Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg old town.

Salzburg (German pronunciation: [ˈzalt͡sbʊɐ̯k]; Bavarian: Såizburg; literally: "Salt Fortress") is the fourth-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. This city has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 for its historical values, including a birthplace of the famous musical composer of 18^th-century Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The old city of Salzberg is surrounded by many beautiful scenes between the Salzach River and the Mönchsberg, overlooked by the Hohensalzburg Fortress (Festung Hohensalzburg). The old and new town is divided by the river.

Old town and the fortress.

Originally was Roman town, but then the first Christian kingdom was established by St. Rupert, in the late seventh century. The name Salzburg means "Salt Castle" (Latin: Salis Burgium). The name derives from the barges carrying salt on the Salzach River, which were subject to a toll in the 8th century and was customary for many communities and cities on European rivers. The Festung Hohensalzburg, the city's fortress, was built in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard, who made it his residence. It was greatly expanded during the following centuries

Salzburg is famous as the birthplace of Mozart and although the city was not generous towards him during his lifetime it does its level best to make the most of him now. Everywhere you go Mozart’s music is being played, and there are two Mozart museums and even chocolate balls called Mozart Kugeln.

Mozart birthplace.

Among other notable citizens;

*Christian Doppler, an expert on acoustic theory, was born in Salzburg. He is most known for his discovery of the Doppler Effect.

* Noted writer Stefan Zweig lived in Salzburg for about 15 years, until 1934.

* Maria Von Trapp (later Maria Trapp) and her family lived in Salzburg until they fled to the United States following the Nazi takeover.

* Herbert von Karajan was a notable musician and conductor. He was born in Salzburg and died in 1989 in neighbouring Anif.

* Theodor Herzl worked in the courts in Salzburg during the year after he earned his law degree in 1884.

* Skydiver and BASE Jumper Felix Baumgartner, who set three world records during the Red Bull Stratos project on the 14 of October 2012

Red Bull Hanger-7 building.

The Hohensalzburg Fortress was built for the prince-archbishops and although it is interesting to see the lavish lifestyle that they led, one of the main reasons to come here is for truly astonishing views over the Alps and the city. The Schloss Mirabell, on the other side of the river, stands in large formal gardens. The palace was built in 1606 by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his mistress and their children. The marble hall is covered with Baroque reliefs and lit by magnificent, Sparkling Chandeliers. The fifteenth-century cathedral (Salzburger Dom) is just one of several wonderful churches to be seen as you stroll or take a horse-drawn carriage through the narrow streets, past ritzy shops and cafes full of elegant, well-heeled locals.

Two main characteristics of architectures that you can see here are; Romanesque and Gothic together with Renaissance and baroque. While there also many other new modern architectures taking place in the city (outside the old town) with futuristic characters such as the Faculty of Science building (Universität Salzburg – Architecture Willhelm Holzbauer), , the blob architecture of Red Bull Hangar‑7 (Architecture: Volkmar Burgstaller) and the Salzburg Airport, home to Dietrich Mateschitz's Flying Bulls and the Europark shopping mall. (Architecture: Massimiliano Fuksas)

Mirabellgarten at night.

City landscape at night. (Photo by: Prosthetic Head)

Padang, Sumatra – Indonesia

Rumah Gadang.

Padang in the second largest city in Sumatra after Palembang in Indonesia, it is also one of the cleanest. Padang has been awarded with “Adipura” (cleanest and greenest city) award for 17 times and “Adipura Kencana” for 3 times until 2009. This city had been hit by an earthquake on 30 September 2009 with magnitude of 7.9 that resulting more than 1,100 fatalities with 313 of which occurred in Padang.

Padang has become a trade center since 16^th century. Pepper was the main item for the trade during 16^th and 17^th century. Among countries traded with Padang include India, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Anyway by 1663 this city came under the authority of Dutch, then under British twice and many other changes taken place here.

Imam Bonjol Park.

Adityawrman Museum.

Besides all of the colorful histories of time, Padang also rich with their unique cultures that can be seen almost in instant represented in their architectures, dresses, dialect, dishes and in every aspect of their lives. In fact this trade of cultures spread into their nearest neighbor; Malaysia (where one state in Malaysia has ancestors who came from Padang long time ago).

There are many things to see and do for visitors in Padang in the form of local’s activities or the nature of its surrounding. Local’s activity such as “songket weaving” is called “Pandai Sikek” in local dialect or there also wood-carving workshop in the area of Bukit Tinggi. While for the nature’s lover the Anai Waterfall in the Anai Valley will surely awaken your nature’s spirits.

