A day off in Cairo gives a five-day work-trip a nice, warm perspective in the middle of December. On the first evening in Hanover, I do not do anything except walk to the supermarket, eat on my bed, shower, and sleep. The alarm went off this morning shortly after 4am and will do so again tomorrow.

In Madrid, I at least manage a short evening stroll into the city center. It feels so good to breathe some fresh air, take in some of the Spanish evening atmosphere after a long day of working. However, the shopping jungle on Gran Vía and the many people are a bit overwhelming after the long day, and I soon head back to the hotel.

The Pyramids

In Cairo, we are able to sleep in and meet for breakfast in the morning. This alone feels already like luxury after all the early morning starts. Afterwards, we set off for the Pyramids.

The drive is not very long and quite interesting. There is a lot to see out the window. We cross the Nile on the highway. Despite it being the weekend, it is not very busy at the Pyramids. There are relatively few foreigners and more Egyptians around.

We pass through the gate directly in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza. It looms before us, large and impressive. The stone blocks are quite big (each weighing 2.5 tons), and you can climb a few meters to the entrance to the burial chamber. It would be quite strenuous to climb all the way to the top. I do not know exactly how people did it in the past.

It is chilly in the shadow of the pyramid, and many people are wearing winter clothing. A few vendors offer drinks and souvenirs. Camels and horse-drawn carriages await tourists. The city stretches almost up to the Pyramids. It is difficult to imagine what the area must have looked like during the time of the pharaohs.

Our guide tells us a lot about ancient Egypt, the pharaohs, and the construction of the pyramids.

The area is very extensive, so we drive a little way out to a viewpoint from where we can see the three pyramids together. The size of the structures is impressive. The Great Pyramid of Giza is 140 meters high. The wind is blowing across the desert and I love being a bit away from the many people.

The Sphinx

The Sphinx lies on the other side of the pyramids, toward the Nile and the Valley Temple. The city stretches right up to it here. When we first arrive, there is a dense crowd in front of it. But we wait a bit, and suddenly it empties. Her face is partially weathered, but her features are still clearly visible. Her body was repeatedly covered with sand and dug out. It is incredible to see the Sphinx in person. As with many sights, which we know so well from photos, it is an interesting feeling to be finally standing here and seeing it for myself. The small queen pyramids are in the background and look so small compared to the three big pyramids.

It is incredible that the pyramids were built around 2500 BC. What an achievement. I am often reminded of Asterix and Obelix and want to watch the film again when I get home. It is incredible that such a large pyramid was built for just one person. There are also other burial sites here. Giza was used as a necropolis even before the pyramids were built.

We eat lunch at a restaurant directly across from the pyramids. The rooftop terrace offers a beautiful view. We sit for quite a while, savouring our mezze and enjoying the view.

In the afternoon, we return to the hotel, and I have plenty of time for a siesta. And then at midnight we are getting picked up for the return flight back.

It was a truly beautiful day in Cairo. I finally managed to see the pyramids. In March 2020, I had a day off in Cairo and wanted to go to the pyramids, but then it rained all day, and I returned from the flight with COVID.

What a lovely last tour before Christmas.

Der Beitrag A Trip to the Pyramids in Cairo erschien zuerst auf Where in the world is... Susanne?.

After my Italian holiday I am going back to work today. But it could be worse than a six day Cape Town rotation.

In Cape Town it is gray and cool when we open the plane door. Spring is expected to show its cool, rainy side this weekend. However, the strong Cape wind often blows the clouds away quickly. So we are full of hope for a nice layover.

Sunset Sailing

It rains heavily during the day and I rest a bit after the night flight. This is the first time I have done this in Cape Town. The last two times I was in Cape Town (in 2022 & 2023) we always did something straight away.

In the evening the sun comes out and the rain has stopped. We meet for a catamaran sunset tour. Almost the entire crew is here. We make ourselves comfortable at the front of the catamaran and enjoy the view. There are a few others on board, but that does not bother us. The seals frolic in the harbour basin and the Table Mountain rises above the city in all its splendor. We slowly sail out of the harbour and the sun shines golden in the evening sky. Two penguins swim by! I am excited that we want to do the Cape tour on Sunday. We sail towards sunset, past the city, the big football stadium, Table Mountain, Lions Head… it is so beautiful… The sun shimmers in the windows of the chic houses in Sea Point and Camps Bay.

We are wrapped in blankets and enjoy our drinks. Only when the sun sinks into the sea do we make our way back. That was a really nice tour. What a start to our layover.

In the evening we eat at the waterfront. The food is always so good here in South Africa. Something that I always look forward to. We sit together for a long time and talk.

Oranjezicht Farmers Market & The Old Biscuit Mill

Saturday is supposed to be cool, windy and rainy and it is. At the weekend the Oranjezicht Farmers Market takes place near our hotel. The market offers fruit and vegetables, handicrafts and lots of food. Many Capetonians meet here for a Saturday brunch. There is a lot going on and we enjoy the hustle and bustle. A warming rooibos tea and a cinnamon roll is just the right thing to strengthen ourselves in between.

We then continue to the Old Biscuit Mill. The concept is similar. There are also small shops and studios with lots of pretty things and some food and drink. There are so many cute things for sale. It is so nice to stroll along.

So far it has been mostly dry and it was not until we got back to the hotel in the afternoon that it really started to rain. I snuggle up under my duvet and relax a bit before we meet again in the evening for dinner. There are only six of us this evening and while we order, the South African women at the next table are singing and dancing while they wait for the bill. The rhythm is infectious. What a beautiful day.

Cape of Good Hope

The weather is supposed to be better on Sunday so we decided on the tour to the Cape of Good Hope and the penguins in Simon’s Town.

We meet at 9am and sun and rain alternate at the beginning. The big waves break on Clifton Beach and our guide says the water temperature is 12 degrees. The Table Mountain is shrouded in clouds and it is drizzling lightly. The large granite rocks with the white beach still look beautiful. When the sun shines, this is one of Cape Town’s postcard motifs and I can see why. I will have to return when the sun shines…

We continue over Hout’s Bay and Chapman’s Peak. The views are beautiful, even though we are almost blown away by the wind. The sun slowly comes out and everything shines brightly. The coastline is so pretty here.

We stop at a farm for a short breakfast break. There is a petting zoo and small shops. I buy a rooibos latte and a cinnamon roll. The low Cape Dutch buildings are so cute. What a beautiful day… The sun is slowly winning against the clouds.

In the Cape National Park we observe a few ostriches and eland. It is always so beautiful here in spring. The flowers are blooming and the low bushes are pushed even lower to the ground today in the wind.

The Cape of Good Hope sign is besieged by tourists. We stop here briefly and I sit on a rock and look out to the sea. The sound of the sea is loud and impressive. Two seals climb onto a flat rock and are repeatedly washed over by the waves.

The waves are impressive and I could sit here and look out at the sea for a long time. The sun is coming out more and more. What a day…

We continue to Cape Point and walk up to the lighthouse. The colors are now shining in the sun: the green cliffs, the blue ocean, the white surf… the view is magnificent. It is my second time here and I could always return again and again.

Right now is whale watching season. We see a small group of southern right whales from Cape Point. One even jumps out of the water a little. Later on the drive to Simon’s Town we see some more.

