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Between Nyon and Geneva, off the National Road, lies the “Visit the Coppet Castle” which billboard has not changed in more than 30 years. It is a discreet sign for a place that was once a Bastion for Opposition to Napoleon Bonaparte at the turn of the Nineteenth Century. At that time the lady of the Castle was none other than Madame Germaine de Staël, the most influential Woman of the turn of the…

“Id a mi patria, id, extranjeras flores,sembradas del viajero en el camino,y bajo su azul cielo,que guarda mis amores,contad del peregrinola fe que alienta por su patrio suelo!”So goes the first lines of Jose Rizal’s, poem to the flowers of Heidelberg. Rizal only stayed 6 months in Heidelberg but I venture to say that it is the town that affectioned him the most in all his travels. Following the…

Hiking from Derborence to Gryon

Few places in Switzerland get immortalized in Monumental literary works; such is the case of Derborence, with a novel of the same name from Charles Ferdinand Ramuz. Few locations in Switzerland get set amidst a Natural Park; with novels such as “Terror on the Mountains” Derborence’s remoteness and Wilderness is an apt setting for Ramuz. If the Author uses Fear or Terror to describe the…

Plaine Joux – Lac Vert – Lac de Pormenaz Hike

This is a beautiful T3 hikestarting gently from Plaine Joux towards Lac Vert and Lac de Pormenaz. It starts gently with the scenic view of Lac Vert – a lake that offers a beautiful view of Mont Blanc and its reflection on the lake on a clear day. The surrounding trees make this lake view unique compared to the more famous lakes of the region like Lac Blanc. The Autumn view is a highlight for this…

Camping at Lac Chéserys: the hunt for the Milky Way

Taking pictures of the Milky Way is an activity that can require many requirements that are difficult to meet. Avoiding light pollution, clouds, the full moon, there are so many factors to monitor that planning becomes essential to get a chance for this shot. Living here in Geneva, Switzerland, Bivouac, or camping on the mountains in the mid-summer increases your chances as in the Northern…

Creux-du-Van / Hiking in Switzerland

Among the most famous Hike paths in Switzerland is the “Sentier des 14 contours,” which starts from Noirague and follows the contour of the Creux-du-Van towards Soliat farm. The Creux-du-Van is a rocky cirque which is 1400 meters long and 200 meters in height. A cirque is formed through Glacial erosion and has a shape like an amphitheater. Walking along the edge of the cliff, one can’t help…

Hiking in Switzerland: Bisse d’Ayent and Barrage de Zeuzier

This hike can start uphill from Mayens d’Arbaz towards Barrage du Zeuzier, or you can start from the other way around. We started from Barrage de Zeuzier, and that is where most of my pictures were taken as there the Teuzier barrage is very scenic.

The walk from Barrage de Zeuzier to Mayens d’Arbaz takes around 3-4 hours. You will start on the exposed side of the trail, which is not…

Ride a circular cycling path from Geneva to Céligny via cycling route 50. You will pass by farm and forest paths as well as paved cycling lanes. #Geneva #Switzerland #Céligny #Cycling #Medium

Céligny is another village on the confines of Geneva. Also, it is an exclave with the State of Vaud and France. Most of Céligny is agricultural, and its quiet setting has attracted a fair number of celebrities; among others are Alister MacLean and Richard Burton. The latter had a property just beside the Michelin star restaurant called “Buffet de la gare.” The restaurant is located just across…

Cycling in Switzerland: Geneva to Dardagny #Switzerland #Geneva #Cycling #Dardagny

Dardagny a village surrounded by vineyards near the Westernmost side of Switzerland is a beautiful destination for cycling starting from Geneva.

Here is an itinerary that goes through Cycling lanes and Hiking paths

Start at the bike shop just behind Cornavin Train station. You can pump your wheels, adjust your bike with biking tools, or even rent bikes from here.

Follow the bike lanes…

A tour of Batanes, Just a bit South of the Northern confines of the Philippines lies the island of Batanes. Its isolation commands curiosity among Filipinos and other people across the World.

Just a bit South of the Northern confines of the Philippines lies the island of Batanes. A hundred miles from Luzon, another hundred from Taiwan, facing the harsh currents, high waves and heavy winds of the Pacific Ocean together with the West Philippine Sea, the island is remote. Precisely this is the reason why this destination commands curiosity among Filipinos and people across the World.

Galapagos Islands Ecuador Gallery

Namibia and the wonders of visiting deserts

After flying by the Kalahari Desert, North-West, towards Windhoek, Namibia, I could not help noticing a dry river bed weaving a curved path across the expanse of vast barren lands. Shrubs mark the sinuous curve and, so I reckoned there is water beneath the ground, which is why I thought that the destination is close. The city of Windhoek lies East of the Namib desert in the Central Plateau of…

Circular Hike: Salève: Ascent with “The Grand Gorge” trail and descent on “Pas de l’Échelle” trail

From almost all vantage points of the City of Geneva, the cliff of Mount Salève is an un-mistakable fixture, in the South. On a bright sunny day, a visit to Geneva should include a visit to France, more precisely the top of Salève, let alone through the cable car that breezes visitors to the top in less than 10 minutes, even better a circular hike from the Swiss border!

As I am writing this…

The Aletsch Glacier Path: From Bettmerhorn to Bettmeralp

The circular path from Bettmerhorn to Bettmeralp via Märjelenseeis one of the most breath-taking Hiking paths I have done in the past few years. Imagine walking downhill and in front of you is a river of ice carving its way down the valley, an ongoing process for thousands of years. Along the way, there is an option to walk down towards the Glacier, where you will hear the Glacier move…

On the road: Nairobi to Kampala

It’s the 4th day of our trip from Nairobi to Southern Uganda and back to Nairobi via Masai Mara.We are riding a truck fitted with passenger-friendly seats, but the ride is still rough: the engine roar is harsh and the roads are sometimes in a bad state. Yesterday we crossed the border from Kenya to Uganda and spent 3 long hours waiting for our passports to be stamped despite the fact that there…

I usually bring a flashlight on camping trips, but then again where I am going the Sun never really sets on Summer; so no flashlight this time. On average temperature goes by 7 degree Celsius but the weather can change rapidly… so much so that I came I came prepared  with Winter cloths on this trip. Just a while ago when I arrived at Oslo, I made the mistake of thinking that my Oslo-Longyearbyen…