Hello everyone! Long time no see. Unfortunately I had not enough time the last months to write new articles for you because I was busy writing my bachelor thesis. I actually planned to return to this blog with a great trip to Bali – Tokio – Kuala Lumpur – Singapore – Athens – Thessaloniki. But because of the Corona Virus I had to cancel everything. To be honest I was very upset about it since I was not able to travel in my last semester. However, I cannot change anything right now and I can only try to make the best out of this situation. Of course i hope that we will all overcome this situation soon – healthy and with more appreciation for our normal lives. I think each of you has somehow experienced what it is like not to have all the freedom we were used to have. For all of us, this period will probably be remembered for a very long time. I think i don’t just speak for myself when i say that i’m looking forward to our life like it was before Corona.
But now I want to spread more positives vibes in telling you what you can do in NRW in Germany even during the Corona Time.
Halde Haniel
The stockpile in Bottrop is 159 m high and one of the highest stockpiles in the Ruhr area. It was piled up in the form of two spirals through overburden from the Prosper-Haniel coal mine. On the plateau of the southern spiral a summit cross was erected in 1992 due to the occasion of Pope John Paul II’s visit on May 2, 1987. The cross is part of the „Way of the Cross“ with 15 stations which can be explored hiking up the stockpile.
Next to the cross there is a amphitheater. Cultural and theater events take place at this theater regularly. These days it is closed because of corona. But perhaps you can watch a play when it is all over.
Furthermore in 2002 the installation „Totems“ was created from over one hundred railway sleepers. The work combines the “apparent contradictions between industrial space and nature”.
The heap offers a wonderful panoramic view – with both industry and nature. Definitely worth a trip!
Nordkirchen Castle (Schloss Nordkirchen (dt.))
Nordkirchen Castle is a baroque castle in the south of Münsterland. It is located in the middle of a large forest and park area. The castle itself stands on a rectangular island and is surrounded by a wide moat.
The moated castle (Wasserschloss (dt.)) is the largest and most important baroque residence in Westphalia and is also known as the “Westphalian Versailles” due to its size and architectural design.
This castle is very beautiful and you feel like you’re in a Jane Austen novel!
Sengbach Dam (Sengbachtalsperre (dt.))
During Corona Time there is one thing everyone has enough time for: walking. The Sengbach Dam is a drinking water dam in Solingen and it is a very lovely place for a walk. The water storage located between forests provides the residents of the city of Solingen with drinking water. A relaxed walk around the dam takes about 2 hours and is a nice trip for a chilled sunday.
Dyck Castle (Schloss Dyck (dt.))
Dyck Castle is as Nordkirchen Castle a moated castle. It is located in Jüchen. The Castle has a large park where you have much to discover. Sadly it was raining the whole time when we were there. But it seemed that this place got even more magical with the rain. Castle Dyck enchants its visitors with small, hidden paths and beautiful flowers and gardens. I have been to this castle before in winter and it has a great christmas market as well.
To support the maintainance of the castle and its gardens you have to pay entry. A student ticket costs 5€.