The rain comes as we sit back in the car. We are really lucky today because by the time we have had lunch the sun is shining again.

The Penguin Colony in Simon’s Town

The penguins at Boulders Beach are wonderful. I love it here even when there are a lot of tourists. There are tourists on the boardwalk and penguins on the beach. Some lie on the sand, many preen themselves and a few swim up. It is so cute how they emerge from the waves and wash up on the beach. Some actually pose in front of the tourists. A few penguins nest under the bushes in small plastic huts or in self-made nests. We discover a small, fluffy young one at the feet of its parent.

The turquoise water, the white beach, the large granite rocks and the little penguins… It is so beautiful… Our guide tells us that the residents do not really like the penguins because they come into the gardens at night, causing mischief there and sometimes even jump into the pool.

We had such a beautiful day. The tour  was great and we were really lucky with the weather. It only rained while we were in the car and we had lots of sunshine. We were ten and we had a lot of fun together.

Strolling along the Waterfront

Monday is departure day. The time until 3:30pm goes by quickly. I sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast at the waterfront, go to the supermarket and then it is almost time to get ready for the flight back.

One more layover day was a luxury. I really enjoyed my time in Cape Town and made the most of the spring-like weather.

Der Beitrag Another Trip to Cape Town erschien zuerst auf Where in the world is... Susanne?.

What a delight to travel for a week through Tuscany… delicious food, cute towns, good friends and a lot of sunshine… Our stops include Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena, Montepulciano, Florence and a vineyard near Vinci.

Pisa

Our little trip starts in Pisa. It is one of the few airports I know from which you can easily walk into the city centre. Unfortunately, it starts to rain halfway there. We make our way a little further under the portico at the train station and then have an espresso. It is pouring heavily. But luckily the sun comes out soon and we walk through the pedestrian zone to the Arno and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

It is my first time here and I am really looking forward to seeing the Leaning Tower. The area is full of tourists and it is fun to watch them taking photos and trying out their poses. It has gotten pretty warm in the sun by now and we buy ourselves an ice cream as we slowly make our way back to the train station.

San Gimignano

The journey to San Gimignano takes two hours. There is a bit of a delay, but luckily we are on holiday and have time. The narrow road winds up and down the hills. Vineyards, cypresses, olives… everything glows green in the sun. And then San Gimignano appears in the distance. The town sits on a ridge and looks so beautiful with the towers rising up to the sky.

We explore the place a bit in the evening light and immediately fall in love with the brick houses, the nice shops, the narrow alleys… of course there are a lot of people around, but in the mornings and evenings, when the day tourists are not yet or no longer there, it is quieter. After an aperitivo, we enjoy dinner on the terrace of a nice restaurant.

The town is not very big and can be explored quickly. We particularly like the views of the countryside.  Malta is so brown at the end of summer; we enjoy the rolling green hills, the trees, the vineyards… We walk a little way out of San Gimignano and enjoy the silence. What a wonderful day… A glass of wine and pizza to finish, what more could you want…

Siena

The bus ride through the pretty Tuscan countryside goes by quickly. Shortly before we get off the bus in Siena, we get a quick glance at the impressive black and white striped cathedral and the tower of the Palazzo Pubblico. What a first impression.

The sun is shining from the blue sky, it is warm and tourists are strolling around the alleys of the old town. At the large Piazza del Campo we sit in the shade and look for a panino for lunch. We find one just around the corner and the long queue indicates a good choice. Sandwiches are called schiacciatte here and are very tasty. We keep on finding new flavour combinations.

The streets go up and down in Siena. We walk to the Santo Domenico church again and marvel at the view of the Old Town. The cathedral sits imposingly on the hill and towers over the surrounding houses.  I really like the brown and orange brick houses. Pine trees tower over the houses like umbrellas. We like the facade of the cathedral. Lions and horses decorate the portal. Countless figures stand along the roof and above the portals. In the morning, the city is just waking up and we sit for a while opposite the entrance and take in the church. We enjoy strolling and letting ourselves drift.

One evening we eat a pizza right on the central square. The blue hour is the perfect backdrop for a very nice evening. In the boarding line in Malta, an Italian woman said that she was looking forward to a really good Italian pizza. We can only agree.

Montepulciano

After two nights in Siena, we move on to Montepulciano. We take the train to Buonconvento and then change to the bus. On the way to San Gimignano, we were lucky with the announced strike. The strike only lasted a few hours and we always got to our destination early.  Montepulciano is smaller again and is located in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. The views from the terraces are wonderful. We buy a sandwich and sit in the shade of a pine tree at one of these vantage points. The town stretches up the hill and the streets are sometimes quite steep. Our accommodation is at the lower end of the old town and every morning begins with a climb. An espresso and cornetto with pistachio filling is just right.

An aperitivo with a view over the Tuscan hills in the evening sun is simply part of the experience here. Mmm…Montepulciano wine… We cannot understand all the people who order Aperol Spritz here when the wine is so good.

On Tuesday we set off on a short hike around Montepulciano. At the beginning we go downhill along olive groves. We soon leave the noises of the town behind us and enjoy the silence. We walk along the slope in the shade of trees. Across the vineyards we have a wonderful view of Montepulciano. The town towers high above us on the slope. The blue grapes hang thick and full. It can’t be long until the grape harvest. We don’t meet any people, just lizards and grasshoppers. The sun is shining and it’s wonderful. What a beautiful day. At the Tempio di San Biagio we meet civilization again. Tour buses wait in the shade of the cypresses. We take a short break in the shade of the church before a steep path leads us back through a gate in the city wall to Montepulciano.

Florence

There are so many people… already on the train heading towards Florence we feel the difference. It is almost a bit overwhelming after the days in the smaller towns. It takes us a moment to get used to it again.

In the evening we take the bus from our accommodation to the city centre and walk along the Arno and enjoy the views. The Ponte Vecchio is full of people and from outside the yellow elements shine in the evening sun. We sit a little further with a view of the bridge and treat ourselves to an aperitivo. Tonight we are having pizza again. We have taken full advantage of the delicious food this holiday.

After a bit of morning rain we stroll a little away from the Duomo and the streets are significantly emptier. There are many nice restaurants and shops. We do some window shopping and let ourselves be guided by the beautiful streets.

Around the Duomo there is a lot going on. The stonework is so beautiful. The black and white stones… the rosé ornaments… every time we walk past here I fall in love with a different angle of the building.

In the evening we happen to eat in a restaurant with a wine window. You can order a glass of wine or Aperol through a small window in the wall of the house and have it handed out a short time later. We observe a few people stopping by and ordering their drink while we are having dinner inside.

On Friday we set off to the vineyard near Vinci where friends celebrate their wedding anniversary. This weekend is the reason why we chose to go to Tuscany for our holiday and we truly enjoyed every part of it.

Der Beitrag A Tuscan Holiday erschien zuerst auf Where in the world is... Susanne?.

In the summer it can be so nice to go on a European short-haul tour. The sun is shining, passengers are in a holiday mood and we have the mornings off before work.

