Posts Tagged With: UNESCO

What’s the capital of Switzerland?

Posted on October 21, 2012 by Travel with Jodi

Fun in Switzerland

After leaving Italy, I was off on a short train ride to Switzerland where my new couch surfing host would be picking me up. I was really excited to go to Switzerland as it was one if the countries I dreamt about as a young child living in Barbados, believing that I would one day live there even though at the time I had no idea where  it was or anyone who had been there, quite frankly I am not sure how I had even heard about it. However, here I was almost there and anxiously waiting to arrive. First off, the train station looked like an airport it was the nicest I had been to thus far on my travels, it had stores, cafes everything. I waited a few minutes and then my host arrived and let me know we would first be heading to a bar to meet up with his best friend who was also hosting two travelers but from Russia, so with luggage and all off we went to have some drinks not a bad way to start the night!

The boys after drinks

The girls after drinks

So I haven’t even told you where in Switzerland I went to, okay so most of us have heard of Zurich and Geneva but I was in Bern. I had never heard of that city and it just happens to be the actual capital of Switzerland with their old town being a UNESCO world heritage site! Who knew? It really is a beautiful and small place, I mean luckily my host and his friend were fantastic so that always has a huge impact on how you experience a place but the beauty of the city is undeniable. Oh so Bern means bear and in the city they have a section by the river that is enclosed and protected and is the home of a few bears! It is really something spectacular to watch and many people were there doing just that when I went.

Over the city

Views from the old town

The bears are kept to the left of the river

Okay so what else did I do while there? I went to the rose garden which offers amazing views of the town and on a lovely day, like the one we had, many people go there to play and picnic with family and friends, then I had a harley ride through the city. Oh how could I forget, I went to dance lessons. So my hosts is a freestyle break dancer and during one of his breaks at work we went to his studio for a bit, put some music on and exchanged some moves. He taught me some break dancing and I turned on the reggae music, so later that night when we all went partying we got to practise our new skills, that was fun!

Following Stefan to the rose garden

Views from the rose garden

Heading back with Sam

One of the best moments for me was standing by the university looking across the city to snow capped mountains, something I had only previously seen in pictures. My breath was taken away, this is what I imagined of Switzerland. I really felt like this country is one enjoyed more thoroughly during the winter I can just imagine how amazing the landscape would be then, not to mention they are really big into Christmas, there were gorgeous and expensive decor  already adorning store windows. Speaking of expensive, that is another suitable adjective to describe Switzerland, and don’t think of going on a bus without your ticket as I did one day, because expensive will also describe the fine you will get. Mine was 100 Swiss francs that’s about $108, not cute! For a 2 franc ticket, but I had been out of local currency and was going to the center to exchange money, plus no one ever checks, until the day you don’t have one…naturally.

Bern University

I will definitely return to Switzerland I spent about 5 days there and I didn’t even make it out of Bern and there is so so much more to explore, but most importantly I had a great time with great people. When my host now friend Stefan was fooling around pretending to be me as he had seen a few of my videos I decided to record him so enjoy. Notice he is wearing my sunglasses lol too funny. Wish I caught his actual impersonation of me on camera! As usual will have more photos up on the Facebook page so go visit and Like the page if you haven’t yet, I like having you all close, not in like a creepy way…okay kinda!

Categories: Switzerland | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Meet Me at the Bridge

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Travel with Jodi

So I finally make it to Mostar, and I am sipping on something that vaguely resembles the hot chocolate that I asked for, while waiting for my host to pick me up at the train station. Yes, I am trying couch surfing again! He did let me know he would be about an hour late because he went to give blood that morning. Soon enough my very pleasant host arrives to get me, bandaid with blood spot and all, and we are off to his place about a 15 minute walk away from the train station. As we near his place and crossing over a bridge I look over to my right and there it is, the Mostar Bridge, the UNESCO world heritage site that thousands of tourists come to see. Actually I wasn’t even sure there was anything else in Mostar. So I take a quick look and continue walking because my host has to get to work and I would rather go back later when I don’t have luggage in tow. We get to his place he leaves me with his keys and lets me know that two other girls will be arriving also but just for the night, so I agree to meet up with them later and bring them back to his place.