Most of the visitors to Padang will never miss their chance to visit to Batusangkar known as the land of Minangkabau. All along the route visitors also can see the beautiful landscape of surrounding areas. The main attraction here will be The Great Palace of Pagaruyung with its unique architecture with high curved roof together with Silinduang Bulan Palace. Pariangan Village is the oldest Minangkabau village located in the foot of Mount Marapi. You can also try one of local’s best ‘Kawa Daun’, a traditional coffee leaves drink.

Danau Maninjau.

Kelok 44 route. 

Minangkabau traditional wedding costume.

Chao Phraya River, Bangkok - Thailand

River ferry at Chao Phraya River, Bangkok.

The Chao Phraya (Thai: แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา) is one of the most important river in Thailand. It flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand and is home for more than 6 million people.  Known as Krung Thep for local or the City of Angels, one of the greatest south-east Asian city where people using it every day for many activities. The canals that run to this river also become important characters of this river. There are many things surrounding the river include beautiful temples, the palaces, old and new buildings and also local houses. Not to forget the famous floating markets.

                                              

One of the most important things to see is the Royal Barge National Museum that house the king’s ceremonial barges used for state occasions such as at the end of rainy season. The ancient temples that can be found by the river are Wat Kaeo Fa, Wat Amphawan and Wat Suwannaram. While there are few places that have a river market where there can be surprising things can be found here – including souvenirs, foods and various other things.

The view from the sky.

Famous Temple of Dawn by the river.

The lower Chao Phraya underwent several man-made modifications during the Ayutthaya period. Several shortcut canals were constructed to bypass large loops in the river, shortening the trip from the capital city to the sea. The course of the river has since changed to follow many of these canals.

There’s a small island Ko Kret that houses Wat Paramai Yikawat and Wat Phal Lom. Visitors also can see potters at work here and the Ancient Mon Pottery Centre. The best way to travel to the former capital Ayutthaya also is by the Chao Phraya River.

There are many activities during the day and night. Try the dinner cruises in the evenings where it will be one of the luxury experiences during your visit here in Bangkok. It will help you to understand how important the Chao Phraya river to the people in Bangkok.

Night river cruise.

Luxury Dinner Cruise

                                                  

Ubud, Bali - Indonesia

Ubud landscape with their popular paddies.

Ubud is one of important town in centre of Bali Island in Ubud District surrounded with beautiful landscape of rice paddies and steep ravines. The town was originally important as a source of medicinal herbs and plants; Ubud gets its name from the Balinese word ubad (medicine). One of popular attraction in Bali, this area has transformed to accommodate different types of travellers need.

Because of its location, it also makes a good base for visiting other Balinese attractions, but there is plenty to see and do here. Ubud is surrounded by the traditional stunning landscape that Bali is known for including rice paddies, scenic villages, art and craft communities, ancient temples, palaces, rivers, unique character and friendly locals.

Local people at temple.

Local people activity.

Ubud has been a ‘royal town’ for well over a hundred years and its princes, who bear the title ‘Tjokorda‘ or ‘Agung’ still live in traditional palaces, called ‘Puris’, that dot the countryside.

In the south of the town is a small reserve called Monkey Forest, housing an abundance of long-tailed macaques that clamber over the temple. Bananas are on sale so that tourists can feed them. Just beyond the Monkey Forest is one of the many craft villages in the area which specialises in wood carvings. The Museum Puri Lukisan (Museum of Fine Arts) has a wide collection of traditional and modem Balinese arts and the wood carvings are particularly good.

Perfect vacation at Ubud, Bali.

Another temple at Ubud, Bali.

Ubud is bursting with colour and light, perhaps it is this profusion of plants, flowers, palms and rice paddies that inspire the creative minds of the population. The town and area has a number of art museums, such as the Blanco Renaissance Museum, the Puri Lukisan Museum, Neka Art Museum, and the Agung Rai Museum of Art. Close-by is the Museum Rudana in Peliatan,

Penang Hill, Malaysia

Old rides to the top pf Penang Hill.

The Island of Penang is the site of the oldest British settlement in Malaysia, founded in 1786 by Captain Francis Light. Captain Light was searching for the base where ships of the East India Company could set anchor and make repairs. He made a treaty with the Sultan of Kedah, and in exchange for military protection, received permission to colonize in the jungle –covered and virtually uninhabited island.

