Paris La France

Ratianda´s correspondent from The Netherlands and her husband went to Paris in France. Paris. The most romantic city to visit? Yes it is! The perfect city to visit during your wedding anniversary? Yes it is!

Friends from Malaysia visit Germany and Switserland

Ratianda's correspondent from The Netherlands had the pleasure to interview her good friends from Malaysia who returned from their European trip. After visiting The Netherlands Mrs. Goh and her husband Mr. Goh went to Tuttlingen in Germany and Switserland. Mrs. Goh works for a company in Malaysia whose headquarters is located in Tuttlingen in Germany (and offices in Switserland).

Raitianda's correspondent (RC):
So Mrs. Goh how was your work and visit to Tuttlingen? You brought along your husband Mr. Goh, how so?

Mrs. & Mr. Goh (MG):
It was fantastic visiting Germany again! This was my 4th trip you know. It was great meeting my European colleagues again. We have alot of e-mail contact so it's nice to see the persons behind the e-mails. Yes, I brought along my husband. This was his first trip to Europe you know.

RC:
That is so nice MG! So Mr. Goh, can you describe your first impressions about Germany? Mrs. Goh was busy working so you had to do the sightseeing on your own.


MG:
My first impression. Well I don't speak German you know. So I had to use sign language! I had fun on my own and walked the whole day while Mrs. Goh was working. And when my wife wasn't working, we did some sightseeing together. Actually I walked 2 whole days!

RC:
Well I know Malaysia is known for the hot and spicy oriental food. So how did you manage with the German sausages, sauer kraut and kasier buns?

MG:
Yes, you are so right! The food was ok but very bland. We managed.

RC:
So what else did you do?

MG:
We also went to Switserland! We were not prepared for the snow there. It was our first time we saw and stood in the snow! We wore socks and sandals. And we loved it! We really hope to come back to Switserland again. We went to Luzern and to Zurich. Beautiful cities! We bought some Swiss chocolate too. Very very good.

RC:
I am so glad you  both enjoyed your visit to Germany and to Switserland. I hope to see you soon again, in The Netherlands or in Malaysia.

MG:
Thank you and we will keep in touch.

Venice - the must see and must go city in Italy -

Ratianda´s correspondent in The Netherlands loves to travel - as we all know - and enjoys viewing her holiday pictures taken in beautiful places she and her husband visited. One of the most beautiful cities she visited is Venice in Italy (not mistaken for Venice in Southern California mind you) and therfore she wants to share these pictures with you.

The city of Venice, Italy, is stunning and unique. Founded more than 1,500 years ago on 117 different islands, Venice is linked by a series of over 150 canals, 400 bridges and many ancient pavements. The historic city centre of Venice is divided into six quarters (sestieri) - Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Marco, San Polo and Santa Croce. All buildings in Venice are supported on slender oak and pine piles (posts) which are driven deep into the ground to create a solid foundation. 

There are loads of famous Venice attractions and sights to see. The Basilica San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica), the Piazza San Marco (San Marco Square) and the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace).

For lovers of fine cuisine - like Ratianda´s correspondent - Venice offers a wide selection of excellent restaurants serving delicious Italian food. Pasta and pizza has never tasted more devine than when eaten on the Piazza San Marco, in the shadows of the Basilica San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale.

The Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, is a long stretch of water running right through the city and is often referred to as 'the most beautiful street in the whole of Venice'. The first bridge ever built over the canal was the Rialto Bridge, which has since become one of the main symbols associated with this iconic Italian city. Travelling along this canal and the many others is a great way to see the city, and there are loads of different modes of travel available. Public transport consists mainly of water-buses (vaporetti) and there are also water-taxis (motoscafi), which are faster, more modern motorboats. Of course, who could think of Venice without picturing the well-known and much loved Italian gondolas!!!! What could be more romantic than a nighttime, moonlit trip along a Venetian canal? The atmosphere and reflections are quite unforgettable. So all you single unmarried ladies out there, now you know where to go on holiday with your boyfriend!

63rd Bloemen Corso, Haarlem (Flower Parade)

63rd Bloemen Corso, Haarlem (Flower Parade)

Here are pictures of the 63rd Bloemen Corso in Haarlem on 24th April 2010.
The theme this year is European travels and all the flowers are fresh.

Notice the sea horses, jelly fish & etc, all made out of different sorts of fresh flowers.
Took up almost the whole Saturday to Haarlem because the procession started at 9am at Noordhoutwijk and at 9pm they passed by at other places in Haarlem.
Together with the flower arrangements are people involved in this event that makes the flowers more life-like, like the car and such... Enjoy!

Brought to you by Columnist of Ratianda (The Netherlands).