Hanna, Autor bei GREEN TRAVEL BLOG - Page 15 of 16

Author: Hanna

The university for children on Juist: perceptible sustainability

The university for children on Juist: perceptible sustainability

What can we do in everyday life and when traveling to live more sustainable? What does sustainability aim at? Consequences of climate change? Where and how are t-shirts produced? And why is Juist car free? These questions take center stage at the children university, which…

Actively and relaxing: a vacation in the Leitlhof in South Tirol

Actively and relaxing: a vacation in the Leitlhof in South Tirol

The Italian Dolomites are for sure well known to every mountain lover. Who has not seen the impressive pictures of the Drei Zinnen or the gorgeous view from the Seiser Alm to the Langkofel-Gruppe? In addition clear mountain lakes reflecting mountains and pines wait to…

A hidden treasure of Thailand – the region of Loei

A hidden treasure of Thailand – the region of Loei

To get to know Thailand from another perspective – namely its green side – is what we aim at in our blog. Also if Thailand is one of the most popular destinations in South-East Asia, you can find many opportunities to travel off the beaten tracks making unique experiences. Today we take you to the less known region of Loei in the Northern part of Thailand.

 

Pure nature in the national park

By a total of 127 national parks in Thailand only one handful is really known. Phu Kradueng belongs to those less visited, though its nature is especially impressive and diverse: from the high plateau to bamboo and pinewoods to waterfalls and blossoming meadows. On walks in the park you meet elephant, dogs, squirrels, all sort of birds and the rare species of tortoise Tao Poo Loo. The park is spread over more than 348 km2 – enough space for hiking far away of the bustle. A special highlight in the park is the sunrise over the Pha Nok Aen cliff and the sundown at the Pha Lom Sak cliff. Also in the Phu Kradueng national park you will find the mountain Phu Ho that is often compared to the Japanese Fuji. A real must for all nature lovers.

 

Highlight: Watch the sunrise on the Nok Aen cliff at the Phu Kradung national park in Loei © TAT
Highlight: Watch the sunrise on the Nok Aen cliff at the Phu Kradung national park in Loei © TAT

 

The dinosaurs send their regards

As if you have landed in the film set of Jurassic park – this is how you will feel every now and then in the park Suan There Pha Ngam. The weirdly and arbitrarily towering limestone rocks together with the gigantic trees almost look primeval. Exploring the park by feet definitively is a special experience: Some of the walks will lead you to platforms from which you can spot the formations from above. With some imagination you can maybe guess the names of the rocks, which are chosen accurately, for example, “tortoise”, “dinosaur” or “elephant”. Other paths bring you right into the limestone caves hollowed out by the water over millions of years.

 

Primeval looking national park Suan Hin Pha Ngam © TAT
Primeval looking national park Suan Hin Pha Ngam © TAT

 

Real insiders tip

If you love (authentic) Thai food as much as me, you should plan a short stay in the small town Chiang Khan. It lies in the Northern part of the region, only separated from the neighboring country Laos by the Mekong. On the weekend the town comes alive: then on every corner you can find food stands and street side barbecues – perfect to get to know the variety of the Thai kitchen apart from Pad Thai! Also worth an excursion is the Mekong rapid Keaeng Khut Khan only a few kilometers from Chiang Khan, which is a real eye-catcher in particularly in the dry season.  Then the river water writhes around multicolored, flatly polished rocks.

 

Kaeng Khut Khu - Mekong rapid
Sunset at the Mekong rapid Kaeng Khut Khu ©TAT

 

Colorful mask parade

If you travel to Loei in June, you should by no means miss the three-day-long Bun Phawet festival in the town of the same name. This year the “mind festival” takes place from the 16th to the 18th of June. While on the first day the people ask for the protection of the spirits of the nearby Mun River and take part in Buddhist ceremonies on the third day, the real highlight takes place on the second day: the colorful Phi Ta Khon parade. The locals dress up and dance through the streets up to the temple Wat Phon Chai. The masks are carved with love to the detail from the wood of coconut palms and rice shells and are brightly painted. A little bit creepy, but at the same time also very impressive.

 

Phi Ta Khon Festival in Loei
Phi Ta Khon Festival in Loei © TAT
A different Thailand: staying with sea nomads

A different Thailand: staying with sea nomads

Do you remember? Some time ago, we addressed the problem of “overtourism” in a blog post. When entire regions suffer from the burden of tourism, we need new concepts and approaches. Community-based tourism is one of these approaches, ensuring that everyone involved benefits from tourism:…

Berghotel Rehlegg: wellness & wanderlust

Berghotel Rehlegg: wellness & wanderlust

The beautiful Bavarian district Berchtesgadener Land, the mountaineering village Ramsau and the Instagram star Königsee: there are many reasons for a visit to this lovely area in the southeast of Bavaria. A special highlight is Berghotel Rehlegg, a pioneer in sustainable tourism and more than…

 

So, what exactly is cream soda?

Cream soda mixed with vanilla ice cream by a soda jerk—historical photo
A soda jerk in Texas in 1920. IMAGE: Wikimedia Commons

Th drink originated in the United States. In the 1920s, soda bars were all the rage, and soda jerks would mix drinks fresh with soda water, milk, ice cream, or egg, depending on the customer’s preference.

Today, cream soda is usually a sweet, carbonated lemonade with vanilla flavoring (though it doesn’t contain milk or cream). In the U.S., it’s often golden brown, but in Japan, there are also pink and green varieties flavored with cotton candy or melon.

In German-speaking countries, cream soda is not a standard supermarket beverage. Instead, it is often only available as an imported product in U.S./U.K. or Asian sections. (Note: Mass-produced brands like A&W (U.S.) and Barr (U.K.) typically contain artificial flavors, colors, and corn syrup.

You’ll have the smallest ecological footprint if you use cream soda syrups that you carbonate or mix with sparkling water yourself.)

 

A glass of pink lemonade, garnished with a slice of lemon; in the background, other glasses containing similar drinks

Summer Smash Lemonade with Cream Soda and Berries

The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb shared its recipe for this refreshing summer drink. A sophisticated flavor with berries, cream soda, and a pinch of salt and chili to finish it off!!
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g mixed berries e.g., raspberries, blueberries, strawberries
  • 100 ml lime juice freshly squeezed (about 2–3 limes)
  • 100 ml elderflower syrup  or agave syrup for natural sweetness
  • 150 ml mineral water fresh and bubbly
  • ice cubes
  • 2 tbsp mint leaves
  • lime slices for garnish
  • splash chili or ginger syrup for a little kick (optional)
  • sea salt

Instructions
 

  • Place the berries in a small bowl and mash them into a purée. Set a few whole berries aside for garnish.
  • Pour freshly squeezed lime juice into a glass or shaker and mix it well with either elderflower or agave syrup.
  • Hand-pluck the mint leaves and add them to the lime juice along with ice cubes. Then, shake or stir the mixture vigorously.
  • Fill the three serving glasses with the berry purée first, and then top them off with the lime-mint mixture.
  • Now, carefully stir in the sparkling mineral water and cream soda.
  • Here's an optional tip from the hotel bartender: "If you like it spicy, add a splash of chili or ginger syrup. It gives the lemonade a cool kick that perfectly balances the fruity sweetness."
  • Garnish & Serve: Garnish with fresh berries, lime slices, and mint leaves. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top for an added kick that perfectly rounds out the flavor and enhances the fruitiness.
Keyword Mocktail