The parade started out with two boats carrying white-dressed colleagues of AIDS campaigners who were killed in the MH17 crash in Ukraine marked the start to the gay parade. Signs reading “Remembering our colleagues on MH17″ and music made this a very emotional start into an otherwise flamboyant party. 80 boats, thousands of spectators along the canals, brilliant costumes and vibrant sounds.

Members of the Aids Fonds organisation pay tribute to the victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 at the start of the Amsterdam Canal Parade.

It was my third pride parade this year (after Auckland & Vienna) but I’ve never felt the kind of spirit & energy as I have in Amsterdam. The entire city went along. Hotels & restaurants advertised the parade, rainbow flags hung from several apartment buildings and posters & flags were hung up everywhere. Amsterdam is such an open and tolerant city and I love that!

80 boats started from Westerkerk church down the Prinsengracht.

Westerkerk Church was covered in a rainbow flag during the Pride Parade. Something you unfortunately don’t see very often, but in Amsterdam EVERYONE goes along – also the church.

The Amsterdam Pride Parade is one of the best and most fun prides in the world.

The Amsterdam Pride Parade is fun for everyone – gay and non-gay.

About 500.000 people from around the world attended the multicoloured beats-fuelled Pride Parade in historically tolerant Amsterdam.

The Amsterdam Pride Parade shows people celebrate equality & freedom together.

Even the planes diverted their route to fly over the Amsterdam Canal Parade.

Pride Parades are held all across the globe, but Amsterdam is the only city that has the parade on boats.

Amsterdam’s reputation of being the “gay capital of the world” is severely tested as thousands of people flood the city.

Moroccan and Jewish boats debut at this years Amsterdam Pride Parade.

After King’s Day, the Amsterdam Pride Parade is the biggest event in Amsterdam.

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage in 2001. Another reason, why it is such a popular destination for LGBT visitors.

Amsterdammers decorate their own boats along the Gracht to celebrate the Amsterdam Pride Parade.

Large companies such as Absolute Vodka or Google have started to sponsor the Pride Parade by joining the parade on their own boat.

Nowhere in the world you will find so many gay-friendly attractions per square metre as in the city centre of Amsterdam.

The Amsterdam Pride Parade tends to have a more profound meaning than just party. Every year boats from a more “controversial” background – like the police or military for example.

Amsterdam could be considered the birthplace of LGBT rights. Homosexuality was decriminalized here in 1811.

The party crowd didn’t let a little rain get in the way of celebrating the 19th annual Amsterdam Pride Parade.

“Live and let live” is one of the city’s favourite sayings.

The Amsterdam Pride Parade was my personal highlight during my 4-day visit.

The list of my 10 favourite coffeehouses in Vienna is in no particular order. I like all of them equality – it just depends where I am or what mood I’m in.

1. phil

The phil was the first one of its kind in Vienna. Today there are several coffee shops that offer food, drinks, shopping and culture all in one. The phil served as a role model and has become a real institution. Almost everything can be bought and most of the books and magazines here have been put together by the customers themselves. It’s a great place to sit for hours while listening to some great tunes.

• Address: Grumpendorferstrasse 10-12, 1060 Vienna
• Opening Hours: Monday 5.00pm – 1.00am & Tuesday – Sunday 9.00am – 1.00am
• Website

The inside of the phil is a mixture between a café, book shop and vintage furniture shopping. © stadtbekannt

Vintage furniture inside the phil in Vienna. © stadtbekannt

In summer you can also sit outside the phil.

2. burg.ring1

The shabby-chic look of the burg.ring1 might remind you of a coffeehouse in Berlin or London – or even one of the similar looking coffee houses in the 7th district of Vienna, yet the difference is the noble address and the spaciousness. It feels like an extended living room with a house bar. A real feel-good place with yummy breakfast and the best home-made lemonade.

• Address: Burgring 1, 1010 Vienna
• Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 11.00am – 1.00am, Friday 11.00am – 2.00 am, Saturday 9.00am – 2.00am & Sunday 9.00am – 6.00pm
• Website

A cozy atmosphere inside the burg.ring1 in Vienna.

A cozy atmosphere inside the burg.ring1 in Vienna.

3. Kleines Café

Built by the famous Viennese architect Hermann Czech, the Kleines Café is a primary rock of the culture scene. It’s very popular, therefore overcrowded most of the time. But the wait is well worth it because the charm of this tiny café is beguiling. In summer, sit down at the Fransiskanerplatz, which is one of the most picturesque places of the inner city.

• Address: Franziskanerplatz 3, 1010 Vienna
• Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 10.00am – 2.00am & Sunday 1.00pm – 2.00am

Kleines Café in Vienna. © stadtbekannt

Kleines Café on the Franziskanerplatz in Vienna. © stadtbekannt

4. Café Drechsler

The Drechsler has always been an institution in Vienna. In 2007, it was completely refurbish by the British star designer Sir Terence Coran. It’s still one of the most important meeting points in the scene, especially for a great breakfast after a hard night out in the town. Located right next to the Naschmarkt, this café is located in the hot spot of Vienna.

