German Bavaria The Economic Miracle!

The Aquarius Sports Resort Hotel, though it is located in the sleepy western coastal town of Marawila has got a superb Internet and communication facility, which connects the visiting German Praktikum (Internship) students to Germany and rest of the world.

Information & Communication Technology leads the modern world in every field.

One internship student has given me some facts with just a few numbers that will speak louder than words about Germany and especially Bavaria’s success in Information & Communication Technology.

I was surprised that the foremost communications site in Germany has more than 100,000 employees and 1,800 companies of which 586 are U.S. companies, all of which are in Bavaria.

In fact, Bavaria shares the number one primacy with London for all of Europe and it ranks number four worldwide.

How did this happen you may wonder. While there is no single answer, there are numerous contributing factors why so many companies in any imaginable industry felt they needed a base here.

Certainly, it has a lot to do with the Bavarian government’s tremendous initiative and support through financial incentives and action programs.

An early foray into Internet communications also ensured a rapid dissemination of information and communication technology.

Their “Software Initiative” aimed at developing and marketing software sees a close cooperation between research and industry.

Last but not least, there are 20 municipal and 9 technology-based incubator centers providing excellent infrastructure close to wherever you may want to locate your company.

Let’s talk about tomorrow. After a brief talk with me, she went and sat with her parents.

Bavaria has its own merits to be proud of its economic achievements.

If Germany could be proud as one of the major components, making the European economic-power base, Bavaria could also be proud of its vital role in making Germany a powerful economic nation in Europe.

The motorcycle and automobile makers BMW, Bayerische Motoren-Werke or Bavarian Motor Works and Audi, the consumer electronics Grundig, the electricity, telephones, informatics and medical instruments Siemens, Adidas and Puma have or had a Bavarian industrial base to give Bavaria economic super status.

Some students are proud that Bavaria is the only state renowned for its spectacular vistas and unparalleled beauty and comprises more than a third of all German employees in the aeronautics and space technology sectors.

They further said that no other single state could make this claim.

Furthermore, they pointed out that that is because the state government recognizes the importance of fostering new developments and encouraging the enhancement of existing technologies.

They once again proudly pointed out that it is no surprise that, DASA, Germany’s equivalent of NASA, is located in Bavaria.

The students went on to say that since 1990 Bavaria has spent about 200 million DM for the promotion of aeronautics and space technology projects called TETRA to develop new materials for reusable space transport systems with an additional 50 million DM spent for research projects.

Now the sky is their limit.

German students naturally glow with a sense of pride.

Rajkumar Kanagasingam is author of a fascinating book on German memories in Asia and you can explore more about the book and the author at AGSEP

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted on 6th June 2008
Under: travel-guide-germany.info | No Comments »

Hannover Germany Tour

With its historical monuments and rich cultural heritage, Hannover is one of the beautiful and charming cities in the north. The city was a former royal capital even having its prince until these days. It’s also widely famous for hosting international exhibitions, having here the Expo in 2000. Many facilities and attractions were added, restored and renovated before that year as preparations for the big event.

The attractions…

Inner city

One can start in the Kroepcke, where you can find the famous Kroepcke clock. From there, there are a lot of ways to go - shopping, shopping and more shopping. The area is obviously the center for shopping. You can go into the direction of the Main Train Station by going under a very nice shopping promenade, Niki-de-Saint-Phalle. Most shops here are open till late in the evening.

If you see a church or something which belongs to the old city, go there and you should find a red line on the ground. This red line is used as a guide for tours. It should bring you to the famous attractions of the inner city. Like for example the beautiful old timbered houses in the old town, the Leibniz house, the old and new city hall or the opera.

Activities

Hannover Zoo

For families, the Hannover zoo is an ideal destination. The zoo was very well designed and landscaped, giving you the feeling (and probably the animals too) that you’re in the wild.

Maschsee

It’s a beautiful and relaxing place to stroll, but not just that, you can also rent sailing or paddling boats to enjoy more of the lake’s calm water. If you’re lazy to paddle, then you can take boat tours. This lake hosts to numerous big parties of the city.

Herrenhausergaerten - Royal Gardens

This is a huge collection of gardens. You probably need one day to walk around the area. Aside from being huge, it’s also very impressive so something to see and experience definitely. The garden design is a copy of the Versailles. When this was made, that was the time when the Versailles garden got really famous and everyone wanted to have a copy of it.

Have fun and enjoy your stay in Hannover!

View Hannover Picture Gallery at Capturedplaces.com.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Posted on 5th June 2008
Under: travel-guide-germany.info | No Comments »

Oktoberfest

Prost!

Blatt that tuba, blare that trumpet

Swing that tune, beat it! jump it!

A German band can get your heart bumping,

Your fingers tapping, your two feet stomping.

I know that song! My grandfather sang it!

In the German chorus where he rang it.

Play another one! Don’t let them rest!

I’ll meet you at the Octoberfest!

At every carnival and festival all over the world, music touches that primeval place in our brains that lifts our spirits and binds us together. The original Octoberfest was just a fancy wedding celebration for the King of Bavaria in 1810. Although the wedding date was set for October 17th, the party starts in mid September and lasts through the beginning of October. A grand opening parade with decorated beer wagons pulled by pampered Clydesdale horses marches through Munich and lasts for hours.

For sheer size, the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany dwarfs every other emulator. Twelve tents house over ten thousand merry makers each. Like giant redwood tree trunks, three massive poles soar to dizzying heights, sheltering three twenty piece Gerrman bands. One tent features a giant ox roasting on a huge turning spit, keeping the chefs busy basting the ox with spices. Choice seats simulating local beer stubes line the sides. Tables are reserved for months in advance by Munich corporations for their employees. I was fortunate one year to know someone who had a spot for me and my wife at the Hackerbrau table. We had a grand time ’schuttling’ back and forth to songs my grandfather sang.

If you have heard that Oktoberfest beer is stronger, you have not been lied to. The special beer is timed to perfection for the festival, resulting in a slightly darker color, rich in hops flavor, and topped by a fine-grained head of foam. A one liter mug (mass) will put you into a good mood for hours. As one strolls down the wide avenues, enticing aromas assault the senses. Spit-roasted half chickens, broiled smelts-on-a-stick (steckerl fish), and roasted honey almond treats are all irresistible.

The main concourse is lined with quaint rides and interesting side shows. A house-sized barrel caught my eye that turned out to sell only fancy German chocolate candies in every variation imaginable. Strings of four to eight strollers singing German songs dance down the alley, sometimes apologizing for sweeping visitors along with them, other times not. Police ‘Kontrollers’ keep a sharp eye out for rowdy behavior, allowing some partying, but ejecting anyone who disturbs the peace. The original Octoberfest epitomizes the word ‘Gemutlichkeit’ and visitors the world over take away with them that warm, friendly feeling to spread around at home.

About the Author: A retired portrait and wedding photographer, I enjoy writing , how to articles, helpful articles on photography and many other subjects. My
hobbies include quartet singing, shop, bicycling and photography. Please visit my web site at http://www.photoartbyken.com/ [Articles, Digital Art, Poetry, Original sheet music.]

Tags: , , , ,

Posted on 4th June 2008
Under: travel-guide-germany.info | No Comments »

Close
E-mail It