A hike through magic Mallorca, the Serra Tramuntana in 6 days

When we think about Mallorca, hiking is not the first thing that comes to mind, but after being six days in the Serra Tramuntana, I realized that it is maybe the best thing to do here. A long hike from Estellencs to Pollenca showed me everything I wanted to see: the amazing forest, the wonderful mountains and the bluest sea. I took a route called the GR221, which you can easily find on the internet (some people even do it 10 days long) or on maps.me, the app I downloaded to not get lost.

First of all, this is a hike you can perfectly do alone, as I did. After each day you will be able to find a “Refugi”, where you can sleep, have breakfast and keep going the next day. The cost of a night here is 20euros, or 25euros with breakfast, because they usually don’t let you use the kitchen. For this places you will need to make a reservation online a week ahead.

My hike started in Estellencs, a small town with a breathtaking view at the sea. From there I walked to Esporles in about 4h, 13km. Here I didn’t stay at a Refugi, but at “Sa Fita Backpackers Hostel”. I payed 27euros for an amazing hostel with pool, which was perfect after the long day and heat.

The next day took me to the hot but very interesting town of Deiá, in the middle of the mountains, but still 30min by foot away from the beach. This day I passed Valldemossa on maybe the hardest day of all six. The climb up the mountain and down again took about 3h, and the entire walk to Deiá was about 6h and 20km, but it was worth it.

To rest a little, the road from Deiá to Soller was rather a short and relaxing one. I took an old pirate path alongside the coast, through the forest, which took me about 3h. The path drops you at Port de Sollerm where you can either walk 1h or take a bus to Soller. Seafood here is abundant, and the path here is incredible. The best thing is, even in high-season you won’t see any tourists, or anyone else, on your way.

That night I stayed at Hostel Soller Albergue Juvenil, another amazing Hostel with great breakfast and comfortable beds. Here I payed 35euros for the night, and was able to use the kitchen to cook dinner.

The next day was supposed to be a hike to the Refugi Tossals Verds, and the day after to Lluc, but I did it a little bit different, because the Refugi was closed for a couple of days. So what I did is go to Port de Soller, and take a ferry for 13euros to Sa Calobra, one of the most amazing beaches on the Island. It took me 1h to get there, and as I was there in high-season it was pretty packed, but still enjoyable. Sa Calbora and  the Torrent de Pareis are side by side, and offer a crystal-blue beach and a small river running through the mountains. An amazing place to relax, take photos and enjoy the sun (or get burned).

From Sa Calobra you can walk for 3-4h to Lluc, or take the bus to get there in about 40min. Lluc isn’t really a town, and there are only two options for a stay. The Lluc monastery, where you can get a bed for around 30euros, or camping, which is what I did. There is no supermarket, but you can eat at one of the three restaurants here. There is also a bothanic garden and pool at the monastery where you can cool yourself down. There are two big camping spaces here, but you will need your own tent. They have water, bathrooms, fireplaces and showers, with is enough. You will pay about 5euros for the night, and enjoy the stars all night.

On my last day, the road was pretty boring. I walked about 5h to Pollenca, passed the road many times, but it was very easy as the mountain just started to bring me down again. Pollenca itself is where the tour slowly gets touristic again. If you keep walking to Port de Pollenca you can get into the massive touristic beaches again, where 80% will be germans burning in the sun. But you won’t regret a second, because you will be as tired as you can be, but happy after seeing how amazing Mallorca can be, seen in another way.

Travel Apps

I don’t know about you, but I mostly travel to relax and get away from the world, people and social network. BUT, I also think that having a phone by your side is more than necessary if you want to locate places, translate, budget and/or get a place to stay. Here are some of the apps I use when I travel, and believe me, each and every one of them is very useful and will make your trip more enjoyable.

 

Polarsteps

Polarsteps has been my favorite for a long time. It basically helps you remember every single step of your adventure. It works automatically, and will track every step you make, every road you take and every place you have been to, giving you statistics by kilometers, countries visited and steps taken. It also allows you to save photos and description for each step. This way you will always remeber everything, and your friends can also see it. I personally also add budget, tipps and people I meet. The best thing is that this app is completly free, so what are you waiting for to join the polarsteps community?

