claudia1975's VirtualTourist Home Page

Hi! I am currently living in Vienna - the capitol of Austria - and travelling has always been one of the greatest fascinations for me. Since I studied geography and environmental science travelling already came with my studies at university as well as with my jobs working 5 years at the German Aerospace Center, DLR, and now working as University Assitant at the Vienna University of Technology. VT is a great forum to share ideas and tips, get to know people from all over the world and maybe find friends abroad, which one might happen to meet one day.
During my studies I have lived in the USA for nearly 2 years. I explored the beautiful Pacific Northwest and many other states. Currently my travelling focusses mainly on Asian countries - especially different provinces of China. So on these pages you can find impressions from my trips in the US and in China, but also some infos on my travels through Iceland, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, my recent stay in India and also many countries in Europe.

Geomorphology is the science of landscape-shaping by outer forces like water erosion, glacial erosion, wind and temperature changes. It is wonderful to explore regions, where these phenomena lead to fascinating landscapes, like in Utah, USA. Here the National Parks "Arches N.P.", Capitol Reef N.P.", "Canyonlands N.P." and "Bryce N.P. " are definitely worth a vist. Go in the off-season, when tourist numbers are low and the weather is sunny and clear. I was there in November 2004 and it was always around freezing, but great weather. Sometimes the colourful sandstone- and limestone formations are covered with a thin powdery snow frosting - amazingly beautiful!
Furthermore, I like places where the inner forces of the earth give landscape an extraordinary design. Such are places like Iceland, where you can witness active volcanism, geysirs and bubbling mud-pools, find the most colourful rocks, and beautifully smoothened pebbles in milky glacial water or can soak in natural hot springs after a strenuous day of cycling or hiking....

I love being around people and spending time with friends. Cities bustling of life and change (like Beijing, Delhi, Colombo or Hong Kong) are great places to learn, watch people, experience history and stroll the streets. However, the most inspirational places for me are the ones, where you are a "tiny bug" within nearly untouched nature (if there is such thing) - no human sounds, no cars, no houses in sight. You truly feel the greatness and power of nature. These waterfalls and mountains, cliffs and valleys will still be there in thousands of years ...For me this picture taken in Iceland recaptures such a wonderful moment.