The First Ski Trip for 2012

The long MLK weekend marked our first ski trip for 2012.  When skiing the Alps there are literally hundreds of ski areas to choose from.  Large popular ski areas, smaller-sized ski areas geared for intermediate and beginner skiers, and of course, the ski areas known for the parties.  I really don't feel you can go wrong with any area you choose.  It is the Alps after all.  Last year we unknowingly tried out the "large and party" ski area and had a great time.  This year we decided try a smaller area in the Tyrol region.  The ski area of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is actually a combination of three different areas on the same mountain.

The snowfall this year in the Alps has been hit or miss.  We were getting a bit nervous the week before the trip when there was very little new snow on the slopes.  However, a few days before we left a massive storm rolled in and dumped nearly 2 feet of snow....perfect.  The super cold temperatures helped maintain the snow by not letting it melt and freeze each day.

While most ski vacations in Europe involve taking a full week to enjoy the slopes, we decided to limit our time to 3 days.  We learned last year that after 3 days of skiing the massive fun is quickly replaced by sore and tired legs.  The weather this year was unbelievable: pure sun, no clouds, and no wind.  You couldn't ask for better conditions!

The official welcoming committee for Serfaus.

The views when skiing the Alps are....well....these pictures say it all.  

One of our favorite lifts: Planseggbahn

With all the recent new snow the main runs were well-groomed....leaving the off piste prime for enjoying the powder.

A view from the top of Schonjachbahn gondola.

Safe to say Andrea is having a great time......

.....and safe to say I am having a great time.  

Honestly, the Europeans have really figured out how to do skiing right.  Get in a few runs and then pick out a nice bench (below) and take in the warm sun and enjoy unbelievable view.  If I haven't said it before....I love skiing the Alps.

Another view of my chosen sun bathing location.

Our favorite eating spot: Wonnealm.  A perfect deck with great views and hearty food. The perfect combination.

Skiing the back side....more great views, although they needed a bit more snow. 

Andrea patiently...or impatiently....waiting for the camera guy.  

One of the lifts, Konigsleithebahn, offered heated seats, custom kids stop, and adjustable feet rests.  All the fine features for a lift named after a king......

The view from the Konigsleithebahn......

....and Andrea enjoying the view....and the heated seats.  

More impressive views of the valley below.

At the end of the day, sometimes you just need one last rest on a good bench that offers an amazing view....

The best part of skiing at Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis: the helpful sign at the bottom that lets you know you are finished.

A view from the village Fiss at sunset. 

What a great trip.  Three days that each begin with a delicious breakfast followed by a fun-filled day skiing in the warm sun is a great vacation in my book.  The nightly homemade meals and German television were a bonus.  I have to say that watching the movie Braveheart dubbed in German was a first.

We are excited for our next ski trip in February where we will head down to a village just on the other side of Innsbruck, Austria.  Can't. Wait.   

Last entry for Ireland: Giant's Causeways and more!

After enjoying a wonderful night’s sleep powered by a tasty Irish meal, we headed out for the coast.  The final destination was the Giant's Causeways, but there were many great sights to see along the way.  First stop was the Carrickfergus castle.  Built in 1177 the castle played an important military role until the early 1900's.    Today the castle is one of the best preserved medieval structures in Ireland....which is quite surprising, given the nasty cold wind that is common along the coast.  Hence the heavy jackets and hats........

Not sure if this guy got the memo: the war is over dude........we're not trying to storm your castle.

Continuing our drive up the coast.....the views were amazing. 

Our next stop was the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.  This 20 meter rope suspension bridge links the mainland to the tiny Carrick Island and was at one time a vital route for the local salmon fisher’s years ago.   If you look REALLY hard, you may see it in the gap between the rocks on the far right of the picture.  Why didn't we get a close up or even cross the bridge?  Well......a nasty weather front had moved in bringing buckets of rain/snow, the walk out to the bridge was about one hour each way, and most importantly......there is an admission fee (denominated in pounds).

Looking out from the overlook near the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. 

When we arrived to the Giant's Causeways the weather had settled into a revolving calm/massive storming routine that was highlighted by gale force winds.  Excellent weather to explore the Causeways!   So what exactly are the Giant's Causeways and why are they such an attraction?  It is an area right against the water’s edge where roughly 40,000 interlocking basalt columns form a unique series of "stepping stones".  The scientific reason for the unique shapes is a volcanic eruption that took place some 50 to 60 million years ago.  There is, however, a fun and more entertaining reason for the unique "stepping stones".  Legend has it that the Irish warrior Fionn McCool built the causeway to walk to Scotland to fight his Scottish counterpart Benandonner.  Whichever version you choose to believe, the Giant's Causeways make for an impressive sight and worth a visit if you find yourself in Northern Ireland.  

Heading down the path to the Causeways.... 

A close up of the unique structures.

Us standing in front of the Giant's Causeways.

I did mention the gale force winds, right?  Here the girls are doing their best to maintain a vertical stance against the winds.  It was seriously that windy.....

