Beauty of world through the eyes of Konigsee!!

Have you ever opened a book and right in the beginning itself you feel like you have dived into something wonderful? Yeah it was one such experience.
We left from Herzogenaurach to Munich through Erlangen. We took the M-train that goes to Salzburg and changed trains at Freilassing deviating to Berchtesgaden.
As the tiny train carved its way towards our destination, the mountains grew taller, the streams grew wider and farms grew greener with colors of fall and cows grazing on them speckled all over.

Geography: Situated in southern Germany in Bavarian state, close to German Austrian border.

Language: German, English

Currency: Euro

Getting There: To reach Berchtesgarden, take M-train from Munich. Get down at Freilassing. Change trains in Freilassing to Berchtesgarden. From here, take bus 841 and 842 from bus stand just outside the train station. Nearest airport is Salzburg.

What’s Famous here: Lake Konigsee, Lake Obersee, Eagles Nest.

My Story:
I had just heard that lake Konigsee was one of the best scenic things that you could probably see in Europe, but I had not seen even a single picture. I cannot tell whether it was the confidence on German alps to enthrall me or was it mere ignorance or self created suspense on the place.
Berchtesgaden felt unimaginably fresh, the air felt so pure, music of streams crashing ground and making way through valley, a hilly little town that can make you drown in pleasant wilderness.

Center of Berchtesgaden

After our lunch, We left to visit Eagle's nest. Took taxi to Dokumentation from where we get buses to the top. An amazing place providing historical information on Nazi's.
We get birds eye view of Konigsee from the top of Eagles nest. The weather was perfect with sunshine and chilly air, I was surrounded by alps again and one can never get enough of it.

Birds eye-Lake Konigsee

Evening was ours to explore the town. It was very unique, it had lot of tiny hills, so we had to ascend and descend many of them to visit different corners. We found a lovely restaurant where i had delicious spaghetti with home made cheese to end the day.

It was early morning in the German-Austrian border. We reached the shore from where we could take electric boats. I could not trust my eyes nor my senses.
It was one of those misty mornings when the sky is inked in blanket of limitless blue, soft wisps of fog caressing me, the images far from my sight beautified by moving blockade of fog bringing them close to heart. My breath emerging delicately, loosing its power as it dissipates into chilly air, blending with the fog.

Magic starts here

All of us were silent for few minutes, We were frozen admiring the view around us, not even taking pics for some minutes.

Boat started, thawing our thrill. Surrounded by steep, huge mountains, the sight that we get in the beginning makes us believe that the lake is not as big as it really is. The lake zig-zag's, so at any point in time you feel like its the end of the lake, and as you move further, it keeps extending, unfolding its marvel. It was so pretty with sun stretching over the mountains.

Symphony of mountains

While on boat, there comes a point where we are surrounded completely from all sides by mountains, with absolutely no sight of shore or the destination. To add more to the experience, we had someone from the boat crew playing saxophone, he asked us to listen to the echo of the music coming from the nature around us. Pristine!! After some stops and 45 mins of ride through the valley of surprises, we reached Salet, the farthest and last stop.

This place, it cannot be real. I get goosebumps even when i'm writing this. It was divine, Sun was awake completely, striking the lake letting us view the mysteries it beheld.

Salet

Salet

Salet

Walking slowly and seeing all around, as far as my eyes could, absorbing as much as my soul could. Directly opposite to the stop,far on the other side of the shore I could spot a waterfall running on the face of the cliff, somewhere far I could see heard of cows grazing on another cliff.

Beautiful..

We moved ahead, I was reminding myself to take a moment, this is not real, every 5 mins. All flowers far looked so beautiful, the sound of water flowing in between such natural gardens, pure natural colors these are tiny minute feelings that one cannot explain, the experience of freedom in tiny little stuff is the real joy of life.

Let's go..

We decided to visit Lake Obersee first and then continue our journey to Rothbach waterfalls. Its about 1:30 hours hike from Salet.
Obersee is only 15,20 mins walk from Salet. We may have seen some pictures that make us feel, come on this is just a painting , may not be real. It was the moment when that thought was shattered.  The lake was so still that it reflected everything above it and around it.

Obersee

Obersee

We hesitated to take next step stuck in the beauty of Obersee.
As we made way through the jungle, brushing the mountains ascending around Obersee, it seemed really big.