Cycling Through Amsterdam

Sunday morning in Amsterdam and the sun is shining as I open the curtains. I feel energised and make use of the free bicycle rental at the hotel. First, I ride through the park and enjoy the cool, crisp air already hinting at autumn. There are only a few people around and I feel quite energetic as I turn towards the city centre.

The city is still pretty quiet at this hour. I enjoy cycling along the bike paths and cobblestone streets. The canals still lie quietly half in the sun, half in the shade. Whenever I can, I choose to cycle in the warming sun. Flowers are spilling out of their pots, bicycles line the streets and I could admire the cute houses all day long.

Today I am meeting a friend for brunch and it is so lovely to catch up. I certainly miss lots of things being away so much, but then sometimes it is so beautiful to meet a friend somewhere in the world.

Cycling through Amsterdam is a lovely pastime. I enjoy the way back just as much. Now there are a lot more people on the streets and I love being part of the cycling mass. Tourists mingle with locals basking in the sunshine. I wish I could stay longer. It is such a beautiful day.

A Brunch in Tirana

It is hot today as I step out of the hotel. I walk a little along the canal under shaded trees and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city. Fruit vendors, bakeries; it all smells so lovely and poses a nice contrast to the exhaust fumes and honking. Today I do not have a lot of time nor  enough energy to sightsee and enjoy everything that this city has to offer. But I have been here before, so I do not mind taking it easy today.

In a quiet side street I find a small café with a second hand shop attached. I enjoy my breakfast sitting on the terrace surrounded by trees. I could almost forget that I am in a capital city.

City View in Lisbon

Today in Lisbon I do not have a lot of time either. The weather is so inviting, though, that I simply have to walk a little to the closest Miradoro. On the way I pass beautifully tiled houses. The blues, greens and yellows shine in the morning sunlight. At the viewpoint I sit for a bit under the shade of the trees. The red roofs stretch all the way to the castle on the other side and to the sea. It is so beautiful.

How lovely it would be to have the whole day here. But I will not be greedy, this is already quite something. On the way back to the hotel I stop at a café, because I cannot leave Lisbon without a pasteis de nata.

Even only a few hours of Portuguese sunshine give me such motivation for the work day. It is so beautiful to be able to think back on the colourful houses during the day. It puts an instant smile on my face.

Der Beitrag Summer in Amsterdam, Tirana & Lisbon erschien zuerst auf Where in the world is... Susanne?.

One night’s sleep to fight a bit the nine hour time difference and then I am ready for a new adventure. This time I do not want to go so far away, even though the Grand Canyon was an unforgettable experience in May. Today, I am heading north along the coast to San Luis Obispo. Many years ago, my mum introduced me to the Benni Harper books by Earlene Fowler. They are set in the fictional San Selina, which is based on the real San Luis Obispo. It is a modern Miss Marple series, set between ranch and wine country and a craft museum. And I want to see it all for myself.

Driving in LA is an experience: you are mostly stuck in traffic, but eventually you will get there and the highways are worth seeing with their six lanes and large intersections. I have to cross LA, but I am lucky and only get stuck in a traffic jam for a short while as I head off to the Hollywood Hills. It is always fascinating to read the names you know from films and TV series on the street signs. Chic houses stretch up the hillside in the distance and I can feel the freedom. The radio and some podcasts keep me company as I drive further north.

Driving to Santa Barbara

A little while later, I am driving down Malibu Canyon to the Pacific. The landscape is beautiful. Clouds hang over the ocean and the visibility is limited. It is still quite cool as I get out of the car for a moment and stretch my legs. It feels like a gloomy autumn day this morning.

In Carpentaria I park the car in a small parking lot. The sun is shining beautifully now and it no longer feels like autumn, but full summer. I walk towards the water between fragrant eucalyptus trees. Two small weasel-like animals run across the path between the bushes. The cliffs look impressive. There is a seal sanctuary here and pelicans, cormorants and seagulls have the small piece of beach firmly in their possession. The horizon stretches in front of me and I could sit here and watch the animals for a long time. What a beautiful day. And it is only 11am.

In Montecito, I stop at the supermarket and buy my lunch, which I eat on the beach in Santa Barbara. Many Americans have a long weekend with Independence Day on July 4th and so the beaches are already very busy on Friday. The Pacific is icy and there is no one in the water except surfers in their wetsuits.

I sit here for a while, eat and watch the hustle and bustle. It feels very relaxing. Since I am driving all by myself, I truly appreciate these breaks. Afterwards, I walk through downtown Santa Barbara. The Spanish-Mexican architecture looks cute and there are a few nice shops and restaurants.

San Luis Obispo

After all these stops I drive through to San Luis Obispo in one go. The highway partly runs directly along the ocean and the views are beautiful. Before SLO (I like the abbreviation) vineyards stretch on both sides of the highway. The verdant green forms a nice contrast with the brown hills rising in between. The hills are mostly covered with large pastures for cows and horses.

Tonight I am sleeping in a hostel in San Luis Obispo. Today I will test whether jet lag and a dorm bed go well together. The dorm bed was by far the cheapest. 4th of July weekend, summer holidays and the Californian coast are likely the reason why prices were this high.

After a short break, I walk into the historic center of the town. I like the small houses, colorful front gardens and lots of nice independent shops. Strolling along the streets and looking at the window displays is quite fun. A big concert is taking place at Mission Plaza and there are a lot of people. What a cute town. I am happy to be here tonight.

Morro Bay & the Otters

I am surprised to sleep until 5:30 in the morning. I think yesterday was sufficiently tired for me to sleep through the jet lag. The drive to Morro Bay is not very far. The clouds are still hanging low over the hills. A few cows graze in the seemingly endless pastures.

I park my car by the water and walk towards Morro Rock. It is pretty cool but walking feels good. The sun has not risen over the town yet and everything is still very quiet. The first anglers meet and go out in their boats, seagulls scream and I can hear the waves crashing on the sandbanks in the distance.

It is so wonderfully quiet this morning; few people are out and about. The top of the rock glows softly pink in the rising sun. I see a ray swimming among the seaweed. So far I have only seen rays in tropical waters. It is a somewhat unusual sight for me, but later I see a second one.

Sea otters float in the dense seaweed. Some are still sleeping, but most are cleaning themselves. They take morning washing very seriously. They lie on their backs and repeatedly roll through the water and clean their feet and fur. It is wonderful to watch them at work. There is a whole group that spent the night protected here close to the coast. I also hear sea lions in the distance. They lie on a small island in the harbour.

On the other side of Morro Rock is a long beach. Pelicans, seagulls and other seabirds stand along the surf. Everything has a slightly pink glow. I take my shoes off and walk along the beach. The breeze feels wonderful and I could walk forever, letting my mind wander… There are only very few people around and I love the feel of the wet, wave-like sand underneath my feet. What a beautiful morning.

For breakfast I head back to the hostel. I am sitting with two other travelers and we are having a nice chat together. Afterwards, I start on my long way back to Los Angeles. However, my first stop is already after a good 20 minutes. There is a lot going on in Pismo Beach today. It is Saturday and families are equipped with pavilions, umbrellas, coolers, chairs and will likely crowd the beach for the rest of the day.