 

Maps.me

Maybe obvious, but one of my most important apps. Maps allows me to download the entire map of where I’m going, and use it offline, even in the deepest jungle. It has been really useful through all my trips, and I think it’s a must-have for every traveller.

 

Google Translate

At school we use to say that google translate is the worst of all, because of translating complete sentences mostly wrong. But for me it was the best one for translating and pronouncing single words. It can help you in any situation, and can pronounce for you, if you don’t speak the language. Not good for learning a language, perfect for traveling.

 

Worldpackers

If your budget is running out, this might just be the app for you. Travelling doesn’t have to be expensive, or cost anything at all. Worldpackers offers you to work all around the world, in exchange for accommodation and food. This way you can dive into local life, food and culture, and not pay a cent. It has a great variety of hosts and jobs, so you will always find something that fits better to your talents. The subscription costs 49$ a year, but if you travel a lot, it will make a huge different.

 

Couchsurfing

Another app I love, and really think everybody should try. Couchsurfing is literally surfing on other people’s couches. An amazing experience of getting a bed for free, and exchanging culture with a local. I only had good experiences with this app and the hosts. There are millions of them, and you can read the reviews before you choose one, which gives you a quick look at where you will be staying. It’s very easy to use, and also to find someone nice.

 

Kiwi

The best site to find cheap flights to anywhere. I also use skyscanner, and for Europe, Ryanair, but Kiwi offers the cheapest flights worldwide and is always reliable. Just remember, the more flexible you are with dates and times, the cheaper you will find a flight.

 

Agoda

While couchsurfing might not be for everyone, and hotels are mostly expensive, Agoda offers the best hostel and hotel offers worldwide. Most of the time the discounts are great, and there is no need to put any payment information in the app. You could also use Airbnb if you travel in couple or group, but for solo traveling this might be the best option.

 

There are much more apps you can try, like Airbnb, Skyscanner, Uber, TripAdvisor, GoogleMaps, TravelPirates, TravelWallet, TrustedHousekeepers and WorldUnite. But these were my favorites. Give them a try and let me know if you have better options.

Seven days in the pacific jungle; the magic of Punta San Pedro

Yes, I was gone for a long while, and yes, the one on the picture is not me, BUT, I got amazing new stuff for you guys so sit back and relax, enjoying one of my most interesting stories.

Some weeks ago I decided to travel for the second time to a hidden place at the pacific called Punta San Pedro. A small place between the pacific ocean and the jungle, very close to Maguipi, which is known for its hotel. But I wasn’t looking for that kind of tourism, I was looking for something else.

Once I got to the city of Buenaventura, I took a boat to Maguipi, which took about 30 minutes. I saw so many people arriving to the hotel that I was glad not to stay there (not that the hotel is bad, but hundreds of tourists make me anxious). I got picked up by a guy called Ramón (yep, he’s the one on the picture above), which is the owner of the hostel I was heading to. We instantly put some boots on, he picked up his Machete, and we started leaving the hotel beach right into the depth of the jungle. We walked around 30 more minutes before we arrived to a river, which slowly leads to his hostel, a big house made 100% out of wood, built by himself 20 years ago.

My days with Ramón were as amazing as frightening, but always full of adventures. The first day we took a short walk to watch some birds and the sunset from a high point near his house. The colors of sky and sea joining are always a spectacle to watch.

On the second day we went straight for a boat for the main event: to watch whales. We left in the morning around 9:00 and went 40 minutes into the open sea. At the end I must admit that I started to become a little bit desperate for not seeing anything, but the wait payed off! We spotted a little group of whales and approached them slowly. I’m not exagerating when I say that this was the most incredible experience of my life! To be 10-15 meters away from them might be frightening but magical at the same time. And they were so comfortable with us being there, I didn’t take long until they danced for us. And there were four of them!

The third and fourth day were more walking than anything. We took around 8 hour hikes through the jungle. Ramón tought me so much about all kinds of plants, insects, birds and other animals. Most of it I kept as photographs, to not forget one story. We spiders, bullet ants, eagles, chameleons, snakes and so much more! It was like christmas walking some minutes more, waiting to find something amazing behind every tree.

Walking through the jungle might bring to mind all the dangerous animals that live there, but I honestly felt completly safe. I was walking with someone that has lived in the jungle for 20 years, so what could go wrong? If he’s alive, I will be fine. Right?

