Breitach Klamm

Breitach Klamm is located at the southest of Germany and is about 2 hrs drive away from Munich. Located near Oberstdorf, they have the most beautiful canyons in Europe. Brietachkalmm is open all year round even in Winter. In fact, the most recommend visit of the year is winter as you can enjoy seeing huge icicles, frozen waterfalls etc.

My visit was a season earlier, in Autumn but having said this, I will say it is worth a visit as you get to enjoy breathtaking waterfalls, huge whirlpools and shiny rocks being "polished" by the running water. Let's get going and feel the power of water shaping the rocks!

Entrance

Coming from a bustling city lacking in natural resources as well as sights like this, I truly enjoy every moment with such natural wonder in the cooling weather. Initially I thought I was under-dressed with just winter jacket and a pair jeans in the midst of cooling temperature but luckily later on, exercising keeps me warm up and soon I got used to the temperature.

Natural Wonder

The serene nature with lush greenery and gush of water sound was indeed therapeutic to someone like me who spend most of my time in the city.

Sound of Nature

 Enjoying the breathtaking moments at every part of the walk.

Sound of Nature

Fast Flowing Water

Being a past geography student, I remember the times where we learned the formation of rocks only through the books and never get to see any. In fact, this spectacular sight had kind of reminds me of the process of attrition where you can see curvature part at the side of the road being worn down or weaken by the water waves.

Rock Formation Process

Look at the rock formations

Near the Whirl Pool

We walked pass and caught sight of this catchment area where water has nowhere to flow. Didn't caught sight of any fishes in it though.

"Catchment" Area

This is the portion where water level had risen as high as 6.60 metres in year 2015, starting from a height of 2.30m in 1910. When will be the next rise?

Records of water rising

From the history of their record high water level in Breitach Klamm. That was really very high, can't imagine.

Water Level

Since Breitach Klamm is located at the southest Germany, there is one part of the trek that we had actually leave Germany for Austria and back into Germany again.

Water Flows

Water Falls

Look up

Gorge

Till this point of time, this was a wooden house that we had past through. It was mentioning that the management is not liable for any injuries caused by falling rocks.

Passing through this hut

 Looking down into the deepest gorge of middle Europe.

I'm Here

And the tedious part of the trek begin with very steep climbs on those gravel pathways. It last about 20 minutes and I almost could not make it as it was without steps and railings.

Steep Climbs

 Soon, after all the strenuous climbs, we were going down slope again. Yeah!

Something I picked up

To the compound where steps were gentle with no sky limit views and wonderful view of nature. The combination of beautiful blue sky,green colors and mountainous backdrops with sunlight shinning on the pasture is definitely a rare sight in Singapore.

Beautiful

Make your way up to the perfect stop over for a tea break and enjoy admiring the spectacular sight of the alps.

To Alpe Dornach

We stopped over at the cafe of Alpe Dornach. After much conversation with my German pal, I realized that the place is just more than a cafe and they have a hotel like kind of resort stay.

Alpe Dornach

Alpe Dornach

I can never imagine myself enjoying tart under the sun shinning so brightly onto my food but the lifestyle in Europe is definitely different here with its cool surroundings. I had my plate of Plum Tart, one of their signatures, topped with whipped cream. It was a perfect stop over to refill my carbo after a big walk. Tart was not too sweet and crumbs were great with fine sugar.

Plum Tart

On the Table

Cappuccino was good, even for someone who are not so much of a coffee fan.

Cappucino

Sitting on the bench and enjoying our food and beverages looking both up and downhill, appreciating the beauty of nature.

View

Of course I prefer the uphill viewing. The natural landscapes was impressive!

Landscapes

Coffee with nice scenary

Chocolate with Coffee

 Before leaving the place, do remember to take some pictures for memories.

Alps

Besides having so many views from the nature formation. The most scenic view that many like best will be enjoying some sessions under the sun at the seats of Alpe Dornach. Being 100 meters above sea level, I felt very blessed to have such a clear sky enjoying a cup of coffee overseeing the beauty of alps. Though the climb was steep at some parts of the journey, upon seeing such scenery, you will feel that the sweat in the cold weather was all well paid off.

