Vienna and the Wide, Wide World

Overview > Archive 2009

About me ...

I am 28 years old, and Viennese by birth. In my working life, I focus on mathematics and software development.

During my holidays, I love to explore foreign (and, if possible, far away) countries. I have already spent my vacations on six different continents, and have also travelled all around the globe in a RTW trip.

Therefore, I will mainly blog about my travels.

Blog Archive

2010
2009
- September (2)
- August (1)
- July (1)
- June (4)
- May (9)
- April (7)
- March (5)
- February (6)
2008
2007

Friends

© Bernhard Kabelka 2007 – 2010

Friday Night Skating

September 27, 2009

As I have already explained previously in my blog, there is still a lot to do in order to improve alternative, environmentally friendly means of transport in Vienna. For this reason, there is a Friday Night Skating.

Citybike Vienna

September 22, 2009

In Vienna, using the bike for everyday transportation is still not as common as it could be. In order to improve that, there is still a lot to do, but some steps have already been taken. One of them was the introduction of the Citybikes back in 2003.

The times, they are a-changin'

August 2, 2009

Almost two and a half months after my RTW trip, I am returning to "normal" life again: I am starting a new job, and moving into my own new apartment.

Staycation in Vienna

July 19, 2009

Even though Vienna is not close to some mountains (as, for example, the city of Steyr, where I was working for three years), there are quite a few possibilities for outdoor sports within the city. The Donauinsel (Danube Island) is especially popular.

Travelling by bike

June 19, 2009

My past RTW trip was a "normal" one, meaning that I (mainly) travelled by plane around the globe. However, some people prefer to travel by other means of transport.

I keep on blogging!

June 10, 2009

Even though my RTW trip is really over now, I would like to continue blogging.

RTW in 36 Pictures

June 7, 2009

[Picture]

Finally, I managed to sift through all my 6724 pictures (and 42 short videos) that I took on my RTW trip. Now, I would like to extend my series "The World in 36 Pictures".

How much is it?

June 3, 2009

After having spent more than two weeks back in Austria, I am slowly feeling at home again. I am already looking for a new job, but I still enjoy looking back on my RTW trip (e.g. when leafing through my pictures). Furthermore, I finally know exactly how much I spent while travelling – which was, fortunately, less than anticipated.

Home, Sweet Home

May 19, 2009

After 26 flights, 42 boat trips, 13 train rides and countless travels in buses and other ground transport (e.g. bicycle, subway, hitch-hiking, rental car or taxi), and travelling almost 62000 km by air, about 1000 km by sea, and probably around 16000 km by land, I have finally returned to Austria. Now, it is time to look back at the high- and lowlights of my trip.

Manhattan Revisited

May 18, 2009

Even though I tried to focus on Brooklyn during this visit, I could not resist spending some time in Manhattan as well. During my time there, I revisited some sights, where I have already been before (e.g. Central Park or my favourite museum, the AMNH), but I have also managed to include some "firsts" into my itinerary.

Brooklyn Discovered

May 17, 2009

Even though I have lived in Brooklyn for four months (during my study abroad), I have not yet visited much of its sights. As my friend whom I visited this time also lives in Brooklyn, I took the opportunity to catch up on tourist sights in this borough.

Green Toronto

May 11, 2009

I think, I have to specify a bit more precisely my impression of Toronto. While I still think that the buildings of Downtown (seen from below) are not the main tourist attraction, I am very fond of the parks, the Waterfront and Toronto Island.

Time Difference: 6 weeks

May 10, 2009

The actual time difference between Austria and Canada might only be six hours, but as far as nature and the seasons are concerned, it seems more like six weeks to me.

Tulips from Amsterdam

May 8, 2009

I explored the Canadian capital for two days, visiting both the Parliament (and its surroundings) as well as two museums (due to the inclimate weather).

Mixed emotions

May 5, 2009

I am not sure what to think of Toronto. On the one hand, the tourist sights are not that exciting. On the other hand, however, I really enjoyed the "other" (i.e. "everyday-life") Toronto that I was able to explore thanks to being shown around by some friends living here.

T minus 1234567

May 4, 2009

Slowly, my RTW trip is coming to an end: From the time of publishing this blog entry until my scheduled arrival in Vienna (if the flight arrives precisely on time) are just some 1,234,567 seconds. In other words, I will return to Vienna late on May 18, 2009.

Amusement Park Niagara

May 2, 2009

The difference between the twin towns Niagara Falls in the United States and Canada could not be any bigger: On the US side, there are (apart from some hotels, and, strangely, Indian restaurants) only derelict buildings, whereas the Canadian side has become an amusement park.