Food is another thing. Almost everything we found in the jungle and by the sea, we ate. From snails and sandworms to fish and coconuts. Fish is also extremly cheap to buy from fishers. Fresh out of the ocean, it can’t get any better than that. Ramón doesn’t use any electricity, so everything got cooked on fire, which gives another primitive but delicious touch to food.

On my last day we went on kayaks through the mangrove swamps. The most peaceful ride ever. The only thing we could hear for the four hours we were in there was the sound of nature; birds, crabs and monkeys far away. I had no luck to see any, but we knew it wasn’t that easy.

We also walked afterwards to visit some caves and watch the water clashing against the rocks. I knew it was my last day, but I also knew I would come back as soon as I could. I still don’t know when that would be, but I’m sure it’ll be pretty soon. Breathing fresh air and restin from the noisy city is necessary from time to time.

This is a price list for you, to start saving for your trip:

Bus or car from Cali to Buenaventura (one way): 30.000-40.000

Boat from Buenaventura to Maguipi (Punta San Pedro) and back: 65.000

Night at Ramon’s (if you want him to cook for you): 90.000 x night

Night at Ramon’s (if you bring your own stuff): 30.000 x night

Whale sighting: 55.000

Tipp —> Bring some more money so you can buy fish or other short trips. You can also go diving but it can be as expensive as 400.000.

If you need any more information or Ramon’s number to make a reservation, you can always contact me.

 

I hope you enjoyed, and will consider traveling to this amazing place!  For more you can watch my Video on Youtube, or visit my instagram @robwandering

 

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big fish

whale

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female chameleon

Ramón

The magic of colombian towns, Part II

In this second part of “the magic of colombian towns”, I will take you through another valley of wax palms, indigenous tombs in the mountains and the hottest and driest place there is.

Salamina (Caldas)

The closest city to this town is Manizales, pretty cold but enjoyable. Salamina is maybe the prettiest town nearby and offers you peace and wonderful landscapes. It’s also called the town of light, due to many writers and artists finding inspiration here. It’s worth visiting, but our trip takes us a little bit further to San Felix. It’s an even smaller town that belongs to Salamina, and at this place you will just find peace and tranquility. Why are we here? To make a beautiful hike through the valley.

The valley in San Felix reminds me of the one in Salento, with many ups and downs, wax palms and cows. The air is so fresh you might want to just sit and breathe for a while before you continue. It is a paradise for landscape photographers and a great experience for hikers. There are short and long hikes, depending on what you’re looking for. The price of the guide is pretty low, but you can also do it on your own. But be careful, you might walk past the same palm 10 times before you notice!

San Agustín (Huila)

The town between Popayán and Pitalito is one of the most visited in Colombia, and a must-see on this list. The town itself is nice, but what you are really here for is the hike through the mountains to visited the indigenous tombs that are still standing here. Between forest, waterfalls and a clear sky, you will walk from station to station exploring the interesting history about the tribes that lived and died here a long time ago. The many faces on the stones may give you a closer look at the past of Colombia.

You can also rent a horse and see everything from another perspective. Even if it can be cold, the sun will burn you from above, so be prepared. Hotels in San Agustin aren’t that expensive, and I would recommend at least a two-night stay to see everything this place has to offer. There is also a river that flows through these mountains, so you can take a break and refresh yourself, but not only from the long walk and sun, but also from the polluted city you probably live in.

Santa Cruz de Mompox (Bolívar)

Traveling down some hours from Barranquilla or Cartagena, it will slowly get hotter and hotter, until you arrive to Mompós or Mompox, where your feet will melt while you walk. Still people rent a bike here to explore a town full of history and religion, colonial style and many types of fish.

Here you can visited the many churches with amazing antique architecture, get to know about the people that lived and still live here, and a lot about the history of the country. The Magdalena river will cross your path many times, offering a beautiful view of white and yellow houses in the background. Look at the windows, you will be impressed of their shapes and styles.

The center of the city is one of the best preserved in the whole continent, offering you a deep inside look at the year 1540, where this place was founded. The palace is another architectonic wonder to admire and shoot from all possible angles.  Also worth visiting is the hospital “San de Dios”, one of the oldest in America.While you continue the tour, you will find many more places and monuments to look at for a long time, until the sun sets and the heat drops, for you to finally rest after a long day.

