There are travelers who like buses, there are travelers who take buses to save money, and then there’s us. We’d love to save money but after more than a year of traveling, we just don’t have the stamina and patience for long bus rides anymore. How to Get to Sipi Falls The nice lady at our…
Tag: hiking
Lake Natron: Harsh Beauty Lake Natron Area, Tanzania
A few hours drive north of the town of Mto wa Mbu, near the border to Kenya, lies Lake Natron. Away from the safari- and therefore main tourist trail, this was supposed to be a relatively cheap adventure (compared to the safaris). Pictures on Google showed a red colored salt lake, thousands of flamingos, and…
Jebel Shams: Mountain of the Sun Oman
Jebel Shams, the “mountain of the sun” is, with over 3000 meters above sea level, Oman’s highest mountain. Right next to it, cutting through the mountains, is Wadi Ghul, creating what is known as the Grand Canyon of Oman. Up the Mountain The highest peak is military area and access is therefore restricted. It’s possible…
Nizwa, Bahla, Jabreen, Misfat al Abriyyin, Al Ayn: Reminders of Centuries Past Oman
A 1.5 hours drive from Muscat brings you to Nizwa, a town at the foot of the Western Hajar mountains. It was once a center for trade and education and is still an important town – the biggest in the region – due to its good location at the roads linking Muscat with the interior and the…
Mt Cook / Aoraki: A Rare Sight South Island, New Zealand
New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mt Cook / Aoraki, is usually hidden in clouds. Everyone, including the Lonely Planet, told us not to get our hopes up and be prepared for clouds. Driving to Mt Cook Practically since the day we arrived on the South Island, we observed the weather forecast for Mt Cook and it…
The Catlins: Waterfalls and Paua Shells South Island, New Zealand
Not too many travelers go further south than Te Anau and Milford Sound. Those who do, however, and travel between Invercargill and Dunedin, have the possibility to take the scenic route through the Catlins and are rewarded with amazing beaches, stunning waterfalls, and beautiful scenery. And lots of gravel roads, yes, that too. The Southernmost…
Milford Sound: The Icing on the (Carrot) Cake South Island, New Zealand
Another must-do in New Zealand, apart from a visit to a glow worm cave, (and to the west coast), is a cruise on Milford Sound. Getting to Milford Sound Although Milford Sound is the most accessible sound in the South Island’s Fiordlands, it’s still a long way from anywhere. The drive from the closest town,…
Franz Josef Glacier: The Glacier or What’s Left of It Franz Josef Glacier, Lake Matheson, Haast Pass. South Island, New Zealand
Franz Josef glacier on the South Island’s west coast is about 12 km long. Once, it reached the Tasman sea; today, it finishes about 19 km from the ocean. Franz Josef Glacier It’s more than 10’000 years ago that the glacier reached the ocean. It’s not so long ago however, when the viewing point, that…
Tongariro: Hiker’s Highway Tongariro Alpine Crossing, North Island, New Zealand
New Zealand is a hiker’s paradise. With hikes from five minutes to five (or more) days, there’s something for everybody. One of the most well-known day hikes is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, an almost 20km hike across volcanic terrain. It’s so popular, that in summer up to 1000 people a day walk the track. If…
Bay of Islands, Cape Reinga, Kauri Coast: The Land of Giant Trees and Dunes Northland, New Zealand
New Zealand’s South Island may be more beautiful than the North Island (according to most travelers), but the North Island has some stunning scenery too. Bay of Islands A few hours drive north of Auckland, on the east coast, is the Bay of Islands. A bay with many islands, that simple. It’s a major tourist…
The Yasawas: Always on Fiji Time Fiji
What comes to mind when you hear “South Pacific”? Beach? Turquoise water? Snorkeling? Island hopping? Probably yes. Don’t we all dream the island dream..? The Yasawas and How to Get There While dreaming is free, making dreams reality isn’t. It’s actually pretty expensive, especially in Fiji. But you cannot go to Fiji and not go…
Ambrym: Mighty Marum & Big Benbow One volcano, two lava lakes. Ambrym, Vanuatu
A few months ago, on a Maya pyramid in the middle of the Guatemalan jungle, we met Sam Cossman, a young guy from the States who had done a crazy thing: Dressed in a special suit he descended into the crater of one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Mt Marum on the island of…