TALLEST CHRISTMASTREE IN EUROPE

On my recent trip to Porto (Portugal) I was stunned seeing the massive 76 metres tall steel Christmastree construction on one of the city's main squares.

This tallest tree in Europe weighs almost 300 tons and contains an incredible number of lights and neon, changing patterns every few seconds displaying beautiful candles, angels and christmas ornaments.

A beautiful spectacle ! The tree has a total of 2,400 microbulbs, 13,000 round bulbs, 28,000 metres of illuminated tubing, 500 metres of neon and 600 strobe lights.

Some videoclips of the opening night: Video 1 / Video 2

Enjoy,

HK

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !

Happy Holidays to all my relatives and friends all over the world!

Enjoy,

Hans

THE CIRCUS IS BACK IN TOWN !

My friends Tonie and his dad Joop Teuteberg put up their circustents in town again for the annual Circus Royal. Went to the Galanight last Thursday. Then I got invited to do a photoshoot last night for a company that rented the tent for their staff and clients.

Always enjoy going to Circus Royal !

Last year I think I saw the Royal show 14 times!

Lots of animals in the show again this year, including some very unusual ones for a circus: geese, pigs and camels!

Check www.circusroyal.nl for more information.

Enjoy,

HK

PORTUGUESE FOOD... YOU NEED SOME GUTS

When in Porto I was talked into tasting some of the local specialities/delicatessen a fish restaurant on the first night



For someone who never ever eats fish it was a nice treat to take me out to a fish restaurant. Very nice. OK,.. I ordered a "carne" dish (meat), but when the dish of octopus was brought out, the school director convincingly managed to change my mind and have a bite. Not all that bad...



But I was totally amazed at myself when two days later I found myself in the school cafetaria eating TRIPAS !!! Can you believe it??



- Tripas à moda do Porto -

Tripas is tripe: The lining of a cow or sheep's stomach, to be exact. It looks pretty horrendous. It is a thick lacy lump of innards with an unpleasant yellowish tinge. It is often served with white beans and bits of smoked sausage.



Naturally there's a story behind why Porto's inhabitants are so fond of tripas. Back in medieval times, a Portuguese king set off to war and needed provisions for his troops. He requisitioned all the city's tastiest cuts of meat and left Porto with a mess of offal. They discovered they had a taste for tripe-and have ever since. The rest of the country calls them tripeiros (tripe-eaters).

Enjoy,

HK

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW...

Somewhere over the rainbow way up high

There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true

Some day I'll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far behind me

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

Away above the chimney tops

That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow blue birds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow

Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow

Why oh why can't I?

Enjoy,

HK

IT'S SO UNFAIR

Life is so unfair!!

For some life is way too short!!

I lost another good friend yesterday... a great and talented musician, a fun guy, critical but realistic,... left us far too young. Only 49 years old.

Jubal will never be the same...

HK