Small towns are the key to the survival of your imagination

There will be a third part sometime, when I have travelled some more and explored the magic of this beautiful places. I really hope you enjoyed this one, and I would appreciate your reply!

For more photos of my trips check out my Instagram @robwandering and @robert_mikoleit or my Youtube Chanel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHKcwW06d1F8pFHCcK1BDWQ?view_as=subscriber

The magic of colombian towns, Part I

It’s not the first time I tell you that Colombia is a country worth visiting. I have shown you some wonderful places, but there is so much more to see than that. Once you have visited all the big spots, and still have hunger for more, you can start another exciting trip through its towns and villages. Each and every one of the following is charming by itself and full of green tones all around it, so take note and prepare your bag again.

Salento (Quindìo)

Salento is a town located in the Colombian Coffee-Zone. You will see Coffee everywhere, and you might get to taste the best one in the world. The town itself has this something that makes you think, just for a minute, why you haven’t come before. The streets might be full of tourists, depending on the season, but there is so much more to see.

Around Salento there are two major things for you to do: visit a coffee farm and get to know the whole process until it becomes a cup; and hiking six hours through different landscapes to finally reach some very special palms called wax palms. This hike is the highlight of visiting Salento. You will see many different types of birds and other animals, from hummingbirds to cusumbos, of which you may have never heard. It might be one of the most beautiful hikes I have personally ever done.

In Salento, I recommend two hostels: el viajero and luciernaga, both very comfortable and at a good price, breakfast included with a panoramic view of the mountains. There are many good restaurants to choose, but if you are looking for something sweet, try the coffee arequipe, which has this typical touch from the region. (The photo on top is also Salento).

Silvia (Cauca)

We wil make a jump from wax palms to strawberries, and an indigenous tribe called the guambianos, who live in the village of Silvia. Silvia is not a place you get recommended on the internet, or find breathtaking photos of, but it definetly is one of the most charming places in Colombia, which will make it worth your visit.

The guambianos are very friendly people, proud of what they have and produce. They dress typically blue, and adults use black hats all the time. If you want to buy or eat some typical things from the region, try eating trucha (fish), chile,  panela (kind of brown sugar) and strawberries.

There are many hikes to do around the village. One I made took me across the beautiful countryside, passing the old indigenous cementery and other places linked to theier ancestors. If you choose to take a guide, he will tell you about theier story, which is anything but boring. You will enjoy a landscape of lakes, rivers, trees and little blue silhouettes along the road. If you are not the hiking type, try it on a horse!

El Encano (Nariño)

The next stop takes us to the south, where it is so much colder, but while cold places remind us of grey tones, this place is nothing but colorful and a pure beauty.

40 minutes from Pasto, you will slowly reach the laguna de la Concha, a lagoon hidden between mountains offering a wonderful landscape to admire day and night. The town itself is decorated by colores everywhere you look at, houses are painted red and yellow and green, as the boats that float through the little river that divides the place in two and gives it a magical touch. Depending on the season, this place can get pretty cold, but a nice fish will warm you up fast. As in Silvia, trucha is served here as the main dish in many different ways.

Here, instead of long hikes, you will be able to take a boat and explore the lagoon, which has many hidden places to discover. There is a small island in the middle, where you can watch many kinds of birds and step up to have an incredible view of the water and mountains. The sunsets are magnificent!

For the night there are many places in el Encano, all pretty much the same, but if you want to get a little bit further, there is a hotel called ‘jardín del lago’, about 15 minutes from there with the best view you can get. The price is surprisingly low, while you get breakfast, heating, a nice room with an amazing view, a garden with all kinds of flowers, and a path which takes you to the water, where you can at least feel the cold with your feet. I do have to warn you: the owner is an older woman who works alone most of the time, so be prepared to wait an hour for your food and around three hours to get checked in. Meanwhile you can explore the surroundings which will make you feel at home from the first moment.

The sky in small towns is always the prettiest.

I will bring you the second and third part as soon as possible. Very soon I will bring you a Salento Video to my Youtube Channel (Robert Mikoleit). Meanwhile check out my Instagram for more photos of the trip: @robwandering @robert_mikoleit . I will appreciate your reply!