Can't take my eyes off this

Even before seeing the cows, we can hear the bells of these animals ringing as they move. I was told that the farmer recognize each cow by the sound of its bell.

House

Coincidentally while I was walking pass their territory, I spotted this sight where it is scratching its neck with the help of the wooden fence.

Cow scratching its neck

It's coming to the end of my adventure in Breitach Klamm and somehow the dull look from the cow had spelt out all my feelings.

Oh Cow, why are you looking so dull?

Somewhere near the Entrace / Exit of Breitach Klamm

Overall, the place is suitable for young and old, even with children. Do it slow if you are not in good shape. Also, there may be some parts where the rocks are pointed or close to our height, thus be careful during your trek. Do remember to be equipped with good walking shoes, waterproof, perhaps.

If I have the chance, I will very much like to visit them again in Winter.


BREITACH Klamm
Location:Klammstraße
Opening Hours
Admission: Kid - 1.50 EUR
                    Adult - 4 EUR

Website

A-One Bak Kut Teh [Invited Tasting]

Opening its branch business since late August 2015, A-One group has taken over the lease space of Boston Seafood Shack in Star Vista replacing the Western cuisine into one of the top local delights, Bak Kut Teh.

AOne Bak Kut Teh

And of course in this Singapore's first naturally cooled malls, patrons have the choice of dining under the fans or inside the restaurant with air conditioned environment.

Dining Under the Fans

Interior is spacious and bright with ample of walkways. If you are someone who sweat alot while beating the hot claypot soup, dining here will be the best choice as you get to enjoy both fan and air conditioned environment.

Interior

A good flip through the menu and you will get to see a number of Singapore's Iconic dishes in claypot.

Aone Bak Kut Teh

Menu was playfully illustrated with piggy coming out of the claypot, containing Singlish.

Super Shiok on the Menu

Served in earthen claypot cradled with porridge that was cooked for at least 45 minutes under high pressure cooker, every grain of rice has disintegrated properly yet still retaining some of the rice grain texture instead of just being pure watery.

Minced Meat with Meat Ball Porridge - $9.90

This process of porridge cooking was separated from the cooking of Bak Kut Teh soup which includes the use of premium white pepper. Minced Meat with Meat Ball porridge was naturally flavoured and spiced then. With the used of anchovies, the porridge was sweetened. Meat Ball was bouncy and friendly to the jaws. Since I'm a minced meat lover, it would be great to have an increased portion on that.

Meat Balls

If you have the chance, do try out their fruit tea and rest assure that you will keep calm and keep drinking tea :). Enjoy the process of looking at the transparent glass teapot while the tea undergo a heating process.

Assorted Fruit and Flower Tea - $7.90

The color of the tea was eye catching as time passed, from the faint orange red into beautiful pink. Diffusion took place under the constant heat from the candle which gave the Tea more powerful flavour from the assorted fruit and flower. It stimulates the appetite and till the point we asked if they are for sale. Unfortunately, not.

Let's check out the ingredients!

Preparation method for porridge is similar to minced meat with meat ball porridge, just that the ingredients was pork ribs instead. Porridge had more water content as compared to the earlier pot. A good point to note was that the meat was thoroughly cooked and fell off from the bone easily.

Pork Rib Porridge - $10.90

The Pork Ribs Soup, though belongs to the same genre but was different from the porridge we had. They were cooked to simmer for at least 3 hours to obtain its flavour. Soup was generally refillable with attentive service from the staff.

Pork Ribs Soup - $10.90

Ribs

Ribs

Pig Organ Soup has its soup base similar to pork ribs soup and served under the burning fire, The peppery concoction includes, lean meat, liver, intestines and you can even get to taste the garlicky flavour in the soup! One good point to take note is that, if you want to enjoy the tenderness of liver, don't have it over the flame for a long time.

Pig's Organ Soup - $9.90

So they say Soya Milk and You Tiao has never been apart but I guess I can't have Bak Kut Teh without You Tiao too as I will feel incomplete. Just dipped these non greasy cut Fried Dough aka "You Tiao" into the bowl of Bak Kut Teh soup.