Brushing alps

From the top-Obersee

We walked around the lake and continued towards the maze of mountains, valleys and grasslands. We do have a cafe here, a coffee in the middle of alps, peacefully taking every sip.

After the cafe..

We finally reached Rothbach falls after trek and hike for about 2 hours. We were sweating a lot, so decided to take bath in the falls.

From the top of the Rothbach falls..

 How naive we were to go and stand in the water, it was freezing cold that we ran from it the moment it touched us. But we collected all the energy and stood under the falls for sometime. After spending some time standing tall in the top viewing picture perfect alps in front us, we were on our way back.

We reached Salet and took the boat back to where we started.
Later in the day we left  to Herzogenaurach feeling dizzy about what we saw.
I was put into deep thought throughout my journey.
I felt like I have been ignoring, rather have procrastinated to see, experience and realize the wonders of this life. The secrets behind the tiny little things unfolding around us, as simple as a wind carrying the smell of lake, the greens around them, sunshine absorbing the fog slowly, cow grazing in complete freedom, flock of birds owning the sky these simple things are most satisfying. Each of us have our ways of finding keys to the doors of our soul. Travel is one of those keys.
Through the eyes of Konigsee I experienced the beauty of the world.

Tips:

• The lake is frozen during winters, so visit during summers.
• While changing trains in Freilassing, be quick the train stops for very less time.
• Accommodation is pricey in the center of Berchtesgaden, choose wisely.

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com

Meeting ends of Earth-The Arctics-Tromso, Norway

I was in class 7, my Geography teacher explained to me about the phenomenon of lights glowing in dark sky in Arctics and Antarctica. I was amazed and I can recall clearly that the naive me, had wishes to see them in the terrace. After one and half decades now, the curiosity has not reduced rather growing dearly.
I was pulled back from my thoughts when stewardess announced we will be landing in Tromso in next few minutes. Flight kissed the land, I could not believe that I was in the Arctics. It was one my very very dear dreams to set foot in Arctics.

Geography: Tromso is to the north of Norway, in fact to the north of Earth, the Arctic circle.

Language: Norwegian, Nynorsk, Sami, English

Currency: Norwegian krone

Getting There: Domestic flights are available from Oslo, Bergen, Bodo and Narvik. International flights are available from London, Helsinki, Gdansk, Stockholm and Munich. Please do check as some of th flights operate only during winter. I suggest flights simply because of road conditions in winter.

What’s famous here: Northern Lights, Arctic Church.

My Story:
Dramatic views of mountains dressed in snow, frozen lakes and thin sunlight escorted me to my hotel from airport. There are frequent buses from airport to city center.

It was freezing cold, sunlight is very different in this part of the earth. There is no lack of fascinating phenomena in the Arctics. I was here in the first week of February. Between end of November to end of January, we have something called polar nights, during which sun never comes above horizon. It is hard to imagine this unless we experience it.
I had a lovely chat with hotel guys and left to explore the place. I covered streets in the city, had delightful lunch and continued crashing with arctic winds and blowing to rest of the streets.

The lifestyle here is so relaxed. I moved across the Tromsoysundet strait, walking over the majestic marvel Tromso bridge giving splendid views of the lands on either sides.

I met the Arctic church on the other side of the strait.
It was already getting dark and I had to get back to prepare myself for a very special night.

More food to energize and I reached tourist office on time. I had booked a tour with Chasing Lights and I had only one shot at this. The bus arrived, our guides for tonight, Jonas and Meda greeted us and told us that we had to go far away from city lights and look for absolute darkness to have great views of Aurora. I was praying that nature should be kind to me tonight.

Millions of miles away, Sun emits solar flares. These winds posses charged particles that travel at tremendous speed and crash onto earth's atmosphere. When they collide with earth's Magnetic shield they burst giving colorful photons. This is Aurora and can be seen in the poles.

We drove to north east of Tromso to a valley called Horse Track. It was freezing cold, snow was squeaking under my feet. I had never been in such cold until then, when I inhale my nose used to freeze and when I exhale it would be back to normal, my face was frozen. It was 10 past 9, we were still waiting in the same valley in the dark waiting for the magic to take place. To the north, our guides shouted, and all of us looked in such excitement but we could not spot anything. It was very very faint glow. So, we decided to go to a much better place and we drove for another 40 mins to reach village Laksvatn.
Even in such darkness we could absorb and notice the beauty of that place. The outline of mountains surrounding us, cold breeze and to add to this incredible location we had a frozen lake behind us.
We were free to explore the place and were moving all around. Had a nice chat with Meda and Jonas about their job and about places I have been to. The sky was so clear, though I live under the same sky, I have never seen it so clear. The stars were so bright and seemed as if they are closer to me.