Along the river in the old town

Following my host through the town

I met up with the two girls who were from Poland, they miraculously had hitch hiked from Poland down to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 24 hours. I don’t know about you but I was impressed. We grabbed a bite to eat then headed back just before night fall for them to leave their things and shower and then we hit the town. Of course the first stop was the Mostar Bridge, we took some photos and admired it from afar before walking through the town on streets made of large, round, slippery stones that seems to glisten under the light of the full moon. Beautiful to look at, not so much fun to walk on, we then walked across the famous bridge which was equally as slippery before finally parking ourselves at a little bar that shared my last name, for a beer.

Moon over Mostar

The bridge at night

Hey that’s my name!!

The girls left the next day and were back on the hitchhike trail headed to southern Croatia, I considered joining them and would have, if it had not been for my suitcase that my host was convinced had four people hiding inside due to weight. So instead I remained and went along the river bank with my host for a different view of the bridge and also posed for a few pictures with some people that had asked my him if I would take some photos with them. Later that night I headed out for drinks with someone who had sent me an invite, so when asked where we should meet I said the bridge, to which they asked which bridge, reminding me how many bridges there are in Mostar. So apparently the word mostar means bridge, but come on, when a visitor says the bridge they mean theee bridge, that everyone goes to see! Anyhow we met and had a great time and I tried La Trappe a flavorful Dutch beer I quite enjoyed, considering I am not much of a beer person. The next night we got together again this time we tried out a little club in Mostar to get a better taste of the night life.

The Polish girls

And off they go!

I really had a wonderful time in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I said it before but will say again that so far as a nation they are the nicest people I have met in Europe. Many other visitors I ran into expressed a similar sentiment, including other Europeans. I will definitely return as there is still so much more of the country I left unexplored. For now however, it was time to move on. I left the next evening on a train, and after two other connections and 17 and a half hours I found myself back in my sweet Slovenia.

The Mostar Bridge

Categories: Bosnia and Herzegovina | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

The Wonders of Turkey

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Travel with Jodi

A boy, a 3 week old donkey and a sleeping man :)

Alright so now after my little backpack episode it’s time I fill you in on the few days I spent in Cappadocia and the Pamukkale, Turkey. Both of these places are UNESCO Heritage Sites and amazing in their own right. First I arrived in Cappadocia from Istanbul after an 11 hour ride and my first overnight bus journey. The pro of the overnight bus: you save on a night of accommodations. The con: I couldn’t sleep to save my life, not to mention my seat and the one next to it were the only two that didn’t recline!

Town of Goreme in Cappadocia

Carpets on display in Goreme

Anyhow I arrive safely in Cappadocia, specifically the town of Goreme, and I am instantly in awe of the landscape there. It’s a whole city of caves and cone like rock formations that were once inhabited. They are called the fairy chimneys and at night standing on the hill looking down and seeing the residences all lit up it really looks magical and fairy like. I love this place and end up staying two nights instead of one and was actually contemplating a third. I stayed in a cave hostel which was great because the temperature inside is always so cool. This small town moves at a much slower pace than Istanbul which I appreciate. Not to mention it’s fun to walk around and after only 2 days have a few store owners call to you by name (even if incorrectly pronounced lol). Again people occasionally ask for a photo with me which I am happy to oblige, finally people who recognize me for the celebrity I have always been in my head!

The open air museum

Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia

After my time in Goreme I take off on yet another overnight bus to Pamukkale, which in Turkish means cotton castle. Another place that just amazed me.  Everything is white, from afar it looks like a ski resort with snow all over the mountains. Until you get closer and see these white, terraced, travertine pools nestled in the hills, filled with clear blue warm water. Once you enter , before you can start climbing up the hills your shoes must be removed. I really didn’t take as many pictures as I should have because I was so hypnotized by the place. Once you ascend the top and continue to walk you are now in what seems like a completely different world. The ruins of Hierpolis.