You Tiao

Since the Ampang Yong Tau Foo comes in 3 sizes, we had the medium portion which is good enough for a table of 6 pax. Though it may be a common dish, every item was deep fried into crispiness and drenched using their homemade sauce.

Ampang Yong Tau Foo - $14.90 (Medium)

Items include, chilli, Tau Gua, Tau Ki, Gor Hiong, bittergourd, dumplings and kang gong.

With Fish Paste

Braised Platter's portion was pleasing with braised processes done in house by themselves from scratch. Braised sauce was inviting yet not overpowering with good use of herbs and spices.

Braised Platter - $14.90

Perhaps the only miss here was the varieties of the items on the plate. For instance, it will be good to see braised intestines and preserved vegetables on it.

Closer View to the Platter Items

Having too much of pork, it was good that we have Dry Bak Kut Teh with Chicken Cubes. The selling point was not only its chicken cubes but also its shredded cuttlefish that gave a strong aromatic hit once it landed onto our table. Sauces used in the dish includes dark and black sauce. If you dont know, this dish also consist of Bak Kut Teh Soup Base. Dry Bak Kut Teh is also available with Pork Ribs too.

Dry Bak Kut Teh Chicken Cubes - $12.90

Some called it the 4 heavenly king! The original creation of this assorted vegetables in Sambal sauce is from Malaysia and mixed vegetables like long beans, brinja, ladies fingers and sweet peas were stirred fried together with minced meat, dried fish and right amount of sambal sauce without being too overpowering.

Assorted Vegetables in Sambal Sauce - $10.90

Overall, A-One Bak Kut Teh is a good place where you can enjoy Singapore iconic dishes. In such a strategic location where business parks and hotels are in the surroundings, it gives foreigner a feel of how our local dishes taste like.

Having been to most their claypot houses in Singapore, I would say their meals are fulfilling and close to a heart of Singaporean.

This is a media tasting invitation from OpenRice.

Rating: 3 / 5

A-One Bak Kut Teh
Location: The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green #01-46 Singapore 138617
Website

Hotel Falken

Having travelled twice to Memmingen, Germany, this is the first time I'm staying in the Hotel Falken. For those who have not been there before, Memmingen is about 150km away from Munich International Airport and about 1.5 hrs drive away. Memmingen is a small town and perhaps you can finished walking to all parts of the town in hours time.

Hotel Falken

This 4 stars hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Memmingen whereby you can find majority of the Restaurants, marts and convenience shop in a short distance. On top of that, my favourite shop, Jack Wolfskin is located directly under the hotel. If you enjoy the same brand, do keep a look out for their off-season promotion at a reduced pricing.

Morning View out of my Windows

Apart from that, Hotel Falken has 42 comfortable and tastefully decorated rooms. Hotel staff is friendly and professional making my 5 days of stay relaxing and pleasant.

Writing Desk, Mini Bar & TV

Interior has splahses of colours, while the spacious bright and airy atmosphere creates a harmonious feel. All single, double and family rooms have a bathroom with shower, as well as a minibar, telephone, free Internet connection, cable TV and radio

Single Room

Bathroom with Shower Area

Toilet Vanity 

Even though Hotel is in a small town, customers aren't shortchange on the technology of Hotel Access. Feel secure as accessing to the main hotel building requires a Hotel Card, likewise to individual hotel rooms.

Electronic Door Access

As an Asian, I'm used to having boiling water in the hotel, however, in Europe, most of the place do not cater an electric kettle for that. If you want boiling water, you can buy it from the reception at 4 Euro per jug. Water is drinkable from tap but there will be chalky particles in it as advised from the receptionist. If you dont want to risk, you can buy sparking water from them too or convenience shop nearby. Since I arrived on a Sunday where marts and stalls were mostly closed, it left me no choice but to purchase drinking water from the hotel.

Cupboard Area

Overall, other than having a good location right smack in the middle of the town, Wifi Internet Access is something that is well taken care of, there is little or no latency in streaming online video at night when I'm bored. Hotel Falken is all worthwhile for a good and memorable stay!

Rating: 4 / 5

Hotel Falken
Location: Roßmarkt 3, 87700 Memmingen, Germany