Trier's Glorious Roman Past

The city of Trier is feast for anyone interested in ancient Roman history. Once encircled by a 4 mile long wall, the city's 687 acre inner city still proudly boasts a magnificent and enviably well preserved collection of Roman sites. The  Porta Negra or Black gate is the only surviving of five gates and is the landmark icon of the city of Trier. 

The Porta Negra 

Clip: The Roman Archaeological Museum

The Market Cross symbol of Trier' city status

Remains of the Kaiserthermen Imperial Baths 

Still used to this day is the Roman Bridge which spans the Mosel River.  The Amphitheatre which once seated 20,000 spectators gathered to watch executions is also still used today for concerts and cultural events.

Koblenz to Trier - Germanys hidden treasures

Eltz Castle

At the northern end of the World Heritage Site of Rhein Gorge lies Koblenz. The city lies at the meeting point of the great Rhein and Mosel Rivers known as 'Germany's most beautiful Corner'.

Sunset on the Rhein at Koblenz

The meeting of the Rhein and Mosel Rivers at Koblenz

Less than an hour's drive away is the incredible Eltz Castle. Built in the 12th century, the same family have lived here for 33 generations.

Onwards to Burncastel Kues the picture postcard town with many buildings dating from 15th century and birthplace of Philosopher Nicholaus Cusanus (von Kues) in 1401 and the house can still be visited.  

           

After sampling some lovely local food and wine, it was back to Trier by evening. The beautiful city holds the title of Germany's oldest and most famous of Roman cities. Full of history, beautiful buildings and culture galore - it is a must see destination.

The Ponta Negra Trier

The Baroque Palastgarten

Mosel River Valley Germany

The stunning Berncastel town with homes dating as far back as 1410.  

Bernkastel-Kues

I always knew Germany had spectacular scenery but having the opportunity to visit lots of beautiful towns and villages has been much better than I could have imagined. I expected castles and quaint old villages but to stand in front of a house that has been lived in for over 600 years and still habitable is quite something else. The German people take great pride in this beautiful region and deservedly so. The miles and miles of spectacular forests which a few weeks ago glistened snow white are now warm rustic colours. The sun is getting warm and in a short time the forests will be changing colour yet again as the new growth bursts through.

Saarburg Castle

The vines have not starting this years growth yet so all along the Mosel are the perfectly trimmed stalks of neat rows on impossibly steep hillsides facing the river. Everywhere there is evidence of the regions best know produce - wine. And signs advertising tastings are everywhere. 

Part of the well preserved remains of Saarburg Castle 

View of the Mosel River from Saarburg Castle which dates from 964 AD

Cambodia - the long recovery

Angkor Wat at sunrise

                   

Cambodia's Turbulent History

The history of Cambodia in the 20th century is one of war and oppression. Once home to the mighty Khmer Empire, today Cambodia is still recovering from the devastating Pol Pot regime of the 1970's. The leader of the Khmer Rouge attempted to turn the country into an agrarian society and in the process was responsible for the deaths of 25% of the entire population.

Back to Year Zero

The capital Phnom Penh was emptied of its 2 million inhabitants who were sent to the countryside to work in the fields. By 1979 when Pol Pot was eventually overthrown, 2 million people were dead of starvation or torture.  All educated and professional individuals had been put to death and the country was on its knees. 

Angkor Wat

Today Cambodia is recovering and its amazing history is a huge draw for tourists who contribute substantially to the country's economic recovery. Phnom Penh and the Unesco World Heritage city of Angkor Wat at Siem Reap are the most
popular tourist attractions.  The ancient city of Angkor Wat is actually made up of several cities. Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the Bayon Temple. The cities were built between the 9th and 15th centuries and vast areas were lost to the jungle for many years. The jungle is still attempting to take back some areas with tree roots weaving their way through the ruins like melting candle wax - a sight well worth visiting!

The Royal Palace in Pnomh Penh

The Killing Fields Memorial 

The Only Wedding Guest

Kenya Samburu Woman

First of Many Extraordinary Experiences 

I arrived in Kenya in 2007 to spend a month working in a children's home in Mombasa. In my first week I had an extraordinary experience - and one of many of my time in that amazing country.
I arrived in Nairobi alone and had to make a connecting flight to Mombasa. While collecting my luggage I happened to recognise an accent from my home country. Naturally so far from home I was surprised and curious. I asked the couple why they were visiting Mombasa and they replied that they were getting married there the following week. I congratulated them naturally and asked where they were staying. Their hotel was on a strip of fancy hotels some miles outside the city. We exchanged some details and I promised to drop over to see them on their wedding day if possible.

Working at the Children's Home 

Monday morning saw me start work with the children at the wonderful 'Tumaini Children's Home' in Bamburi to the north of the city. The children have all been affected by HIV - either family members or are ill themselves. Many have been orphaned and in spite of the difficulties it is a very happy place. Sometimes visitors arrive to see the home and the wonderful work being done by the founder Joan Smith.On this particular Monday a group arrived and lo and behold my wedding couple were among them. I took this as a sign that I really must go to their wedding and made sure that I had all the details to hand. I was really looking forward to it.

The day arrived and I finished work. I set off  in the evening and got a Matatu - a small public minibus as far as I could go towards the hotel. As darkness fell and the bus went into the dark African countryside, the only visible signs of life were the campfires around which groups of people huddled for light and heat. It struck me for the first time in my life what it must be like not to have access to electricity. Even in the most impoverished countries I had visited, there was always the occasional street light and TV set but this was very different.

Complete Darkness 

The Matatu finally reached the stop where I was told to get off. I stepped out into complete darkness. The driver had pointed me towards a darkened building across the road so I walked towards it. A man appeared, and I found myself at a TukTuk stop - these are motorised 3 wheeled vehicles commonly used in Asia as taxis. The man told me he could take me to the hotel - I was quite relieved. Then I realised that I would have to share the tiny vehicle with 7 men. My heart skipped a beat but had to trust that this would ok so we headed off into the dark. 

I guessed I had nothing to lose so I began to talk to the man beside me and it turned out he and the rest were a group of acrobats heading to the hotel to do a show. Ten minutes later we arrived at the luxury hotel where my new friends were staying. The relief was terrific and I vowed not to take public transport alone at night again. 

Just the Bride,  the Groom and Me!

Inside the hotel the Bridal table was beautifully decorated with ribbons and flowers - for two people! I ordered a bottle of champagne and the waiter found a third chair and I sat with the bride and groom thinking this day is turning into quite a bizarre event! I promised my friends that I wouldn't stay long as it was their wedding day after all - but they would not hear of me leaving and insisted I share the evening with them! I must say we had a terrific evening and share many hilarious stories of our adventures. Later we went to watch the acrobats perform. Needless to say I got the hotel to order me a taxi back to Mombasa!

Happy Faces at Tumaini Children's Home

Fun in a Box

Cool Sounds

At the Beach

OOps!