Travels 2018 / 2019
Just a short overview what I did so far in 2018/2019 and also for showing some photos because - again - I somehow didn't share them a lot with family and friends. Sorry about that.
On Easter Holiday I visited Paulina in South Africa to meet her little girl and see some friends again.
I enjoyed being back a lot, although it was only for a weekend. Unfortunately my friend Chadrac wasn't in Johannesburg, his friend Camille took very good care of me. He dedicated his whole weekend to me, drove me around, checked me in the hotel (which of course was already booked), picked me up and dropped me off at the airport. Every time I go back to Africa, I am amazed by the selflessness and hospitality. Thanks so much!
Paulinas daughter "Alondweyinkosi" is super cute as you can see! I was very happy that I got the chance to meet her. :)
After my short visit, I continued to travel to Mauritius. I've been there mainly for diving which is why I didn't see a lot of the island itself.
The diving was amazing. I did the nitrox course which allows to dive deeper and longer and also shortens the safety stop after the dives. I've seen huge sea turtles from very close (they were as "tall" as me and maybe two meters away from me) and a huuuge sting ray! It was just amazing to watch it gliding above the reef. Unfortunately I don't have any photos or videos of it...
Mauritius is also an incredibly beautiful island and full of variety. There're mountains for hiking, the beautiful beaches for relaxing, the sea with so many divesites, the rainforest and plenty sugar cane fields. I am a little sad, that I didn't have enough time to see everything but I am also very happy about the choice doing this trip anyways.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
In summer 2018 I did an internship which is why I only had time for a two week holiday in Portugal with a friend of mine.
The first week, we've been to a surf camp in the Algarve. For both of us it was the first time surfing. It was a bit tough in the beginning and also sometimes a little frightening because we weren't used to the strength of the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. After we got used to it, we really enjoyed ourselves a lot! Sandy beaches every day, salty water in the hair and on the skin and great people surfing with us.
After the week of surfing, we went to Faro were we picked up a Campervan with which we started to travel up the coast. Faro is a cute little town and good for just a little walking, eating ice cream and enyoing oneself with the view of the natural reserve just next to the town.
In the evening we headed out of town towards our first night "in the wild". We found a great website gathering GPS places where people can camp inofficially. That's how we found an amazing hidden spot right next to a tiny bay. It was so peaceful, quite and there were only a couple more camper who joined us later in the evening. So we set up some dinner with the best view possible.
The next day we drove to Praia Benagil and Praia de Porto de Mós before reaching Sagres. Close to Sagres is the extreme western tip of the Algarve. It is called Cabo de Sao Vicente and is also the most western point of Europe. Landscape-wise, it remembered me a little of Ireland with the steep coast - just with much better weather,
The second night we spent at Praia da Ponta Ruiva. We found it by accident - and again - it was such an breathtaking place! An unsupervised beach were only experienced surfer went to catch some waves. The waves were amazing, the location hidden down a steep road. We spent all night watching the people surf and having barbecue.
The next morning we felt a bit like doing something active, so we drove further north and stopped for a little hike. This is how we found Praia de Pena Furada. It was only accessible by foot and a stunning location. The waves hit the coast hard, the strong current caused a calming but loud swoosh. We just sat there for quite a while enjoying the view, the natural spectacle, the loneliness.
After a while we hiked back to our Van and continued driving up the coast. What we noticed then is that the landscape changed over and over again. In the south it was rocky with the steep coast, then some woods close to the beaches before dunes and sand covered the image.
So, our next place where we stayed overnight was completely different to the ones before. We drove through loose sand (hoping not to get stuck) and woods until we reached flat dunes with sea view.
The last few days we spent some time in Lisbon and Porto. The typical houses with mosaic tiles are kind of beautiful and make the image of portuguese towns unique.
Porto was an especially beautiful town. Rather small and cozy, with lots of narrow allies to discover. The last day we had some Pastel de Nata (incredibly tasty pastry) in a cafe next to the river when students startet playing modern songs on bowed instruments which made the moment just perfect.
I really would recommend everyone to go to Portugal at least once. We had an amazing holiday and were surprised how much Portugal has to offer.
That's basically it. I had some short trips also to St. Petersburg & Moskau, Croatia, Slovenia, Lake Garda and so on, but for now it should be enough I think.