Just arriving at Pamukkale

From inside one of the shallow pools

Here I strolled through the tombs and remains of Hierpolis and all the large stones that were apart of a place that once was. It was amazing to touch things that were once touched by other people so many centuries ago and were such an important part of a completely different time. If these walls could talk, those would be the tales that would have enchanted me. Suddenly there is a downpour of rain and  I take refuge in what was probably a very prestigious tomb of some sort. I sit there imagining what times were like back then and try to really take a moment to appreciate this experience. I then remember how as a child living in Barbados, I always wanted to go to Turkey because it seemed so exotic and remote and then I would live in Switzerland. At the time I could locate neither place on a map or knew anyone who had been , but I wanted to go there.  Now there I sat, in a tomb, in Turkey, in the rain lol.

Hierpolis during sunset

More ruins

Hiding out from the rain

Once the rain ceased, I continued to explore and watch the sunset, before returning back to the white terraces. The cool thing is that this place is open 24 hours a day, I thought that was pretty neat. On my way back down I made a few stops to take a dip in the warm pools and sat in a stream of rushing warm water overlooking the city, which seemed to glitter in the night. I have to tell you that after dark Pamukkale is easily one of the most romantic places I have ever been.  I have never seen anything like this. Once my skin reached a comfortable raisin wrinkled state, I hopped out, dried off and returned to the hotel to rest and plan where I would go next.

A Pamukkale sunset

Pamukkale after dark

Categories: Turkey | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Montenegro and A One Night Stand in Serbia

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Travel with Jodi

Amazing Views

I arrived in Kotor, Montenegro around midnight after leaving Croatia. I was anxious to get things going as I only had three short nights there including the one on which I had arrived, but exhaustion got the better of me that first night. So once I made to my hostel after a short taxi ride (by the way I was totally ripped off) I hit the sack and was out for the night.

Restaurant/lounge outside old city in Kotor

The next day I was completely awestruck by the view. The hostel was right in front of the water, and nestled in the cozy shadows of large blue mountains. I loved it already. I met a cool Australian girl at the hostel and we left to explore the old city and hike up the fortress walls both UNESCO world heritage sites. The old city is so cute, that’s the best way I can describe it, even with the heaps of tourists and blistering heat, it’s hard not to fall for Kotor. I wonder how you hardly hear about these countries as travel hot spots (well I don’t anyway). Montenegro is this little country that is just a gem filled with diverse natural beauty. I wanted to shrink it and carry it around with me in my pocket lol.

Peek inside a church in the Old City, photos are illegal (you’re welcome)

Stores in the narrow allies in the Old City

So back to the trekking up the fortress walls, yeah, not so easy for out of shape me. We stopped every 5 minutes for a rest break but had a lot of fun, I would advise however go early morning or late evening to avoid the scorching sun. Something that occurred to us mid hike! As you ascended the views just kept getting better and better with every step and it was nice to make it up to the top. Their marketing is great too because the price of water sold by locals with a little cooler, gets more expensive the higher up you go lol. When we were done we headed back down to the old city grabbed a bite and local beer to cap off the evening. I really enjoyed Montenegro the people were also very lovely and it is a beautiful place I was sorry to have had such little time.

Found my initials (JM)

Views of the city while ascending

Yaay made it to the top!

My last day I took it easy strolled around had lunch met some people and just hung out. I had a 6:30 am 12 hr bus ride to catch the next morning to Serbia. This bus ride was so easy and very scenic, I got to see areas of both countries I most likely would have never made it to. Although only having about 4 hrs of sleep the night before, meant me nodding in and out of dream and awake state which really doesn’t constitute as rest I found. Oh how could I forget, okay so I have this weird thing where I just detest public bathrooms especially if they are unkept. I mean to the point where I frequently have nightmares of having to use them (weird I know). At one of our rest stop en route I discovered a bathroom far worst than any I have ever dreamt about. I literally stood there frozen, kinda like when we had a rest stop in Thailand and I went in the stall to only find a hole in the ground where I assumed the toilet was stolen from. To then find out, that was the toilet!!!

