Someday...: Rhine

Friday, May 25, 2012

Köln (Cologne)

Köln (29.4. & 30.4.)
Cologne is like a 3D textbook on history and architecture and is Germany's fourth-largest city, located along River Rhine. Cologne's geographical and spiritual heart and its single-biggest tourist draw is the magnificent Kölner Dom. It escaped WWII bombing raids with nary a shrapnel wound and has been a Unesco Word Heritage Site since 1996. The Dom is Germany's largest cathedral and has the 24-tonne Peter Bell, the largest working bell in the world, located inside.

Kölner Dom (me and Eylem infront)

After climbing 533 steps to the top of Kölner Dom we got this beautiful view.

Fischmarkt

Rive Rhine

God dropped ice-cream... ;)

There is no way to cross this street :P

Street performance

Cologne is also famous for Eau de Cologne (German: Kölnisch Wasser; lit: Water of Cologne), a perfume created by Italian expatriate Johann Maria Farina at the beginning of the 18th century.

Meeting my penpal Raji for the first time after 9 years of writing was one of the best things!

Chocolate fountain

Baking Burek for our couchsurfing host :)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Bonn

Bonn (28.4.2012)
When this friendly, relaxed city on the Rhine became West Germany's 'temporary' capital in 1949 it surprised many, including its own residents. When in 1991 a reunited German government decided to move to Berlin, it shocked many, especially its own residents.
Bonn ist the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven's birth place is located in Bonngasse near the market place. Next to the market place is the Old Town Hall, built in 1737 in Rococo style, under the rule of Clemens August of Bavaria. It is used for receptions of guests of the town, and as an office for the mayor. Nearby is the Kurfürstliches Schloss, built as a residence for the prince-elector and now the main building of the University of Bonn. The Beethoven Monument stands on the Münsterplatz, which is flanked by the Bonn Münster, one of Germany's oldest churches.