Chile, Part II: volcanos, waterfalls and the ocean

In my last post we visited peaceful and quiet places from Santiago to Concepción, a trip that ended the 24th of december, celebrating christmas with some friends. I was satisfied with what I had seen, but also hungry for more. It took us only one day to pack our things again and travel to one of the most exciting places of our trip: Villarica.

Passing Temuco we drove one more hour to see the Villarica lake, and stayed at a cabin in Molco, a small town nearby. From our cabin we just had to walk ten minutes to get to the lake and enjoy an amazing view. I know, lakes are cool, but is a lake worth it to spend five days there? Well, the reason wasn’t only the clear refreshing water, but the volcano in the background. Just for the view? Of course not!

One day after, at 5 am, we were waiting for our pickup to get us to the volcano. We got some equipment (bag, sticks, helmet…) and a guide to take us to the top in groups of twenty. The first 30 minutes were easy and the only thing we did was to enjoy the view. The next four hours were harder. The climb was in zick-zack and very slow. The ice made me feel cold, but the sun burned me from above. We did three little breaks to take pictures and eat, until we finally arrived at the top. If that wasn’t worth it! The view was one of the most inredible I had seen in my entire life, and even if there only was a little, I saw lava for the first time! If you catch a lucky day, you may see a lot more. A shame I couldn’t take a photo.

The way down was funnier. We sat on a piece of plastic and could just slide down most of the time. Here you should be careful, because when you stand up, ice might get into your pants! Most unconfortable situation ever, taking in account that you will have two pairs of gloves on and no chance of getting the ice out, having no other option than wait until it melts.

The next three days we spent swimming in the lake, enjoying the sun, making barbecues and being on the boat. If you are looking for some relaxing vacation, you might just stay here. The 31st, we camped at the volcano and enjoyed the view from up there at night. It was pretty cold in the morning, so we decided to contiue our trip.

The road took us first to Puerto Fuy, where we spent one night by the lake. This lake is a little bit colder and not that filled with tourists. Things to do here are to visit the Huilo-Huilo national park and the hotel Montaña Mágica. In the park itself you can enjoy two big waterfalls with crystal clear water, and a beer afterwards, which is typical in the region.

From one side of Chile we went directly to the other, where we arrived at Valdivia. We didn’t stay exactly in the city, but drove a little further to Niebla. There are many cabins to rent there, and amazing beaches, not to swim, but to enjoy the sounds of waves and birds. The smell of fish is strong, but you will get used to it very quick.

Slowly getting to Puerto Montt we made two more stops. One at Osorno, where we also visited the national park (beautiful but full with tourists and no chance to take any pictures, a shame), and another at Frutillar, a small town beside the Llanquihue lake. The town is charming and known for its theatre which is floating on the lake. From Frutillar it is not far to Puerto Varas, one of the most touristic places on our trip, where you will find for foreigners than natives. The food is amazing and the view to the Osorno volcano gives it a nice touch. You can spend the afternoon at one of the cafes at the lake and just enjoy. For a moment you may think you are somewhere at the Mediterranean.

Puerto Montt was the last city that we visited in the south. If you are interested in seafood, there is no better place to go but the fishmarket. You will smell it, see it and taste it in all different ways. This city may be not as enriching for cultural aspects, but for gastronomical ones. It also was the last time I saw Chiles Ocean.

From Puerto Montt back to Santiago, and then to the Atacama desert is a long trip and you may be very tired at the end, but your efforts will be rewarded with the best view at the stars there is. At night you will feel like an astronaut and wouldn’t finish counting all the little lights that shine above you. Spectacular, breathtaking and peaceful, because you also won’t hear a thing but your own heartbeat. The days are very hot, but with so much more places to visit, there won’t be anything to stop you. The Atacama desert may seem infinite and dry, but even there you will find life. Never close your eyes, and you will see amazing things behind every rock.

Chile is not only a must visit country in South Amerika, but also in the entire world. The vast amount of landscapes and the big differences between them makes it incredible for all travelers. Only seeing the difference between Atacama in the north and Punta Arenas in the south, will make you put this places on your list. For me, it’s a place I would definetly go back to.