Byebye
On Easter Holiday I visited Paulina in South Africa to meet her little girl and see some friends again.
I enjoyed being back a lot, although it was only for a weekend. Unfortunately my friend Chadrac wasn't in Johannesburg, his friend Camille took very good care of me. He dedicated his whole weekend to me, drove me around, checked me in the hotel (which of course was already booked), picked me up and dropped me off at the airport. Every time I go back to Africa, I am amazed by the selflessness and hospitality. Thanks so much!
Paulinas daughter "Alondweyinkosi" is super cute as you can see! I was very happy that I got the chance to meet her. :)
After my short visit, I continued to travel to Mauritius. I've been there mainly for diving which is why I didn't see a lot of the island itself.
The diving was amazing. I did the nitrox course which allows to dive deeper and longer and also shortens the safety stop after the dives. I've seen huge sea turtles from very close (they were as "tall" as me and maybe two meters away from me) and a huuuge sting ray! It was just amazing to watch it gliding above the reef. Unfortunately I don't have any photos or videos of it...
Mauritius is also an incredibly beautiful island and full of variety. There're mountains for hiking, the beautiful beaches for relaxing, the sea with so many divesites, the rainforest and plenty sugar cane fields. I am a little sad, that I didn't have enough time to see everything but I am also very happy about the choice doing this trip anyways.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
In summer 2018 I did an internship which is why I only had time for a two week holiday in Portugal with a friend of mine.
The first week, we've been to a surf camp in the Algarve. For both of us it was the first time surfing. It was a bit tough in the beginning and also sometimes a little frightening because we weren't used to the strength of the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. After we got used to it, we really enjoyed ourselves a lot! Sandy beaches every day, salty water in the hair and on the skin and great people surfing with us.
After the week of surfing, we went to Faro were we picked up a Campervan with which we started to travel up the coast. Faro is a cute little town and good for just a little walking, eating ice cream and enyoing oneself with the view of the natural reserve just next to the town.
In the evening we headed out of town towards our first night "in the wild". We found a great website gathering GPS places where people can camp inofficially. That's how we found an amazing hidden spot right next to a tiny bay. It was so peaceful, quite and there were only a couple more camper who joined us later in the evening. So we set up some dinner with the best view possible.
The next day we drove to Praia Benagil and Praia de Porto de Mós before reaching Sagres. Close to Sagres is the extreme western tip of the Algarve. It is called Cabo de Sao Vicente and is also the most western point of Europe. Landscape-wise, it remembered me a little of Ireland with the steep coast - just with much better weather,
The second night we spent at Praia da Ponta Ruiva. We found it by accident - and again - it was such an breathtaking place! An unsupervised beach were only experienced surfer went to catch some waves. The waves were amazing, the location hidden down a steep road. We spent all night watching the people surf and having barbecue.
The next morning we felt a bit like doing something active, so we drove further north and stopped for a little hike. This is how we found Praia de Pena Furada. It was only accessible by foot and a stunning location. The waves hit the coast hard, the strong current caused a calming but loud swoosh. We just sat there for quite a while enjoying the view, the natural spectacle, the loneliness.
After a while we hiked back to our Van and continued driving up the coast. What we noticed then is that the landscape changed over and over again. In the south it was rocky with the steep coast, then some woods close to the beaches before dunes and sand covered the image.
So, our next place where we stayed overnight was completely different to the ones before. We drove through loose sand (hoping not to get stuck) and woods until we reached flat dunes with sea view.
The last few days we spent some time in Lisbon and Porto. The typical houses with mosaic tiles are kind of beautiful and make the image of portuguese towns unique.
Porto was an especially beautiful town. Rather small and cozy, with lots of narrow allies to discover. The last day we had some Pastel de Nata (incredibly tasty pastry) in a cafe next to the river when students startet playing modern songs on bowed instruments which made the moment just perfect.
I really would recommend everyone to go to Portugal at least once. We had an amazing holiday and were surprised how much Portugal has to offer.
That's basically it. I had some short trips also to St. Petersburg & Moskau, Croatia, Slovenia, Lake Garda and so on, but for now it should be enough I think.
Byebye
Kommentare
Kommentar veröffentlichen