Maria Laach Abbey, Maria Laach, Germany

Maria Laach Abbey, or Abtei Maria Laach or Kloster Maria Laach, is a Benedictine abbey in northwestern Germany. Picturesquely located on the wooded shores of a crater lake, Maria Laach's abbey church is a beautiful and important example of German Romanesque architecture.

The Abbey of Maria Laach was founded in 1093 by the Count Palatine of the Rhine Heinrich II and his wife Adelheid. They were unable to have children and donated what would have been spent on a dowry on the foundation of a monastery across the lake from their castle.

The foundation was accepted and overseen by the Archbishop of Trier and the first monks came from the monastery of St. Maximin nearTrier. Built on the west side of the lake now known as the Laacher See, the monastery became known as the Abbatia ad Lacum, "Lake Abbey."

Petra, Jordan

Petra is an archaeological site in the Arabah, Ma'an Govornate, Jordan lying on the slope of Mount Hor in the basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah (Wadi Araba), the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. It is well known for its rock cut architecture and is one of the new seven wonders of the world. The Nabataeans constructed it as their capital city in 100 BCE.

This is primarily a walking trip so make sure to wear comfy shoes and a hat, sunscreen and bring a lot of water. It also apprarently takes four to five days to actually see everything. The treasury, which is what people normally think of is just the start. There is also a Roman style theater and over 500 tombs.

Within the site there are also two excellent museums; the Petra Archaeological Museum and the Petra Nabataean Museum both of which represent finds from excavations in the Petra region and an insight into Petra's colourful past.

A 13th century shrine, built by the Mameluk Sultan Al Nasir Mohammad to commemorate the death of Aaron, the brother of Moses, can be seen on top of Mount Aaron in the Sharah range.

Inside the site, several artisans from the town of Wadi Musa and a nearby Bedouin settlement have set up small stalls selling local handicrafts, such as pottery and Bedouin jewellery and bottles of striated multi-coloured sands from the area. There is also a "Petra by Night" tour, which begins at the Petra Visitor's Centre at around 8:30 p.m.(1630 GMT), takes visitors on a tour along a candle-lit path leading to the centre of the historic city.

If you don’t want to walk, you can hire a horse or a horse-drawn carriage to take you through the one kilometre Siq. For the elderly and/or handicapped, the Visitors' Centre, close to the entrance of the Siq, will issue a special permit (at an extra fee), for the carriage to go inside Petra to visit the main attractions. Once inside the site, you can hire a donkey, or for the more adventurous, a camel - both come with handlers and take designated routes throughout the site.

A brief list of Do’s and Don'ts to help visitors fit in with the locals!
Do shake hands when meeting people, conservative veiled women may not reach out.
Do stand up when greeting others.
When finished with your cup of Arabic coffee, do shake your cup from side to side in order to let your host know that you do not wish to drink more. If more coffee is desired, then simply hold your cup out to the person carrying the coffeepot.
Do accept when Arabic coffee is offered to you by your host, as coffee is an important cultural symbol of hospitality, simultaneously extended and accepted as an act of reciprocated goodwill.
Do carry plenty of loose change with you, as many Jordanians usually do not carry adequate change.
Do tip waiters approximately 10% gratuity in addition to the bill (unless service charge is included within the total bill).
Do round your taxi fare up to the nearest tenth when paying your driver.
Do haggle with merchants when shopping.
Do dress conservatively when exploring public areas of Jordan.
Do be aware that Arabs tend to stand a fraction of the distance closer when conversing than people do in the West.

Do feel free to consume alcoholic beverages, but not in outside public areas.

Don't interrupt, or pass in front of, a Muslim who may be praying in a public place.
Don't openly consume food, beverages, or cigarettes in public places during the holy month of Ramadan.
Don't dress provocatively when walking outdoors.
Don't panic if an acquaintance "pecks" you on the cheeks when greeting you, as Arabs have traditionally kissed each other on both cheeks as a warm gesture of welcome and affection.
Don't feel uncomfortable if your host insists on "over feeding" you during a meal, as Arabs traditionally view food as an important symbol of hospitality, generosity, and goodwill – the more the better!