“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.”

• Mary Anne Radmacher

To live this trip like I did, check out my Youtube Video, share it and enjoy! And don’t forget to follow me on instagram (@voyageetculture).

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Chile, Part I: from crowded cities to lonely mountains

From Santiago to Puerto Montt, and back to the Atacama desert. Visiting Chile in december 2016 was one of my largest and most livechanging trips. From European-style cities to volcanos, deserts, beaches, mountains, roads and cherry trees, Chile may be one of the most beautiful countries in south America.

My trip started in Santiago. A city that is big, dirty and crowded, but perfect for nightlife, a beer with friends in Bellavista or a city tour. For cool beaches and colored houses, you should take at least two days for Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, two very close cities that will offer you beauty and entertainment.

From Santiago we took a bus to Concepcion, which took about eight hours. This city is split by the Bio-Bio river which adds a charming touch to it. Not far is the city of Talcahuano, which in 2010 was shaken by an horrendous earthquake, which caused the sea to take away a big part of it. To forget this tragedy, you can take a ride for 15 more minutes until you arrive at Tumbes. A little fishervillage where boats of many different colors await you. The smell of fish is strong, but the view is worth the while, and you can’t get any better seafood nearby. Talcahuanos beaches may be not the most impressive in the world, but worth visiting to spent a day relaxing.

On the road we visited smaller cities and towns as Nacimiento, where you will find an old fort (stands since 1603), and Los Angeles, perfect for camping and resting just outside the city. From there it’s about two hours to reach Antuco. There I recommend to rent a small cabin wth view to the mountains and a hot bucket to spent cold nights in. Every morning you will wake up to an amazing view, riversounds and a hot cup of coffee. And do you think that’s it? Of course not! Every night you will have one of the most amazing star-filled skies you have ever seen. You can spend hours and hours just looking up until you fall asleep outside.

Now if this isn’t enough, and you are ready to hike through a lava field, you should take it to Sierra Velluda. Ice-covered mountains that end up in a waterfall in front of wastelands, and a volcano in the background. The heat will make you want to jump into the ice cold water. It is definetly a magic place. Here you can also camp throuhg the night to have an unforgettable experience.

Just some minutes away, at the bottom of the Antuco volcano, you will find the Laja lagoon, with water as blue as it can get. If you climb some meters up the volcano, you will have an amazing view, perfect to wait for the sunset (I know, I’ve created an addiction to red skies). Back at the cabin you definetely should try Chilean meat in a barbecue, and the amazing wine this country provides, as cheap as 5$ a one liter bottle. And don’t let the price fool you, this wine is high quality.

You can easly take three to four days here, just relax and feel the freshness in the air, live that moment of peace to the maximum, hike, wander, eat, drink, breathe, live. I wish I had stayed forever.

From Antuco we went back to Concepción to celebrate Christmas. As Chilean food we tasted crabrice, chilean empanadas (baked pie filled with seafood or others), mote con huesillo (kind of a drink made of wheat and peaches) and all kind of ceviche.

After Christmas, the journey continued from lakes and volcanos, to the sea and back to the desert, a neverending variation of landscapes that will leave you speechless. In my second blog about this trip I will make you fall in love with this country even more, with its culture, gastronomy and nature.

“Every few hundred feet the world changes.”

– Roberto Bolano

To live this trip like I did, check out my Youtube Video, share it and enjoy! And don’t forget to follow me on instagram (@voyageetculture).

 

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volcano

wastelands

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The Amazon: floating through the longue of the earth

Breathe in, breathe out, welcome to the Amazon. The longue of the earth, called so for providing over 20% of the worlds oxygen, houses millions of species on land, air and river, which makes it one of the most biodiverse places on earth. More than 400 indigenous tribes call it home, and around 50 of them haven’t had contact with the outside world! This tribes live in various parts of the enormous rainforest in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana, French Guyana, Suriname and, of course, Colombia.

In the south corner of Colombia we can find the city of Leticia, small and not that interesting, but necessary to get to the Amazon river. Most people stay there, but I highly recommend to search for a hotel directly by the river, away from the city. You will enjoy the nights with brazilian cocktails, colombian music, peruvian food and the sound of the river. There is just one thing you will never know: if you will be able to see a crazy sunset or have to hide from extreme rain. Eitherways, the birds will sing and the insects will fly around to make you feel in the center of the jungle.

