Abandoned airports

Runway at Tempelhof

Since my recent(ish) visit to Tempelhof Field in Berlin, a large park that is also the site of disused Berlin-Tempelhof airport opened in 1923 and closed in 2008, it has inspired me to document some other abandoned airports around the world that you may or may not be aware of. Plus its been a long time since I’ve posted on here so I was feeling a little guilty about it…(I have been posting on my new blog though!)

Castellón-Costa Azahar Airport – Benlloch, Spain

Technically not unused now but since its official opening in March 2011 it took up until 2015 before any commercial planes actually landed there, thats 4 years of just sitting there doing nothing. I mean who spends €150 million on an airport that has has zero airlines signed up to land there and zero government approval? Then to make matters worse, in 2012 the entire runway needed dug up and a weird looking statue was erected just outside the airport. See it here.The local politician, Carlos Fabra, who was the mastermind behind this disasters construction is now in jail for tax fraud.

Kai Tak Aiport- Hong Kong

Hong Kongs International airport from 1925 to 1998 before it was replaced by a new airport several miles to the west. Situated in the Kowloon area, Kai Tak airport has now been transformed into a cruise terminal, but during its airport days it was ranked of one of the most dangerous for aircraft landings and a serious test to a pilots skills. The airport was surrounded by high rise buildings and not too far away, hills and mountains. Thought I could share a youtube video (but obviously not) so click here to see how amazingly close these planes got to the city, would of been amazing to see!

 Johnston Atoll Airport- Johnston Atoll, United States Minor Outlying Islands

Just an abandoned former US military base smack bang in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Was closed in 2005 in which the runway still remains, albeit quite damaged. Probably not much fun to visit unless you like complete isolation and lots and lots of water.

Yasser Arafat International Airport – Gaza Strip

Was opened for just 3 years between 1998 – 2001 with the help of millions of dollars in foreign grants. Its downfall was the result of violence, in which Israel bombed the control tower, tore up the runway and destroyed the terminal. Just some of the outer structure and rumble remains from this promising airport.

Ciudad Real Central Airport –  Ciudad Real, Spain

Back to Spain again! This time over €1 billion was spent on this private airport that was opened in mid 2010 but already facing bankruptcy by the end of that year. It was intended to be used as an overflow for Madrid’s Barajas airport, however it was nowhere near Madrid…well over 100 miles away from there. It was also meant to connect to the nearby Madrid-Seville high speed rail line, but wait, there was never such train station built! The airport was officially closed in 2012 and apparently been actioned off €10,000. Oh dear…

 

A funny intro to German

Watched this a few times now but still find it funny,

Enjoy!

Also if you are serious about learning the language, Babbel usually has a free week trial to get you started. Its also good value for money if you decide to keep going with it afterwards 🙂

Click here to register

Anyone else been trying to learn German? How are you finding it?

Looking for last minute inspiration for a German getaway??

So you have some free cash and some free time off coming up but nowhere to go?  No worries! I have put together some inspiration in the form of ‘Upcoming free events in Germany’ that will get you that will have you leaping onto Skyscanner faster than you can say auf wiedersehen! 

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kölner lichter

Where? Along the Rhine, Cologne

When? Saturday 11 July 2015

Why? Its Germany biggest fireworks display synchronised with music, this years’ The event starts around 9.50pm with illuminated ships setting down the Rhine with the main firework display starting at 11.30pm between the Hohenzollern and Zoo Bridge. This year’s theme is ‘Cologne Lights – Absolutely in Love!’  If you have not already visited Cologne, good chance you will be in love before you leave.

How much? Most zone entries are free admission.