• Address: Linke Wienzeile 22, 1060 Vienna
• Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 8.00am – Midnight, Friday & Saturday 8.00am – 2.00am, Sunday 8.00am – Midnight
• Website

Inside the Café Drechsler in Vienna.

Inside the Café Drechsler in Vienna. © stadtbekannt

Outside the Café Drechsler in Vienna.

5. Halle

One of the two undisputed centrepiece of the Museumsquartier (apart from Café Leopold), the Halle offers lots of seating spaces, high ceilings and designer furniture. But even with all the available room, this place is packed most of the times, so be sure to make a reservation – especially on weekends. In summer, there are approx. 200 additional seats outside in the centre of the MQ.

• Address: MQ, Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Vienna
• Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 10.00am – 2.00am
• Website

The Halle at the MQ in Vienna. © stadtbekannt

The Halle at the MQ in Vienna. © stadtbekannt

The Halle at the MQ in Vienna.

6. Le Bol

French living and dining right here in Vienna? It’s possible! There are a couple of French restaurant in Vienna and the Le Bol is an original. Located in a side street of Vienna’s city centre, you almost feel like in a small French town. A very authentic, small & charming coffeehouse with a great atmosphere – also due to the French speaking waiters.

• Address: Neuer Markt 14, 1010 Vienna
• Opening Hours: Daily from 8.00am, Sunday from 10.00am
• Website

The French café Le Bol in Vienna.

The French café Le Bol in Vienna.

7. Café Sperl

Café Sperl might just be the most typical coffeehouse in Vienna – plus one of the few old-school ones that is not filled with smoke or run-down. Charm, tradition and history is a great priority here. This coffeehouse is a great place to get away from your daily routine: simply sit down, drink your coffee, read the newspaper and let time fly by. The “Herr Ober” (Viennese for waiter) might have to be asked twice, but no one is really stressed here. During summer, you can sit outside and eat one of the best Apfelstrudel in the city.

• Address: Grumpendorferstraße 11, 1060 Vienna
• Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday from 7.00am – 11.00pm & Sunday from 11.00am – 8.00pm
• Website

Inside Café Sperl in Vienna.

Inside Café Sperl in Vienna.

Outside Café Sperl in Vienna.

8. Daniel Bakery

From a Florentine bread salad and oriental antipasti, through to American Rib Eye Steak. At the Daniel Bakery you get all of that. But the bakery is not just popular with fans of international cuisine … those who love desserts & those with a sweet tooth will have lots of fun here. Listen to this: Crème brûlée, a great range of cookies, muffins, cupcakes or tasty cakes and gateaux (all homemade)…

• Address: Landstraßer Gürtel 5, 1030 Vienna
• Opening Hours: Daily from 06.30am – 1.00am (food is served until 11.00pm)
• Website

Daniel Bakery inside Hotel Daniel in Vienna.

Daniel Bakery inside Hotel Daniel in Vienna.

The hanging boat on the facade of Hotel Daniel in Vienna, Austria.

9. Café Berg

The Café Berg has been a popular breakfast spot in Vienna for quite some time. It’s also a meeting point for the local gay & lesbian scene (not only though) with the adjoining book shop Löwenherz which offers literature, music and film on the same topic. Customers are easy going and sometimes even glamorous.

• Address: Berggasse 8, 1090 Vienna
• Opening Hours: Daily from 10.00am – Midnight (Kitchen until 11.00pm)
• Website

Café Berg in Vienna.

10. Manameierei

The Manameierei is a wonderful spot in the greenery with high quality, yet simple and light food & drinks. It’s located right next to the Schwarzenbergpark, a stunningly beautiful area in the Northwest of Vienna great for excursions and walks, so make sure to have some spare time to get a seat. What I really appreciate is that the owners set a strong focus on food products, therefore most of them come from farmers in the adjoining area.

• Address: Exelbergstrasse 32, 1170 Vienna
• Opening Hours: Saturday & Sunday 9.00am – 6.00pm
• Website

The Manameierei in Vienna.

The Manameierei in Vienna. © Manameierei

Location.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Siem Reap is by far not a large town, yet you’ll find hotels located all over the place; many of them out of reach from the city centre (at least by foot), which doesn’t make them attractive for us (5 stars back and forth).

The Golden Banana hotel is located perfectly – not right in the centre, but still in walking distance. This will give you peace & quiet during the night, yet freedom to roam the streets of Siem Reap without having to rely on tuk-tuk drivers or hotel chauffeurs.

• Address: Golden Banana Lane, Phum Wat Damnak, Kum Sala Komreuk, Krom 10, Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Telephone Number: +855 (0)12 654 638
• Website: rambutans.info

Comfort Level.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Arriving in the small alley that leads to the hotel, wouldn’t make you think that any minute now you’re stepping into a little city oasis. But that’s exactly what happens.

The Golden Banana has four different hotels, all located next to each other. Depending on the room you booked, you’ll be living in one of these. We were at the Golden Banana Boutique Hotel – the smallest place out of the four – with about 7 double-decker villas, a lovely pool, as well as a dining/cocktail area.

