Square 2 Design, a Romanian design group, recently revealed an eco-friendly concept home for the Danube Delta. As you can see, the eco-house features a wall covered in foliage and an indoor greenhouse, making the garden an integral part of the home itself, rather than an addition.
The group claims that the interiors and furniture are constructed from biodegradable and recycled materials, making them environmentally friendly too. I think in the past Romania’s had a bad reputation in the West for being a backward country but this sort of innovative design and eco-thinking demonstrates just how forward-thinking this country can be.
Entries are being accepted until 20th October 2009 for the Ljubljana Marathon which will take place on the 25th of October. Local and foreign runners will take to the streets for the 14th year with the choice of three courses – a full marathon, half marathon, or a 10.5km fun run. In 2008 more than 13,000 runners took part in the event.
Ljubljana
The marathon route takes runners through Ljubljana’s Old Town and the green outskirts of the city. Numerous spectators line the route to support and encourage the runners taking part. Prospective competitors can find full details including entry costs and a route map on the website www.ljubljanskimaraton.si.
While runners gather their strength at ‘pasta banquets’ on the eve of the marathon, water sports enthusiasts will be putting themselves to the test on 24th October in the 3rd International Kayaking Marathon. Kayakers and canoeists will test their strength on various courses between the city centre bridges on the River Ljubljanica. The longest course measures almost 20km, while recreational canoeists can choose between courses of 5km and 9km.
Previous entrants to the Ljubljanica kayak marathon have included medal-winners from the canoeing world championships. For information and entry forms for this event, contact the Kayak Association of Slovenia by emailing kajak.zveza@siol.net.
The Estonian Golf & Country Club will have the honour of hosting the 2009 Omega Mission Hills World Cup European Qualifier from September 24 – 27. Two-man teams from around the globe are expected to battle it out for the three qualifying spots available and the chance to take part in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup at Mission Hills, China from November 26 – 29.
The PGA European Tour will have responsibility for overseeing the European qualifying tournament and will work closely with the both staff and members of the Estonian Golf & Country Club to deliver a memorable Estonian experience for competing players.
Estonian Golf & Country Club, which opened in 2005, is one of the finest golf courses in Eastern Europe and one of only eight European Tour courses in Europe. Locals say that when God created the coastal land of the Estonian Golf & Country Club, he must have intended it to be a golf course, as it winds its way so harmoniously along the Baltic Coast and the Jägala River delta. The club boasts not only the beautiful 18-hole Sea Course with its spectacular sea views and signature par four 13th, but also the historic nine-hole Stone Course, which meanders through impressive rock formations and gigantic stones from the ice age. Situated just half-an-hour from the centre of Estonia’s capital city, Tallinn, and only a 15-minute drive from Tallinn International Airport, the club is ideally situated and can be accessed easily from all major cities in Europe.
Hole 3
The format for the first and third rounds of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup European qualifier will be fourball (betterball), with foursomes (alternate shot) to be used in the second and final rounds. The Official World Golf Rankings will determine the first 18 nations to qualify for the Omega Mission Hills World Cup itself and the European qualifier will join the Asian and South American qualifiers to determine the balance of the field. The leading three teams from each qualifier will earn a place in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
The Omega Mission Hills World Cup was first played in 1953 as the Canada Cup. The event is set to continue through to 2018, and most probably beyond, at Mission Hills, following the signing of an agreement in 2007 which brought the prestige watch manufacturer Omega together with the club which introduced the game of golf to China, by first hosting the World Cup in 1995.
John Jay Hopkins, the noted Canadian industrialist, brought to reality a dream that golf could promote goodwill between nations with the inaugural World Cup played in Montreal in 1953, then called the Canada Cup and re-titled the World Cup in 1967.
For further information on the Estonian Golf & Country Club visit www.egcc.ee
I was born in Surrey, raised in Hampshire, but now reside in Bayswater, in London. My interest in history and passion for Eastern Europe developed when, at the age of nine, I read Judith Kerr’s novel ‘When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit’. After spending many summer holidays in Slovenia, I studied much Russian history at A Level, and then went on to attain an Upper Second Class Honours Degree in East European History from UCL’s School of Slavonic and East European Studies. During my vacation periods I enjoyed travelling throughout this incredible region and to date have visited: Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, Bosnia, Hungary, Slovenia and Germany. I am currently learning to speak Russian and will study my Masters in East European History on a part-time basis from autumn 2009.
I love food and all things cultural, particularly East European. I write feature articles for Anglomania, a sport, culture, fashion magazine and work as an editorial assistant for Glam Media UK. I have previously worked for TopTips.com, Emap, Conde Nast, The Telegraph and The Sun.
In this blog I am indulging my love of Eastern Europe, and utilising the web I shall tell tales of my travels, and impart my knowledge of the region’s culture, history and food.
