Taiwan: Baiyang Trail And Shuilian Cave

It was already late afternoon, when i had another stop on my route trough the famous Taroko Gorge. Here i noticed a start of an hiking trail. Spontaneously i grabbed my camera and went on the path. It’s an easy going hike for approximately 3km each way. A broad path followed a river and was quite leveled. Even some tunnels were made to avoid steep bypasses. The only danger was the fallen rocks, which is not uncommon, as one can see along the way.

Just before reaching the waterfall of Baiyang, a suspension bridge has to be pass over an impressive gorge. Unfortunately the waterfall is rather a trickle, despite the rain from day before. I did expect more to be frankly. At least i had a nice chat with a doctor from Taipei, who offered me to take a picture from in front of that waterfall. Instead i asked her to join me on the selfie.

A signpost pointed to a tunnel, which lead to a stormy sound in the dark. To my surprise water streams from the ceiling of the tunnel, created a curtain of water falling to ground and flows in a stream towards the light on the end of tunnel. What an amazing spectacle. This hike was really paying off, latest with this final. Taroko Gorge will stay in good remembering for sure.

Taiwan: Hot Springs And Night Market

Not far from Taipei is a hot spring area in the town of Beitou. It’s easy and fast reachable from Taipei by metro train. In a few steps, a green park invites for a stroll, or to play mahjong, or skating.

I found the public bathing places. There’s an open air one, but i decided to go to the more authentic bathing house. At entrance i got informed, that female and male visitors have separate zones and use to bath naked. I acknowledged and entered, after changing room, a room packed with men sitting in and around two pools. The temperature of the water was between 42-44°C, while the second pool had a thermometer showing constant 45.9°C. The hottest bath i ever had.

Back in Shilin, i went another time to the nearby night market, enjoying some food and the lively atmosphere.

Iceland: Golden Circle (part 2/2)

Out of a spontaneous idea, a good friend followed me to Iceland. So i picked him up the other day and went again with him to the area of Golden Circle.

Starting with a nice breakfast at bakery, while the locals roaring with their big trucks into the weekend. Some waterfalls on our way, as well more Iceland horses and of course also geysirs.

End of day we found a nice thermal bath to relax after a day driving.

Iceland: Along the roads (Golden Circle, part1/2)

Just got into my car and drove along the road. It’s a popular circuit route called the ‚Golden Cirlcle‘.

I stopped along the way, where the landscape was beautiful, the place had to offer some points of interests or also just for the Iceland horses.

At the Kerid crater, a strong, icy wind reminded me on the country i’m in. It kept this way all day. But maybe it was the reason not seeing many tourists around. Most of them just jumped out of their big, comfortable busses for a quick photo snap. Also at Skalholt Cathedral i was completely on myself.

More highlights are the icy Gullfoss waterfall and the hot geysir, as well the Thingvellir Nationalpark, where two continents drifts apart. Literally.

Winter In Turkey: Tarsus

Winter In Turkey Impression #6: Tarsus offers not only historical places like the ‚Cleopatra’s Gate‘, but i was also lucky to meet a friend there, who explained me everything about the sweet „Künefe“.

Norway – Geiranger Fjord

Don’t miss the beauty of it, they said. The Geiranger Fjord is another highlight of every Norway trip and also listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. But this means lots of visitors to expect. Luckily there the most tourists were still asleep when i arrived the fjord early morning.

The sky was scattered with clouds and the morning mist just lifted slowly, hovering over the mirror-smooth water of the fjord. The scenery was spectacular in this tranquil hours of the early morning.

Just when the first tourists arrived and started to do their stupid things, like ignoring safety fences for silly selfies or shouting funny words to hear an echo, i was on my way for more quite spot for another coffee.

Can anyone explain me:

Why do even elderly people risk their life for a silly photo?

Israel – En Gedi, The Oasis

There’s not just one En Gedi, i found out when i approached the area. My quick research earlier learned me about a kibbutz and a nature reserve, an oasis, with the same name. It’s not exactly the same spot, as i expected. The nature reserve lies not inside the kibbutz, as i thought, but a few kilometer up north of it. So be aware of it if you want visit it.

There’s a parking lot and big picnic area with some shops and cafe in front of the entrance. A friendly young lady at the booth explained me about the ways and activities within the UNESCO heritage nature park. I was poorly prepared about this spot and already bit late on the day. I was happy to learn, there are some shorter walks along a creek. So i followed the ‚wet trail‘ upstream. Beautifully along the green bushes inside a deep valley with incredible views over the Dead Sea. On some rocks i found to my surprise a couple rock hyrax glaring to wandering tourists. These cute mammals are seen often in Southern Africa, known also as rock dassies.

Along the way are several small waterfalls. Day visitors use the chance to have a dip in the tiny pools to cool off or just having a rest there. My walk ended on the higher and more famous David waterfalls. A cool rest under the spray of the falls, a couple pictures taken and the joy of the view for a few minutes longer. Too soon i had to walk back, but on a slightly different route to enjoy the view over the Dead Sea bit more.

The Sipi Falls

From Kampala leads a wide, tarred road to the Kenyan border, but on my way i decided to drive a detour to the Sipi Falls. The camp was settled opposite the falls with stunning view to the scenery. Even a sprinkling rainbow appeared with the setting sun. Unfortunately it’s a typically ran down campsite, as many others in Uganda and in Africa in general. The staff tell me from a owner living far away, not interested to invest in facilities, nor seems the employers really keen on keeping it nice and tidy. they only count on customers coming (and paying) for the scenery up here. Probably i would had stayed longer if the campsite would been better maintained. However, that one beautiful night i enjoyed the place.

Murchison Safari Camp

Crossing the Victoria Nile over a bridge with the view of Karuma Falls, i got to the north of Uganda now. I noticed a Camp, just at the northern gate of Murchison Falls Nationalpark, where wildlife seems to cross. At that remote and quite camp is a waterhole. The manager, a young, smart lady, confirmed sometimes elephants, giraffes and more wildlife are to observe here. Despite my patience to watch out for them, the recently rain didn’t gave them the urge to come to the waterhole. Instead big animals i found big spiders, cats, chicken …and then yes, some antelopes came shyly closer. However, some relaxed days in peaceful nature.

Murchison Falls National Park

The tremendous costs to visit the Murchison Falls National Park on my own was doubting me to visit the park. But then i got the offer to take a local car with driver to enter the park cheaper. At least to have a glimpse on the spot where Ernest Hemingway crashed with his plane, survived and got picked up by a tourist boat. To be close where Audrey Hepburn was staying and acting for the „African Queen“. Seeing the ruins of one of the residences of Idi Amin, the cruel dictator of prior days. But yes, also the wildlife, although i kept my expectations low. And there is still the waterfalls, after which the park is named.

Driving trough a huge, dense forest with big families of baboons and monkeys, we heading towards the Victoria Nile. Many colorful kingfisher birds flying off when we passed by. A ferry brings us to the other side with different landscape. A savannah with high dry grass. Buffalos glancing at us, antelopes grazing, hippos chilling in the Nile while socks and other birds stalking in the water. Many animals just given birth and keep their babies closely. On the way back we stopped by the great falls. Tons of water squeezed in a narrow valley, fall over several cliffs with big spray and get quite again on the way to Lake Albert. At end of the day, i have to admit it was worth the visit.