A pleasant ambush in the north horizon, a faint arch growing stronger and brighter. I was looking up and smiling in awe. Slowly the wave of excitement increased and everyone were laughing, giggling, kissing and taking pictures.

In a short time the arch was huge and began to change its shape. It covered the entire sky making beautiful formations.

I could experience its full glory as there were many bursts of Aurora one after the other dancing in dark sky with its beautiful colorful robe. I have never felt nature so close to me, it was in its purest form.

I would also like to spill the secret out that, the intensity of northern lights that can be seen in pictures is not the same with naked eye. It is less intense, but that being said, it is absolutely soul stirring experience.
I felt so lucky, from being a kid when I had dreams of witnessing this celestial phenomenon to this night, on a cold winter night out there somewhere in the middle of nowhere in the arctic circle, engulfing the wilderness.
For a very small time frame I felt part of Universe than just being part of earth. It's a feeling I can't explain. A celestial phenomenon makes you feel so tiny.

After such a splendid choreography of northern lights in pure style, we decided to have a camp fire near the frozen lake. The guides spelled out saying it was -21 degrees and the feel temperature could be around -23 degrees. It is the coldest I have been so far.
The crowd was a mix of  people from Columbia, Sweden, England, Korea and me from India. There were so much fun chit chatter that happened, each of us shared the best places that can be visited in our countries.

We became a little wild and started to walk on the frozen lake, rather slide I should say on the frozen lake. Holding hands and helping each other to take one step at a time. Moving boulders of ice, breaking them, having hot chocolate and biscuits in the middle of some unknown valley, how much more satisfying this can be.
It was around 1:30 AM we left the place, soaked in adventure and delight. I can't Thank enough to Chasing lights for making my dream come true and yeah all the above pictures of northern lights were shared by them
I had a peaceful sleep that night.

Early next morning I had my flight back to Oslo and to Brussels from there.

Our planet has plenty of wonders to give us. There are places that are not explored, places that are less explored and places that can never be explored.
Each inch in our planet is a gift. The versatility in texture of our planet from one place to another is above our imagination capabilities. Come to the Arctics, experience what it feels when there is scarce population, when it is freezing cold, when days and nights have a different meaning, when nature is intimidating and beautiful at the same time.

The glory of travel is the feeling of being born again. Where you are unaware of everything around you. You are a child again. You cannot read anything, you cannot speak the language, you don't know if you can even cross the road or reliably eat something present in a menu card. Your existence is new, its a series of mix of learning and guesses. Perhaps you can experience to live many lives in one single life and that can happen only through travel.

Tips:

• Choose your time wisely. Between December to Mid of February is the best time for northern lights.
• Book with Chasing Lights, they are very friendly and makes sure you get the best scenes of sky drama.
• Hotels and hostels are pretty costly, book in advance.

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com

Savoring Baltic Breeze- Vilnius- Lithuania

Baltics is a region in Europe that is overlooked by most of them as a travel destination. Lithuania is a country you don't read about much in blogs and travel sites. Well, as a curious traveler, I'd love to explore every inch of this planet.

Geography: 

Vilnius is capital of Lithuania, Baltic country brushing borders of Latvia, Belarus, Russia and Poland.

Language:

Lithuanian, English

Currency:

Euro

Getting There:

Since its on far east side of Europe, even though there are buses from different cities, flights would be the best option.

What's Famous here:

Gediminas Castle, St. Annes church, Old town, Trakai island Castle, Gate of Dawn.

My Story:

I came out of the airport, drizzles of rain had started to decorate the city. As I entered the city of Vilnius, it felt more like I was put back to medieval ages.

I was out in the streets to explore as soon as I finished my lunch. The fun and excitement in exploring a new and an unknown place is indescribable. 

The fall colors were still very evident and it had sprinkled itself all over the city.
The best thing about Vilnius is that, it is small which means its incredibly walk-able.

