Metz Family

The FIFA World Cup in South Africa will take place from June 11 - July 11, 2010. Ireland, Germany and Kenya need to qualify for the major soccer event in their groups (Europe and Africa). According to the drawing which took place on November 25, 2007 in Durban the groups are: Die FIFA Fussball Weltmeisterschaft in Süd Afrika findet vom 11. Juni bis 11. Juli 2010 statt. Irland, Deutschland und Kenia müssen sich für dieses Fussballhauptevent in den jeweiligen Gruppen (Europa und Afrika) qualifizieren. Die Auslosung der Gruppen fand am 25. November 2007 in Durban statt. Die Gruppen sehen wie folgt aus: Europe Group 4 * Germany (FIFA World Ranking: 5) * Russia (FIFA World Ranking: 23) * Finland (FIFA World Ranking: 36) * Wales (FIFA World Ranking: 57) * Azerbaijan (FIFA World Ranking: 115) * Liechtenstein (FIFA World Ranking: 122) Group 8 * Republic Of Ireland (

Are you still looking for a Christmas gift? We can recommend something. A couple of days ago we got the chance to get a very nice copy of the "Christmas Oratorio BWV 248" in its entirely played by the Dresden Philharmonic together with the Dresden Cross Choir through Amazon. The package comes in a 3CD-Digipak covered with red velvet and a total playing time of almost 3 hours. This epic piece of music, composed by the great Johann Sebastian Bach, is one of the most popular classical composition in history. Sucht Ihr noch nach einem Weihnachtsgeschenk? Wir können etwas empfehlen. Vor ein paar Tagen haben wir die Chance bekommen ein sehr schönes Exemplar des "Weihnachtsoratorium BWV 248", gespielt von der Dresdner Philharmonie zusammen mit dem Dresdner Kreuzchor, in der Gesamtaufnahme durch Amazon zu bekommen. Das Paket kommt in einem 3CD-Digipak umhüllt mit rotem Samt und einer Gesamtspielzeit von fast 3 Stunden. Diese epische Stück Musik, komponiert vom grossartigen

*** Caroline and Sebastian wish all visitors a Merry Christmas! *** Unfortunately without any snow here but at least with Christmas decoration in the streets. Our picture shows a Christmas tree located in front of the GPO - General Post Office at O'Connell Street in Dublin. *** Caroline und Sebastian wünschen allen Besuchern ein schönes Weihnachtsfest! *** Leider ohne Schnee hier aber zumindest mit Weihnachtsdekoration in den Strassen. Unser Bild zeigt einen Weihnachtsbaum vor dem Hauptpostamt auf der O'Connell Street in Dublin.

During our time in India, we have discovered a very good music project. The BOMBAY DUB ORCHESTRA combines ambient music, orchestra tunes (played by the Bollywood Movie Orchestra) with traditional Indian vocal and instrument appearances like sitar and wooden flute. The result is an interesting orchestral chill out mixture. You can watch a visual element of the track 'Compassion' from Bombay Dub Orchestra's BBC Electric Proms performance below this entry. Während unserer Zeit in Indien haben wir ein sehr gutes Musikprojekt entdeckt. Das BOMBAY DUB ORCHESTRA verbindet Ambientmusik, orchestrale Stücke (gespielt vom Bollywood Film Orchester) mit traditionellen indischem Gesang und Instrumenten wie Sitar und Holzflöte. Das Ergebnis ist eine interessante Verschmelzung aus orchestralem Chill Out. Unter dem Eintrag gibt es ein visuelles Element des Stückes "Compassion", gespielt vom Bombay Dub Orchestra während der BBC Electric Proms.

Our website comes now in a fresh and modern design. We hope you will enjoy it. Unsere Website kommt jetzt in einem frischen und modernen Design. Wir hoffen es gefällt euch.

Our photoalbum with pictures from Goa is now online. You can find the link in the photosection appearing in the right navigation bar. Enjoy! Unser Fotoalbum mit Bildern aus Goa ist nun online. Ihr könnt den Link in der Fotosektion im rechten Navigationsmenü finden. Viel Spass!

Monday, December 3 In the morning we spent most of our time walking around in Palolem village and to buy some traditional gifts for our families. In the afternoon we booked a boat cruise with Farawaycruises which was really exciting and relaxing. Departed from Palolem beach and cruised past Agonda and Kola beach. Stopped for a swim and kayaking near a remote beach and enjoyed a range of delicious snacks before heading back to Palolem. We saw a wonderful sunset but unfortunately no dolphins. A wonderful trip. Tuesday, December 4 This day we hired another scooter and discovered a lot of nice things in the area around Palolem. We cruised alongside the coast, across the Talpona River until we found an isolated beach called Galgibaga. This beach is very beautiful and protected by the Forest Department of the Goan government. There are no beach resorts (the villagers in the vicinity prevented the building of beach resorts in the past), there is just nature and a paradise for turtles. We wen

Friday, November 30 On this Friday afternoon we traveled with Air Deccan from Hyderabad towards Goa. After a 1.5 hour flight we arrived well in the Indian sunshine state. The first impression was the fact that the heat is completely different there, more humid perhaps because of the Arabian Sea. From Goa Airport we were picked up by a taxi, which was organized by our hotel owner Ciaran's. After another journey of 1.5 hours through the landscape of Central- and South Goa, alongside palm trees and lots of cows we finally approached our place to stay, located at Palolem Beach. We were a bit disappointed about the accommodation in the first place but after reviewing the other resorts, Ciaran's was the best place to stay. They have a restaurant and a bar, with a wide range of seafood and - surprise - beef steak(!!) as well as local beers. The bar and restaurant are actually very good. After a brief overview we decided just to stay on the beach and walk around for the rest of the day

After six amazing and relaxing days in the heat of 36 degrees and sunshine all day long in Goa we arrived well back in rainy Dublin yesterday afternoon. We spent wonderful moments relaxing on Palolem Beach including discovering the southern villages around Goa on a scooter as well as boat and Kayak cruises at sunset. Photos and a detailed report will be posted soon. Nach sechs aufregenden und entspannenden Tage in 36 Grad Hitze und Sonnenschein sind wir gestern im wieder im verregneten Dublin angekommen. Wir haben wundervolle Momente verbracht, sei es beim Relaxen am Palolem Beach, auf einer Boots- und Kayaktour oder beim Erkunden der Dörfer im Süden Goas mit einem Moped. Fotos und detailierte Berichte gibt es bald.