Cologne top tip: Try a Kölsch beer, enjoy the sun at one of the beach clubs, visit the Cathedral

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Klassik Open Air, Nürnberg

Where? Luitpoldhain park, Nuremberg

When? Sunday 26 July 2015 and Saturday 8 August 2015

Why? Its a biggie for Classic music/picnic lovers. Its the largest outdoor festival for Classic Music in Europe with over 100,000 attendees. Its modeled around similar concerts such as the New York Symphony Orchestra and London’s Proms in the Park. It starts at 11am on 26 July with the ‘Family Concert’ Classic Open Air at a picnic in the park with the State Philharmonic Orchestra Nürnberg. At 8pm the ’20th Century Classics’ also feature the State Philharmonic Orchestra Nürnberg but with final fireworks display. The 8 August event starts at 8pm with ‘Freedom’ Classic Open Air at a picnic in the park with the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra.

How much? Free admission

Nuremberg Top Tip: Get an insight into Nurembergs history by combining an Old Town walking tour with the Nazi Party Rally Grounds

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Rhine in Flammen

Where? Various locations along the Rhine from Bonn to Rüdesheim

When? From May to Mid September. The upcoming dates and locations include: Koblenz 10 August; Oberwesel 12 September; and St Goar 19 September 2015.

Why? A series of amazing firework displays lighting up castles and the banks of the River Rhine. You can get the best views from onboard an illuminated boat across the Rhine. As well as lots of great photo opportunities there is also live entertainment, fair grounds, and plenty of food and drink stalls.

How much? Free admission

Top tip: Why not try to combine this with a Rhine river cruise? Visit River cruise line or Viking river cruises for more information.

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International Berlin Beer Festival

Where? Along the Karl-Marx-Allee, Berlin

When? Friday 7th to Sunday 9th August 2015

Why? Cant make Oktoberfest? Then how about the 19th International Berlin Beer Festival? A 2.2km stretch of over 2000 types of beer from around the world and 20 stages featuring live music. Each year a different country, theme or topic is the focus point of the festival. This year is ‘Experience the Bier- und Burgenstraße’

How much: Free admission

Berlin Top Tip: Not free for the beer festival? How about visiting Berlin’s 35th Long Night of Museum or Musikfest Berlin?

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Visiting Glasgow on a budget

Glasgow is great for museum geeks!

Why? Well not only does it offer over 20 amazing museums ranging from everything from Charles Rennie Mackintosh Art Nouveau , Salvador Dali paintings, vintage transport and even some quirkier exhibitions….but there pretty much free! Yay! You can learn, admire and all on the cheap. Here is some of the must see’s

The Freebies

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum: The biggest and most visited in Glasgow, actually one of the most visited in the United Kingdom. Displaying over 8000 objects and interactive displays. Includes natural history, a variety of galleries including Mackintosh furniture, renaissance paintings, Salvador Dali’s Christ of St John of the Cross, European arms and armour. It is located on Argyle Street, on the edge of Kelvingrove  Park and a short walk to Glasgow University, West End shops and Botanic Gardens. From City Centre take
subway to Kelvinhall station then 5-10min walk.

Riverside Museum: Previously the Glasgow Museum of Transport, moved to its new location on the River Clyde adjacent the Tall Ship in 2011. So you can visit both. Step back in time and experience the original subway train, shops along the Main Street pre 1930’s, locomotive trains, trams, buses, bikes and cars. Take the subway or rail to Partick  then follow signposts or 100 Riversider bus from George Square, City Centre. OR if your lucky and its a nice day! You can walk alongside the Clyde walkway that takes in a lot of nice sites including the Arc Bridge, BBC building, Science Centre, SECC and The Hydro – takes around 30 mins.

Tall Ship

Interior of Riverside Museum

Peoples Palace and Winter Garden: The story of Glasgow’s history from 1700’s to more recent developments. Gives a feel of what it was like to live and grow up in Glasgow from personal stories, images and exhibitions. Side note: currently exhibiting ‘Our Games’ A celebrating the 2014 Commonwealth games and its volunteers, (I was a volunteer during this!) available until August 2015. There is also a cafe situated within the Winter Gardens which you can relax amongst tropical plants) Set within Glasgow Green, a 15 minute walk from the City Centre. Really nice park to explore on the rare sunny day’s we get!

