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Saving Luxembourg's history in the train station : )

today Le Passerelle: in the cafe In a café in Luxembourg, I was drawn to an old photograph of the Passerelle Bridge, first constructed to carry trains into what was then the fortified city of Luxembourg. Seeing it in person makes you appreciate the sheer scale of the structure. Standing nearly 45 metres above the valley and strategically positioned as part of the city's defensive landscape, it remains an impressive gateway leading towards Luxembourg Gare, the central railway station. Around the station, generous natural light filters through a translucent canopy that shelters the surrounding walkways—a welcome blessing in the height of summer. Inside the station, a stained-glass window presents a colourful mosaic of the city, while above it stretches a hand-painted mural best described as vibrant and flowing. Together they evoke movement, the passing of time, and the spirit of travel. Those themes resonate with the nearby war memorial dedicated to Luxembourg's fallen soldier...

Lux living in Luxembourg, first impressions : )

Luxembourg truly lives up to its name, putting the luxury in living. This tiny but mighty country is, after all, one of the wealthiest nations in the world. It also shares its name with the Belgian Province of Luxembourg, as both were once part of the historic Duchy of Luxembourg before being divided in the nineteenth century. local beer: Diekirch One of the finest views of the capital city can be found from the iconic viewpoint known as the Chemin de la Corniche —often nicknamed "Europe's most beautiful balcony." It is easily reached thanks to Luxembourg's free public transport network. The city's buses and trams, dressed in their distinctive colours, stand out beautifully against the beige façades that characterize much of the city. Once you're here, however, there is no better way to explore than on foot. Walking along the cliffside is especially enjoyable if you've picked up a quick snack beforehand. With much of the architecture blending seamlessly ...

Glimpses of Copenhagen Botanical Garden : )

The Botanical Garden in Copenhagen is a vast oasis of plant and insect life. It can easily occupy a few hours of leisurely wandering if you want to explore all of its highlights. The grounds feature a greenhouse, a flower shop, and countless landscape details, including waterfalls, ponds, and bridges. I planned my visit so that I could explore everything outside the Palm House first, and then return on another day to focus on the tropical plants, cacti, and butterflies that reside within the Palm House itself. Since this historic garden first opened in 1600, it has grown into a remarkably diverse collection of plant life. Especially during the summer months, its abundance of greenery is a true feast for the eyes. There are countless plants with unusual textures that almost invite you to reach out and touch them, while moorhens, ducks, and magpies seem to have claimed the gardens as their own. Part of the garden's charm lies in the thoughtful design of its pathways. No matter where...

Ozzy Gatto, a metro museum artist!

A few days ago, something interesting caught my eye: a black-and-white photograph peering back at me, depicting an unknown person against an unknown backdrop. Soon I began noticing more of them throughout the metro, each bearing the insignia of the artist collective Ozzy Gatto. These photographs come from the personal relics of Ozzy's collection, spanning decades into the past while transforming the metro into a moving museum. In a radio interview from five years ago, one of the collective's two representatives alluded to the purpose of the project: to serve as a unifying thread between the early twentieth century and the present day. To me, these photographs feel especially reminiscent of the subway tunnel connecting the metro to the central train station. They lend a poetic coherence to us travellers as we move through space and time, much as the people captured in those images once did themselves.

Walking in Kovalam, with lively crabs!

We thought ourselves rather lucky to arrive amid crustaceans, but when we began driving towards Thiruvananthapuram this morning, our true goal was to find a grand lunch served on a traditional banana leaf. And so we did, thanks to our expert driver. You know how people sometimes say the best restaurants are the ones that slightly disrespect you—not obnoxiously, but in an oddly endearing way? This lunch stood as a testament to focusing solely on the food while every other distraction faded quietly into the background. Long after we were back on the road towards the beach at Kovalam, I still found myself dwelling on the savoury curries and beetroot chutney. Even now, the memory oppressively saddens my palate as I lament the distance, both in time and geography, between myself and that meal. And now, having brought it all back to mind, I shall let you share in my despair. Speaking of downers, we arrived in Kovalam just in time for a cosy sunset, so we decided to stroll along the shor...

King's Garden (Kongens Have) of Copenhagen : )

As the king of 17th-century Denmark, Christian IV commissioned this garden for private use. This large, spacious patch of ground was designated as a fruit and vegetable garden for the royal family, but now the purpose and design of the garden have broadened considerably. Although not far from the entrance, we quickly see the first mark that the old king left as his legacy here: this statue of the lion and the horse, which depicts a battle between light and darkness. Walking along these huge lime trees does impress something grand afoot, and just as it should, because this path is also known as the Knight's Path, presumably for the knights of a bygone era. They must have guarded these doors to the crown jewels that are stored in the mighty Rosenborg Castle. It is surrounded by a moat, which is rather typical of a castle, and then also filled with friendly carp fish, which is rather atypical. But that explains the abundance of birds in this area too. source: wikipedia As we move tow...