The drive back to Belfast was all about drying off and warming up.  The sightseeing was not over however.  We still had a few more sights on the agenda before we called it done.  The first was the Belfast City Hall.  

Unfortunately the building was closed due to the New Years holiday.....go figure.  No worries, the next stop was going to more than make up for the disappointment: the Belfast Shipyard.  

This shipyard is probably most famous for building the ship Titanic in 1912.  Here we are standing in front of a dry dock near where the ship was built and fitted.  This dry dock was not the original, however, it is big enough to hold the Titantic.....if it had not have sank on its maiden voyage to America anyway. 

This coming April 2012 marks the 100 year anniversary of the Titanic's creation and....sinking.  There are many great events planned for the special occasion, including a new visitor’s center that houses period pieces and one of the original boats that was used to ferry out passengers to the Titanic before it set sail.   

Here is a replica of the bow section of the Titanic built to scale...

...and a drawing to help give perspective to the size of the ship.

And finally, no visit to the Belfast Shipyard be complete without taking a picture of the two massive cranes that have built several large vessels over the years: Samson and Goliath.

And just like that our weekend in Ireland came to a close.  A quick drive back down to the airport and before we knew it we were sitting back home in Germany.  Ireland is a great country and one that we hope we will be able to return to someday.  The Northern coastline and the beautiful countryside is a great destination.....probably even better when visited during the warmer months of the year.  

Belfast, Ireland

On New Year's day we picked up the rental car and headed north to Belfast.  On the way we stopped off at the Monasterboice Monastery to have a look around.  Although the original monastery structures are long gone, you will find three high crosses and round tower that all date back to the 10th century.

The view from the former monastery is impressive.  I should point out that Monasterboice is located right in the middle of nowhere. 

This really cool rock wall surrounds the entire complex.

The drive from Dublin to Belfast is a quick one.....just under two hours.  If you ever have the chance to visit the two cities, I highly suggest renting a car and exploring the country between them.  The rolling green hills make for a very relaxing drive and a great way to spend an afternoon.

When we arrived in Belfast it was easy to see the city was dedicated to various industries, including ship building and repair.  You may recall that the ship Titanic was built in Belfast and the locals are quick to point out that the ship sailed just fine when it left port!

In addition to the city that built the Titanic, Belfast is also known for its years of violent struggles.  Visiting the city today is quite safe.....it is possibly the safest city in all Europe.  But it wasn't always this way.....and the scars from all of the violence are still very visible today.  First, why the conflict?  In the simplest of terms, there has been a long political struggle between the groups Nationalists and Unionists.  The Unionists, who are predominantly of the Protestant religion, want Northern Ireland to remain as a part of the United Kingdom.  The Nationalists, who are predominantly Roman Catholic, wish for Northern Ireland to be politically united with the rest of Ireland and independent from British rule.  Thankfully most of the steady violence has ceased since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

The best way to learn about the history of the political struggle is to take a Black Cab Tour.  The one hour tour will take you all over Belfast showing the historical landmarks while the driver provides a history lesson on the political struggle between the two groups.  Our driver, Paddy, was a true legend.  He has been driving for over 30 years as a cab driver and provided a terrific historical timeline for the city.

First stop: the 18-foot high "Peace Line"....a wall built to separate Nationalists and Unionists neighborhoods.

The political murals that tell the stories from the "Troubles" of the Falls and Shankills road. 

One of many homes that back up to the Peace Line wall.  Note the structure built around the back porch.  It is covered with chain-link fence to help prevent "flying objects" that may occur from "explosions" near or on the wall.  Wow.  I had an electric fence to be mindful of when I was playing as a kid.....another reminder how fortunate we are to grow up in the USA.

A monument dedicated to the victims from the violence over the years.  Note the official Irish flag.  The green represents the native people of Ireland and the Nationalists, the orange represents the United Kingdom and the Unionists, and the white in between represents peace and honesty between the people.  Powerful stuff.

This particular section of the Peace Line wall measures at over 25 feet tall.  The first barriers were built in 1969 after a few tragic clashes.  Interesting that the first barriers were meant to be "temporary"....  The wall stretches approximately 13 miles and includes several gates to cross sides.  The gates are wide open during the day but they do close every evening.

Our cab with the wall in the background.

Looking through one of the closed gates.  This gate is very unique in that there are actually two different gates (the other gate is in the distant background).  The buildings in between the gates are factories and generally places of employment.  With the gates shutting promptly at 6pm each night, there is no "working late"....unless you brought a sleeping bag and some snacks to get you by until the next morning.  

A rainbow in Ireland...priceless.

Us with our legendary cab driver/tour guide: Paddy.

If you have some time, check out an episode from the show ‘No Reservations’.  The host Anthony Bourdain takes the same tour of Belfast with Paddy our cab driver.  It's a great piece!  

No Reservations - Ireland

Next stop.....the Giant's Causeways!