Another way to get around the City Centre and West End is to use the City Sightseeing Bus that stops at most major attractions – visit http://citysightseeingglasgow.co.uk/

Other free entry exhibitions:

St Mungo’s Museum of Religious life and Art and The Provand’s Lordship (oldest house in Glasgow) situated within the Cathedral Precinct and the nearby Necropolis cemetary- worth visiting them all

Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) – located right in the City Centre just south of George Square

The Burrell Collection – a massive collection crated by Sir William Burrell located in Pollok Park on Southside of Glasgow. Great if you have time to travel outside City Centre.

The Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum – sometimes overlooked due to its location on Sauchiehall Street but contains a great collection of soldier memorabilia around the world and during War times.

More museum info! http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/Pages/home.aspx

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Born in Glasgow in 1868 he became a world celebrated architect, designer and painter.  Glasgow is the best place to visit his works and home to a range of attractions inluding

The Mackintosh House – showing the interior of the home of Mackintosh and his wife lived in during 1906 – 14. Located within The Hunterian Museum and Gallery within Glasgow University. Free 30 min guided tour and no booking is required (travelling as a group? 12 people max per tour)

Glasgow School of Art – includes daily GSA tours, (west part is currently closed due to fire damage) city walking tours, a visitor centre and exhibitions can be accessed.

The Lighthouse – Scotland’s Centre for design and architecture including a rooftop viewing platform. Free entry

See the full list of Mackintosh attractions here

Ok, so what about you non museum buffs? Find everything else on Glasgow at https://peoplemakeglasgow.com/

Memories of Sweden

It’s been years since I have visited to Sweden; to date I have visited Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. It would be good to revisit them plus expand the list.

Here’s a small collection of photo’s from my trips

Gothenburg

Botanical garden

Liseberg

‘Lipstick’ Building

View of Liseberg

Stockholm

City Hall

Vasa Museum

Gamla Stan

Malmö

Øresund Bridge

Things to do when stopping over at Frankfurt Airport

Frankfurt Airport, the 3rd busiest airport in Europe after London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Serves to more than 100 airlines and flies to around 300 destinations worldwide. So there may be a chance, especially if you are planning on flying Lufthansa, that you stop over in Frankfurt airport. A bit like myself when I transferred over here on Wednesday 18 February with a few hours to spare. But good news, Frankfurt Airport is an excellent airport for this sort of thing. Why? Well…

Free Wi-Fi – So you’ve got a few hours to kill and want to update a wee blog or two. Well luckily here you can take advantage of connecting to the internet via Wi-Fi anywhere within the airport for up to 24 hours. Don’t worry if you don’t have a Wi-Fi device as there are various internet points you can sit down at.

Relax Zones and wellness Services – Chill in the Sky Lounge or Luxx Lounge in which all passengers are welcome to for a fee, relax or catch up with your work, relax with food and drink. The Sky Lounge also offers massages. There are several lounges for first and business class passengers including Lufthansa and Etihad Airlines.  There are several relax zones found in both Terminal 1 and 2. Fancy getting a hand or foot treatment? CMT Color Meets Trend Nail Lounge is located in Terminal 1 A or visit Be Relax in Terminal 2. Hairdressers also found in Terminal 1, Airport City Mall.

Got young kids with you? There are various Play area’s within Terminal 1 and 2 to keep them busy and also strollers can be borrowed free of charge at the info counter 10 in Terminal 1

Shopping and restaurants – Premium brands at bargain prices sold in the Duty Free and Travel Shops. An extensive collections of shops from fashion, jewelry, travel accessories, fine foods, local German gifts, books and even a supermarket. For eating, there’s everything from Burger King to a Caviar House.   

Airport tours and Visitors Terrace – The Airport offers 45 minute bus tours giving you an overview of what goes within the airport and gets you up and close to some amazing planes. They run several times a day, no prior booking is needed although you will need to pay for a ticket at the desk in Terminal 1, Airport City Mall. The tours are mainly in German so if you are unable to book in for an English speaking tour you can request an info leaflet if necessary. The Visitors Terrace is found in Terminal 2 but is under construction until Spring 2015.