Streets of Belgrade, Serbia

Approaching Sava Temple

Anyhow, we finally made it into Belgrade later in the evening. I checked into my room and then went for a quick stroll to Sava Temple, which is being renovated inside. It was really cool to stand in this almost empty church and really be able to feel the scale of it. As night began to fall I quickly made my way through a few streets and stopped at a side walk restaurant for dinner. This very quick rendezvous with Serbia was not to my liking I would have much rather have had more than just the one night. I was sadly there only to catch a flight in the morning and didn’t get the opportunity to really enjoy this energetic city. As I sat for dinner the lady in front of me had the widest uncovered yawn as if she was demonstrating what happens to food after its swallowed. Thanks for the visual but I took biology for a number of years, I’m good. So that was it for me and Belgrade the next morning (today) I hopped on an airport shuttle with a member of the Serbian Olympic team and was off. Oh and for those who were expecting a different kind of one night stand story… naughty naughty!

Categories: Montenegro | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Croatia

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Travel with Jodi

Okay so I feel badly that I have been in Croatia for 5 days now and have not reported to you guys what’s been going on. Not only that, but I am actually leaving today. Good thing is, I have had full days and so much to tell. So I am here now and all yours :) This is where thunderous applause erupts!

Streets of Zagreb

Flower vendors at the entrance of the farmers market

First I arrived in Zagreb the capital and stayed there for two nights. The first day and night I was underwhelmed by the city especially after the high I was on from Slovenia. However, the following day proved that Zagreb did have more to offer, although it is obvious that most of tourism dollars are infused into the popular coast and islands along it, not the city really. So let’s skip day one! Day two I met up with a new found friend from London to explore a bit. The day was spent looking for a lake in Jarun where the locals go to swim and hang out. It’s basically their beach, that’s even what the sign said. It would have sucked if I was genuinely following it looking for a beach! Only to find a stony embankment with with a man made lake, but whatever, when in Croatia…

“The Beach”

Museum…I’m so cultured.

Some sort of night fest

Later that evening after a wardrobe change and freshening up, we hit the city again and detoured a bit ending up in the museum of broken relationships. That was very cool. This originated in Croatia, where it resides permanently but also tours internationally. So see, I am cultured I go to museums! After leaving we saw there was an outdoor movie being shown and an open street beer fest it seemed in the same area. We then had dinner at a great restaurant tucked into the side of the hill before retiring for the night. This was a great day I realized how much energy there was in Zagreb and variety. The next day I was off to Split along the coast about 5 hrs south with a stop at Plitvice lakes a UNESCO world heritage natural site. We stayed there for 5 hours. That place is really beautiful I could have spent a much longer time there, if I didn’t have the driver waiting to continue our journey to Split.

Plitvice National Park

Plitvice National Park

Plitvice National Park

Even the dragonflies at Plitvice look exotic

The next three days and nights in Split were great and HOT! One thing though, traveling during this time of year, Croatia as well as many other European hot spots, are over run with tourists. I would much rather have come before or after the great boom! So avoid July/August if you can. Unless your 18 and really want the packed young party vibe. Nonetheless I was very lucky to have met a lovely, young local family through one of the other travelers who also came on the trip to Plitvice and Split from Zagreb. He had met them 6 years prior on a previous trip to Croatia. So even after he had left they continued to show me around. I decided having this local experience and new friends was better than going to the islands with bunches of tourists, so I decided to hang out with them instead and I am so happy I did. We enjoyed great food and sea swims and last night we went to a gypsy band performance. Not to mention the Countless laughs and good times including sipping homemade wine and liquors while having her father-in-law tell stories of when he traveled on cargo ships all over the world before I was born. He often interjected many moments with random American songs he remembered.