What's really inconspicuous about Vilnius is that, its very honest in what its giving to us. It still retains its true vibe, its nature of innocence.
The history of Lithuania is filled with grit, belief, oppression and faith. It has been slaughtered during and after world war. Its stubbornness to stay what it was, is what makes it beautiful.
Crossing beautiful streets, I reached Gate of Dawn. It is the last Gate in defense wall standing for Vilnius. Walk through the arch in the gate realizing that you have passed through something that is standing for many centuries.

Gate of Dawn

Gate of Dawn

The atmosphere and environment of old town really meets the meaning of the name given to it. There are plenty of old churches in this area and I visited few. You really feel like you are in 1700's when you are walking in the streets here.

Old Town

Old Town

Old Town

Hopping street after street I reached the Bell tower and Vilnius Cathedral. The mark of Soviet is so very visible even today all over the town.
I like to explore and travel raw. Visiting famous landmarks is not the only aim when I reach a place. I like to go street after street, talk to locals, go to tiny cafes and restaurants, shop in small shops, try some local food, get a true sense and attitude of the place. I did the same and Vilnius rewarded me nicely.

Delicious dinner

Early in the morning next day, I had a bus to Trakai which is about 50 mins away from Vilnius. Many would have overlooked this wonderful place even though they have visited Vilnius.
A small bus brought me to this very scarcely populated place. From the bus station the Medieval castle is about 6 miles. I began to walk as lakes on either side of me gave company.

On the way to Castle

On the way to Castle

It was end of fall, the entire village was showered with leaves. Colorful images, smell of rain, and loud silence joining me to visit the island castle. It looked more like a Disney castle, placed perfectly in a small island surrounded by Galve lake.

Medieval Castle

Medieval Castle

I spent some time inside the castle paying attention to its architecture and history. Later, a lazy walk around the castle and lovely time in the shops entertaining with some local items and souvenirs kept me excited.

Around Castle

Inside Castle

Inside Castle

After spending half a day in Trakai I came back to Vilnius to visit Uzupis and St. Annes church.
Uzupis is an interesting neighborhood in Vilnius claimed to be a republic of its own formed by group of artists. Well, the constitution has some crazy rules and the formation day is celebrated on April fools day.

Uzupis Constitution

Uzupis Constitution listed on the wall

St.Annes Church is one of its kind located close to Uzupis. 

St. Annes Church

Rain poured on that afternoon, so I decided to spend some time indoors shopping and looking for unique stuff native to the land.

Great coffee bars, plenty of history, oozing natural beauty, street art, medieval neighborhoods and good food is definitely a perfect combination for trip.
The farther we go to explore the pureness and uniqueness of a land, the more we gain in exploring ourselves and the world.
The satisfaction of a sleep can be realized only after we wake up, likewise the richness of travel can be realized very very slowly when culture and philosophy of various lands has become a part of you enriching and enlightening you to view the world with a much better vision.

Tips:

• Best time to visit the place is fro May to October.
• Uzupis can stamp your passport with their visa on your request.
• Find a Hostel/Hotel close to old town.

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com

The Charm of Chamonix!!

Inside a Swizz train coach, I occupy a window seat, through the pane my eyes graze over alps while images of Zermatt in the past occupying much of present in my mind. The affair with Alps continues from Zermatt to Chamonix (pronounced as Sha-mo-nee).

Geography: Chamonix is placed beautifully in the middle of french alps close to swizz border.

Language: French, English

Currency: Euro

Getting There: It's 2 hours from Geneva by bus. Mont Blanc express train is from Martigny in Swizz. It's about 2 hours fro another beautiful French town Annecy.

What's famous here: Mont Blanc, Aiguille Du Midi, Montenvers

My Story:
The 2 hour ride from Geneva to Chamonix din't seem like what clock showed. Along with me, some students from England were asking curious questions to a lady who's home is Chamonix. She works in Geneva and she visits Chamonix every week, who else is better to guide us about French alps.
she has descended Aiguille Du Midi 45 times. I have mentioned before that I have this disease of wanting to climb every mountain I see. I got inevitably inspired by her to trek Aiguille Du Midi. A big thanks to her.

At night 10 pm when I got down from the bus and looked around, I was stunned to see panorama of mountains circled around me. The ice caped peaks were still glowing in the dark. I had goosebumps within minutes of lading in Chamonix. Never before I have been beautifully intimidated by mountains as here.
I snuggled down into my bed in an old lovely Chalet hostel.