Staying overnight or longer? There are several hotels on site, The Sheraton, The InterCity Hotel, Hilton and The Steigenberger Airport Hotel for when you fancy a sleep inbetween flights. The Sheraton and Hilton are located in Terminal 1 whereas you can ride a free shuttle bus to The Intercity and Steigenberger. These offer Day rooms for around 6 hours if overnight stay is not required.

Central Frankfurt is only 15 minutes away by S-Bahn. A 1 day Frankfurt card can also be purchased for discounts to attractions (including museums, botanical garden and Frankfurt zoo) and city tours, as well as transport within the city and to/from the airport.

Frankfurt arial view

How much would you spend on your dream

Inspired by the following post. How much would you spend on following your travel aspirations? And do you have extra motivations to want to visit a particular area…say to visit particular hotel branch, casinos, museums, art, sports, concerts, collectors items?

As a current collector of Hard Rock pin’s, I buy them as reminders of the trips I’ve been on (given that the city has them at the time) I can see why it would be a motivating factor to want to continue visiting more new places. I wouldn’t see that as the sole reason for planning on going to a particular area but I do see it as an extra postive when I realise there is a cafe to get my hands on a pin that’ll treasure forever. Ok I only have around 23 pins that I’ve been collecting since 2009, probably the same amount as the amount as cafes the person in the article visits in one year, but I’m hoping to keep expanding my adventures and my collection. If only I was blessed to of been to all the amazing places he has, some people have all the luck!

My downfall like most other people is money, having problems in the past at securing permanent income its not exactly been a breeze travelling and there is so many long distant cities/area’s I wish I could of been to by now but haven’t. On my bucket list, within the next couple of years I want to visit Dubai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Phucket (all on the same trip), Los Angeles, San Fransisco, San Diego, Las Vegas (again probably on the same trip) and probably to Norway – I HAVE to see the aurora borealis or I wont forgive myself, and another Germany trip obviously! Oh and the majority of them do happen to have Hard Rock Cafe’s too 🙂 heheh! Just another wee added bonus eh? Silly but effective!

Budapest Trip!

So I’m going to Budapest with my partner/travel companion Chris on Saturday for 4 nights! It was a last minute decision, literally just booked it today, so very last minute! BUT it means I cant get impatient about it, so logical when you think about it 😀 I have never been before, so I have decided to make a wee list on some places that I have read up about that I would like to visit. Also, anyone who has been that can recommend anywhere, that would be fantastic too! And just as I type this George Ezra’s Budapest plays randomly on Spotify, ha!

Also, I am flying with Lufthansa which means I get to stop over in Frankfurt  am Main Airport for a bit on the way there and back (well for few hours on the way back) which I’m also excited about…I’m a bit of an airport geek….Just too bad I ain’t staying in Frankfurt too, I’ll leave that for my next Germany trip!

Anyways, this was the attractions that peaked my interest

Castle District

Just everything about this place sounds amazing. Climbing the hill in funicular car, Buda Castle and its courtyards, Matthias Church, the views from the Fishermen’s Bastion, the little historic streets, galleries, all the photo opportunities!

 

Thermal Baths

I am overwhelmed by the amount of thermal baths and spa’s there is here. Would be heaven just to relax in one of these for a few hours. I read this is the only capital city that has thermal waters with healing properties. Might help heal my feet from all the walking I plan on doing!! There’s Széchenyi Baths in the City Park which is the biggest public bath in Europe. Gellért Baths, Rudas Baths and Lukács Baths sound like good options too!

Exploring sights down the Danube River

Sounds like there’s a lot of good sights to be seen down by the Danube like the Parliament Building, taking in Margaret Island, the Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Gellert Hill, the Promenade Memorial, amongst others. Probably plan on following the river for a bit by foot but no doubt there will be a lot of river cruises to hop on if I need a wee rest (more than likely judging by the sheer size of it!)

Walking Tours

Despite me moaning about my feet, yes I actually like walking. But obviously with any big city Its highly likely I will be purchasing the Budapest Card for the transport and attraction discounts, and the website states you also get two walking tours of the city, one in the Buda and one in the Pest region. Now usually when I travel I never take part on these walking tours, so I figured I should start somewhere! May come across some sights I didn’t know about and will be good to get better insight/history lesson along the way.

