Category Archives: Travel

Blogging from A to Z: V is for Vienna

Vienna … the last time I traveled to Europe in October 2019. For work. Of course. It’s always for work purposes. But as is my custom, I took a day off to explore a small part of the city.

A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins

One of the highlights of my trip was dining at the 600+ year-old restaurant, Griechenbeisl, the oldest restaurant in Vienna, founded in 1447.

Those who love Vienna dine at the Griechenbeisl, the oldest Inn in town. Enjoy traditional Viennese dining in a cosy historical ambiance. Find yourself in the same room in which famous guests like Mark Twain, Beethoven, Mozart, Luciano Pavarotti and Johnny Cash enjoyed their dinner. (Source)
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©Regina Martins

I attended an evening function at the aristocratic Palais Liechtenstein.

A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins

Looked on in awe at the Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral) trying to wrap my head around the mixture of architectural styles. I couldn’t find any place to stand and take a photo of the whole structure.

A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins

And finally walked along the Danube Canal to admire the graffiti art, sculpture exhibits, and marveled at the outdoor working space for the city’s artists.

A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins
A TO Z CHALLENGE VIENNA
©2021 Regina Martins

Blogging from A to Z posts – my favourite ones so far are D is for Durban, J is for Johannesburg, R is for Raleigh and S is for Sagres:
U is for Umdloti Beach
T is for Trou au Cerfs
S is for Sagres
R is for Raleigh
Q is for Quatres Bornes
P is for Port Louis
O is for Okahandja
N is for New York
M is for Marrakesh
L is for Lisbon
K is for Kanchanaburi
J is for Johannesburg
I is for Istanbul (Magnetic Istanbul)
H is for Hua Huin (party town)
G is for Ghent
F is for Flic en Flac
E is for Erawan Falls
D is for Durban (Memories)
C is for Chiang Mai
B is Bangkok
A is for Ayutthaya

Blogging for A to Z: U is for Umdloti Beach

Oh, this is one of my favourite beaches! I’ve been going to Umdloti Beach just north of Durban since I was a kid. The shallow tidal pool is a favourite of families because it’s relatively safe for small kids. Just don’t get too close to the enclosing rocks because a large wave could suck a person beyond them. By and large, it is safe and lifesavers are close by.

A to Z challenge Umdloti Beach
©2021 Regina Martins

It’s still a favourite getaway spot for Chè and me, and we have a favourite Airbnb we usually stay at. It’s a small village with a supermarket, coffee shops, some good restaurants, and takeaway places. Just remember not to leave any windows open because the monkeys will climb in and steal all your food. The last time I got to the window just in time before the little thief could climb in through the shutters – they will squeeze in, lured by the anticipation of a tasty meal. That’s them in the photo below …

A to Z challenge Umdloti Beach
©2021 Regina Martins

The last time I was there dune rehabilitation was in progress. The beaches had been eroded by particular severe storms in recent years. Parts of the promenade was also damaged at the time.

A to Z challenge Umdloti Beach
©2021 Regina Martins

The southern part of the long beachfront is wild and the beaches are not guarded by lifesavers. The currents are strong and the seabed drops rather dramatically close to the surf line so you got to be a really strong swimmer and know how to navigate the waves to swim at this part of the beach.

A to Z challenge Umdloti Beach
©2021 Regina Martins

The walks along the beach are marvellous and sunset brings out the collectors with their metal detectors, scouring the wave line for trinkets, coins and … (?)

A to Z challenge Umdloti Beach
©2021 Regina Martins

Kite surfers love the wild part of the surf.

A to Z challenge Umdloti Beach
©2021 Regina Martins

I just love this place 🙂

A to Z challenge Umdloti Beach
©2021 Regina Martins

Blogging from A to Z posts – my favourite ones so far are D is for Durban, J is for Johannesburg, R is for Raleigh and S is for Sagres:
T is for Trou au Cerfs
S is for Sagres
R is for Raleigh
Q is for Quatres Bornes
P is for Port Louis
O is for Okahandja
N is for New York
M is for Marrakesh
L is for Lisbon
K is for Kanchanaburi
J is for Johannesburg
I is for Istanbul (Magnetic Istanbul)
H is for Hua Huin (party town)
G is for Ghent
F is for Flic en Flac
E is for Erawan Falls
D is for Durban (Memories)
C is for Chiang Mai
B is Bangkok
A is for Ayutthaya