Greeted with a friendly smile by one of the staff members, we took a seat while writing down our details and zipping fresh lime juice. Afterwards, we were lead to our apartment for the next 3 days.

Just to be clear, I did have some expectations of the way the hotel & its rooms looked, since we already stayed there 6 years ago (even though back then there was only one Golden Banana Hotel) & I was the one who booked the hotel. So I knew what it should look like … but you know how it is with hotel photos found on the internet … photoshop ahoy! This time our expectations where definitely exceeded; lots of space, lovely furniture and decorations, great balcony and amazing bed & bathroom – all set on two floors. It couldn’t get any better than this.

Big Plus:

• Guests can use all 4 facilities. You can sleep in one hotel, dine in the other and go swimming in the next – and all of this within approx. 50 metres!
• The hotel is located in a side street, so you won’t be bothered by loud noises during your sleep.
• Very gay friendly.

Food & Drinks.

Rating: 5 out of 5

We never understood why anyone would dine in their hotel when travelling. That is until we stayed at the Golden Banana hotel in Siem Reap.

After an exhausting day of 6-8 hours temple running at Angkor Wat, we weren’t able to walk another metre when returning to the hotel, so we decided to give the house kitchen a try … and we were (again) not disappointed. The food was delicious. The Cambodian cuisine like Fish Amok or Cambodian Curry was exquisite and we decided to eat here every night. After stuffing our bellies, we always treated ourselves to a couple of nice & refreshing cocktails – amazing cocktails that it! Best Mai Tai ever!

Service & Hospitality.

Rating: 5 out of 5

A lot of times when someone is really friendly to you, they want something; whether it’s money or something else – a hidden agenda is very common. Not at the Golden Banana Hotel. The staff is trained very well and you can see & feel the Western influence behind it. No one will try to rip you off and you will always get a fair price.
Example: we asked for a private taxi down to Phnom Penh and staff didn’t even charge any commission or tried to add a couple of dollars for themselves.

Big Plus:

• Free & working Wi-Fi

Price Range.

Rating: 5 out of 5

One would think that with all the amazing services mentioned above, the price must be the big downer. Think again! The Golden Banana Hotel offers a great & very fair overall package.

Here’s a quick overview of the most important:

Sleeping.

• 1 night per villa (including breakfast & free Wi-Fi): Starting at US$ 52

Food & Drinks.

• Dish: US$ 2.50 – 6.50
• Soft Drink: US$ 1.50 – 2.50
• Cocktail: US$ 4.00

Overall Feedback & Impression.

Rating: 5 out of 5 – well deserved!

Everything was perfect and there’s not a single thing we could complain about. It’s the best place to stay at in Siem Reap. Thanks for a lovely time! Also, there’s a new hotel in Phnom Penh, the Rambutan Resort, which we need to check out next time for sure!

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Pool Area.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Pool View from Room.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Room View.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Bathroom.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Balcony.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Breakfast.

Hotel tip.

• The Times Hotel – not the cheapest place (also not the most expensive) but a really lovely little design hotel. The neighborhood is fantastic (see the first photo below) & the staff is very friendly and helpful. We were upgraded to a canal-view room which was designed in the “old vs. new” style (wooden beams, crooked walls, flat screen TV, huge ceiling – we were right up in the tower -, trendy decoration & very modern bathroom). It was really cosy & homey and I can only recommend it.

Shopping tip.

• There are so many cute little shops in Amsterdam but one really stood out: “Het Grote Avontuur” is an amazing vintage shop. Walking into the store almost felt like being beamed back in time straight into the 50’s. You’ll find furniture, posters, magazines, textiles, interior decoration, kitchen gadgets and heaps of other stuff.
• If you’re looking for flower seeds, bird houses or herbs & spices, the flower market is the right spot for finding these. Even if you’re not a gardener it’s a great sight worth seeing.

Food tip.

• Few words are enough for this one: Find an Indonesian restaurant! Yummy ;)

The Begijnhof is one of the oldest inner courts in the city of Amsterdam. A group of historic buildings, mostly private dwellings, centre on it.

Cycling is a fun, efficient and easy way of getting around Amsterdam – just like the locals do.

Walking along the canals in Amsterdam is especially cool in the morning. Then you’ll get the chance to see the beautiful reflections.

Be it at breakfast, on sandwiches, cut in cubes and served with mustard, or even fried in a croquette, you can find an excuse to eat cheese any time of day.

Flowers – tulips in particular – in Amsterdam can be found in different forms; here you see tulips made out of wood.

And my camera was with me all the time.

Did you know?

You’ll find it on almost every house – whether it’s 400 or 4 years old – in Amsterdam: hooks – or as they are called in Holland “hijsbalk”. Beams stick out of the façade usually above the roof window. They are no historic artefacts; these hooks are still used today. The stairs in the houses of Amsterdam are extremely small and steep, therefore you (most likely) won’t be able to carry bulky things up the stairs. Instead you borrow a cable winch, fix it onto the hook and heave cupboards, pianos, etc. up through the window into the apartment. To prevent that these items hit the façade, the houses used to be built a little bit bent-forward.

Hooks can be found on pretty much all the buildings in Amsterdam.