The trip up to Victoria Peak includes a 48 degree steep ride with the 120-year-old Peak Tram, first operated n 1888. For those of who who prefer to walk a little you can do that as well. The way down to Central will take about 30-45 minutes, yet I’d really recommend to go at least one with with the tram just to have experienced it!

The boost to accessibility caused by the opening of the Peak Tram created demand for residences on the Peak.

View from Victoria Peak looking north towards Victoria Harbour and Kowloon during the day.

View from Victoria Peak looking north towards Victoria Harbour and Kowloon at night.

The current Peak Tower is the second on the site. Construction of the first one started in 1960, and it was opened in 1969. The current Peak Tower was the work of the British architect Terry Farrell, and was completed in 1997 and it’s located at an elevation of 396 metres.

The world’s largest permanent light and sound show.

There are many “Must See” sights in Hong Kong. The world’s largest permanent light and sound show is one of them. If you thought Victoria Harbour was a dazzling sight on its own, hang around for “A Symphony of Lights”, the multimedia show which takes place daily at 8.00pm and involves more than 40 buildings on both sides of the harbour. Whether you’re up at The Peak, at one of the many rooftop bars (like for example Wooloomooloo rooftop bar), The Avenue of the Stars or the Star Ferry across the harbour, you’ll be impressed by all the lasers, skylights, searchlights, LED effects and sometimes even fireworks.

Hong Kong Skyline view up from the Wooloomooloo rooftop bar in Wan Chai.

The skyline of Hong Kong is one of the most spectacular in the world.

Walking across the over-path towards Hong Kong Central.

The “Symphony of Lights” laser show is one of the major attractions in Hong Kong.

40 building participate in the “Symphony of Lights” laser show in Hong Kong every day at 8.00pm.

Al Fahidi District.

Let me begin with describing the neighbourhood I enjoyed the most: Al Fahidi District. It’s the oldest neighbourhood of the city located right at the Dubai Creek. What you’ll come across here is peace & quite in an otherwise busy and bustling city. No street noise and no skyscrapers at all. A true oasis in Dubai.

Sophisticated houses with rough walls shielding the privacy of the wealthy families within became a trademark of the Al Fahidi Historical district in Dubai.

Downtown Dubai.

But of course Dubai is all about high buildings and extravagance architecture. A visit to the top of the highest man-made structure in the world, the Burj Khalifa, is an absolute must for every visitor (unless you’re afraid of heights). Depending on how much time you have, a visit during the day and night is well worth it. The 360° view is simply breathtaking. And while you’re in the area, stroll through Dubai Mall for some extensive shopping. But be sure to calculate at least 3 hours if you intend to also visit the famous Dubai Aquarium.

The view from “At the Top” in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

The view of the Financial District from “At the Top” in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo with the 10-million litre tank, located on the Ground Level of The Dubai Mall, is one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world.

Dubai Marina.

As I just had 48 hours in Dubai, I wasn’t able to do everything I wanted (which included a visit to the Deira fish market), yet I did get the chance to travel South to the Dubai Marina. Talk about a lot of skyscrapers in one spot. Hold on there Hong Kong! Beach, water and an amazing skyline is all happening down there. Must-do: Take a boat to view the city from a different angle.

Dubai Marina is an artificial canal city, built along a 3 km stretch of Persian Gulf shoreline.

Apart from the things mentioned above, I strolled along the Dubai Creek, had some amazing Indian & Pakistani food and enjoyed a relaxed afternoon in the Al Fahidi District.

Biggest downer of the trip: The Palm Jumeirah.

Some of the spots are pretty obvious, others not so well-known. Of course you can also book yourselves into a roof-top apartment, but unless you won the lottery, one of these will do just fine:

1. View Paris From The Eiffel Tower.

It figures that I’d start with this one. After all, we’re talking about the city of love and what would it be without the world-famous Eiffel Tower? Honestly, I think that the Eiffel Tower is overrated, yet somehow you’re drawn to it when visiting Paris…

I heard that in general you need to calculate about 20-30 minutes of waiting in line. Then you can either walk (1655-1710 steps all the way to the top, depending on which side you try, so you better be sporty!) or take the elevator. I really wanted to walk up there, but since it was a warm & sunny Saturday afternoon, about a million other people had the same thought. This meant that the 20-30 minutes turned into more than an hour. So I skipped this part, yet I’m sure that the view must be absolutely stunning … but, as the saying goes “There’s plenty more fish in the sea.”

