http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34726 The Markisches Museum houses a mixed collection of objects associated with the life and times of Berlin and Brandenburg. It's mostly social history, with paintings, prints, ceramics, reconstructed interiors, and so on. To be frank, this museum is what Dylan Thomas described as "a museum which ought to be in a museum" (he was talking about Swansea's museum), but in its old-fashioned way it offers a quiet environment where other times and other lives can be contemplated without the clamour of other visitors pressing switches, setting of audio-visual displays, or kids running around dressed up as characters from Jane Austen!
Both locations well worth a visit.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34726 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34688 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34688 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34659 If you turn right off the ferry follow the chessboard of tiny roads through the village. Catch the flash of a kingfisher, butterflies the size of your hand and egrets daintily perching on buffalo under the shady tropical trees. You may feel like you are walking through people's gardens, but no-one will mind and they'll probably invite you in for a tea if you stop and chat. Under the bridge on the eastern shore of the island lives an extended family of Harijans (Untouchables) from Mysore. They make their meagre living by fishing from saucer-shaped woven coracles.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34659 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34656 But Thrissur is an interesting day trip for anyone staying in Kochi at any time of the year. It's a pleasant introduction to Keralan town life: not too busy, dusty or crowded, and small enough to walk round in a day. The two hundred-year-old Shakthan Thampuran Palace is now an elegant archaeological museum set on a hill among painstakingly landscaped gardens. The building was closed for refurbishment at the time of my visit, scheduled to re-open 1st April 2012 (but don't hold your breath). Thrissur is also famous for its magnificent churches, their colourful stucco façades peeking over the town's roads in every direction.
Don't be afraid to join the workers for some roadside food. But watch the amount of sugar they add to the delicious fruit cocktails, Keralans have a sweet tooth.
Get there by train from Ernakulam Junction (any visit to India is not complete without a train journey) which lasts around one and half hours, and costs a mere 28 INR for a one-way ticket.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34656 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34640 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34640 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34632 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34632 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34631 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34631 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34629 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34629 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34618 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34618 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34614 This eco-friendly (and kindly priced) hotel is committed to the sustainable development of the area founding the nearby Amún Shéa school, a centre for integrated development, where students, parents, teachers and administrators work together to create an alternative educational system pertinent to local needs. Morazan was one of the major theatres of the Salvadoran conflict in the 70s and 80s. The nearby small town of Perquin provides an ideal place to learn of the history of that conflict, particularly through its small museum, and Perkin Lenca, the hotel, and its charitable Perkin Educational Opportunities Foundation, is an ideal place to learn of innovative ways forward from poverty and conflict.
Perkin Lenca is, for us and our children, delicious, distinctive Salvadoran food, beautiful stone and log-built cabins, hot showers, stunning scenery, comfortable climate, genuinely friendly people and an inspiring commitment to the sustainable development of the area.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34614 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34589 The architecture covers much of the 'old' part of the city (really it's only about 100 years old) but if you have a limited amount of time, don't be tempted to spend it in a museum if you haven't explored here.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34589 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34574 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34574 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34567 With simple, functional accommodation and a range of local rustic fayre from no less than three restaurants, a cafe and a bakery it has something to suit all budgets (the cafe is best value). But beware - it will not suit party animals - you are expected to be silent after 11:00 pm!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34567 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34566 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34566 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34565 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34565 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34564 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34564 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34561 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34561 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34540 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34540 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34527 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34527 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34526 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34526