A Swimming Stop

My journey continues south on Highway one. Today I listen to podcasts while driving and enjoy the view out the window. The sun shines brightly from the blue sky and the California heat is intense. I stop again longer in La Vista, just before Santa Barbara. The University of Santa Barbara is located directly on the cliffs. I park my car and walk down the stairs to the beach. I sit in the shadow of the cliff for a while and read. It is so tempting to jump in the sea that I climb up the stairs to extend my parking ticket for another hour. The water is cold, refreshing and I like to swim a bit. It is so tempting to spend the rest of the day here, but I still have to drive a few hours.

In Santa Barbara I stop again briefly in the city center and buy the dress that I saw yesterday in a surf shop. I like the change between city and nature this trip. Sometimes I am surrounded by people and then again it is just me and the summer landscape. A supermarket stop is also necessary. I buy provisions for the evening and especially for Sunday in Anaheim.

Malibu & Los Angeles

In Malibu, the proximity to Los Angeles is slowly becoming noticeable. The roadsides are full of parked cars. Surfers and families use the paths between the houses down to the beach. The day is slowly coming to an end and the sky and the sea are turning pink. It looks so beautiful out here. The houses are quite impressive.  I stop again briefly, but I do not want to stay for the sunset because I still have an hour of driving to get back to Anaheim.

I had two amazing days. I really enjoyed the time alone, the sea and the beaches, the small towns… The otters, the sea lions… the tranquility…

Der Beitrag Driving up the Coast from Los Angeles to Morro Bay erschien zuerst auf Where in the world is... Susanne?.

Two years ago I also had a day off in Nairobi and we ended up going to Amboseli National Park (A View of Kilimanjaro). I had been a big dream of mine to see Mount Kilimanjaro. This time I originally wanted to do “something relaxing”. But then eight of my colleagues wanted to go to Amboseli and I simply could not stay behind.

The Drive

We are a group of nine colleagues departing early the next morning. The drive is relatively smooth as we go down towards Mombasa. It gets hotter and hotter and the sun slowly emerges. There is so much to see along the way. We drive through towns, the trucks that drive the route to the port of Mombasa line up along the road. Little by little the landscape becomes more barren. Cows and goats graze on the side of the road.

Before we turn towards the gate of the Park we already see zebras and giraffes by the roadside. And we spot the snowy cap of Mount Kilimanjaro between the clouds.

Masaai Village

After lunch we first head to a Masaai village. The mud huts are built in a circle surrounded by acacia branches protecting them against the wild animals. The men explain their lifestyle and how they build their huts.  we meet some women and get to step into one of the buildings. Every couple years they move their village to a new spot. We stand under trees in the shade and the weaver birds are flying in and out of their artistic nests right above our heads.

The National Park

Afterwards we drive to the park. Zebras, gazelles and wildebeest graze along the way as we pass. In the distance the elephants cool off in the swamp. The road is terribly dusty and without sunglasses we would not be able to look out of the roof while driving.

Four giraffes walk leisurely between the bushes and umbrella acacias, plucking leaves here and there.

If there are lions to be seen somewhere, word spreads quickly between the drivers. A group of lionesses with a male sit in the grass in front of a palm oasis. First, one of the females moves and runs a little in our direction. She roars several times and one by one the others follow her. Last to move is the male and he also crosses between the cars. What an impressive sight.

We continue driving and see so many more animals. Amboseli is known for its many animals. Kilimanjaro provides a lot of water in the area. The grassy areas are quite dry, but waterholes and green oases create a green belt that runs through the park.

The Crossing of the Elephants

The elephants cross the main road into the park twice per day moving from the protective forest at nights to the swamps and grassland during the day. As day turns to night and the red sun drops towards the horizon, the dust filters the sunlight and sets the landscape aglow. We cut off the engine and wait while the herds of elephants slowly walk towards us. The rhythmic grabbing of grass bushels with their tusks is a wonderful sound. They pluck the tufts of grass as they walk, shake off the earth and continue walking leisurely, chewing.

The air is full of dust as they cross the road in front of us. It is so meditative to watch these large animals. Male elephants can weigh up to 6,000kg, drink 300 liters of water and eat 250kg of greens, up to 18 hours a day.

Good Morning Kilimanjaro

It gets pretty chilly at night and when the alarm goes off at 6 a.m. the next morning, I do not want to get up for a moment.

However, the view from the tower is breathtaking. Now Mount Kilimanjaro looms before us with its snow cap and not a single cloud. A single hot air balloon passes by. It is very quiet and wonderfully idyllic. The sun rises behind the trees. The day starts…

After a short breakfast we set off. We drive in the beautiful morning sun, the dust cloud immediately surrounding us again. In the morning the elephants head back towards the swamp. The rhythmic plucking can be heard even before they appear. It is wonderful.

The Waterhole

From here we continue towards the waterhole. Along the way we see wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, a warthog with two young, secretary birds and crowned cranes and many more.

We only see the hippos’ noses and backs in the water. Their size can only be guessed at until a mother comes out with her young. They graze on the bank and stroll slowly along.

We drive around the waterhole to the viewing hill on the other side. Here, we are allowed to get out because the larger predators seem to live further away. We walk up the hill and admire the view of Mount Kilimanjaro, the lake below us and the vast landscape. The white pelicans shine as they sit so closely on one of the small islands. A lone elephant walks along the bank. Later, as we drive back, we see it up close.

We slowly make our way to the exit. The water buffalo can be seen in the distance. The road is flooded in one place and we in the smaller bus (we have two cars) are struggling a bit. A little water comes in through the closed sliding door! But in the end, we manage without any problems.

The journey back to Nairobi goes by without any major traffic jams. Every now and then we get stuck behind slow trucks, but we are back at the hotel in the afternoon with enough time for a shower and a nap before flying back.

What a beautiful safari.

Der Beitrag Revisiting Amboseli National Park erschien zuerst auf Where in the world is... Susanne?.

We have been looking forward to our holiday in Japan for so long…

12 hours 20 minutes of flight time sounds long, but it actually went by relatively quickly. On the landing approach we even saw Mount Fuji rising out of the clouds. How surreal to be finally here…

Our two week long trip will lead us to Tokyo, Fujiyoshida, Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, Kyoto and finally Osaka.

Arriving in Tokyo

We start our venture into Tokyo with an evening stroll through Ikebukuro. The lights are slowly coming on and the streets are crowded. Before we go to dinner, we walk to Zoshigaya Kishimojin Temple. The red torii arches stand protectively around the 400-year-old gingko. The residential area is quiet and smaller houses are lined up close together. What a contrast to the busy and illuminated streets a little further.

We can hardly believe we only arrived this morning. We are soaking up all the sights, the noises, the smells. Today, everything is still filtered through the haze of jet lag, but we are so happy to be here.

After a small breakfast at the hotel we set off for Ningyocho. It is Sunday morning and the metro is pretty empty. The streets are also still a bit sleepy at this time of day.

We pass a temple and walk through small streets with small houses. It is warm and we are enjoying the sun. A neighborhood group is armed with brooms and dustpans and keeps the neighborhood clean. I love Japan.

We walk along the river to Akihabara, into the anime district. Neon signs with colorful anime characters look down on us from almost every building facade. We walk a little further to a nice café and take a break with a matcha latte and iced tea.

