad then you might find interesting my experience buying flower bulbs and perennial near Keukenhof's Garden in Netherlands. At first I must admit I'm absolutely not a flower expert - I prefer photograph them, but as I learned at this nursery this topic is actually all about - it's never too late to learn. And maybe even I have a green fingers.

I tried to buy here a tulip bulbs, but I was informed that it's not a good idea to plant a bulb in April (I paid a visit here at the end of April 2015), instead I should come back in October and then it's a good idea to plant a bulb. As I said - I'm not an expert, so don't judge me hard. Anyway I followed this advice and bought some other bulbs (not tulips, but have no idea actually). In total we spent here EUR 25.00  got a 3 sacks of some bulbs (which are already planted) and some bulbs (perhaps even a tulip) as a gift. And yes, a free vase with a tulip as well.

This plant nursery is lcoated in the town of Lisse some 2 km from Keukenhof's garden. You should see it form highway if approaching Leiden - Lisse road.…

Keukenhof Tulip (Flower) Garden in Netherlands

20 May, 2015 | Tourism objects | 56 seen

Keukenhof is a paradise for flower lovers and especially for those ones who are into tulips. Keukenhof is located in province of South Holland in Netherlands in town of Lisse. One of the reasons people spend money and travel here from all around the world is a blooming season of tulips.

I actually learnt a few interesting facts about tulips here. Like the origin of tulips comes from South Caucasus. And of course I practiced my photography skills here. 

In short: Keukenhof is the most beautiful spring garden in the world. More than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths fill over 32 hectares with color and fragrance. Read more: www.keukenhof.nl/en or read more about Keukenhof at the end of this photo post.

In total I made about 1000 photos here, I would love to add them all to blog, but just 136 survived to you. I believe this is the largest (longest) photo story I have ever created (yet)

Parking lot at Keukenhof

It wouldn't be a Holland if there were no cyclists, right? 

Keukenhof Holland

You may notice a portrait of all time great painter there of…

Leiden - A Lovely Dutch City in South Holland

19 May, 2015 | Travel guides | 22 seen

We arrived at a lovely city of Leiden in Netherlands from Düsseldorf Germany. Frankly speaking I hadn't  before heard the name of Leiden, and I'm glad I learned something new.

The reason we headed to Leiden was simple, according to some sources here starts the Bloemen Route (Flower route) to Keukenhof's flower garden. So we arrived at Leiden and I found this city lovely enough to add to my blog.

By learning more about this city I discovered that this city hosts the oldest University in Netherlands and even Albert Einstein has spent some time here.

I wish I knew it before I left this city, but know I have a good reason to return here.

Leiden, Netherlands

Beautiful yard in Leiden, Netherlands

At this point I was guessing Leiden is just some small town somewhere close to sea.. I was a bit shocked when we continued our drive through this city:

Channel in Leiden, Netherlands

Suddenly we got lost in some dead end street with a lovely view. Previous time I was in Netherlands some 7 years ago, I was in Amsterdam, back from that trip I remember Amsterdam looked the…

Bastion Hotel Dusseldorf Neuss Review

17 May, 2015 | Hotel reviews | 13 seen

We ended our first day in Germany at hotel Bastion located in a small town called Neuss close to a larger Dusseldorf. I must admit we had a problems to find this location, but it was my fault not hotels. I didn't know how to enter address on our rental cars navigation system, so we did have a drive "on blind".

After a several stops at gas stations and asking for a correct directions to Jagenbergstraße we find this hotel. We lost around 3 hours, but it was even a bit fun.

Anyway back to the subject - Bastion Hotel - in short it's a typical American standard motel, located close to highway, so it's better you have a car, before you book it. I like these motel places, they are comfortable and cheap. During my stay at this hotel they had a free Wi-Fi available.

I created a few pictures to better illustrate this hotel, please see them bellow:

Room at Hotel Bastion Neuss

Pretty much the basics. A bed, table and char, some free tea and coffee and a TV. All rooms at this Bastion Hotel are non-smoking only. 

Shower room at Bastion hotel

Simple and clean

Room at Bastion…

15 Most Recommended Hotels in Cadaques, Spain

16 May, 2015 | Hotel reviews | 34 seen

First Flush Tea Room in Bonn Review

16 May, 2015 | Restaurant reviews | 23 seen

Welcome to my second Germany's restaurant review. First one happened some 40 km South from Bonn in a lovely town of Andernach, back there I made a review about Italian style restaurant "Bellini".

First Flush Tea Room as it's name already suggests is more a tea room than a restaurant, but you can order some meal here as well.

First Flush Tea Room

This place is centrally located on Bonn's marketplace just next to Old Town Hall

Menu at First Flush Tea Room in Bonn

Porcelain cups at First Flush Tea Room

The thing is they are serving each tea in a different cup

Sugar-basin at First Flush Tea Room

Again, different sugar forms, staring small grains ending large ones. At first I thought it's some sea salt

Teapot at First Flush Tea Room

Each visitor is obligated to order a pot for himself, you are not allowed to share a pot here. Price for a teapot here is around EUR 7.00 and it's a lot of tea for person.