Don't feel that you are required to tip your taxi driver, as tipping in such a scenario is not necessary, but is certainly appreciated.

Jordan Tourism Board:
http://na2.visitjordan.com/visitjordan-na/

Virtual Tour of Petra:
http://www.raingod.com/angus/Gallery/Photos/MiddleEast/Jordan/Petra/index.html

Meteora Monasteries, Kalambaka, Greece

The word Meteora means literally 'hovering in the air' which suits as the name for these monasteries in Kalambaka, Greece.The area of Meteora was originally settled by monks who lived in caves within the rocks during the 11th Century. But as the times became more unsure during an age of Turkish occupation, they climbed higher and higher up the rock face until they were living on the inaccessable peaks where they were able to build by bringing material and people up with ladders and baskets and build the first monasteries. This was also how the monasteries were reached until the nineteen twenties! However, now there are roads, pathways and steps to the top.

There are a number of different monasteries in the area such as, the Agia Triada, Varlaam Monastery, Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas, Roussanou Monastery, Megalo Meteoro, and Agios Stefanos is the only convent in Meteora.

There is a 2 euro fee to enter each of the monasteries and proper attire is required. Women must wear skirts below the knees though in some monasteries these are provided for women in shorts or slacks. Men's arms must be covered and they must wear long pants. Monasteries are closed between one and three every day. The monasteries themselves, besides providing an incredible view are full of religious treasures, wall paintings, icons and libraries rich in old manuscripts. Most of them were built in the 1500's and then added to over the centuries.

Mont Saint-Michel, France

Le Mont Saint-Michel is a rocky tidal island and a commune in Normandy, France. It is located approximately one kilometre off the country's north coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island is 50, which is about the same as my home town so I can relate. However, based on how pretty it is I don't doubt that the amount of tourists at least triple the population everyday. It was also one of the first places to become a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

Mont Saint-Michel has a very expansive history starting all the way in the sixth and seventh centuries as an Armorican stronghold or Romano-Breton culture and power. Before the construction of the first monastic establishment in the 8th century, the island was called "monte tombe". According to legend, St. Michael the Archangel appeared to St. Aubtert, Bishop of Avranches, in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet. Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel's instruction, until St. Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger. Better do as St. Michael tells you. The Benedictine Abbey became an important pilgrimage site.

Access to the island is by car, bus, train and by bike. Yes, bike. Free parking and beautiful views, it takes about 20mins from Pontorson along the causeway.Which sounds like nice ride, particularly if you do not have cyclophobia like me. Yes, stupid fear I know. Once on the island the only way to get around it on foot. The Porte de l'Avancée, the main gate at the end of the causeway, leads straight to the Grande Rue, which is packed chock-a-block with souvenir shops and tourists. Escape right up the stairs to the ramparts, which are a little less packed and offer great views of the mudflats. The lesser-used Porte Eschaugette, to the left of the main gate, is the quietest route up. All three routes converge at the Abbey on top of the island. I personally am thinking the Porte Eschaugette because I like to be alone with my thoughts, but you can use whichever route suits you and I'll meet you at the Abbey.

Abbey of Mont Saint Michel (L'Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel), once a humble little monastery, the island and its fortifications have effectively grown up around this. The Abbey has Romanesque crypts and nave there is a Flamboyant Gothic choir. During the French Revolution, the abbey was used a prison, and an extensive restoration was required to restore it. A few prison-era showpieces, like the human hamster wheel used to lift supplies in and out of the complex, have been kept. Prisoners include Victor Hugo. Mass is celebrated daily except Monday at 12.15PM. There is also the Notre-Dame Sous Terre Chapel. The Carolingian church named Chapelle Notre-Dame-sous-Terre or Our Lady underground was built around 966 by the first Benedictine monks at the very place of the oratory erected by Saint-Aubert in the early 18th century.