Sun rays were fighting its way to touch earth in the early morning fog as I sipped hot coffee sighting snow caped mountains from the dine table in hostel. The climate seemed perfect for my intentions.

However huge a mountain is when you view it from a distance your chin doesn't go up, but here in Chamonix you have to lift your chin up to check out the massif. I'm trying to shape your imagination to the best extent in saying that the mountains are very close to us and the vertical ascend is pretty steep.

My Hostel in Chamonix

Village of Chamonix

Village of Chamonix

Village of Chamonix

After a chat with the hostel person asking for suggestions and things to do, tips and tricks of the place, i was all set to ascend the alps (again).

On the way to Cable car station

I reached the station of cable cars that can take me to Aiguille Du Midi. These are one of the highest cable car systems operating in world. We need to take 2 cables cars to reach the top. The first one covers 80% of distance and the second one, designed to just ascend very steeply in the final 20% of the climb.
Take a moment to realize that you are in one of the highest places on planet Earth.

Aiguille Du Midi

Unbelievable Scene 

You get a clear view of Mont Blanc from Aiguille Du Midi which is just right opposite to you.It is the highest peak in Europe.

Mont Blanc

I spent some hours in the top moving around the peak and experiencing pureness of such nature. There are no second thoughts, I will be trekking down to the bottom from here. It showed 3 hrs walk to Montenvers in the sign board. In minute weather changed and It had just started to snow very lightly.
Inhaling the adventure at every step, surrounded by massive massive alps I was in love with this page of my life. We get amazing views from the top, rivers can be spotted, roads and valleys from one of the highest mountain ranges, this is truly satisfying. I took a break where i could meet some fellow walkers, some of them told me that they were doing this for 5th, 7th time and I could really feel why people do this descend many times. This honestly is one of the best hiking paths that I have taken.

Trekking View

Trekking Path

From the top

Through some snow, rocks, around boulders, mud and forest, I reached Montenvers. You get to see Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in Chamonix. There is also a museum which explains the formation of  glacier and its life cycle.
The Grand hotel in Montenvers is running from 1880, so there's quite some things unique to this place. Train from Montenvers started from early 1900's, so it was a old historical track that i will be setting foot on. A tiny vintage train brings us down by giving fabulous views of the village. I was tired and hungry, I found a lovely restaurant to feed myself and spent some time looking around.
I raced back to hostel to refresh and was back on streets to feel the evening vibe of the village. Evening grew and lights were lit, silhouette of mountains descending on the valley.

Valley

Panorama of Mountains

Picture perfect

Village of Chamonix

Village of Chamonix

Village of Chamonix

The streets were graceful in escorting me from one to another and letting me discover its charming secrets. I found a pizza shop which had lovely benches out in the cold, and i couldn't resist to try it out. Back to chalet hostel, recollecting the unbelievable day, I slipped into sleep.

During my breakfast on the next day, my hostel guy told me that he will give me a card. If we stay in Chamonix, all the hotels and hostels can give us a card which is valid in Mont Blanc express till the french border(Vallorcine), it is free of cost. Mont Blanc express is a train that connects Martigny in Switzerland and Chamonix in France. It is one of the most scenic routes in the continent. We need to change trains in Vallorcine when the train crosses the borders of countries.
I took the train and was speechless at the sight of scenery.

Route of Mont Blanc express

Train stops in plenty of villages which presents vivid colors and images that does not fade in our minds for a long long time.

Vallorcine

Vallorcine

I got down in Vallorcine, walked around the village. I Walked back to Le Buet which is another village near Vallorcine. You never get tired of hiking because of the new friend that would you have made here, the nature.

Between Vallorcine and Le Buet

Between Vallorcine and Le Buet

I took Mont Blanc express back to Chamonix, it had started to rain a little. Chamonix is a perfect place that has something for everyone, from kids to the old people. From Skiing to hikes to treks to sightseeing, there is plenty to do and experience here.
From here I take a bus that goes to Lyon through Annecy.

On the way to Annecy

Each place I go, takes a permanent place in my heart. Every place has its own special sunrise and sunset and it can be experienced only by being there.

Tips:

• Mont Blanc express train is a spectacular experience that can be taken from Martigny is Swizz to Chamonix in France.
• Cable car is good but while coming down i highly recommend you to trek down from the top.
• Take travel card from the hotel you stay, the travel is free in Mont blanc express till the France border.

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com