Real and delicious German sweets at First Flush Tea Room

First Flush Tea Room is centrally located in…

Marketplace and Old Town Hall in Bonn, Germany

14 May, 2015 | Tourism objects | 73 seen

One thing I like about travel photography it helps to recall those amazing places you have visited during your travels. So today looking through my travel photos I found an intereting place, I would even call it a gem - Bonn's Old Town Hall and marketplace near it.

In fact during my visit there I had no clue there is a marketplace actually. Cool right?

We just headed straight on Bongase street after I took a few photos of Beethoven's House of Birth, and actually we were looking for some cosy place to order our supper. 

A cyclist in Bonn's marketplace 

Old Town Hall and Obelisk

The old town hall in the Bonn marketplace was completed in Rococo style in around 1780. This three-storey building with gilded stairs leading down to the marketplace was reinvented as the setting for important events: Theodor Heuss, Charles de Gaulles, John F. Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II and Mikhail Gorbachev all gave speeches here.

The old town hall still serves as an office for the mayor and is used as a representative building. Great individuals such as Bill and Hillary Clinton, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa have all been…

Beethoven's House of Birth in Bonn, Germany

13 May, 2015 | Tourism objects | 139 seen

The idea to visit Beethoven's House of birth arrived from friend of us whom we earlier picked up in city of Koblenz. Honestly speaking I have no idea why he (friend) was so eager to see this place because in fact we didn't see anything more than just a usual dwelling house and a street table on that house indicating that indeed a maestro of all times Ludwig Van Beethoven was born here a few centuries ago.

No don't get me wrong - I'm not trying to deny a Beethoven after all his "Ode to Joy" is an official anthem of European Union, but that's all my knowledge ended here. I even didn't knew which century Ludwig Van Beethoven lived in. Now I know - it was the 18 century he born (17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827).

Anyhow - in case you are wondering how a house were Ludwig Van Beethoven did born looks like, please see a few photos bellow I managed to take on a lovely Bonngasse street in Germany.

Bonngasse street in Bonn, Germany

Just a regular street pretty much in German style. As you can see even contruction works are held just opposite to Beethoven's house of birth. At the end of Bonngasse street some (perhaps you…

Poppelsdorf Palace And Its Surroundings In Bonn, Germany

12 May, 2015 | Tourism objects | 66 seen

We hadn't any plans to visit this lovely and former capital city of West Germany Bonn. Our friend who is living in Germany and we picked up him earlier this day in Koblenz insisted we should visit some place were some Mozart (well actually Ludwig von Beethoven) were born and it turned out to be a city of Bonn. We arrived here at Bonn from a lovely town on the banks of Rhine river Andernach, and parked our car in some residential area - turned out just next to a place which I latter learned is called a Poppelsdorf Palace.

Since I have been lately into to improving my photographer skills I just couldn't resist to try to make here some shots. Unfortunetly we were a bit on rush, so best I could get our of my camera is displayed bellow. I believe if you have more time you can take a really impressive photos here.

A channel near Poppelsdorf Palace

Anything what mirrors back from water look fantastic right? 

A channel near Poppelsdorf Palace

Ahh, if I had just a little bit more time here and a good tripod...

Street table in Bonn, Germany

Poppelsdorf…

Restaurant 'Bellini' In Andernach, Germany

10 May, 2015 | Restaurant reviews | 18 seen

Restaurant Bellini is an Italian style restaurant located in the spectacular German town of Andernach (some 20 km North from Koblenz).

You can find my first impressions of this lovely town located on the banks of Rhine river here: Andernach - A Lovely German Town On The Banks Of Rhine

I must admit neither me, neither us we were looking for an Italian style restaurant here in Germany, it just turned out that you will find more Italian, Greek or Thai cuisine than real German sauerkraut and sausage while in Germany.

In fact, I like Italian cuisine very much, so let's get back to the subject - Restaurant Bellini in Andernach.

Large bottles at Restaurant Bellini

As usual in Germany, you will find a garden dwarf or a garden dwarf cook here as well. Grappa or Jagermeister, sure they serve it here.

Menu at Restaurant Bellini

It's written in German, but it's not a problem to understand this German/Italian language. Although staff members speak only German. A friend of mine asked the waiter - so are you a German or Italian? He replied neither. Turned out he was a nice Bulgarian guy speaking…

Andernach - A Lovely German Town On The Banks Of Rhine

9 May, 2015 | Tourism objects | 267 seen

Andernach indeed is one of the loveliest German towns I have visited lately. In fact, I haven't visited Germany a lot. We arrived here after picked up a friend in Koblenz.

The town of Andernach is located just some 20 km North of Koblenz. I know some will find it strange to leave a city of Koblenz not seeing it much (just a railway station and a few elevated roads) but that;s the way I (we) like it. I believe we will return to Koblenz some other time.

