Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) in Germany

On February 19, 2021February 19, 2021 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Germany6 Comments

There are many cathedrals in Europe that were built in the gothic architecture and the Cologne Cathedral in Germany is definitely one of the more stunning examples. To say that the cathedral dominates the skyline of Cologne would be an understatement as it is clearly the focal point from wherever you are standing. If you enter or pass through Cologne via the train, you certainly can’t miss the cathedral as it is literally a few hundred meters from the train station. It is the tallest twin-spire church in Europe and draws thousands of visitors from around the world on an annual basis.

The cathedral was undergoing renovations at the time of our visit as the stones of the church had turned black over time, but are now being renewed to their original luster. The details of façade are overwhelming as there are so many interesting features to see as you walk the grounds of the cathedral. Although the city has put height restrictions in place to ensure that the cathedral remains the highest structure in the area, the Museum Ludwig sits very near the cathedral. It is a strange juxtaposition between the historic cathedral and the modern buildings that house contemporary art.

Construction began on the cathedral in 1248, but was not fully completed until 1880. There was no work done on the cathedral between the late 15th century and the 19th century, but when construction resumed, it was completed based upon the original plans. It is currently a UNESCO World Heritage site and certainly one of the most magnificent cathedrals in all of Europe. During the evenings, the sides of church are lit up so that it virtually glows against the night sky.

There are many reasons to visit Cologne with its medieval old town, museums, and waterfront district, but the Cologne Cathedral or Kölner Dom is most certainly the highlight of any visit. Viewing the gothic architecture, the stained glass windows, and impressive buttresses is something that you will never forget. The Cologne Cathedral is certainly one of the finest examples of a medieval church to be found anywhere in the world.

Kilkenny Castle in Ireland

On February 18, 2021February 18, 2021 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Ireland8 Comments

During our trip to Ireland, we really enjoyed visiting Kilkenny Castle in the quaint city of Kilkenny. We were staying in Dublin and hired a guide to take us to a variety locations as we headed from Dublin to the coast. Seeing this wonderful castle was certainly the highlight of the tour, but just driving through the countryside made the trip worthwhile. Construction began on the castle in the twelfth century and it is truly a magnificent residence. You are able to take a self-guided tour of the interior and exterior of the castle and it is well worth taking a couple of hours to visit the beautiful castle and gardens.

It may have been a cloudy day during our visit to Kilkenny, but that didn’t distract from the beauty of the historic home. It was the home of the Butler family from 1391 to 1967 when it was granted to the people of Kilkenny. The rooms have been preserved to show the day-to-day living of the previous residents and provide a glimpse into the lives of the wealthy inhabitants. They are decorated so well that you could truly imagine that someone was still living in the castle.

The views from the castle’s rooms as well as the lawns are spectacular. The River Nore runs next to the castle and leads towards the heart of the city, where, in the distance, the cathedral towers dominate the skyline over the heart of Kilkenny. We visited many castles all throughout Europe and Kilkenny Castle is definitely one of the best preserved castles and was well worth taking the time to visit.

Latin-Style Steak Sandwich

On February 17, 2021February 20, 2021 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Recipes, South AmericaLeave a comment

Mention a steak sandwich to someone from the United States and they will most likely envision a Philly steak and cheese. Although we definitely enjoy that style of sandwich, it certainly isn’t the only style out there. In fact, we have had many different versions throughout our travels. The one that stands out the most to us was the one that we ate at the beach in Lima, Peru. It was a steak sandwich with avocado and a creamy sauce that was wonderful. We decided to do a variation on that sandwich with guacamole and Mexican crema. We stayed true to the Latin seasonings and served it on some really fresh rolls that we got from our favorite local sandwich shop. If you wanted to make it a little spicier, you could certainly add some jalapeño peppers to it as well. One of the keys to a good steak sandwich is cutting the meat really thin using a meat slicer if you have one or with a sharp knife. It is also important not to overcook the steak or it will become tough and chewy.

INGREDIENTS

12 oz Ribeye Steak – sliced very thin
1/2 cup Yellow Onion – sliced thin
1/2 cup Black Beans – rinsed and drained
1/2 cup Guacamole
1 cup Shredded Lettuce
1/4 cup Mexican Crema
1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
1/2 tsp Chipotle Chili Powder
1/2 tsp Granulated Garlic
3 tbsp Vegetable Oil
2 tbsp Mayonnaise
Salt and Pepper to taste
4 Fresh Rolls

INSTRUCTIONS

Spread the meat out on a large plate or platter. Combine the cumin, chili powder, garlic, salt and pepper (quantities are approximate and can be adjusted based on your taste) and sprinkle the spice mixture over the meat to be sure to season all of the steak slices. Let sit in the dry marinade for about 20 to 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Put the black beans in the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes and then smash them to create a creamy texture. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet. Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the steak to the pan and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes or until the slices have only some pink left to keep them medium-rare. Do not overcook the steak. To prepare the sandwich, spread the black beans on the bottom of the rolls and cover the top bun with mayonnaise. Place the steak and onion mixture on top of the beans, spread guacamole over the steak, spoon some of the Mexican crema over the guacamole, then add shredded lettuce.