A ceremony takes place at the Kando shrine. Men and women dressed in traditional clothing dance in a circle to the rhythmic beat of the drum. We watch for a while and then walk further into the Kando district. There are many bookstores and used bookstores, stationery and craft shops. It is nice to just stroll along and have a look into a few of the shops. After our lunch it is early afternoon and we head back for a siesta. The jet lag is still noticeable.

Exploring Shinjuku & Shibuya

On Monday we go to Shinjuku. The packed trains are definitely part of the cultural experience. We walk through the colorful district dotted with high-rise buildings. A large Godzilla statue looks down on passers-by from a high-rise building. We want to come here again in the evening, then it will certainly be even more impressive.

We continue on to Meiji Shrine. Stepping into the park, we feel like the green swallows us.  The large trees form a green canopy through which not a single drop of rain falls. A former emperor and his wife found their final resting place in the shrine. We enjoy the green contrast to the crowded city, as Tokyo stretches to the horizon. By the time we emerge from the green jungle, it has stopped raining.

We continue walking to Shibuya.  Our lunch spot hunt leads us to an inconspicuous Japanese izakaya. You have to get used to the loud greetings and farewells from all the employees. We translate the Japanese menu cards using Google Picture Translate and select two set menus with fish. After only two days it is safe to say that we love the culinary experiences so far. Everything is so delicious.

Shibuya Crossing is a famous intersection that thousands of people cross every day. When the light is green, pedestrians walk across the intersecting zebra crossings. It is impressive, so many people are taking photos and walking across, or just stopping on the sidewalk for a better view.

We go back to Shinjuku in the evening. Now the lights are on and it looks impressive here too when the pedestrian lights turn green. Omoide Yokocho Street is now lit up, restaurants are open and people are pushing their way through the narrow alley. Colorful lanterns dangle in the wind and create a beautiful atmosphere. We eat a little further in a delicious restaurant and then walk a bit through the colorful, illuminated district. There is so much to see and marvel at.

Tokyo is full of people, full of high-rise buildings, full of colorful advertisements… and then there are districts with smaller houses, but always densely populated. We really enjoyed the three days here, but we are also looking forward to leaving the city and discovering other corners of Japan.

A View of Mount Fuji

The predicted rain is here. Our next stop is Fujiyoshida at the foot of Mount Fuji and known for its good views of the mountain.

Even though we only arrive at the bus terminal five minutes before departure, we still manage to catch the 9am bus. Everything is so wonderfully efficient in Japan. The two hour bus ride goes by relatively quickly. It rains every now and then, green mountains rise around us as cities and rice fields alternate.

Our hostel in Fujiyoshida is very nice and so is our lunch spot. In the small restaurant, we take off our shoes and sit on tatami mats for our set meal with grilled mackerel and chicken, miso soup, rice and some coleslaw.

Since it still looks friendly, I make my way to Arakurayama-Sengen Park and the Chureito Pagoda. The steps up to the pagoda are steep and there are warnings about monkeys and a bear in the area. In this weather they probably stay hidden. Even without a view of the mountain, it is a beautiful place and I sit here for a while.

It rains all through the night and so our surprise is even greater when we wake up the next morning to blue skies and sunshine. It is still early so we walk again to the pagoda with the beautiful view of Fuji. We enjoy the peace and quiet, marvel at the picturesque mountain and the pretty pagoda, let the sun shine on us… what a gift… we really didn’t expect that. Mount Fuji looks so majestic…

Into the mountains – Takayama

The journey from Fujiyoshida is incredibly easy. In total we are on the road for almost six hours. But it does not feel like that at all. We only have about ten minutes of transfer time and sometimes we even have to buy tickets. In Japan this is not a problem. Google Maps even tells you which compartment you should use for optimal transfers.

Our journey takes us past rice fields, cherry trees, towns… At the end we take the bus into the Japanese Alps. A number of reservoirs run along the road. Monkeys cross the path, narrow tunnels require careful circling past each other.

We reach Takayama in the early afternoon. The sun is shining and after leaving our backpacks at the hotel, we make our way to the old town. Dark wooden houses are lining up one after the other, small canals flow along the streets. There are a lot of tourists here and a lot of cute shops. We stop at a nice café and enjoy incredibly good chocolate cake and iced matcha latte. The Japanese really take their kitchen art very seriously.

Hida beef is famous in the mountains and tonight we are having a really good dinner. After our delicious meal, we walk a bit through the dark alleys. The bats are flying above us.

We sleep in a traditional Japanese room. We exchange our shoes for slippers at the entrance to the hotel. And then we leave the slippers outside our room and walk barefoot on our tatami mats. Only the toilet here isn’t really Japanese. No music, no spray and dry functions, only the seat is heated.

The Miyagawa morning market takes place by the river and we stroll along between the stalls and shops. We buy a croissant filled with red bean paste and continue walking through the town. The modern houses are also cute, small trees grow in towel-sized front gardens, cute cars park in front of them.

We drink tea in a small, hidden café. It is tiny and decorated with various objects. As the other two guests leave, the owner comes over to us. Her name is Mamiko, she is a geisha and teaches music. We speak in broken English and with the help of Google Translate. She paints us and we have a lot of fun. What an encounter. We have met so many wonderful people along the way.

We then follow the Higashiyama Trail past temples and shrines. It is very idyllic here in the morning, with few people around. The afternoon passes quickly as we stroll past the sake brewery and visit some of the many nice souvenir shops.

I was in Takayama and Shirakawago ten years ago. My first flight to Nagoya was extended by a day due to a strike and we went on a little road trip to the Japanese Alps with five colleagues. I remembered Takayama as a nice place in the mountains and it has not changed much.

Further into the mountains – Shirakawago

From Takayama we drive an hour deeper into the mountains to Shirakawago. Wisps of clouds hang between the mountains. The dense green forest looks so amazing and the air is wonderfully fresh as we get off the bus.

The old houses are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and are very impressive. The houses have very steep thatched roofs because of the heavy winter snow. Rice fields are laid out between the houses and water canals run along the paths. Swallows love the traditional houses and have built their nests in the roofs. There is chirping everywhere.

It starts to drizzle again and we look at one of the houses from the inside. On the ground floor there are photos of the thatching of the roofs. It’s a large group activity with ladders and ropes. The roof has another three levels where tools etc. are displayed. In the past, the villagers bred silkworms and spun silk.

There is a viewpoint just above the village. Shirakawago is really picturesque with its beautiful houses and gardens, rice fields, forest stretching up the mountains and even some snow is visible in the distance. The place is popular with tourists and we meet a few groups, but there is still enough space for everyone.

In the afternoon it rains again and we enjoy our cozy guesthouse. The frogs give a loud concert, clouds drift through the mountains… It is so beautiful up here. We love it.

We had such a lovely time in Takayama and Shirakawago. After Tokyo it was really nice to dive into quieter places and the mountains.

Continuing on to Kanazawa

We continue to Kanazawa and the coast. The bus ride only takes a little over an hour. The city has us again.

Since we cannot get into our Airbnb until 2pm, we walk with our backpacks towards the Higashiyama District. The old houses are part of the Tea District. First, we treat ourselves to some ice cream in the warmth. There are many tourist groups here. A few have rented kimonos for the day and are walking through the former geisha district. You can also be pulled in a rickshaw. There is a lot on offer.