I was very surprised by seeing Germany what I seen here at Rhineland, it was a Germany I hadn't seen before.

Original story and photos are from May 2015, with little photo-editing (post-processing) in December 2018. For a complete trip, see My Germany and The Netherlands Travel Guide: also I have updated story about tour in the Mossel Valley 3 day leisure trip to Germany (The Mossel Valley)

Some Castle Tower in the city of Andernach

Should I complain here - a tripod is a must have accessory if you are up for a good photography? Well, it all happened in a bit rush that I was lucky enough to shoot this picture from Andernach. 

City plan…

The Orthodox Church of Kuldiga

7 May, 2015 | Churches and Monasteries | 21 seen

I have been lately a lot in church photography. Perhaps Georgia as an Orthodox country has learned me this lesson. Churches are interesting for photography, I believe it's pretty hard to take a decent image of a church by not using some good lenses and a tripod. Churches looks great from a distance, they are majestic and impressive. 

Kuldiga Orthodox Church

As I have been taught and have find many times - a tripod is a must have for the landscape photography, unfortunately I haven't yet get a decent one, so this is a shot I made by hand. Actually I made some 20 other,but just this picture survived till the end.

Kuldiga Orthodox Church Tower

Some nice perspective. Those crosses on brick wall looks amazing, right?

Servings at Kuldiga Orthodox Church

Yellow church cupola 

Ahh, just another attempt of creating art

Kuldīga Orthodox Church and park

Doesn't it looks like a mini Kremlin for you? I believe in wintertime around Christmas this park around orthodox church is decorated and a real Christmas atmosphere is created here. Maybe I'm wrong…

Daigas Bakery In Kuldiga

6 May, 2015 | Restaurant reviews | 60 seen

Daigas Bakery (Daigas beķereja) is one of my favourite bakery places in Kuldiga. The reason is plain simple - the pastries Daiga and her team is baking here are one of the best in the whole region and I'm not afraid to say - they are among the best in Latvia.

Discovered by accident in the summer of 2014, Daigas Bakery has found its way to my heart instantly. When I'm visiting the town of Kuldīga - Daigas bakery is a must-have. And I mean it!

The bakery is located on Liepājas street 26 in a small courtyard

Inside bakery it's a really tiny though cosy place. There are 2 tables and maximum 8 people can sit around them

Although a sklandrausis is a part of traditional Latvian cuisine I first tried it just a year ago, and indeed it happened at Daigas bakery. It's filling is made from grated carrots. Here is a bit better explanation of what Sklandrausis actually is:

Sklandrausis is a traditional dish in Latvian cuisine which has a Livonian origin, but it is known by Latvians for many years. It is a sweet pie, made of rye dough and filled with potato and carrot paste and seasoned with a caraway. Read: Sklandrausis

I'm not…

Confectionery 'Kukulītis' in Kuldīga

5 May, 2015 | Restaurant reviews | 24 seen

One thing I really enjoy at small Latvian towns - they offer a charm and a personal touch. And you will find a lot of from both in the town of Kuldīga located in Western Latvia.

On a lovely Wednesday morning I was doing some random photography around Kuldīga Old Town when I noticed this lovely confectionery shop 'Kukulītis' - literally meaning "a loaf" located on Liepajas street 35.

I was so impressed of it, that I went straight in, asked for permission to do a few shots, so I can share this lovely place to you:

Building in which "Kukulītis" is located in

Lovely right?

Buns and pastry at Kukulītis store

Ahh, those are pretty typical Latvian buns and pastries. I find them a bit unhealthy, but hell they are tasting also.

Latvian bread for sale at "Kukulītis" store

Simple yet effective corner to enjoy a bun and cup of coffee

Soda and water for sale at Kukulitis store

I didn't try anything here, so I cannot tell did I enjoyed or not. But I'm sure everything here is tasty, the prices seems reasonable. If you are walking around Kuldīga Old Town and are thirsty…

Blog Monthly Online Income Report - April 2015 - $362.53

3 May, 2015 | Blogging | 34 seen

Welcome to my monthly blog income report. This is the 16th report so far.

I'm doing those report since start of 2014 and they (reports) help me track my online success or failures. I hope they can inspire you as well. Now, if you are a person reading just titles then I must steal another second or minute of your precious time. The thing is - I made a bit more than just $362.53 but to learn more about that you should continue reading.

In total I earned $733.53 what is a increase of  18.47% if compared to previous month

$733.53 in a month equals to $26.54 per day

So far so good, right?

Although blogging is not my full time profession (Drupal Development is) it makes a pretty decent money for me, so I decided to compare how would my earnings would stand against minimum and average salaries in European Union.

It turns out in April I earned about a minimum wage in Portugal and a bit more than average salary in Latvia

Blog traffic report April 2015 (Data source: Google Analytics)

April was a little bit slower month than March and in…