Swedish Glogg

Last year whilst in Sweden we were treated to glogg and gingerbread. It is a Christmas tradition with the Swedes where they invite close friends and family over to meet over mulled red wine.

Mulled wine is a beverage usually made with red wine along with various spices and raisins. It is served hot or warm and may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas and Halloween. Port and claret are traditional choices for mulled wine. (Wikipedia)

I have had mulled wine – Gluhwein - before in Germany at the Christmas markets. However the difference with the Swedish one is that you add blanched almonds and raisins into it making it a very delicious drink. Matteus, who had invited us over, explained the tradition and was very patient when his little kids started munching on the almonds and raisins.

This year, the Swedish Consul General has invited me to her pre Christmas celebration and I am looking forward to raising a toast with my glass of delicious mulled wine.

Recipe for Swedish Glogg is http://www.food.com/recipe/glogg-swedish-mulled-red-wine-my-swedish-mother-in-laws-199791

Christmas Markets in Europe

There are Christmas Markets and there are Christmas Markets.

A few years ago I was fortunate enough to visit Cologne in December, thereby experiencing the Christmas markets. My friend Chi Mee took me to at least 9 of them in and around Cologne-Bonn. Each of them had a different theme ranging from medieval ones to winter wonderland ones to children specials. I enjoyed all the food and drink, the people watching and the trinket window shopping.

 

Last year we were in Stockholm for the last module of SIMP and I was excited to experience the Swedish Christmas Markets. They had 2 of them - one in the city centre and the other near the palace. Both were tiny with few stalls and wares on display. Also they shut shop early leaving me very disappointed. Probably it may have been because the day I visited was also the day of the biggest snowstorm in a long while in Stockholm.

Anyway, I have fond memories of the German Christmas markets and I shall hope and pray that I am able to witness some more of them in the years to come.

 

Christmas in New Zealand

The best part about Christmas is time spent with the family and ofcourse the delicious food prepared. 2011 Christmas and New Year was spent with my sister Tiana and brother-in-law Giles in Auckland. The highlights of the trip are...............

• Christmas lunch with Mum, Tiana and Giles.
• The awesome Kiwi and Indian cuisine - Ham on the bone, pork vindaloo, roasted kumara, trifle pudding, mince pies.
• Visiting family and friends.
• The presents under the Christmas tree.
• Checking out the Christmas lights at Skillgate avenue.
• Planning the trip to the Coromandel and Waiheke Island.
• The day spent at the wave pool.
• The yummy food consumed - yum char, Nando's, Chinese from Flourishing Cafe, butter chicken at Masala (though I dont think highly of their service)
  
  
  

Christmas Lights in Auckland

Twinkling fairy lights and stars and other glittering displays go hand in hand with Christmas. However in Auckland they take it to the next level where there are spectacular displays of Christmas lights in various suburbs.

We checked out Skilgate Avenue where most of the residents had decorated their homes and yards.

The Nativity scene was absolutely great.

Then there were one off ones where individuals had taken extensive trouble to display their skills and talents.

I love the Santa playground theme at Lanier Place.

But the best was the awesome display at Croydon Road which was in aid of Starship foundation. And guess what! It was the home of an Indian family. Indians are rocking the world! :)

I love the Santas on the see-saw!

There was a toy train that went around the snowmen!

My wish list........

A mini list for this year includes......

1. Visit the Himalayas.
2. Learn to scuba dive.
3. A desert safari in Jaisalmer.
4. Learn a language and speak it fluently.
5. Improve my photography skills.
6. Go on an Alaskan cruise.
7. Spend Christmas with my family.
8. Swim with dolphins.
9. Ride in a hot air balloon.
10. Use my skills to help the unfortunate.

Cologne, Germany (Part 3)

On Monday, we decided to visit Aachen which is an old town from Roman times. The Cathedral was really nice but not as spectacular as the one in Cologne.

It is now a university town with lots of sculptures at every street corner.

We also found one of the narrowest buildings..........

The Christmas Market was also interesting..................

as were the treats in the pastry shops.

 I had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed all the different experiences at the Christmas Markets and in and around Cologne.

Cologne, Germany (Part 2)

It snowed the rest of the weekend. As already mentioned earlier, it was my first experience in snow and boy, was I thrilled! I must have been the only person in Germany who was excited while the rest were cribbing about train delays, the slush and muck and all the chaos due to the weather. As for my first snowflake, I think it was an incredible experience to actually see the tiny thing in real life as a miniature of all its representations I had seen before.

Anyway, on Saturday, we decided to see the Schloss at Bruhl which is near Cologne. The Schloss, unknown to us, was closed to public in the months of Dec and Jan but it was still wonderful walking around the grounds. The gardens, which I am sure during the summer months are spectacular, were frozen under the snow and everything was really stark and pretty.

After wandering around, we ended up checking out the Christmas market behind the Schloss.

We ate some amazing currywurst.................

Then we returned to Cologne and could not help taking some more pictures of the awesome Cathedral......

We decided to visit the Ludwig museum - one of the top museums in Cologne. Its main focus is on pop art alongwith a collection of Picassos. However I found the museum over rated and neither Chi Mee nor I got the pop art message.

We ended the day at yet another Christmas Market.........

On Sunday, Chi Mee decided to take me to Konigswinter in the Drachenfels which is a mountain range nearby. It has a narrow gauge train that takes you up the mountain from where one can have an extensive view of Cologne. The view was spectacular but it was freezing cold (-16C).

Halfway up there is a castle - Schloss Drachenberg - where there was an exhibition of various nativity scenes.

We ended the day by visiting a medieval Christmas Market...........which was unique. People were dressed in medieval costumes and items being sold in the stalls had a medieval touch to it. All currency for goods being sold were also displayed in medieval currency rather than Euros! And to top it all, the merry-go-round for kids had a medieval touch with wooden horses and oak casks as tubs.