Africa. Home to the Namib and Sahara deserts, deep impenetrable jungles, acacia-covered plains and sand-covered beaches. Home to some of the world’s most iconic animal and bird species. Birthplace of Lucy, our oldest ancestor. And home to some of the most fascinating mountains on earth! Mountains so diverse that Africa’s highest mountains could easily be …
Giro del ponte Tibetano – across the suspension bridge
The weather looked miserable and cold. Like minus sixteen degrees Celsius cold. And neither of us were keen to spend four to five hours in that kind of cold. We had had enough of that the previous weekend snowshoeing to Dreibündenstein. Ticino looked a lot warmer, so we decided to head in that direction. We …
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Snowshoeing to Dreibündenstein
Our very first snowshoeing outing, about two years ago, was to Dreibündenstein. Brave little soldiers that we are, we went all the way from Brambrüesch to Feldis on that first snowshoe outing. Last Sunday, a lot more experienced, and less likely to trip over our own feet, we repeated this route. And nearly got blown …
Climb Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak
Kilimanjaro. Africa’s highest mountain. The roof of Africa. Surrounded by African plains, the 5,895-meter-high Mount Kilimanjaro consists of three volcanic cones: Shira, Mawenzi and Kibo. To get to the summit of Kilimanjaro, you have to climb to the top of Uhuru peak, which is situated on the crater rim of Kibo, the highest of the …
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Snow, snow, and more snow…
It snowed for nearly two days… There was snow everywhere. Snow covered the trees and the lawn, and we even had some on the balcony. Snow covered the streets and the sidewalks disappeared. Uetliberg, our local mountain, turned into a winter wonderland. Saturday morning. We decided to play it by ear today. Which meant, that …
Castles made of sand
And so castles made of sand fall in the sea, eventually Jimi Hendrix – Castles made of sand, 1967 After about forty-five minutes’ walking in a southerly direction along the beach from Essaouira, you’ll see the ruins of an old building on your right. Known today as the ‘Petit Fort Portugaise’, or little Portuguese Fort, …
Jbel Toubkal (4167m) – North Africa’s highest peak
Jbel Toubkal. The highest peak in Morocco. And the highest peak in North Africa. Four thousand, one hundred and sixty-seven metres high. It is also the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains – a group of mountains consisting of the High Atlas (Toubkal is part of this group), the Middle, Anti, Tell and Saharan Atlases, …
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Segnesböden – Stunning alluvial plain
We’re back in Switzerland. Sardinia not yet forgotten. The Segnesböden area seems to have the best possibility of sunshine for today. Even if it is covered in snow… The days are getting shorter. So, we set off early-ish. Trying to maximize the sunlight. First stop off the bus is Ella – the charming little café …
Cala Sisine to Cala Luna – stunning scenery
One of our target walks for this week in Sardinia was to walk from Cala Sisine to Cala Fuili. A ‘stage’ of the Selvaggio Blu. I say this with some trepidation, as purists are apt to respond that the Selvaggio Blu finishes at Cala Sisine… although most trekking companies will now offer the additional stage …
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The beautiful Cala Luna
I have a video call at 11 o’clock. So, we have to find a shorter afternoon’s walk. I suggest a walk to Cala Luna. Not only because it’s a short walk, but because it’s one of the most beautiful beaches along this coastline! And a definite favourite of mine. We set off shortly after midday. …