Riva Promenade in Split

Streets in Split

The people in Croatia have been pretty nice too, while on a packed hot bus yesterday an old man sat next to me ( in a seat I am pretty sure was made for one) he spoke to me in Croatian and occasionally flashed a mostly toothless grin that made me smile. Later when I got off at the wrong stop (I had gone one too far) I saw that he also had gotten off. Because the road was so narrow and winding I couldn’t walk back along the road, without it being considered suicide. He however, realized what was going on and gestured for me to follow him, he had a house on the sea coast, and let me through so I could walk back along the coast up to my friend’s place. I thought that was nice then we exchanged names all the while speaking two completely different languages but understanding each other completely.

New friend Maijca

View from their back terrace

So that’s it for now! Well as much as I felt could be jammed into one post! Now I am getting ready to take off for Montenegro on a 7 plus hour bus ride into the town of Kotor. See you there!

Croatian sunset

P.S This was written yesterday so I am now safely in Montenegro :)

Categories: Croatia | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

A Palace and A Cemetery

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Travel with Jodi

At the Gardens in Schonbrunn

When I was coming to Austria there were 3 places I had on my list that I really wanted to see, here are 2 of those. One was Schonbrunn Palace and the Other was Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof).

Tombstone Sculpture

Angel Sculpture at a tombstone

First I went to central cemetery which was just lovely. It is 495 acres and has about two and a half million bodies laid to rest there. I mean that’s a lot! It was opened in 1874 I believe. Now this place is so vast I didn’t go through the entire thing but will definitely make another stop there whenever I return to Vienna. It was really beautiful and romantic, which sounds weird to say about a cemetery but it really was. Especially in the older section which was my favorite, it looked like something straight out of a movie or fairytale book. It was kind of magical really.

Tombstones at Central Cemetery

I could not stop taking pictures, I felt so calm and wanted to just wander forever. Except I started to get hungry, which is a far more frequent occurrence for me than seems normal. Before that however, I tried looking around to see what the oldest tomb was that I could find, which was 1885. Some of the tombs were so grand and ornate I couldn’t believe people spent so much on those things, when in the end they will all be forgotten eventually. I thought as I passed by each one how at some point there were families and friends weeping (maybe) at the loss of this person and now I, as thousands others have done before just pass by admiring them for their purely decorative properties. There were a few though that actually had a faded photo image of the person and those seems to create more of a connection with who and what had taken place there. Another area that was interesting was where they had a bunch of tombstones pile together, apparently these were one that had been destroyed during wars and they didn’t know where or to whom they belonged, but still keep them there to pay their respects.

Destroyed tombstones gathered together

Church belonging to the Cemetery

Now going in another direction (trying to keep you alert), there was Schonbrunn, meaning beautiful spring, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. This place and its palatial grounds had been used by monarchs in the past for different purposes, including boastful recreational hunting grounds and summer residences. Seems like there is a desire for grandeur in both life and death here. Also on site is Tiergarten the worlds oldest zoo, which is still in operation. This place was really gorgeous and the one thing that has me in awe in so many European countries is just the scale of things. The buildings are huge and Schonbrunn with its 1441 rooms and expansive grounds was not to disappoint.

View of Schonbrunn from the garden

View of Schonbrunn and Vienna

There is a magnificently and of course large, sculpted fountain on the premises at the foot of the hill that ascends to the gloriette, which was commissioned as a gift to Maria Theresa. What a hell of a gift! So I guess it turns out chivalry is dead after all. I’ve never even had a water cooler commissioned for me, or water bottle come to think of it, much less a humungous fountain! I digress. Once at the top of the hill by the gloriette there are amazing views of Vienna which I imagine changes dress into a glimmering wonder at night. I was really happy to have visited these places, there is so much beauty here and this was just the tip of the iceberg.

Me in front of the Fountain

View of Fountain and Gloriette at Schonbrunn Palace

Standing below a sculpture at the stairway of the gloriette

Categories: Austria | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

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