Today is Hyakumangoku Festival. It is the city’s most important festival and there is a big parade from the train station to the Kanazawa Castle ruins in the afternoon. 2000 people take part in the procession. Some are dressed as geisha or samurai. Acrobats demonstrate their skills. Taiko drummers make music. We walk slowly along the parade. The crowning glory is the king on horseback. It is a famous Japanese actor and the crowds go wild to catch a glimpse of him.  The parade commemorates Maeda Toshiie (1537-1599), the first king of the Kaga Dynasty, and his arrival at Kanazawa Castle on 14th June 1583.

We fight our way through the crowd and sit down in a small craft beer bar and drink dark beer from Kanazawa. We really enjoy our vacation in Japan. Every day is filled with beautiful experiences.

It rains heavily at night, but in the morning it is dry again. We always enjoy waking up early and walking through the empty streets. In an inconspicuous residential area we find a small espresso bar. Almond croissant and cheesecake with espresso and matcha latte, what a breakfast…

Then we walk to the castle. The hill is very green and we enjoy walking through the forest. Events related to the festival are taking place around the castle today. We walk a bit through the park and then continue into the Kazuemachi district. The historic districts often only cover a few streets and the old wooden houses are closely packed together. In between the wooden buildings, there are “No Smoking” signs and fire extinguishers everywhere.

The residential areas are equally interesting. The electricity poles and the many cables take some getting used to at the beginning. For an orderly country like Japan, things look a bit messy. Due to the earthquakes, it makes sense to have things above ground, though.

At lunchtime we walk to the Omigachi market. A lot of fish is sold here, but also vegetables. People are standing everywhere eating sushi or grilled fish or queuing for a restaurant. We do that too. It takes longer than we thought, but the food is very good. Green tea and water are included with our fish. The fact that you often take your shoes off in restaurants and then sit at a low table on the floor is actually quite comfortable.

The next morning, before we set off for Kyoto, the earth shakes again. A warning from Ishikawa Province pops up on my phone. Luckily, after a few seconds it is over again.

Exploring Kyoto

Today is already Monday and the last days in Japan are beginning. We had such a wonderful time until now and cannot wait to explore Kyoto and Osaka.

We travel to Kyoto in two and a half hours by Shinkansen and express train. Travelling in Japan has really been so smooth. We cannot stress this enough.

It is pretty warm here and we walk from our accommodation towards the Gion district. There are a lot of tourists here, just as we expected. We let ourselves drift and follow beautiful streets with cute houses and shops. This is how we come to the Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka area. We buy some ice cream and join the crowd up the hill.

Many tourists are dressed in rented kimonos and taking photos. Sometimes it is just the woman and the partner follows behind in western clothing and with a camera. Sometimes the men or entire families are also dressed traditionally and a photographer accompanies them. Renting kimonos seems to be a lucrative business here. We enjoy the area despite the dense crowds. There is so much to see.

On Tuesday we rent a bike and cycle through the city. We pass the former imperial palace and continue on to the Philosopher’s Path. The cherry trees hang low over the canal. A small coati runs past us on the other side. We cycle slowly along, take in the views and then stop at the large Nanzen-ji Temple. We leave the bikes behind and look at the different buildings.

Cycling is very relaxed here. Driving on the left is not a problem for us because of Malta, it is just that the low bikes take some getting used to. I cycled in Kyoto many years ago and remember it as very nice.

In the afternoon, we follow along the river. The headwind is strong and we take a break along the bank. Someone is feeding pigeons. Crows and herons also come by looking for bread. And then the kites come. It’s a wild spectacle. Kamigamo Shrine appears in the distance and from there back the wind pushes us back towards the city.

Because we liked the greenery, the restaurants, the lights on the river so much and we’re not that hungry, we sit down by the river for a simple dinner of onigiri, beer and chocolate. It is so beautiful with the sun sinking and then the lights slowly turning on. A busy muskrat swims by and many other people sit on the shore enjoying the wonderful evening just like we do.

Wednesday morning we get up early because we want to go to the Arashiyama bamboo forest. This is one of the attractions in Kyoto that is very crowded during the day and is best visited in the morning or evening. The sun is shining and when we get off the bus there are not too many people around. We immerse ourselves in the beautiful green of the bamboo forest. It is really pretty here and quite serene.

Our next stop is Kinkaku-ji, the golden temple. This opens at 9am and is immediately full. Many school groups are out and about and we walk through the park around the golden temple in a dense crowd of people. It takes getting used to. The park itself is very beautiful, but the selfie sticks and constant group photos disturb the atmosphere.

For our lunch we go to Nishiki Market. The street is full of food stalls and restaurants. Lots of people are meeting here for lunch and we love the busy atmosphere. As an appetizer we buy grilled crab meat and a tempura shrimp from a small stand. And then we eat udon noodle soup with fish. The food has been really great the last two weeks. We will definitely miss it when we get home.

We discovered the Namura Tailor fabric shop as soon as we arrived in Kyoto and today we buy our fabric. As a Japanese souvenir I will sew us a dress and t-shirts. We are very happy with our purchases.

Now all that is missing is ice cream for dessert. In a side street we find a nice shop with a croissant as an ice cream cone. We particularly like the pictures on the wall. Lots of iconic figures, the Beatles at the zebra crossing, Michael Jackson dancing, Pulp Fiction and Freddy Mercury with the ice cream in the croissant cone.

After so many treats, we are not very hungry in the evening and drink a beer in a small bar before sitting down by the river again. What a lovely last evening in Kyoto. We really enjoyed the city. The mix of touristy and quiet places was perfect for us.

The next morning we get up early again because we want to go to the Fushimi Inari Shrine before checking out of our hotel. The orange torii arches stretch up the mountain and we enjoy climbing up the stairs. The sun filters through the forest and the very close arches. We continue uphill to a viewpoint. Kyoto is not a beautiful city when viewed from above, but there are many beautiful corners to discover.

And finally Osaka

The train ride to Osaka goes by quickly and after we drop off our backpacks at the hotel, we dive into the Dotonbori district. It is very crowded, very colorful, very loud… lots of figures on the facades, lights. There are a lot of people along the canal and we follow the covered shopping street. We walk along, talk, reminisce about our trip, look, are happy that we do not want to buy anything and ask ourselves who is going to buy it all.

In the evening we go out for okonomiyaki, Japanese pancakes with various toppings. Afterwards we take an evening walk through Dotonbori. The lights are on now, lots of people are queuing in front of restaurants, it is crowded and loud. Our last night in Osaka was an experience. The Dotonbori district looks like a big entertainment district, a great contrast to the shrines and greenery in and around Kyoto.

In the morning we take the train to the airport. The sun is shining and we set off on the long journey back to Germany. 13h35min to Munich and then another short hop to Frankfurt.

What a wonderful holiday. We enjoyed the two weeks immensely. So many impressions and experiences. We said for a long time “how nice would it be to go to Japan for a holiday” and now, that we have been, we can safely say that it far exceeded our expectations.

Arigatōgozaimasu

Der Beitrag A Holiday in Japan erschien zuerst auf Where in the world is... Susanne?.