Coffee cake and shopping

I have not stopped talking to Chris about how fantastic the cafe’s in Budapest look, especially the range of coffee’s and mouthwatering cakes, ahh! Probably best I head to these before any lengthy walks hehe! Book Cafe on Andrassy Street sounds amazing as no doubt I’ll be wandering up there on my way to Hero’s Square and City Park. But then so does Cafe Torino, Espresso Embassy, Varosliget Cafe&Bar and probably like a hundred more!! I want to visit the Central Market Hall to get a taste of local Hungarian food, staying in an apartment over a hotel means we can attempt to cook some of it for dinner one night! Váci Utca sounds like a good shopping street as well as the various shopping malls! (Hopefully Chris won’t mind too much! P.S Sorry I keep saying ‘I’ we can go to places you want to as well hehe!)

Other places of interest

Budapest Zoo and Botanical Gardens

House of Terror

Hospital in the Rock

St Stephen’s Basilica

Hungarian National Museum

Miniversum

Will I even have time for all this??!! Well not long til I find out!! Woo!!

Flashback: Miniatur-Wunderland

The world made tiny. One of the most successful attractions in Northern Germany , Miniatur Wunderland. Located in the Hafencity/Warehouse District in Hamburg, it is the world’s largest model railway and and miniature exhibition. Expect to see many ICE trains whizzing around.

Before you go all ‘oh how borrinngg!!’ I went here a good couple of years ago now and it’s definitely worth the visit! You can spend hours in here, the exhibitions are impressive, so many replica’s from Germany, Europe and beyond and the attention to detail in the models is astounding. There is a fully functioning airport, the plane’s even take off, it’s pretty amazing. Oh and when it goes to night mode and it all lights up, especially in the Las Vegas district, it makes you wonder if designing this could be your future job. Considering there thinking of expanding the exhibitions to include Italy and more, where can I sign my contract!

Still unsure, well check out my following gallery;

landungsbrücken Model, Minatur Wunderland

Cape Canaveral – America

Kiruna, Sweden – Scandinavia

It’s even cloned some Dinosaurs

Koehlbrand Bridge – Hamburg

 

 

A confidence thing

Breaking away from the travel talk for just a brief moment…Actually no I think there will be some mention of it…:)

Was browsing through my pins there and I took particular attention to this one

Although I don’t feel personally that I have many qualities of the insecure person in this pic (it’s really just a comparison tbh) I don’t feel that I have as much of the attributes of the confident person either. I honestly feel like self confidence (or lack of) is the biggest factor in why I feel I’ve not quite worked out fully who I am or what I’m capable of in order to live a full and productive life.

Like jobs for example, I didn’t go to university (because I didn’t know what I wanted to do then and still second guessing myself even now…) but being in and out of more temp jobs that I care to admit I know I don’t want to continue this way. (or do anymore unfulfiling admin assistant jobs!!) But this isn’t just due to lack of satisfying permanent opportunities in these economic times, I feel more often than not the low self confidence and anxiety is just slamming the breaks on me taking risks on doing anything ‘decent’ and this is why I’m currently unemployed and feeling a bit disheartened with life in general.

However, I would love love love to do more travelling, way more than I want a job tbh lol. But I keep blaming all the external factors; like not having enough money, it’s not a good time at the present, etc on not taking any risks. Yet I take a step back and feel like I’m going nowhere! but in my head I’m like ‘Oh I def want to live in Germany for a bit to study German, I want to travel to Hong Kong and Thailand, I would like to learn how to do online marketing’ but yet I don’t have the personal skills(?) To actually put it into fruition.

There’s other wee things too but I don’t want this being a pity party ha. I’m not writing this for sympathy but for encouragement 🙂 just want to have more of the confident person attributes and would like to keep improving at these one step at a time (especially the risk taking one!) until I have this confidence to just go.for.it!!