South Africa : first days

After getting acclimated to the driving on the left side of the road we now have to adapt to the South African way of life. I must admit the first hours aren't always easy. First, after taking gas it seems that the persons who tanks waits for a tip, but what I gave him didn't seem to be enough. First lesson learned. (After discussing the topics with locals, it appears that tipping is never compulsory, but that 2/3rands are a nice sign if the guy washes the window - a 5rand tip is okay is they check the tyres/water... So we were actually right ;-))

We decided to go visit Pilgrim's rest and we learned our second lesson : don't leave your dirty car (see previous post drive to Horseshoe falls for explanations) alone because when you come back it's all clean but they are waiting for their tip. Nice place but more touristic than authentic.

We started the "Panoramic view road" along Blyde River Canyon. Our next stop, the "three Rondavels". This place is really breathtaking. Three gigantic detached mountains with two rivers at their bottom. Even though this is only our second day I would say it's a "must see". The next stop is also really nice, the "Bourke's Luck Potholes". You can see potholes carved in stone by a river. It's really impressive.
The two sites have low entry fees (R10 & R80 for us two), so don't hesitate: the sites are clean and well maintained, and you really don't want to miss these views :-)

Later we went to God's window which is interesting but not as much as the two first sites. As everything closes at 05PM we couldn't visit "The Pinnacle" which seems to be nice but again after seeing the two first one it is a little bit less impressive. We went back to the Valley View backpackers for a good night rest.

Pilgrim's Rest

Three Rondawels

Blyde River Canyon

Bourke's Luck Potholes

South Africa : D-Day

The D-Day is finally there. Getting so excited to finally travel to Africa. The start was a bit exhausting with 12 hours of plane travel. But we finally put a foot on the African soil, yeah. First thing to do is to get through the customs and get all bagages. Next, get the car, humm... that might be a bit more difficult. We got a small Ford Figo, didn't even know they had that model. Anyway, found the car and now big day, driving on the left side of the road. It's really hard to get use to it but it will do. I'll probably go a few times on the wrong side of the car for a few days but it will be alright.

On the drive to our first place we've crossed a lot of flat and dry landscapes like you would imagine. However, getting close to Sabie we start to see hills and more contrasted views. Our first choice of the day was to visit the Horseshoe Falls. Even though the falls were nice, we had to drive 2 kilometer on a dirt road with the brand new renting car, at least it's still in one piece :-). Afterwards we went to the Mac Mac pools and falls to finish the already well filled day in the Valley View Backpacker.

This place is really amazing and friendly. Everybody can find what he's looking for.

Near Sabie

 Mac Mac Falls

Mac Mac Pools

Valley View Backpackers

South Africa : Trip to South Africa

Even though we've always wanted to visit South Africa, it's after a TV Show (Amazing Race) that we decide it was the good time to go. When we told people we would travel to South Africa their first reaction would be : "Pay attention to wild animals, they are dangerous" or "Don't get robbed because South Africa is an unsecured country". Well guess what, it didn't stop us.

We booked the plane and the car well in advance. We had to decide what we wanted to see and knowing we wanted to go to Kruger we knew we'd stay in the eastern part of the country. You'll see hereunder what we've come up to. Just waiting to be there...

Norway : Oslo

We had already travelled around the west coast of Norway in 2009 but didn't have the time to visit the capital. It's now a done deal.

We stayed at the Scandic Fornebu as we had some very good deal (http://www.scandichotels.com/Hotels/Norway/Oslo/Fornebu/#.UrINT2RDtiw). Well we really couldn't complain. It's a really nice design hotel with good food. Of course, Fornebu is a little bit outside of Oslo but it was interesting walking around. It's amazing how everything is made to have an healthy life over there. You can see bike paths everywhere in this economic neighbourhood and public transport are as punctual as a swiss watch. Another sight of Fornebu is the Statoil building which seems to be based on pick-up sticks.

We took the tramway to go in the center of Oslo. We first stopped at the Royal Palace and its parcs which are as big as two city blocks. Afterwards we went to the port where we saw the impressive Town hall and a little bit on the side the old fort. If you keep on following the water you finally arrive at the well know Opera house.

Beside these major touristic attraction, Oslo isn't the city that impressed us the most but as we wandered in the streets we just felt good and the sphere was friendly. We discovered some street art around a corner and a little further we went through the neatest little street of Oslo. This was a small pedestrian street where we found some old well decorated wooden houses with a lot of colours (Damstredet).

Belgium : Local heritage day

Every year, the first weekend of september, a lot of old monuments and buildings publicly and privately owned are open to everyone in Belgium. This allowed us to visit a restored forge. This is an opportunity to see what is hiding behind the walls of your neighbourhood. (http://www.belgium-tourism.net/informations/events_region_bruxelloise__journees_du_patrimoine___heritage_days/en/E/19329.html)

Luxembourg : Little Switzerland

We had a weekend free so we decided to go hike in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg more specifically in the region called "Little Switzerland of Luxembourg". This region is well known of climbers as there are rocks and cracks everywhere. This and all the hills is of course what gave the name to this region. (http://www.mullerthal.lu/en)

This region isn't known of a lot of people although it's definitely worth a stop. During this last summer holiday weekend we decided to walk the Route 2 of the Mullerthal Trail (about 37km). We started at Scheidgen (where we parked the car) and walked to Echternach (about 11km). We spend the night at the Camping Freibad in Echternachbrücker (Germany http://www.echternacherbrueck.de/campingplatz/fr). This is a big camping ground but just what we needed to put our tent en rest for the next day. Note also that they allow dogs :-)

View from the camping ground

The next day we started by having a nice breakfast at the "Pâtisserie Thinnes Claude" (http://www.editus.lu/ed/fr/patisserie-thinnes-claude-echternach-2939.html) where we had local bakeries. We then started our route to Berdorf, Mullerthal (with the beautiful "Schiessentümpel") en then back to Scheidgen.

Our little piece of advice is as we only hiked 11km the first day, it's really hard to make the last 26km the day after if you want to be able to stop to contemplate the rocks and nature around you. We would advise you to split the walk more or less evenly.

Belgium : Walking between the twists and turns of the Semois

We had always said we would go hike in the valley of the Semois near the town of Bouillon. We finally did it. We parked our car in the village of Rochehaut which has also a beautiful view on the valley and a well-known restaurant "Auberge de la Ferme". We went from Rochehaut to Dohan through the woods and then started to follow back the river to Rochehaut.

Rochehaut

We had taken our tent with us so we stopped at a rest place about 5km from Bouillon near the river. Wild camping isn't allowed in Belgium but we minimized our impact on our environment and left at sunset. We started the next day with a breakfast in Bouillon. Next to the countryside Bouillon has a lot to offer. One of the main attraction is the castle build around the 10th century and where the well-known Godefroy de Bouillon has lived.

Bouillon

 Bouillon's castle

Narrow streets near the castle

After leaving Bouillon we followed the flow of the river to arrive at the next viewpoint : the Giant's Tomb.

 Giant's tomb ("Tombeau du Géant")

At the end we had hiked about 50kms in two days. Near Poupehan we found a small portion of another hike that we had to do, the "hike of the ladders". I would recommend it to anyone who isn't scared of heights. You have nice views over the valley.