The famous Eiffel Tower in Paris is one of the most frequented spot to view the city from above.

2. View Paris From The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur.

The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur is a must-see destination for ever tourist who visits Paris. It’s just slightly over 80 meters high, which normally doesn’t make the best viewing spot, but because it’s located at the top of Montmartre hill, it’s actually Paris’ second highest point (approx. 210 metres). On a clear day, you’ll have an amazing 360° view over the entire city.

The way up to the top is pretty tight, so if you’re claustrophobic, better stay on the ground – from there you’ll still have a wonderful view (which you’ll share with what felt like a million other people though).

Come at the right time:

• With a bit of luck (which we had), you might just get to see the world-famous freestyle football player Iya Traoré do his magic… More on this in a separate article :)

The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur in Paris is a highlight for every visitor.

The view of Paris from the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur is really amazing.

Crowds of people at the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur in Paris sit on its staircase to enjoy the sun.

Freestyle footballer Iya Traoré at the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur in Paris.

3. View Paris From The Arc de Triomphe.

The Arc de Triomphe is nowhere near the tallest building in Paris (it’s only about 50 metres high); it’s the location that makes it a favourite viewpoint. It’s located right at the end of the Champs-Élysées captivated by a gigantic roundabout, which forms part of an axis that leads from the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel to la Grande Arche de la Défense.

Until I found the tunnel opening at the near end of the Champs-Élysées, I always wondered how you can actually access it, because there’s no cross-walk and I’ve never seen any suicidal person running across is. But, luckily I found it :) In the tunnel-way you can buy the entrance ticket to go up the stairs.

The view is amazing – especially at night – with the swarming traffic below that reaches the roundabout from all points of the compass.

The famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars.

The view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the centre.

4. View Paris From The Centre Pompidou.

The Pompidou is the city’s leading modern art museum located in the 4th Arrondissement, Marais. It’s famous known for show-casing artists like Jackson Pollock or Andy Warhol, but it has another asset … the stunning view.

Simply take the escalator to the fifth floor and start shooting, without having to save your place for hours in advance.

The View from Centre Pompidou in Paris is one of those spots rather unknown since the museum is more well known for its art work..

5. View Paris From Galeries Lafayette.

The world-famous Galeries Lafayette department store is well known among Parisians and visitors for the wide variety of products they offer, and for their glamorous window displays. However, fewer people know that there is a wonderful roof-top terraces, which accessible for the public – for free! You get a wonderful 360 degree view over the surrounding Paris skyline.

Galeries Lafayette offers a wonderful roof-top terraces for a brilliant view of Paris.

6. View Paris From Butte Bergeyre.

There are many spectacular views in Paris that tourists have claimed. Most of them mentioned above. But there’s one spot that is actually still a hidden secret, even for Parisians.

Butte Bergeyre, a quiet hilltop village hidden in the 19th arrondissement, is accessible only by three staircases or a single winding road. Once you reach the top of the stairs, a rewarding view awaits, including one of the few vineyards left in Paris.

It’s not just Montmartre and Parc de Belleville that have the last remaining vineyards in Paris. At Butte Bergeyre you’ll not only come across a stunning view, but also a cute litte vineyard.

At the top of Butte Bergeyre you have a stunning view of Sacré Coeur.

7. View Paris From Tour Montparnasse.

I saved the best view for last. Tour Montparnasse definitely offers the most remarkable panoramic view of Paris (it covers a radius of 40 km). The Eiffel Tower might give you the same, yet the difference is that you won’t have to stand in line for hours, because many tourists don’t know that this rather ugly looking tower can actually be visited. Some people tend to say that the view from the top is the most beautiful in Paris, because it is the only place from which the tower itself cannot be seen… no further explanation needed, right?

Tour Montparnasse is a 210 metre high structure which is located in an area, where most buildings don’t rise above 30 metres. Naturally you’ll think to yourself “Why by all means has this building been built right here?“. Well, you’re not the only one thinking that. The tower’s simple architecture and large proportions have often been criticised, because it simply looks out of place in Paris’s urban landscape. Only two years after its completion (1972), the construction of skyscrapers in the city centre was banned… Still, the tower deserves its place simply because of the stunning 360° view it provides. A super-fast lift will take you to the top in 38 seconds (the fastest elevator in Europe btw), where you’ll be able to shoot that one-million-dollar photo from the open air roof terrace.

