Introduction
SGW is very grateful to our friend and contributor, Allen Lai, for this final part of his adventures in Europe.
It would appear that my lucky star is still with us. Despite the rainy day forecast, we seem to have caught a break while we were on the road.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the second most popular tourist city in France, after Paris. The city is chiefly known for its sandstone Gothic Cathedral with its famous astronomical clock, and for its medieval cityscape of Rhineland black and white timber-framed buildings.
This is particularly so in the Petite France district or Gerberviertel (“tanners’ district”) alongside the Ill and in the streets and squares surrounding the cathedral, where the renowned Maison Kammerzell stands out. Walking around is like in a fairyland.
The executioners had a bad reputation in the Middle Ages.
The Tanner’s Guild
The Maison Kammerzellwhich
We had lunch at the famous historic Maison Kammerzellwhich is right next to the cathedral. This 14th-century Maison is not only famous for food, but it’s an appointed restaurant for all the presidents, visiting officials, movie stars, and famous visitors. Inside, we passed through the hall of fame. Ronald Reagan, de Gaulle…..were there. Climbing up to the third floor, we have to pull on the rope. The food and wine are incredible and the setting is classic.
Heidelberg
After lunch, we drove back to Heidelberg, Germany. It is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the country. The picturesque ensemble of the castle, the Old Town, and the river Neckar surrounded by hills, inspired the poets and artists of romanticism. Being a university city, there’s a special kind of vibe. But compared with my last visit before the pandemic, it looks quiet and many shops were out of business.
We had our pork knuckle and German beer. Then went back to Frankfurt and got ready to fly home. I have a great time. Europe never disappoints me. Not sure when the turmoils of this sick world will recover. But I am not waiting, making use of every opportunity to see the world. Back to Toronto, do my laundry then put everything back in my suitcase, getting ready for my next trip next month.
Conclusion
As this post is being uploaded, Allen is in South America visiting Peru. I received this message from him, shortly before his departure.
“I am on my way to Peru, it’s been always on my bucket list, long before I knew the existence of Machu Picchu. It was a 1947 expedition, where Norwegian explorer and writer Thor Heyerdahl set sail from Peru in a balsawood raft to prove that Polynesians originated from the Incas. In his book, the Kon Tiki expedition, he wrote about the Inca people and I was fascinated. The lost civilization, the culture, the people, the place, the extraterrestrial appearance. The book was published in 1950, the era when men and women took up the challenge, of climbing the highest mountains, conquering the oceans, and exploring the unknown with very little of what they knew, but tons of courage to face the seemingly impossible task. The very same era when I was born….lol”
SGW is looking forward to hearing about his adventures.
Thank you for visiting Stewart Goes Walkies. I hope you enjoyed this post. Please feel free to leave a comment and, if you would like us to publish an adventure of yours, you can contact us here:
Help us to make a commitment to the reduction of plastics in our environment. Don’t buy drinking water in plastic bottles when it’s easy to bring it from home. Let’s work together to save the planet.