It’s crazy how you will feel waking up in an entire new world. Just by the sounds you will know you’re far from home. Your phone won’t give any sign of life, so you will be able to focus on everything that surrounds you.

Many people take their first trip to the monkey island, there you will be surrounded by hundreds of them, literally eating off your hands! (No fancy clothtes here). It is also interesting to visit indigenous villages, because thats how you get a closer look at how people live in the middle of the jungle. I could say that this was the trip I enjoyed the most. A native meal, a hike through the jungle exploring all kind of plant and animal species, a climb to a little tower with an amazing view, and a dance made by children of the village. This is definitly what you expected.

If you don’t take an entire day to spent on the river, you are doing something wrong. It is so wild and full of life, that a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to uncover all its secrets. One species that impressed me the most was the Pirarucu (or Arapaima), an up to 2.5 meter long fish that can weight more than 100kg! Their scales are so thick that they don’t have to fear piranhas, and they have sharp teeth even on their tongue! At that point I was still thinking piranhas were the most dangerous fish in the Amazon. But there are others less dangerous, but for them you will have to take some time on a boat. With patience and no shaky hands, you may be able to take a shot at a pink dolphin. I did (after more than an hour).

You will need some luck to see some more of those wild animals such as snakes, owls, jaguars, anacondas, monkeys, or others you won’t be able to identify. You surely will enjoy every boattrip, every glass of exotic juice (try Arazá, Camu-Camu, Cupuazu and Maracuya), every sound and every mosquito bite (ok, maybe not that much), because the Amazon is one of the most living places on earth, and you won’t care for it until you visit it, and you definetly should visit it before there is nothing left.

What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.

– Mahatma Gandhi

boat

bird

colombia

monkey

crocodile

river

Don’t forget to look for my Instagram Account @voyageetculture and my Youtube Channel Robert Mikoleit.

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City of dreams: Prague and its charming antiquity

Prague is one of the oldest cities in the old continent, and this makes it very attractive for millions of tourists every year. It’s hard to discover and enjoy a place filled with people, but Prague still manages to keep some of its nicest spots free of undesired body contact. So if you are not looking for those crowded places that pop up first in your google search, this might be interesting for you.

Our tour starts with a walk, crossing the Vltava river and climbing up some hundred steps until we get to the Metronome in Letná Park. Now the Metronome itself might not be the most interesting piece of art here, but the shoes that hang from a rope. You can take your time figuring out why they are there, while you drink a beer and enjoy one of the best views at the city of Prague.

Next stop is the Prague Castle, which is indeed a crowded place. What might not be that interesting for hundreds of other tourists, are the amazing art expositions that take place inside. It just took me one lucky day to find Sebastiao Salgados “Genesis”, a black and white dream of photographs from around the world that make you admire the beauty of everything they represent. Here you might take 2-3 hours while enjoying each and every one of those photos.

Now you will have to think, a lot. It’s hard to decide between a classic local beer and a wine at one of Pragues vineyards. If you choose the second option I highly recommend to visit St. Wenceslas’ Vineyard and Villa Richter, to enjoy the taste of Czech grapes. The view from there over the city is also amazing, and just perfect to wait for the sunset.

Once the sun is hidden, it’s not difficult to find places to have fun. From a beer and a Trdelník (kind of a spit cake) at the Karluv Most (Ponte Carlo), to a Jazz night in one of many Jazz bars in the city. If you enjoy live bands you should look for the AghaRTA Jazz Centrum, U Malého Glena or Reduta, but there are many more. Walking through the streets is also a good idea. The different lights will give you the sensation of being in a dream, just walking, admiring and enjoying.

The sun will rise in Prague with some insane colors you don’t want to miss. The mix of red, orange, yellow and blue will get you started for another day. Breakfast in Prague is not hard to find, but if you are the kind of sweet-morning-person, you should look out for one specific place: The Choco Café U Cervine zidle. This place is a paradise for chocolate lovers. Just looking at the menu you will have to choose between several types of dark sweetness and bitterness. You can see how happy and concentrated I was!