Two and a half days off in Los Angeles call for a bigger-than-usual adventure. I have written beforehand with colleagues and three of us plan to go on a road trip to the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Death Valley.

On the Road

The flights to LAX are always long and tiring. But after a good night’s sleep we feel ready for the first stage of our trip. We rent the car in Anaheim and head east, out of LA. The sky turns bluer and the sun shines more brightly as we leave the smog of the city. We are exchanging stories and so time flies by.

Our destination today is Las Vegas via the Death Valley. The Highways are turning smaller and the landscape sparser. Only small shrubs are growing on the dry earth. They are still green from the winter rain and some flowers are blooming in orange, yellow and purple. It looks so pretty. Mountains are flanking the plain on both sides. The higher peaks still have some snow on the top. We stop and breath in the hot air.

We drive through what seems like a ghost town to us bordering a salt lake. The industry appears abandoned, pipes and factories are rusting away. Broken houses, boarded up windows… it all looks very desolate. We are fascinated and bewildered all at the same time.

Death Valley

Before we really enter Death Valley we need to fill up our tank. The gas station has a small general store and a motel, nothing much more. The warm wind is blowing across the dusty parking space. This time of year it is hot, but nothing like the searing temperatures of the summer with 50 degrees Celsius and beyond.

We pass the sign with “sea level” written on it. The landscape is incredibly beautiful. Every once in a while we stop to take pictures. We get out of the car, feel the warm air and enjoy the views into the distance. It feels amazing to be in the middle of this barren land.

There are quite a few people at the Mesquite Sand dunes. We stop as well, take off our shoes and walk a little into the sandy expanse. Coastal Los Angeles seems a million miles away. A little lizard sits among the dead branches and he is in the only sign of life right now. I can imagine that the desert comes alive at night. The sun is burning down on us and it feels incredible.

The road continues along salt lakes and a small oasis with palm trees. We drive out of the park and signs indicate that we have entered First Nation territory. And then we leave California and drive into Nevada. It is not far until Las Vegas now.

Las Vegas

Our first stop is dinner. While we wait for our burger and fries we look for an accommodation. After check-in, we walk to the nearby Vegas Strip. We are tired after the long day, but do not want to miss out on Vegas by night.

It is nine pm by now. The lights, the masses of people, the music, the different architectural styles… it is too much for us. So many impressions. The Eiffel tower rises in between the casinos. The water fountains in front of the Bellagio are dancing and swaying to the sound of the music.

The experience is crazy. And only the next morning do we go to a casino and do the Vegas thing and sit in front of one of the slot machines. Vegas is as over the top as I imagined it to be. What an experience. I think, I prefer the nature.

Before we head to the Grand Canyon, we stop at the “Welcome to Fabulous Vegas” sign. There is a bit of a line for the photo op and also a wedding couple with an Elvis impersonator. The „true“ Vegas experience.

Grand Canyon

We are driving to the west rim of the Grand Canyon. Passing the lake and the Hoover Dam, we cross into Arizona. The straight street reaches the horizon in the distance. We continue for quite a while and marvel at signs advertising „machine gun shooting“. It is a fascinating road trip. We see so much.

At some point we leave the bigger highway onto a smaller road. Our navigation says 50 kilometres until the Grand Canyon. Houses line the street, cattle signs point towards some agriculture. Joshua trees grow everywhere and the landscape becomes more dramatic with red rocks rising in front of us. We are so much looking forward to the Grand Canyon by now.

The area here belongs to the Hualapai First Nations. We leave our car at the big parking lot, pay the entrance fee and get on one of the shuttle buses. The landscape looks dramatic. The Colorado River flows down at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. At times the 450 kilometre long Canyon is 1800 metres deep. What kind of forces must have been at work over millions of years…? the colours, the depth, the rock formation… we are speechless…

At the second view point we sit down for quite a while. Of course, there are a lot of tourists around, but we do not even notice much. We take photos and we all agree that we could stay here for quite a bit longer. It is so amazingly beautiful. However, the way home is calling. With heavy hearts we say goodbye to the Grand Canyon and start our drive back.

The long drive back

Until Vegas we drive two and a half hours. We eat our dinner here and watch the beautiful evening sky as we turn west. The drive through the Mojave Desert is long and dark. Music carries us finally back to LA and by the time we drop our rental car near the hotel, happiness about our wonderful road trip battle with the tiredness.

It was such a spectacular trip. We drove many miles, across three US states, saw one of the Natural Wonders of the Earth and had overall an amazing time together.

This is a layover I will not forget so easily. Thank you!

Der Beitrag A Road Trip to the Grand Canyon erschien zuerst auf Where in the world is... Susanne?.

18 years ago the three of us had met in Ecuador while volunteering. Now we are finally meeting up on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

Edinburgh

Hail greets me as I exit the arrivals hall at the airport. But by the time I reach the city centre the sun has come out and that maybe gives a good description of Scottish weather in April. I am very glad for the dry walk to our hotel with my suitcase.

Edinburgh is such a beautiful city with its view over to the castle, the Old Town, the majestic stone houses and the little alleyways. I have a few hours to walk around and nothing fights jet lag as well as moving around and admiring the scenery. There are quite a few tourists on the streets, but I do not mind really. It rains on and off and when it finally stops and I meet my friend Kara, we can enjoy a nice evening walk through the city. We chat through dinner as if we had just met yesterday. I guess, keeping up our friendship via email did work wonderfully.

Isle of Skye

The train ride up to Inverness offers a nice introduction to the Highlands. The vast landscape is dotted with small towns and villages, some lochs and the snowy hills of the Cairngorms National Park.

By the time we reach Inverness and meet our last friend to complete the trio the sun is shining. We take the scenic route over to the island via Loch Ness and the Glenelg ferry. I love the small roads snaking through the impressive landscape. The hills are still mostly brown, but the trees are turning green and spring is lying in the air. We talk during our drive and stop after the ferry to walk along the Kyle Rhea and observe the seals swimming in the canal.

Adele’s little cottage lies in a tranquil cove. The view over the sea and the hills is so beautiful. Birds are singing and I cannot believe my eyes when I lift the curtain the next day and see sunshine and blue skies. Already it has been such a lovely Scottish experience and I can feel it only getting better and better.

Blà Bheinn

Today we want to hike up the tallest mountain on the Isle of Skye. Blà Bheinn is 970 metres high and not far for us to drive.

The wind is freezing as we start on the small trail up the hill. We follow a small stream and pass a few hikers on the way. The views over the brown and green hills towards the blue sea are so beautiful.

On a small plateau we find a wind protected space behind a boulder for our lunch break. We have two options from here, to go up to Blà Bheinn to the right or up the slightly smaller peak to the left. We debate the pros and cons for a bit and then decide to go up Blà Bheinn.

From here the path takes us up, up, up the hill. We scramble up through a gulley using our hands and love it, firmly putting the thought of how we go down again out of our heads.

Already before reaching the top we can see over to the other side and admire the view further north. From the top, the 360° degree view takes our breath away. The freezing wind is blowing strongly so that we take a few photos, admire the view and then start the slow hike down again.

The clouds add a bit of drama to the view and on our decent, the sun comes out again. The loose rubble is actually grippier than I thought it would be and also the climbing sections work pretty well.