In the middle of today’s busy, modern city of Georgetown rises Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera). Almost of 833 m (2,723 ft) high, it dominates the island and from its summit there are amazing views not only of the town and the whole island but also, on a clear day, of the mountains on the mainland.

The new coach for the Penang Railway.

The view from the top of Penang Hill.

The hike up Penang Hill takes about two hours, but the best way to see it is to take the funicular railway. Built by Swiss Engineers, this trundles up an incredibly steep angle at a leisurely pace through the tropical forest, allowing you a close look at palms and creepers and cascading tropical flowering trees. At the top is a plateau, with a few shops, a café, a small Hindu temple and a mosque. Here you will also find a tatty 1930s hotel, set in pretty gardens that house a bird sanctuary. Other attractions on the hill include the botanic gardens and the rope walk.

More than that there are many other attractions all around Penang such as Khoo Khongsi, Kok Lok Si Temple, Fort Cornwallis and popular Penang’s beaches. Penang is one of the biggest islands in Malaysia, connected to the mainland with Penang’s Bridge. Other transportation includes ferry and international airport for airplanes.

Temples view during the night.

Bridge to the mainland.

Times Square Penang.

Malaysia’s Taste Buds - Rendang

Rendang considered one of the most important cuisine for Hari Raya.  

Rendang always be the most important menu on the becoming celebration of Hari Raya. So I decided to include it in my list of articles. It is one of the most important cuisine in Malay culture that enjoyed by all Malaysian and the knowledge about Rendang will allow us to enjoy it more.

Rendang is prepared usually use coconut milk so long until it becomes dry. Rendang originates from Indonesia and is very popular in the Sumatera, especially in the districts of Padang. It is not surprising that in the district of Padang’s Rendangs has more variation using more main ingredients.

In Malaysia key ingredients used in the preparation usually consists of chicken, beef (cow / goat / buffalo / deer, etc.) and rarely of other types such as fish or vegetables. Rendang prepared occasional for the cooking time take longer than other daily dishes. But for those who in restaurant business will surely seek to provide a shady every day because it is the customer's request.

Chicken's Rendang.

Rendang with 'Maman' (type of vegetable) popular in Negeri Sembilan.  

Rendang is popular as food in the feast, and practically every house would prepare rendang for the family and visitors. Anyway these rendangs are not identical from one another. This becomes one of the best things about rendang as it can be prepared in various ways. However, there are few types of popular among them; Rendang Tok , Rendang Dinding, Rendang Neghoghi (Negeri) and Rendang Padang .

While in terms of the ingredients, there are some important ingredients that been used for most types of rendang such as; chili, garlic, scallion, coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger, galangal, turmeric, turmeric’s leaves, lime leaves and coconut paste. Other materials may be used in some other rendang types listed earlier, but these ingredients are that commonly used.

Rendang Tok popular in the North State of Perak.

There are several main purposes of why rendang is important;

·     It lasts longer; it usually prepared in large quantities and can be consumed for few days during the festive season.

·    Using matured meet (from old chicken or other meats) as these meats can stand for a longer cooking time. For rendang an old chicken meat can be the best type of meat even though it might be not suitable for other daily dishes.

·    Rendang is easy to carry because it was cooked until almost dry – there will be no sauce to spill.

·    Rendang can easily match with other foods – that will prepared together during the Hari Raya festive. It can be eaten with ketupat, soto, lontong, fried noodles or fried ‘rice noodles’ but also with the 'nasi lemak'.

As said earlier rendang is popular in the area of Padang in Sumatra as it has more variations there. It wills great if we can learn a little bit about rendang from Padang. First the 'Rendang Lumek' (cooked until dry and pulverized) prepared using fish meat known as ‘gabus’ and leaves. This Rendang is rare now because the fish is hard to find.

Perfect pairs of Rendang and Lemang.

Eggs also been used in rendang from Padang District, using flour mixed eggs , steamed and cut into small pieces. In contrast to today rendang prepared using egg omelet. The following is ‘Rendang Runtiah’ using shredded beef, shredded into small pieces and other types are the cow’s lungs, eels, and fish and so on.

I hope that will be a helpful information about rendang that we need to know in order to make this year rendang consuming will be little bit different. It is not easy to prepare the rendang during Ramadan with all other prepartion for the becoming festive of Hari Raya in Malay culture. Hopefully all the preparation will be enjoyed by all other family members with joy and laughter and for that all of the foods will be blessed.