To change drastically from chocolate to literature, you can visit the Idiom Insallation, a Jenga-style cylindrical tower of books that seems to go on forever. (Definetly not recommended if you suffer from Bibliophobia)

Now, you could spent a whole day at the Vltava River, just because there a so many things to do, and eat. Exploring Czech gastronomy can be as interesting as any other activity. I specially loved the different types of duck and rabbit that were served everywhere, but if you are not into that kind of meat, visiting the boat-restaurants at the river ist the better option. You fill find many boats in line, with inviting cocktails and snacks, just enough to keep you there enjoying the river and music. There you will probably stay until the sunset hits you again with those amazing colors that won’t ever let you forget Prague. Some random guy will play Coldplay in the background and you will enjoy your last Czech beer zip by zip, until the red vanishes and the sky is left completly dark.

“Prague is a living and breathing enigma; old and dirty but somehow unimaginably graceful.”

• World Of Wanderlust

If you want even more of this amazing city, you should check out my youtube video, which I made in german. (You will probably not be able to watch it on a smartphone, but for that you can listen to amazing music at the background):

You can also go and check out my Instagram Account: @voyageetculture

river

lights

graves

river II

boat

sunset

Guajira, Colombia: finding the perfect balance between the desert and the sea.

When you head to South America, you may be asking yourself which of all those amazing countries you should visit. Many travelers head to Brazil or Argentina, maybe even Chile and Ecuador, but Colombia stays in the dark most of the time.  The thing about this country is that there are so many different landscapes, that you could think you are wandering the world from Egypt to New Zeeland, from Switzerland to India. Colombia has the Amazon River, the most beautiful beaches in two different oceans, a river with seven different colors, mountains covered with snow, and last but not least, the Tatacoa and the Guajira desert. This last one may be one of the most beautiful and breathtaking places I have ever visited…

Riohacha is the capital of la Guajira, a city with around 150.000 habitants, lots of seafood and a perfect view at the caribbean sea. 45% of its population are Wayuu, indigenous people who live not only in the city but all the way trough the desert. Riohacha is a two-three day stop, where you can walk along the dock and buy Wayuu art to remember your trip. One of the places nearby I highly recommend is Camarones, a little village not further than an hour from the capital, where you can take a boat and discover all kind of birds. The thing that may impress you are the hundreds of flamencos in their natural habitat. After that you can take a rest tasting shrimp in all kind of ways.

Once you explored Riohacha, you can take a jeep in the morning and start heading to the desert. As the time passes you will see how the landscape changes. It will get more dry and the sun will start hitting you stronger and stronger. After almost two hours you will arrive at Manaure, where you will be able to take a look at how a saline works. You may not have seen so much salt in your life!

The jeep will take a stop at Uribia in another thirty minutes, and here is where you notice that you arrived at the desert. It just took asking a local to know that there hasn`t been any rain for the last two years!

The last hour of travel will offer you nothing but a desertic view and from time to time the ocean far away. Many indigenous kids will stop the jeep with ropes, asking for money, food or water, things they don’t have in abundance there. The long ride has a happy ending as the jeep starts driving closer to the sea where the Cabo de la Vela awaits. Here is where you will stay for at least a night, enjoy the beach, eat fish, visit the lighthouse to presence an amazing sunset and make some watersport.

The day after the arrival, there is a must-visit-beach called Punta Ojo de Agua, which was one of my favourites. A lonely beach with nothing but sun, sand and water for a relaxing lazy day, where the only thing you should worry about is a sunburn.

If you are an adverturer and want to see even more, you take another day or two and drive further north until you get to Punta Gallinas, which is as far north as Colombia gets. It’s a place that will leave you speechless, and will make you feel in paradise. What awaits you is a perfect combination of sanddunes and waves, sun and water, silence and the sea. Camping never might have been so tempting. If you are into photography, this is also a must-visit-place, because of the amazing combination of colours and landscapes. Anyway, visiting la Guajira is not only a sweet candy for the eye, but also an enrichement of the soul and and unforgettable experience of one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

“What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.”

• Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Beach I

Cactus

Sunset

Dunes

Coconut

Beach II

Road

Canoa

Flamencos

For more visit my Youtube Channel (Robert Mikoleit) or my Instagram Account (@voyageetculture). I will appreciate your reply!