The view of the Eiffel Tower from Tour Montparnasse in Paris.

The view of Gare Montparnasse from Tour Montparnasse in Paris.

The view of Montparnasse Cemetery from Tour Montparnasse in Paris.

The view from Tour Montparnasse in Paris.

Drum-roll please … Tour Montparnasse in Paris is definitely not the nicest building..

#1 Must Do In Varanasi: A Boat Ride Along The Ganges River.

A boat ride along the Ganges river is one of the absolute musts when visiting Varanasi. You have to negotiate the price a little bit because boats are in high demand and many tourists spoil the rates. It will cost you between 150 – 400 Rupees, depending how far you want to go.

Start upriver; this means you walk upstream as far as the University complex and negotiate a boat ride from there. Don’t mind any dead body floating by … this is nothing too special in Varanasi, since lots of Hindus come here from all over India for their last days to die along the holy Ganges river.

A boat ride along the Ganges river is essential for a real Varanasi experience.

Hindus believe that they have three mothers: the mother who has given them birth, Mother India and Mother Ganga. Therefore, a ride along this majestic river is an absolute must when visiting Varanasi.

#2 Must Do In Varanasi: The Area Around Malviya Bridge.

Now you’ve already seen the Varanasi skyline from a boat view, but to be near the action, a stroll along the Ganges downstream all the way to Malviya Bridge (originally called The Dufferin Bridge) is a great experience.

The bridge is a double decker bridge, that carries rail track on lower deck and road on the upper deck. It’s interesting to watch all the different vehicles & trains cross and see the people living underneath the bridge and its corners, where they are protected from sun and rain. Malviya Bridge is the “end” of the inner holy area of Varanasi. This means if one dies in this inner circle, he will reach eternity immediately and this is also the reason why lots of “homeless” people call this bridge their home.

Walk across it and start strolling back in the direction of the city. It’s an impressive sight to see (& fell) trains cross as you stand on the riverbank. Eventually a boatman will come along and row you back upstream.

Malviya Bridge is not only an impressive sight, but also an important lifeline, since it’s also the way to Mughal Sarai train station.

Malviya Bridge in Varanasi, which was inaugurated in 1887 (originally called The Dufferin Bridge), is a double decker bridge over the Ganges river. It carries rail track on lower deck and road on the upper deck.

#3 Must Do In Varanasi: A Stroll Along The Ghats.

Every Ghat has its own meaning and use. Some Ghats are “reserved” for washing clothes and doing laundry. For example Assi Ghat is a prominent bathing Ghat, while others are dedicated to worshipping, and some are for cremation like Manikarnika Ghat, downstream from Dasaswameth Ghat (also called Main Ghat). Bathing near Tulsi Ghat is believed to get rid of leprosy. So as you can see, there’s not only lots to see, but also lots to learn about each Ghat along the Ganges river.

Taking a stroll along the Ghats in Varanasi is a must for every visitor.

Kids jumping into the Ganges river while walking along the Ghats in Varanasi.

The skyline of Varanasi is one you will never forget.

#4 Must Do In Varanasi: Varanasi From Above.

There are many hotels with roof terraces – either with a restaurant, or a private balcony adjoining the room. We suggest to have lunch at one of these places to see Varanasi from above. Good places are: Alka Hotel, Ganpati guest house and Temple Hotel. Alka hotel and Ganpati guest house are good options for your entire stay in Varanasi.

Again, you’ll most probably see the occasional body floating by, which is about as normal as breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The water of the Ganges river is holy and many visitors bring is back home in carafes.

The view from the balcony of the Alka Hotel in Varanasi will give you several amazing photo opportunities.

#5 Must Do In Varanasi: Exploring The Winding Side Streets.

The old town is dotted with small alleys, so just leave the main road, turn left or right and you will come to see some unusual places. Don’t worry about getting lost, because sooner or later you’ll end up either in front of the river or on a main street. A compass or Google Maps is a good choice not to lose direction.

Out intention was to find the place where the bodies arrive in the city. We asked our way through some stores, until one guy finally told us that we should stroll around the area near the town hall. We sat down in a hardware store at the corner and the owner was very keen to explain all the things surrounding a body’s arrival…

The old city of Varanasi extends about two kilometres back from the river and is a maze of alleyways and streets.

There is something new and colourful to explore around every corner in Varanasi.

