Der Ritter mit der Web-Adresse: Walisische Panoramen

Name of traveller

Michael Bengel (b. 1946)

Reason for travel

  • leisurely travel; holidaying

Date of travel

undated, early to mid 2000s

Lleyn wurde das walisische Mecklenburg, wo jeder Fortschritt und jede Unbill der Geschichte später kommt als anderswo. (Bengel 92)

Content

  • frequent references to otherwise unidentified co-travellers during the various journeys around Wales
  • architecture:
    • descriptions of various historical types of garden architecture
    • descriptions and histories of Cardiff Castle, Llangoed Hall, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
  • customs: 
    • stresses distinct cultural difference between Wales and England
    • no interest in Welsh-language culture
  • history:
    • sketches history of various country estates
    • notes on Viking invasions, history of Christianity
  • language: brief mention of Welsh language and Welsh language programmes for adults, but no interest in Welsh language
  • literature: chapter on well-known authors from Wales; Roald Dahl (1916-1990), Bruce Chatwin (1940-1989), Ken Follett (b. 1949), Dick Francis (1920-2010), Dylan Thomas (1914-1953)
  • people:
    • journey undertaken together with unidentified co-travellers
    • diligently notes the names of each of the hired tour guides
    • references to travel writers Arthur Granville Bradley (1850-1943) and Thomas Pennant (1726-1798)
  • recreation:
    • tourism as one of main sources of income in twenty-first-century Wales
    • strong focus on exploration of Wales via adventure tourism
    • undertaken activities: bat watching, bird watching, coasteering, hiking, mountaineering, whale spotting
  • territory:
    • few descriptions of landscape
    • focuses on description of outdoor activities in direct relation of distinct geographical features
    • exploration of Swansea and Laugharne in the footsteps of Dylan Thomas (1914-1953)
  • transport: travels via boat, car and on foot

Nationality of traveller

German

Language of publication

German

Gender of traveller

Male

Type of publication

travelogue

Citation

Bengel, Michael. Der Ritter mit der Web-Adresse: Walisische Panoramen. Wien: Picus, 2006. Print.

Entry created: 24 February 2014
Entry last updated: 13 September 2016