Japan: summer festival in Aomori City

Aomori City in Aomori Prefecture is the northernmost prefectural capital city on Honshu, Japan's main island. This port town used to be the main departure point to Hokkaido via ferry; and, although it remains the main port for car ferries, the opening of the Seikan Undersea Railway Tunnel and the advent of cheap flights have reduced ridership and many travelers now bypass the city altogether. Today Aomori is best known for its spectacular Nebuta Matsuri summer festival.

In Aomori, you can see:

•    Nebuta Festival. Aug 2-7. Said to be Japan's biggest fire festival. This festival includes an abundance of street vendors. Each day culminates in a huge parade featuring lit up lantern floats and costumed dancers.  

•    Nebutanosato. This museum houses exhibits about the Nebuta if you're unable to make it during festival season.  

•    Aomori Bay Bridge. This bridge spans a short harbor inlet that could easily be walked around in five minutes, so it appears to be basically an excuse for public funding as a tourist attraction.  

•    Aspam Center. A large triangular building that can be easily spotted from the train station or the bridge, this is the tourism center for all of Aomori prefecture.

•    Asamushi Onsen. A hot springs resort on Mutsu bay with a rather large number of inns.  

•    Yotei-maru Ferry. The ferry which connected Hokkaido and Aomori prior to the building of the Seikan Submarine Tunnel, is now a somewhat run down museum, a short walk from the train station. The rear part of the deck of the ferry serves as a beer garden on summer nights.  

Nebuta Festival

 

Nebuta Festival

Nebutanosato

Aomori Bay Bridge

Aspam Center

Asamushi Onsen

Yotei-maru Ferry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guide info: www.japan-guide.com/e/e3750.html

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France: Strasbourg, popular tourist destination

Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region of France and is most widely known for hosting a number of important European institutions. It is also famous for its beautiful historical centre

This city is one of the nine largest cities in France with nearly half a million inhabitants in a metropolitan area spanning across the river into the German city of Kehl, on the eastern bank of the Rhine.

The city itself is the seat of the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Ombudsman, the Eurocorps, the European Audiovisual Observatory and, most famously, the European Parliament, which also holds sessions in Brussels.

strasbourg street

Strasbourg is a popular tourist destination primarily thanks to the beautifully preserved and pedestrian friendly city centre, which can be explored on foot or bicycle in a few days. Don't forget that Strasbourg's appeal now brings tourists to the city throughout the year, with large tour groups especially frequent during the summer months and during the annual winter market. Staying for a few days will allow you to see the city when it's calmest, first thing in the morning and during the evening.

strasbourg france

strasbourg france

strasbourg cathedral

strasbourg cathedral

strasbourg street

strasbourg france

strasbourg france

strasbourg france

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Iceland: what are you waiting for?

Mývatn is a lake near Akureyri in North Iceland. The lake was formed during a massive eruption 2300 years ago. Today the area is best known for the huge numbers of birds that visit in the summer, and for the weird and inspiring volcanic features that surround the lake. The name "Mývatn" is derived from the vast numbers of midges that gather at the lake and are sure to leave an impression on all who visit! 



In general the area's weather is less severe than what is found elsewhere in Iceland. The average temperature in January is -0.2°C, and in July the average reaches 10.2°C. The area is also one of the sunniest in Iceland, and annual precipitation is only 0.4m.


The easiest and most flexible way to visit the lake is by automobile. There are also numerous buses from Akureyri, Husavik or Egilsstadir. For those looking for more of an adventure, visiting by bicycle entails a 90 kilometer pedal from Akureyri. 

There is not much of a public transport system. If you came to Myvatn by bus, walking, biking and hitchhiking are you best options but beware as it can get quite chilly in the winter. The road around the lake is approx. 36km. so biking is a good option. There are some local trips available at Skútustaðir, Vogar and Reykjahlíð

Myvatn

Myvatn

Seydirsfjordur is were the ferry comes from Europe. Many take there cars with them on the ferry and travel on there own. 

Seydirsfjordur

There is a weekly ferry run by Smyril line - to Denmark and the Faroe Islands. The schedule is complicated but it generally departs once per week at 8AM during the summer half the year (April-June and August-October) , and at 1PM during high season (June-August). Check website for details. Due to the limited market, and rough conditions, prices are very high. A return journey to Denmark for instance will set you back €280-590 with a car or €120-250 per passenger, depending on the season, excluding a supplement fare for a cabin or bed. 