#6 Must Do In Varanasi: Experiencing Varanasi During A Festival.

Hundreds, or better thousands of people all dressed in orange hurdled in every little street corner during festivals in Varanasi. The police forces are relentless, worshippers have to line up and obey all the rules that are enforced on such festival occasions. Police will not hesitate to use their bamboo sticks to keep things in order. It’s a security measurement to keep such big hordes under control. Try to get somewhere on top so that you can watch the crowds from above.

Crowds of Hindus during a Krishna festival in Varanasi, India.

#7 Must Do In Varanasi: Getting A Haircut Or Beard Trim At A Local Barber.

If you’re travelling through India, you’ll notice that the hairdressers you’ll pass along the streets are barbers for men only. Lady hairdressers are mostly hidden behind closed doors or curtains. If you insist enough though, even a local barber will give you a nice wash and blow dry … and if you’re really lucky (and you’re up for it) even a haircut. Don’t worry, hair grows again… after all, no risk, no fun. Plus it’s quite relaxing when you’re out all day in a crowded city like Varanasi.

Local barbers can be found in any city or village in India, Varanasi is no exception.

A typical barber shop along the Ghats in Varanasi.

#8 Must Do In Varanasi: Eat & Drink At The Crown Bread Bakery.

So Indian food is one of our favourite foods. But when traveling though India for a couple of weeks in a row, cravings for a delicious cake or western-style food (that actually tastes like it should) arise. At the Brown Bread Bakery, all your hard effort will be rewarded. Prices are a bit higher than average, but that’s because they pay fair wages and only use organic products!

Tip: Don’t stay on the ground floor, but walk up all the way to the top for a good relaxing atmosphere without the noise or bicycle or motorcycle horns.

The rooftop terrace of the Brown Bread Bakery is not only the highlight of the bakery, but Varanasi itself.

You can truly relax and enjoy the beautiful rooftop terrace of the Brown Bread Bakery in Varanasi.

The ground floor of the Brown Bread Bakery also offers a few seating possibilities and is bet used when you don’t have much time.

The Brown Bread Bakery is a famous spot in Varanasi and pretty much everyone can guide you the way here.

Once in every lifetime an observant Hindu hopes to make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Varanasi. Some come to wash away sickness and sin in the Ganges River. Others bring their dead to be burned. Still others come to live their last days here, for to die and be cremated in Varanasi guarantees eternal release from the cycle of birth and death.

After a few hours of walking upstream to the outskirts of the city, we decided to take a boat and float downstream. A boat ride along the Ganges river is one of the absolute musts when visiting Varanasi. You have to negotiate the price a little bit because boats are in high demand and many tourists spoil the rates. One boatman offered us a very good price immediately and as it turned out, he had to bring his mother to the doctor at the other side of the town anyway. Good for him and good for us :)

He really knew every building and had a very good knowledge about all the gossip happening in Varanasi. Many owners of the huge buildings along the river live somewhere else in more fashionable areas because for them, the city too busy and too old-fashioned. They rent out their fortresses and only come occasionally to collect the money.

Many of the buildings are (sort of) retirement homes for people who come to Varanasi for their final time because a seat in heaven is guaranteed if you die here. What’s really fascinating is that even though death is part of the daily routine for all the people here, it’s still a place of hope and colours. Especially the colours of the buildings along the ghats are eye dropping.

All in all, Varanasi truly is a fantastic place with lots of amazing photo opportunities, friendly people and yummy food. It’s one of these cities every traveller should visit at least once in a lifetime.

A boat ride along the Ganges river in Varanasi is an absolute must for any visitor!

You can start your boat ride anywhere along the Ghats.

The view of the Varanasi skyline is breathtaking – especially from a boat.

Drying and washing of clothes happens all along the Ghats in Varanasi.

The view of the Varanasi skyline is breathtaking – especially from a boat.

The view of the Varanasi skyline is breathtaking – especially from a boat.

Thousands of people bathe in the Ganges holy water every day.

The view of Varanasi from a boat ride on the Ganges river.

The view of Varanasi from a boat ride on the Ganges river.

The view of Varanasi from a boat ride on the Ganges river.

The view of Varanasi from a boat ride on the Ganges river.

The view from the Peak in Hong Kong.

