Around Karmøy Island

The sky over Karmøy

My last walk around the beauty of Norway ... Karmøy Island is one of the most western points of Norway. It is located just south of Haugesund and about 70 km north of Stavanger. The island has two cities - Kopervik and Skudeneshavn, and also 4-5 villages. Amazing landscapes that left me speechless and even make it unreal to imagine how they'd look when all around is blue-green.

After a quick breakfast on the next morning (after we arrived from Bergen) we wended to the West side of the island, it was Friday and the road was not busy at all and only few cars passed along our way. Our first stop was Akrasanden Beach, about 8 km south of Kopervik. I really enjoyed the sandy bay with the winter sun that was peeking through the clouds. In summer time it gets up to 25 degrees (rarely) which is unacceptable for me for sunbathing but people here love that time of the year and enjoy it with pleasure. I'm sure I'd be happy to relax under the summer sun, even without entering the water.  

Little after Akrasanden we stopped at Ferkingstad - a real fishing village. The typical red and white houses as well as many boats were almost deserted because of the season. Summertime it gets more lividly when the fishermen move with their whole families as fishing is the main occupation in the village. Ferkingstad is also famous with the archaeology findings from the early Viking period. Even it has the name of King Ferking. 

And of course there were many birds completing the scenery.

Ferkingstad

We were driving south and my friend showed me the most beautiful beach around the island and one of his favorite places for relax and thinking - Sandcesanden Beach. It was rocky, cold and windy but I have no words to explain the emotion I felt there on the cliffs - I guess it was freedom! Neither the wind, nor the coldness could make me feel any bad. If I had the chance I could go there frequently, same as him just to calm watching the beautiful sea and the rocks. 

The rocks of Sandcesanden

Skudenshaven

In a while we were at the south-est point of the island - Skudenshaven (so complicated names!). The city is the main port at Karmøy. An interesting fact is that few years ago it has won the award "Summer resort of Norway" and of course people were very proud.
As I already mention, the day was Friday but the city seemed to be sleeping. I guess that most of the people work in the biggest city in the area. 

We were looking for a place to have a coffee but we couldn't find. We saw only one restaurant that was working few hours a day...so strange. Probably in summer gets more vivid.

The weather was nice so we walked around the streets and the bridges crossing the channels. We visited a local supermarket to buy some food and we went on. By the way, I saw a poster for zumba fitness so I guess Skudenshaven is not so empty and there are people dancing zumba (which a love, btw).

Around the streets

...and the channels

The east side of the island

Our car walk finished with a stop at the east side of the island. It looked completely different from the rocky west side. It was greener, warmer and sunnier. On the other side of the water I could see the main land. There, between the island and the main land, people were out on their boats for sailing in the nice weather.

The day was almost gone and we went back home, it was my last day on the West Norwegian Coast. 

On the next day my friend drove me to Stavanger where I had to take the plane back to Oslo and on the following day fly back to Bulgaria. The road was passing through spectacular views. We even used a ferry and so drivers can also enjoy the landscape. 

I thank to all the people that made my trip happen and helped me to discover even a part of The Beautiful Norway, and especially to my friend who took me around the west coast.
Honestly, I'm in love with the nature of that country! Enjoy some more pictures here.

The way to Stavanger

A couple of days in Bonn and Cologne

When I landed at the airport of Cologne/Bonn for the first time, I started to look at both cities as they were one, just because of the airport name without knowing much about them. Later, people were telling me that Cologne is much more beautiful than Bonn and that in Bonn there is nothing to see. That is totally not true – they’re both so different and interesting or at least the parts I saw. A month ago, I had the chance be taken around and I’m very satisfied of my experience.

View from Cologne Cathedral

The love bridge and the Cathedral

The first day of my weekend, my friend took me to Cologne for some shopping and of course to see the Cathedral Sts. Peter and Maria. I had already seen it before but only from outside as it had been closed. Now it was open and we entered – The Cathedral is huge and spacious and there were 2 big organs inside. Hundreds of tourists went in and out for the time we were there. The best emotion of that visit was climbing up one of the towers – 533 steps to the top in the narrow tower! People from the top were coming down in the same time we were climbing up and it was turn after turn…as my friend said: “The best part of every visit here is the adrenaline from that feeling”. On the top there was a great view to the whole city, Rheine and the bridges.

On our way to the Cathedral we passed through the Bridge of love – I haven’t seen so many love padlocks at one place! There we thousands of them in different colours and sizes. The lovers had written their names and the date of their anniversary or the date of “locking their love”. Even there was a couple on their wedding day taking photos there.

The colourful padlocks

Schildergasee - the shopping street

After that experience we went through the Shopping Street of Cologne. It was crowded in and outside the shops. We stopped for some classic pommes frites with mustard. Then, in a wonderful French pastry shop, we had amazing cakes, I wanted to try from everything but there was no space in my stomach anymore. Meanwhile we met two parties of girls that were out for a maiden party. The German girls has very interesting tradition when it is about the maiden party – the bride’s friends buy some candies, snacks, chewing gums, condoms, lollipops, little jewelries and the aim of the future bride is to sell them at the street. I was trying to take a photo of them while one of the girls saw me and started shouting in German running towards me. First I was shocked, thinking that she has something against but then I realized she wants to sell me something. After bargain a little bit I had a condom for 1 EUR. Everybody was happy at the end.