Portree

After yesterday’s long hike we opt for a relaxing day with a walk through a forest restoration project outside of Broadford, a lunch at the Old Inn, a walk through Portree and a boat ride to see the eagles and seals in the bay.

We talk a lot, exchange lots of things that have happened in the last 18 years and in general have a wonderful time together. The landscape is so beautiful. We frequently stop and admire the view. The sun is shining and while it is quite cold, we feel so lucky with the weather.

Portree is a quaint little town and the colourful harbour houses are especially charming. The boat tour takes us to a seal colony, we spot the big white-tailed eagles in their nest and also a golden Eagle. Lots of seagulls and loons pass our way and we even spot two puffins fishing in the sea.

Coastal Hike

It is another one of those blue days. Today we want to take the ferry from Elgol to Loch Coruisk and then hike back from there via the infamous Bad Step.

On the ferry ride we stop in the small bay before the Bad Step and look up the smooth rock with the small fault line across. A little further a group of seals lies on the rocks of a little island. They look lazily about themselves and are not very disturbed by our passing by.

And then we reach Loch Coruisk and get off the boat to start our hike. The sea is glittering in the sun and we cross the little stream over rocks. Not far from the starting point, we have our lunch break on the warm volcanic rocks and cannot get enough of the view. What a day….

At a small beach we just have to test the water. The ferryman told us earlier that the sea is about 6 degrees cold. It is quite freezing, but also feels so good to have the sand between our toes. The white sandy beach and the turquoise water look very inviting. The water temperature, however, is not. It is freezing and we are only able to be in the water for a very short time.

From here the Bad Step is not far. We take it easy across the rock and make it safely to the other side one small step at a time. It feels as dramatic as it looks in the photos. And we are quite happy to have made it without problems.

The coastal path slopes up and down the hill. Sometimes the long bushes have wool hanging from them. The sheep use this trail as well. Some sections are very muddy and we step from stone to stone. This winter and spring was very wet, and Adele informs us that it had only stopped raining the week before. It all adds to the adventure, though.

Before we reach the Camasunary Bothy we have to cross a river and since I only have lower hiking shoes, I opt for wading through barefoot. I find a beautiful shell and I am happy to make it safely across without slipping on the mossy pebbles.

While we have a break a small hail storm passes. But the sun comes out again soon and we continue along the coast. The views of the other side and towards Elgol are amazing. Sheep are grazing in the distance. The blue sea shimmers once more in the sunshine. We are so happy and cannot stop telling each other what a beautiful day this is.

Old Man of Storr & the Fairy Pools

Today we start with a lazy breakfast and then head out. We stroll around Portree and after lunch we continue on the road to the north. The landscape is so beautiful, the water is glistening in the sunshine, the green grass shines against the black rocks. In the distance we can already spot the Old Man of Storr. We stop at the parking lot and continue on foot up the hill. At first, the path is wide and steep and then continues via steps up the hillside.

The rock formations are beautiful. The green moss contrasts against the black stone and everything shines in the sun as we walk all the way up to one of the view points. What a wonderful day. We cannot believe our luck with the weather this week. It is April in Scotland, after all.

On the way back home, we stop at the Fairy Pools. There are passing zones on the narrow roads to make it easier for traffic. We meet a lot of cars on the way there and hope that by late afternoon we will not encounter too many tourists at one of the main attractions of the island. But it is still very busy and we continue on a bit and stop by some other pools that look very similar to the famous Fairy Pools. The sun is beginning to disappear behind the mountains, the sky is slowly turning pink and the soft trickling of the water gives it a magical atmosphere. We walk a little along the pools and admire the landscape.

Plockton & Stirling

What a beautiful week we have spent together. We could not have imagined it in our wildest dreams to turn out this wonderful. And today we have to say goodbye again.

All three of us drive to Plockton for breakfast and a stroll along the village before Kara and I take the train back to Inverness. There, we say goodbye and I continue on to Stirling and the airport of Edinburgh by myself.  As I walk through Stirling in the evening, I have time to reflect on all the wonderful things that have happened this week: the adventures, the sunshine, the friendship… and I smile…

Der Beitrag A Friends Reunion on the Isle of Skye erschien zuerst auf Where in the world is... Susanne?.

The flight is long and busy, but the reward is sweet. We are greeted by blue skies and sunshine in Denver and the forecast predicts the same for tomorrow. The snowy Rocky Mountains serve as a wonderful backdrop to the city and the flat landscape surrounding Denver. I am tired and at the same time I am looking very much forward to the next day.

Garden of the Gods

Making use of the jet lag, I rent my car early and am soon on my way out of the city towards Colorado Springs. It is still cold, even though the sun is shining. Temperatures range from -1 degree Celsius during the night to +16 degrees during the day, according to the forecast and I can easily believe that.

After an hour I pull into the parking lot at the Garden of the Gods. I was surprised at how much snow was still lying on the fields on the way. Here, snow is lying only in the shaded spots. I shoulder my backpack and head towards the red rocks.

The colours are amazing today: the blue sky is so intense, especially in contrast to the red rocks and the grey and brown landscape. Nature is still dormant and it feels like a step back into winter. However, in the sun it is really warm and I enjoy stretching my legs after sitting in the car.

There is a group of horned sheep grazing close to the road. They are unfazed by people and cars passing. It is beautiful to observe them for a while.

Canada geese sit on top of the rocks and make a lot of noise. The views towards the snowy Pikes Peak are beautiful and I sit on one of the rocks for a while and enjoy a bit of breakfast. There are quite a few people around as it is spring break. But I do not mind and rather enjoy observing a lady trying to take photos of her dog, who does not want to sit still and families climbing over the rocks.

As I leave the first big rocks behind me, I find myself walking alone through the bushland. Birds are chirping and I enjoy the quietness a lot. Two blue jays cross my path.  There is a road snaking through the park and quite a few people seem to opt for driving through the park, rather than walking. I cross the road on my way to another rock formation. It smells like pine forest and it is wonderful to hike through the park on such a beautiful day. I love the peaceful atmosphere, my thoughts roam freely while the sun is shining on my face. What a beautiful day.

Continuing my road trip

After roughly 10 kilometres I am back at the car. It was a nice little hike in the middle of my road trip. Back to Denver I plan on taking the longer road. The freeway is smaller, hillier and snakes through forests and fields. The few cars I pass are all bigger 4-wheel-drives. The winters are longer and snowier here. Signs warn of flash floods and wildfires.

For quite a while I follow a small river. Lots of fly fishers are standing in the water casting their lines. It is so beautiful to observe. At some point I stop at a parking space and sit in the sunshine for a while. Bees are flying by and the warm air smells like spring. I could sit here for a long time gazing out over the river, absorbing the nature around me. But I need to move on at some point…

A little further on, I cross the hills towards Denver and snow covers the fields again. I slowly cruise along the small highway and enjoy being able to take it all in even though I am driving.

I had debated for a while on whether to rent a car for the day or not and in the end I am so happy I did it. What a wonderful day it has been today. The sun, the colours, the quietness, the nature…

Der Beitrag Hiking among the Gods in Denver erschien zuerst auf Where in the world is... Susanne?.