By, bus,he nearest Airport in Egilsstaðir, about 30 minutes away, has regular flights to the capital, there is a daily bus to Seyðisfjörður connecting with the flights stopping in central Egilsstaðir on route. From central Egilsstaðir there are one or two additional departures per day during the summer, as well as the option to change to several bus lines connecting to other parts of Iceland. The buses are run by Ferðaþjónusta Austurlands which has no website, but the city administration website maintains a an updated schedule. 

Seydirsfjordur

Seydirsfjordur

Seydirsfjordur

Northern lights are only visible at the winter and only on a cold winter night will they expose them self’s. It savory to see such a beautiful lights dance in the sky.

Northern lights

Northern lights

Northern lights

for details: iceland-vacation-information.com

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Indonesia: Night in Yogyakarta City

Yogyakarta city name may no longer sound familiar to fans tour the streets, in Indonesia the city became the second tourist destination after Bali for foreign and domestic tourists. Various epithets aimed at this particular area, ranging from the cultural city, university town, city to city gudeg batik. Not to mention writing a variety of Jogjakarta, among others, Ngayogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Jogjakarta, Djogjakarta, or Jogja make this city unique impression.
In addition to cultural heritage, Yogyakarta has beautiful natural panorama. Sites or objects of cultural heritage relics of the past widely spread in the region of Yogyakarta. The city is never dead, day or night Jogja still presenting the beauty for everyone. 

-Malioboro 

When the night, Malioboro more alive. Malioboro, which in Sanskrit means "bouquet" became the basis of naming the street. Malioboro is a one-way streets are flanked by hotels, shops, markets, and restaurants. Every night, at roadside stalls filled with typical lesehan Jogja with bright lights. On the patio stores and souvenir sellers teradapat many souvenirs of Jogja at bargain prices. Variety of goods ranging from local handicrafts, batik, silver and trinkets sold in shops along the corridor.

 

-Kilometer Zero Zone 

Regions zero kilometers is the end of Malioboro street, naming the 'zero kilometer' because this place is the center of the start of counting kilometer in Yogyakarta. Various historical buildings in the region, among others, St. Francis Xavier Church, Bank Indonesia (the former building of De Javasche Bank), General Post Office Building, Bank BNI 46, a former building Matschcappij Nill, Building Societeit de Vereeneging, the Great House as a Keraton presidency during a visit to Yogyakarta, Ngejaman (Stads bell-shaped), and Margo Mulyo Church is banguan Dutch heritage that still functioned until now.
In addition to historic bangunah, as night zero kilometer area became the center of the community and tourists. In one corner there is a monument General Offensive March attack that is often used for exhibitions, festivals, and concerts at night. Zero kilometer area also became a public space to communities in Yogyakarta, call it music community, Bike community, as well as community artists often spent the night in the region.
The arrangement of lights and parks also enhance this area, as well as a variety of foods of Jogja is easily found at night when the tourists indulge tongue. 



-Angkringan 

Angkringan derived from the Javanese language, which means sit back angkring. Angkringan usually a pushcart that sells a variety of cat food such as rice, quail egg satay, fried, wedang ginger, and so on. Angkringan is an egalitarian place for visitors to vary from various walks of life. Starting from the artists, humanists, students, families, an office employee all blend into one. They all enjoy a night on the famous place to chat while eating late into the night.

-Masangin 

If a visit to the cultural center of Keraton Yogyakarta, visitors will pass through an area large enough that a court of the Keraton, called the Alun-alun. Keraton itself flanked by two Alun-alun, the first Alun-alun north and south of the Alun-alun. In Mawlid, when nighttime plaza north enlivened by the night market which is a folk festival market. In this place also often a big music event held at night. 




-Tugu Jogja 

One symbol that is quite famous in Tugu Jogja Jogja is a handsome old building still standing in downtown. This monument is located at the intersection of Jalan P. meeting Mangkubumi on the south side, Jalan PM Sangaji on the north side, Jalan Sudirman in the east, and P Diponegoro Street on the west. 15-meter-high monument was unveiled on October 3, 1889 or 7 Sapar Java Year 1819. The building of this cone is the imaginary axis that connects the South Coast, Kraton Yogyakarta and Mount Merapi.
The building history is a favorite visitor at night, late at night, many tourists who visit the monument was to take pictures. At night, Tugu Jogja is the main attraction for the travelers as the exotic beauty of the lights in the middle order is captivating. 

other picture:

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