Life sign

My dears,

It has been a while. Time flies and life has become real fast. Work, sleep, play... It has been a very intense time and I want to share a few special memories.

We had a great time in Styria in late Fall, colors were so different and that time of year it is extremely quiet, almost just us and the kiddos, which is fabulous....

At Christmas time we browsed through some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the country. One of my favourite markets is the one at Schloß Ort near Gmunden. Very traditional, floating lights and decorated trees on the lake, the wonderful little castle with candles and all..... Very nice! Come when it is a bit darker and the lights are on! (But it is hard to take photos in the night, mind.)

Then we went to a cruise at the river Danube - it was "Gospel night", and along with "Gospel and More" we and our friends from Longfield definately rocked the place! Sorry, other passengers, but how can you not sing and dance along with such excellent music?

And of course there was Longfield´s charity concert for the "Österreichische Muskelforschung" which - in our minds - was also our Christmas concert of the season. Thanks to Dr. Georg Weilguny and all my Singers´ collegues! Dear Georg, I am really curious about your plans for us Singers for 2015!

Short before New Year´s a very dear friend of mine had a special anniversary this year. I am not saying which one, and looking at her you cannot guess anyway. I hope to reach the same anniversary just being as fit and good looking! Now: Who is Michi and who is her daughter? *gg* Thanks for the invitation, it was a phantastic party!

And when we had fun, the kiddos had their good times too....

Dear friends, I wish you and us all the best for 2015! I hope it is going to be a healthy, fun-filled and prosperous year for all of us. Take care, and until next time!

Beautiful Mallorca

As I mentioned somewhere before, Mallorca really has it all. On quite a small island you have an amazing variety of landscapes and things to do.

The Tramontana mountains you will cross most probably when you are heading to the West of Mallorca. Great views (hey, I think we had that before, right?), sometimes a stunning silence when you are out there on your very own, and sometimes you meet bikers and bicyclists winding their way up and down the endless curves.

Then of course there is Palma. When you arrive out of the quietness of the mountains you are overwhelmed by the hussle and bustle of this busy city. It is a big and often loud city - for me no difference to other big and crowded cities in the world, no place I would want to LIVE - but it is definately worth a day trip or two. We spent a day there and thinking back it was a day to remember, I absolutely would go there again for sightseeing next time. But I would never want to book an appartment there - there are many better and more quiet places where you would want to stay while on holiday.

Here you have the famous cathedral of Palma - definately a must-see when you are there.

Lots of things to see in Palma, for example the Arabian Baths and other places. But in case you want to take it easy, then just do a bit of shopping. There are many specialities you can get here. I especially recommend the Almond cake!

And of course this is what Palma is famous for, and what you also find here: The Jetset and their boats...

When you turn down to the South you find a more quiet area of "the island". Not so many hotels, not so much tourism, again you drive on quiet lanes in the middle of nowhere, and you have to be really careful not to miss one of the most important excavation sites on the island: Capocorb Vell. Here you see some of the mysterious Talaiots - stone piles (pyramids? houses?) - which are the ruins of a settlement from 2000 years b.c. When you are coming from Llucmajor down to Cap Blanc you should be able to find it - and you will enjoy the "vory stroinge" air of the Signora guarding the place. I hope she has solved her marriage problems.... Anyway, being Indiana Jones Jr. I really loved the place.

Even further down South there is Cala Pi - a place just to sit high above the waves and stare at the deep blue sea around you. Hardly anybody there, maybe because there is just a tiny beach and a very rocky and steap shoreline. Definately my place.

Another place you might want to go there is Es Trenc, one of the beaches down there they tell you about as a "secret spot" which hardly anybody goes to because there is almost no infrastructure. Yes, there is almost no infrastructure, but it also was the place I met the most people. So this little "hideaway" is no hideaway anymore. I would settle for Cala Pi any time instead, but never mind Es Trenc was still beautiful.

So it is bye-bye island, bye-bye beaches - so many things left to do and see next time....