As for food, the culinary specialties of Mont Saint Michel are omelettes, whipped until frothy and light, and saltmarsh lamb (agneau de Pré Salé) dishes from the sheep that wander around the coast. Which is probably delicious except I do not like eggs, but I'll try anything one. I, however, must have pastries if I'm in France. I'm thinking an Apricot Tarte. And for you?

Extra Info on the Abbey:
Open 2 May - 30 August 9am-7pm (last admission 6pm), 1 September - 30 April 9:30am-6pm (last admission 5pm), admission (unguided visits): €8.5 adult, €5 18-25 yrs (free for citizens of the EU), and free for under 18s. closed 1 January, 1 May and 25 December, €4 audio guide (French, English, German, Spanish, Italian).

Ghana

Yes, just Ghana. I didn't pick a city. I just decided to do the whole nation in one big go. I may come back to it someday if I find something interesting that I did not mention. Ghana is a place that I don't think most people would think of for a vacation, but it has a lot of interesting things to offer and is suppose to be one of the safer West African countries. It could be one of the safest countries in Africa for all I know. However, I think that it would be a wonderful and interesting experience. The Approximate exchange rates as of today were:

1 USD to 1. 46 Cedi
1 Pound to 2.42 Cedi
1 Euro to 2.07 Cedi

So overall looking favorable to overseas travelers such as myself. Anyways on to the actual mental traveling because even at that rate I still can't afford it. But on the bright side I can't get malaria from just thinking about being in Ghana, nor can I get sick off the water.

Starting in Western Ghana there is the stilt village of Nzulezo, which looks to be an interesting place to visit. The preferred travel method is canoes, which carry approximately five adults and visitors are expected to help paddle. They carry visitors through the Mangrove Forests and across Lake Tadane to the village everyday but Thursday. There is also a Hippo Sanctuary near here. The cute, but deadly Hippo.

On to Central Ghana where Kakum National Park is. It's the largest area of preserved rain forest in the entire country and it has a canopy walk, which is apparently the "touristy" thing do do when visiting. Which is best experienced in early morning. A guided walk through the forest at ground level is also available, and the guides are supposed to be very knowledgeable about the plants and animal life you will see. Which are apparently mostly birds and insects. Yay birds! Boo hiss insects. There is apparently a Monkey Forest Resort, animal sanctuary and restaurant, nearby as well. Central Ghana on the coastal region is also known for its beaches. Personally more interesting to myself since I burn is Cape Coast Castle, which is one of several slave forts on the coast and a UNESCO world heritage site. Also in the town of Elmina is Elmina castle, which was a notorious slave fort. The museum in side is apparently of the same tone as the Holocaust museum so...

Upon hitting West Africa we reach the area known for Mole National Park. It is well known for its elephants and it is apparently forbidden to walk around outside motel grounds without a armed ranger. I suppose that means you might end up a snack if you don't or possibly trampled by a Elephant.Mole has the widest range of wildlife in Ghana. You'll see elephants, antelope, bushbucks, monkeys, warthogs, baboons and other smaller wildlife. It is rumored that lions exist in the park but even the wardens haven't seen any traces for a few years, but I would still take that armed ranger just to be sure. The last lion sighting in August 2004 was immediately followed by serious poaching incident resulting in the capture and killing of a male lion the following day. Don't think this area is just for the animal lovers, the nearby Larabanga has the oldest, and best preserved example of a mud and stick mosque in Ghana. Although it is worth a visit if you are going to Mole, but you are not allowed inside. If you are interested in mud and stick mosques, it is a better bet to visit the ones in the Upper West region.

One of the things I'm oddly excited about that I keep seeing as I research is Fufu, the most widely served traditional dish, which consists of pounded balls of yam, plantain, or cassava served with soup, and a side of goat meat or fish. I think I'll take the Fish. And apparently food is really cheap in Ghana so eat up!

