One short story about Basel:

It`s a gourgous little city (around 170000 inhabitants) but quite international due to the life science (Novartis, Roche etc.) and the very famous fairs (for example the Art Basel).

I went there only for a wonderful nice and sunny evening to meet some friends. We had decided already earlier, that, if the weather would be nice, we would have a picnic at the riverbank of the Rhein.
Lucky as we were, the weather was perfect. So we met at the Wettsteinbridge, and I really was astonished because of what I saw:
The river was full of people.

Katherina, my friend, who just moved there, told me that it is the very famous "Rheinschwimmen" (to be accurate "Rheinschwimmen" is on one specific day, this year on the 13.8.2013).

If you want to be part of it, you buy a special bag, which you get everywhere at the bank, waterproof and big enough to put all your clothes in, and then you jump in the water (with the bag) and you swim or rather float with 100 of other people down the river as long as you want.
It´s fantastic and so much fun!!

After the exhausting swim :) you get food and drinks at the very attractive little stands, called buvette.

As we sat there and had some diner, we noticed a strange smell!
We didn´t know what it was, until we saw some guys sitting at the stairs and eating cheese fondue!!!

That´s Switzerland!

Seoul

This was my fourth trip to Seoul, and I still love it. Everytime I discover new, interesting things, learn more about the culture and people, eat new dishes and discover even more differences between the Korean and German culture.

Well, what was new for me that time?

I start with the book I read before I left for Seoul. Its called “Schlaflos in Seoul” 

http://www.dtv.de/buecher/schlaflos_in_seoul_21153.html. I really liked that book and I found it quiet interesting. The author is a german women, Vera Hohleiter, who lived in Seoul for two years. She writes a lot about what she experienced in Korea, but also, and what I found was the most interesting part, about the Korean way of living, about blind dates, the working hours, “dress Code”, weddings, the Korean hiking people etc. 

I really enjoyed the book and I recommend you to read it whenever you go to Korea. 

I also discovered that Vera had a a blog, have a look, its nice too! 

http://www.missgolightlyaufreisen.de/

Anyways, I spend almost three days in Seoul and I will tell you about the Korean Hiking.

As I love to go hiking everywhere I am, I wanted to do the same in Seoul. Which is perfect, because it takes you from the city center approximately only 1 hour with the subway and bus and you are in the Bukhansan National Park (Bukhansan means "mountain north of the Han River"). And this park is full of trails and peaks to climb (the highest is only 836,5m high, it´s the Baekundae, but the landscape is stunning). Lots of Korean people like to go hiking (mosty pensioners). And they are VERY well equipped with very modern hiking shoes, wind-stopping jackets, trousers etc. That’s quite funny to watch, especially when I came only with runners and not even a backpack (it worked out quite well, but I admit, a backpack wouldn’t have been that bad). If you are not good equipped as I was, you could buy everything before hiking, there is one store after the other :)

The hike was about 2 hours and finally I reached the highest peak, the Baekundae Mountain. The last part was a bit tricky, because the rocks where very slippery and it was quite step, so you shouldn’t have acrophobia. But there were slopes everywhere, quite safe. I felt safe (even with my handbag and runners).

Finally I made it and could make some pics on the summit with the Korean flag 

When you have clear weather you have a stunning view over Seoul. Unfortunately I wasn’t that lucky, because it was a bit cloudy, but still fantastic, with all the othter mountains around.

After a nice picnic (kimbap) and a dessert (which a nice Korean lady gave me, some fruits), I went down on the other side. I passed a camping spot, yes you even can camp on the mountainfoot, only for around 5000 won (which is in Euro only around 3,50).

When you want to do a tour like that one, I would recommend you to take enough time, at least one day, and you can really enjoy the nice scenery and the hiking trails.

I had to rush a little bit, because I wanted to meet a Korean friend, who had to work on Sunday (working hours!) and who had only a little time in the afternoon.

Take care!