Stopgap or worthy stop?

April 26, 2009

Instead of spending three days at Bocas del Toro, I have decided to spend my time taking the longer, but (according to my guide book) more scenic way via Turrialba to San José. I also took the opportunity to break the trip there and visit some nearby Indian ruins.

Pushing my luck – too much ...

April 24, 2009

I was pushing my luck, and made the long trip to the Bocas del Toro. "Maybe it is only raining in the mountains, and not on the coast?" or so I was hoping – unfortunately in vain.

Hurray, some rain!

April 21, 2009

When I arrived in Boquete yesterday, I did not really encounter the "spring-like climate" that should be found here year-round. Rather, it felt more like summer to me. In the evening and at night, however, it cooled down considerably, and I even needed a thin blanket – how nice!

Drenched in Sweat

April 20, 2009

I do not know if I have ever sweated that much as during my stay on the Osa peninsula, espially during my two-day hiking trek in the Parque Nacional Corcovado. After having hiked half way on the second day, my (fast-drying) hiking shirt was drenched in sweat – and stinking as hell!

Monkeys and Tourists

April 15, 2009

My third volunteer project (after working at Volcán Arenal and in a turtle project) was again quite different. However, I enjoyed myself again, even though it was incredibly hot.

Turtles of the Caribbean

April 8, 2009

My second volunteer project was completely different than my previous one at Volcán Arenal. I have worked at the turtle project "Quelonios del Caribe", which means palm trees instead of rain forest, sandy beaches instead of lava fields, and (of course) turtles instead of a volcano.

Adventure Quad-ing

April 1, 2009

Now, my second week as a volunteer at Volcán Arenal has passed as well, which did not differ too much from my first week. However, I have not yet mentioned one small detail: our mode of transport between the ranger station and the park – which could be quite adventurous indeed.

Volunteering at Volcán Arenal

March 26, 2009

For a week, I have been working as a volunteer at Volcán Arenal National Park, and another week will follow.

City amidst Volcanoes, Volcanoes in Clouds

March 17, 2009

I spent a bit more time in San José than I originally planed to. The "instruction" for my volunteer program only consisted of a one-and-a-half hour long speech about the different projects, and so I had also enough time for exploring the surroundings of the city.

Monteverde

March 12, 2009

As I complained about the tourists in Granada, I should complain even more about the tourists in Monteverde where you can hardly find any locals at all. However, for some reason they do not bother me too much here. The cold, though, is much more of a nuisance.

Curse and Blessing of San Juan del Sur

March 9, 2009

Actually, I should already be in Costa Rica. However, my illness in the beginning of the week forced me to stay three more days in San Juan del Sur in order to finish my Spanish course. Luckily, I feel very much at home at my host family, and the decision to extend my stay was hence a rather easy one.

Ill again!

March 3, 2009

Soon I am really getting sick of this: I am ill for the fourth time on this trip! This time, it is a bacterial infection (again). I have no idea, though, how I got it – aside from the fact that this may happen practically everywhere here in Nicaragua.

Ometepe, the Jewel of Nicaragua

February 28, 2009

I really enjoyed myself on the Isla de Ometepe, which is situated in the middle of Lago de Nicaragua. In my opinion, the island is a must for every traveller coming to Nicaragua.

Help, tourists!

February 24, 2009

Being a tourist, I cannot really say anything against tourists. However, here in Granada there are indeed way too many of them. Therefore, I have not spent much time in the city.

Nicaragua's Black Mountain

February 22, 2009

After the Black Forest a couple of days ago, I visited the Cerro Negro ("Black Hill") volcano today. This time, the name of the volcano resulted from the black sand that is covering it all over.

Nicaragua's Black Forest

February 18, 2009

The city of Matagalpa is nicely situated in the mountains. Hence, there are quite a few hiking possibilities around – including a "Black Forest" (the "Selva Negra")!

School eviction of another kind

February 15, 2009

The last Friday was indeed a Friday the 13th for the Escuela de Español FUNDECI/GAIA: A strike of the Spanish teachers was followed by the eviction of the school from its main building. A new owner has been assigned by court! Within a few hours, we had to vacate the building completely (including all furniture).

Studying Spanish

February 12, 2009

After almost two weeks of Spanish lessons at the Laguna de Apoyo in Nicaragua I am beginning to feel more comfortable with the Spanish language. However, I really had to study hard to achieve this.