After the magnificent Rhinefall, we went to one of Germany best known resort, the Black Forest. So at first thought, many people would know the famous black forest cake, and you're right, they are famous for that, and it's the ladies in that region who have created this wonderful fluffly texture chocolate cake, layered with brandy soaked cherries, topped with think layers of whipped cream. Yeah yummy isn't it? Actually the Black Forest region is also famous for their coucou clocks. It's been said during winter, the famers will be making wood carvings and coucou clocks, while the women will be preparing the brandy cherries for the black forest cake. Other than these products, Black Forest is also famous for it's lake Titisee. Actually the "see" in Titisee means lake in german, hence it's actually called the Titi Lake. It's a beautiful lake, being one of the source of the Blue Denube in Viena.
This time was a rather different experince for me. It was snowing and the road side was filled with snow, and burning logs. The last time when I was there during summer six years ago, the road was filled with people, the chairs and tables filled the road side, and people were all over, be it on the lake side sun tanning, or rowing a boat in lake Titisee. This time in winter, lake Titisee is rather quiet, instead of people, the lake side is now conquered by the wild ducks. Being such a nature lover, I couldn't wait to snap photos of the ducks waddling! I just felt that the fur of the animals are the most magnificent during winter.
After some friendly ducks waddling photo shots, we went to the only chinese restaurent in black forest for our lunch. Guess what we had? Roast duck! Yeeks! Anyway they tasted rather nice... And my mum was saying, this roast duck might be the ones waddling down at the lake side...
The souvenir shops in black forest is another beautiful catch! Things are rather inexpensive in this town, and people may look harsh, while in actual fact they are nice at heart. One thing to note is that the doors of these shops are rather old, hence they will usually slam shut if you're not careful. In order not to get glared at by the locals, you better hold the door, and carefully close it, to prevent it from slamming. The supermarket there is rather special. It's where you can find many of their local German products, like the German wine/liqour, the brandied cherry, cheeses, sausages, and what looks like chinese "La rou" or bar gua.
My mum bought this small little bottle of fruit wine which cost around $3, and it tasted rather nice, a little sweet. I was so surprise to find an art boutique around the lake side. I watched outside the shop, as the man (artist) is painting on this large canvas, a portrait of some flowers. It was rather inspiring to be working in such a nice place. Walking pass on the cross road, we saw this wooden made house, which was for sale. If I had the $$ I would have bought a house here. It's a really nice place for a resort/chalet.
The witches toy figurine selling in black forest are also very well made, mainly because they really look horrid! Later did I realise that black forest is also famous for witches! I think in one of those children fairy tails, (Which I suspect was hansel and Gradle), the witch lived in the black forest.
The small little christmas bazaar in this town is something that we never did expect. Although we did come in such a cold winter month, still the plus point is that you get to see nice x'mas decorations and bazaars. In the bazaar, people sell x'mas themed items, like REAL mistle toe, pine made x'mas decorations and x'mas tree. Still most of the vendor sells food and beverages which will keep you warm. My mum, out of her curiosity, bought this hot spice fruit wine from this handsome looking vendor. It goes like this, she paid $2.50 for the wine. She was quite puzzled as it was written that this drink only cost $1.50. The guy explain to her that $1 is for the glass that holds the drink. If you return it after your drink, he would return you $1. It is some sort like a deposit. In the end, my mum decided to keep the cup, which proof rather useful for the rest of our trip. (As my mum was having her coughs, and this cup is perfect for her chinese herbal tea, LOL) Later on, my mum described the drinks to others as "For the locals, it's just as common as our KOPI we had in coffee shop in singapore"
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