The Mayden Party Group

Poppelsdorfer Castle

The next day we spent in Bonn, the capital “Federal Republic of German”. Nothing much left there after the capital moved back in Berlin except the central of The United Nations and the main building of Douche post but the city is still beautiful and one of the reasons is Rheine, something that cannot be changed. First we had a walk around the center and the old buildings, the City Hall, The church Munster and the homonymous square, where is situated a statue of Beethoven. People in Bonn are very proud, as although he has spent his life in Vienna, Beethoven has been born in Bonn. We also walked through the University to the Castle of Poppelsdorfer and the Botanical Garden. What surprised me a lot was a small glass cabin in the alley, close to the University, that was full with books. It was not locked and people have the chance to take a book, read it and then turn it back. And it was standing there, untouched of the vandals, something that it is impossible in my country.

The book cabin

Monument of Beethoven

Rhein park

The whole day we were riding bikes, it hadn’t happened to me for few years. And although my ass was hurting me because of 7 hours on the bike’s seat, it was a perfect sunny day with free thoughts, pleasant company and relax. Inna, my friend, took me through the big Rheine Park where we enjoyed The Japanese garden, ice cream and sun. Then we went to Drachenburg Castle that is in the nearest town – Koningswinter. To reach the other side of the river we had to use a ferry, two minutes and we crossed the river. The Castle was built at the end of 19 – the century by a rich baron but he has never lived there. The area is beautiful and there is a great view to Rheine and Bonn. On our way back to the little town we decided to take the funicular as we saw it coming. But when asking for the price, the guy said 7 EUR! Hmm, we decided that it is not worth to pay this amount and we turned back. The guy shouted something after us and then he said: “It would be free for you” and he winged. Hehe, how to miss such an opportunity!

That was a perfect spontaneous 2-days German trip that I really enjoyed, thanks to my friend Inna. For the first time I was not following the main attractions and sightseeing but I felt as a real traveler with a close guide! 

Some more photos of the trip: 

The Japanese Garden

Drachenburg Castle

Rhein from the Castle

The  funicular

Around Koningswinter

Cheap ideas for sailing in Istanbul waters

Going to Istanbul and not getting on a boat in its waters is like going to Rome without seeing the Pope. Istanbul offers some interesting boat trips. The most famous are a trip to the Prince Islands and a boat trip on the Bosphorus. Depending on the different tourist agencies and packages,prices could differ but the most popular is 20 EUR. For this money you receive a pleasant trip with a tour guide telling you some interesting facts about the places you pass through.But I, being a budget tourist, prefer guiding by book and map and take tours by myself.

Dolmabahce Saray

First thing we did was going to the Asian part of the city.Athough over the Bosphorus there are 2 bridges, the water transport works pretty good too and it is very important part of the Turkish transport network.Ferries and ships have several stops on the European and Asian side.А single ticket costs 1.75 TL (0.90 EUR),very cheap price to move from one continent to another!.The biggest ferry dock is Eminonu,located at Golden Horn,where you'd find ferries to almost every part in and around Istanbul.Here is a map of the different docks of Eminonu,showing their directions.

View to Galata Tower from Eminonu

On the Asian side

A regular ferry

For a Bosphorus cruise you can take IDO Scenic Bosphorus Tour or Turyol Bosphorus Tour. The first one departures from the main Eminonu dock,costs around 20 TL round trip and brings you almost to the Black sea.There are 3 ferries in the morning,at noon and in early afternoon(not sure about exact hours). If you wish you can go by the first one and then get back by the last one because there is a fortress that could be visited and you can also eat in one of the fish restaurants at Anadolu Kavagi(the last tour stop). But one way journey takes 90min so if you choose this trip you have to anticipate almost a whole day. If you don't have enough time you could have a shorter cruise for only 10 TL with Turyol. Their ferries departure from Eminonu(the dock near Galata Tower).This ferry would bring you to the second bridge and back for 90min.
Whatever option you will choose you'll be fascinated by the beautiful buildings and the nature around.

The first Bosphorus Bridge

The Bosphorus

Another amzing and interesting trip is to Adalar(Prince islands).You can take the ferry from Kabatas,which is just in front of Dolmabahce Saray.A single ticket is only 2.80 TL round trip and one way jouney takes 1.5 hours to Buyukada(the bigest island). There are several ferries a day(the interval between the departures is about 2 hours).
The islands are called "prince" because in Byzantine Empire the emperors have sent there the princes who threatened the throne to be exciled and executed. Now the islands are a great vacation resort for Istanbulians.Rich Turkish and Greek people build cottages where they spend their holidays.Most of them prefer the islands because vehicles are forbidden,only horse carriages are allowed. You can have a walk or a horse carriage around Buyukada to see the little streets and beautiful wooden houses.
It's a great day trip(or could be half day) over the Marmara sea.Don't miss to have a coffee or tea on the ferry under the sun in the company of the seagulls.

Marmara Sea

One of the Prince Islands

At Buyukada

There are not only beautifull and rich buildings

I strongly recommend you both destinations.But if you ask me what I prefer,it will be hard for me to tell you. Both destinations have their own specific beauty and athmosphere and you won't regret visiting any of them.Have a nice and save trip!