Nikki in South Africa. Part 1

My apologies for the lack of blog post since arriving in SA. I'll try and catch up quickly... starting with  Nikki's 2 week visit to South Africa.  Nikki, Eric & I made a last minute decision to flee the stormy weather in Cape Town & fly to Port Elizabeth, the starting point for a road trip.  Our road trip evolved as we traveled -- from the beaches of the "Wild Coast," to the hogsback mountains, on to Addo Elephant Park. A visual snippet of the diverse landscapes we visited below & full set of photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/maikanicholson/SANikkiSPhotos?feat=directlink


Driving on the "wrong" side of the road & shifting with the left hand - not as difficult as one might think!

We spent night one in the town of Chintsa (pronounced in Xhosa with two clicks of the tongue) @ Buckaneers Backpackers & woke up at dawn for sunrise, yoga, "redbacks" and running on the beach. Definitely a top 10 sunrise.

The next day we hiked along the wild coast coast near Morgan's Bay...the dramatic cliffs backed by rolling green hills reminiscent of Ireland perhaps?

Our next stop was Hogsback in the Amatola mountains, featuring aptly named Hog 1, Hog 2 & Hog 3. This area reportedly was an inspiration for the fictional landscapes of J.R.R Tolkein - a South African, who knew?

2 days in Hogsback featured 2 great hikes, the oldest tree in South Africa, 5 waterfalls, one bathtub in the middle of nowhere, one 30m high tree house, a windy summit, 3 very breakable clay animals sold to us by the 'kamikaze kids'

Eric and I approaching Hog 1

A windy Summit

After Hogsback we headed on to Addo... a dramatically different landscape yet again. We were fortunate to come across Chris (crisscross adventures), who was an amazing guide for Addo Elephant NP and the surrounding area.  He grew up in Addo and had an incredible wealth of knowledge of the landscape & wildlife in the NP & surrounding area as well as an innate ability to spot wildlife in the bush.  He also guessed my birthday to the year, month and DAY on the first guess. He say he "has a sense about certain people"..... eerie. Below a trip with Chris Pickels & co. on the Sundays River.

Kudu, warthogs, buffalo, flightless dung beatles.....and of course elephants galore! 

To be continued.....

senderismo sierra nevada part 2: monachil

A beautiful day of hiking near Pueblo Monachil.
The Route: Monachil - Puente colgante - Tunel de las Palomas - Acequia de los Habices - Monachil

Full set of photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/maikanicholson/Monachil?feat=directlink

senderismo sierra nevada - part 1: vereda de la estrella

In search of the Cueva Secreta

The trip started out brilliantly (albeit a little on the late side) on a sunny Thursday afternoon. We caught a bus from Granada to Pueblo Guejar Sierra with delicious sandwiches in our bellies (thank you Jinse) and a spring in our step.

Below - Guejar Sierra on the right,reservoir of Rio Genil in the background. The reservoir supplies drinking water to Granada.

From town, we had to walk on a country road for about 5km to the Vereda de la Estrella trailhead. We promptly ran into our first roadblock - more specifically - a section of road that had been washed out by a mudslide. We asked the construction workers if we could pass and they said - NO - the road is CLOSED. So we asked, with friendly smiles on our faces, are you sure? There's no way around by foot? - Pause -...oh hum, ok... you can walk around and use our construction bridge to cross. Apparently walking through construction sites is OK in Spain.

Below - rebuilding the road. Record rainfall this year in Granada has caused many problems with mudslides in the area

And fences? they're just to keep the goats off the trail, right?

Success! We've made it through to the trailhead

Abandoned mining camps - now being restored as refugios (we think)

We were aiming for the Cueva Secreta as an end point to Day 1, but at 8:30pm we were still had a ways to go. We decided to set up camp in a nice level area - a helicopter landing pad for emergency evacuation! We set up a fire pit, gathered wood & prepared a delicious dinner of Copos de Quinoa with Cranberries, Cashews, Mint, Cilantro & Parsley. Camping gourmet!

Above - setting up camp!

Below - the gorgeous view from our campsite

At 3am, we woke up to the drumming of raindrops on the rainfly - so loud and steady it was difficult to sleep. When we woke up, the rain had abated enough to make breakfast & prepare for day 2. Just as we were finishing breakfast, the drizzle turned to buckets & we ran for shelter into an old mine tunnel nearby. About 5 minutes walking from our campsite, we encountered our last roadblock, an impassable waterfall - our decision was made for us - time to head back to Guejar Sierra.

No podemos pasar - sigh - didn't make it to the Cueva Secreta this time around.

Bad weather rolling in...

Back in town. filling our water bottles with fresh mountain spring water.

Of course, it turns into a beautiful day in the afternoon - we sat on a Terraza, wishing we were still in the Mountains!

Lovely Lisboa

I ♥ Lisboa

I ♥ Lisboa

I ♥ Lisboa

I ♥ Lisboa

view of the city from Castelo Sao Jorge

Archaelogic record shows signs that humans have occupied the site of Catelo Sao Jorge (at the highest point of the highest hill in Lisbon) since the 6th Century BC - Indigenous Celtic tribes, greeks, phoenicians, carthaginians and later romans, moors, etc. The castle & city of Lisbon was won over by the Christians in the mid 12th Centruy during the Seige of Lisbon.

A popular spot!

@ Castelo Sao Jorge with my new Living Lounge friends (an international crowd - US, germany, finland & switzerland)

a view of the City, with 25 de Abril bridge in the background - often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge due to it's similar hue and suspension construction. It's the 21st longest suspension bridge in the world.

{#1. Ashaki Kaikyo Bridge (Japan)6,529-ft #9. Golden Gate Bridge 4,200-ft #21 25 de Abril Bridge 3,323-ft}

A perfect blue sky & cherry Blossoms @ Monestary Sao Vicente de Fora

A tram in the historic Alfama district

The nicest hostel I've ever stayed in: The Living Lounge hostel, Baixa-Chiado neighborhood in central lisbon

Each room was designed by a local artist - above, my room w/ Swiss roommates Selene & Livia

Each night, the hostel's chef served up a 3 course feast for the low low price of 8 euro. It was a good way to meet fellow travelers, and some locals too!

Style & Comfort

a very feliz cumpleanos

A lovely evening with friends, old & new @ my piso. Thanks to Jenny (x2), Amy, Jinse, Leila, Mariana, Rachel, Katy, & fellow bday girl Carrie!

The Menu:

Chips & Guacamole

Mache Salad with Avocado, Cashews & Cherry Tomatoes

Coconut Curry Pink Lentil & Vegetable Stew

Basmati Rice

Sun-dried Tomato Hummus

Gluten Free, Agave Sweetened Zucchini, Apple, Sweet Potato, Coconut & Cinnamon Cake with Walnuts