I started off with the Peak. I walked all the way to the station while pulling my huge bag behind me. I started to realize again, that 35° in Asia is a different kind of heat that 35° in Europe. I was sweating like a pig, and the trip hasn’t even started yet … further I walked to the Central Pier station and took the Star Ferry to the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. Then I explored the area around Nathan Road, like the Goldfish Market and walked all the way up to Prince Edward Street where my bus to Guangzhou was awaiting me.

The sky has no limit.

CTS buses are a great and cheap way to get to China. Four hours and one stiff neck later, the bus turned into the street of the China Hotel, where Ulli welcomed me. By this time, I was up almost 48 hours but I didn’t seem exhausted yet. So we were off to a little shopping trip, with a stop at our favourite noodle soup shop. We found this place during our first visit to Guangzhou back in 2007 and have been coming back ever since then. Definitely the best place in town! The “Grand Finale” of the day was a wonderful head massage at a local hair dresser. What more can you want?

If you’ve ever been to Phnom Penh you most likely visited the Central Market Phsar Thom They. It’s a famous art Deco landmark in the center of the city built by a French architect around 1935. A few years ago now, the market underwent a major renovation and now gleams with new shine.

Opposite the market is a rather … lets just say unimpressive high rise building (for Phnom Penh standards) which houses some quite un-stylish shops. If you take the escalator to the top floor, you’ll find a Chinese restaurant with a huge terrace. There you have a fantastic view over the city. Especially if you have a zoom lens, you can take great pictures from the life down in the streets. Whether it’s spying on people on their balconies and rooftops or watching the vendors at the market stalls … So take the time for an unique and rare overview of this city.

We got another nice view down to Phnom Phen’s hustle and bustle at the “Good Luck Hotel” on Monivong Boulevard. We just arrived back from out motorbike trip through Cambodia and returned the bikes at the nearby rental shop “Lucky Motors”. When checking in, we didn’t expect anything special – we were totally exhausted and ready to crash in our room but then the sign “Rooftop Pool” in the escalator made us curious …

The pool was really great; really cold water, which was totally refreshing and the view was stunning from up there. We spent hours watching the traffic go by, which included several nearly misses on that busy traffic corner. So if you ever come to Phnom Penh, the “Good Luck Hotel” is a great budget choice (25 -30 US $ per night) with spacious rooms and a nice pool.

Phnom Penh’s iconic Central market building in the front; Phnom Penh’s highest skyscraper – Vattanac Capital Tower – in the back.

Phnom Penh might not have a flashy skyline, but this doesn’t make the view any less impressive.

The Central Market in Phnom Penh is definitely a must see for every visitor! It’s one of our favourite wet markets in Southeast Asia.

A fully loaded motorbike with bananas on the way to the Central Market in Phnom Penh.

Apart from the highest skyscraper, Phnom Penh’s skyline hasn’t really changed that much since 2009.

What Ulli and I didn’t think of was the extremely (!) cold weather. If you go skiing or snowboarding, snow & cold winds don’t bother you that much but if you want to stroll around a city, -15° Celsius is not the right temperature for that. It didn’t take us very long until we decided that we’d skip Schloss Neuschwanstein.

I’ve never been to Munich during winter and I’ll keep that in mind for my next visit; the entire city (except the Altstadt centre – where we spent most of the time anyway) was empty, grey and unpretty. But I guess the city of Munich was not the only victim of winter-ugliness, so that’s the positive aspect.

Anyway, here are some impressions of our day trip to Munich:

Hong Kong is a big must for every traveller & explorer. We always tend to save it for last because it’s a good way of getting “back to reality” when travelling through the bush before.

A ride on the famous Starferry is not only an absolute must when visiting Hong Kong, but it will give you an amazing view of its amazing skyline.

Crossing the walkway from central pier is also a good spot for great Hong Kong skyline photos.

Central Hong Kong will leave you speechless.

Hong Kong skyline with the ship PlanetSolar in Victoria Harbour. PlanetSolar is the largest solar powered ship in the world & also the first one which is on its way around the world (with only solar power). It recently arrived in Hong Kong and we were lucky to be right there.

One of the most intriguing landmarks in Hong Kong is up at the Peak built by architect Terry Farrell.

The Kowloon Tower is the highest building in Hong Kong.  486 meters high with 100 storeys. It took about 8 years to build due to the very difficult ground situation. The basement is 26 meters deep and 6 meter thick to withstand the heavy storms that sometimes rock Hong Kong.

The view from the Peak in Hong Kong.