Venice, Italy

This is the place I've wanted to be for the past week. I was just there in April and it was amazing and I'm ready to go back and spend some more time shopping for glass and eating great Italian food. I miss prosciutto. I could get it on pizza and sandwiches. It was amazing. I know it's not that healthy so its a good thing that I'm gone. However, I can eat as much prosciutto in my mind as I wish because it's like e-food. That gives off e-calories, which doesn't make me gain weight. Well maybe the e-me. :D

Anyways back to Venice. Basilica di San Marco is a must while you're there. It's like a gold platted wonder on the inside. It's the bastard child of Renaissance Architecture and Byzantine. It's gorgeous. I would recommend footing the extra few Euro for the treasury too. There are some pretty interesting things in there. And of course it is the location of the Pala d'Oro, for all those Art History buffs. The Pala d' Oro is the high alter retable. It's a gorgeous masterpiece of Byzantine craftsmanship.

Last time I went to Murano, the glass island. Always worth the trip, you could buy an entire symphony made of glass. I went shopping on the Rialto bridge and got a great glass quill. There's a nice little shop full of them there. And most of the shops carry little things like glass rings that are usually affordable. I also visited the Doge's Palace, which was very nice and had some beautiful rooms if you're in to looking at old architecture and antique furniture. The Archaeological museum was pretty fun too. And unfortunately the Bridge of Sighs was under construction so I didn't get to see it as well, I did go across it though.

This time, however, I want to visit the not only the Bridge of Sighs, which is no longer under construction (at least in my mind), but I also want to visit the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, which has a very cool looking outer spiral staircase. I think an afternoon coffee at Caffe Florian would be a good idea, before deciding to make the trek up St. Mark's Campanile, which is the belltower, to get a good view. If I still have time I might hope on the water taxi over to the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. I've heard there is a gondola museum, which sounds like a unique sight to see. Of course as a art history buff I'd have to visit the church of San Giorgio Maggiore, which was designed by Palladio. And if there is a show on at the Teatro Verde, which is on the island. That may be the end to the great day. Fill in some pizza and prosciutto and it will be perfect.

And as always some extra information...yay wikipedia?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_di_San_Marco
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pala_d%27Oro
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caff%C3%A8_Florian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Contarini_del_Bovolo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Giorgio_Maggiore

Visby, Sweden

Today I wish I were in Visby, Sweden. It looks like a great city on the island of Gotland in Sweden. Why Visby you may ask? Well for one it should be cooler and less humid there than it is where I am and secondly it just looks like a great vacation spot. Which it apparently is for many Scandinavians every year and August is apparently when tourist season is at its peak there. It has a lot of historical interest from the Vikings to the Hanseatic League. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site and is arguably the best preserved medieval city in Scandinavia.

It has a city wall that they call the Ringmuren or "the Ring Wall", which encircles the city and the old church ruins of St. Katarina's which are also there. Both look mighty picturesque. If you appreciate old ruins and food like I do a lunch or maybe some tea or coffee at the Cafe that St. Hans and St. Per has been turned into would be a nice place for a rest. Which, if they have sounds like a great place for a Saffron pancake, which is a Gotland specialty. Oven made pancake with saffron and rice pudding, served with whiped cream and salmbärs jam. Yum!

Another interesting place to visit is the 12th century Cathedral dedicated to St. Mary. It has these really awesome black roof things that to me are like the Swedish version of the Russian Onions maybe. I love churches and this one looks like it would be really unique and worth the visit.

More information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visby
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/731
http://www.destination360.com/europe/sweden/visby

Notice: Images confiscated from http://catrinr.typepad.com/everyday_life/travel/ they do not belong to me. I have never been to Sweden, but maybe one day.

The Wanderlust Mind

I like so many people now days are poor. So poor that I cannot afford to travel, but I do have a fertile imagination and I am going to use it. This blog is going to be the places I wish I were instead of where I am that particular day, unless that particular place is worth sharing. *shrugs* This is going to be a little bit of a journey and you're welcome along for the trip. Comments welcome, please be nice particularly if I get some information wrong. I try to do the best I can researching, but sometimes we all miss things. First post disclaimer/description done and on to the traveling!

I think I'll do a couple today to get things started and then I'll switch to just one a day unless I have a particularly wandering mind.