Sabalan, Iran (4811m) – Mirror on the Top of the Mountain

I climbed Sabalan (volcanic mountain in north-western Iran) in September 2011; it was one of the most beautiful climbs I ever made (not that I started long time ago … I “only” begun mountaineering in 2006). The “reward” that awaits the tired climber at the top of Sabalan is worth all the effort … an incredible blue lake! It looks like it was put there by God, in a very fitting way. The Iranian group I was with told of hidden mountain energies and Zarathustra stories (he was supposed to be born or buried around Sabalan and also must have written there the Zoroastrian holy book). read more…

Few Days in Paradise – Bali. Episode 3: Tampaksiring, Batur, Pura Besakih

The next day, I left towards Bali’s strongest touristical points – the huge caldera of the Batur volcano, but also Bali’s Vatican, the so-called Mother Temple… obviously, on the way, many other beautiful places and various attractions.

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Few Days in Paradise – Bali. Episode 2: Bedugul, Mengwi, Tanah Lot

Bali is a mountainous island dominated by volcanoes. Some are extinct, others are still active, but there is, obviously, no risk involved, as they are carefully monitored… whenever an erruption is imminent, people will have been warned a few weeks in advance… But, the Ubud mountains are unbelievably beautiful, and the landscapes are absolutely breathtaking… It is worth renting a car and visiting as many places on the island as possible before enjoying a sunset in Tanah Lot.

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Few Days in Paradise – Bali. Episode 1: Ubud

Everytime when somebody asks me which is the place I liked the most, i answer without hesitation – Bali. For me, this seems to be the single place on Earth which mostly resembles Paradise, a green place, filled with flowers, colours, where life’s rhythm isn’t either fast, neither boringly slow, where people live in harmony with the gods, offering them flowers and fruit, receiving, in exchange, rich soil and warm weather.

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Jodhpur – the Blue City of the Maharajahs

“Where from? Where from?” It is the 4217^th “Where from?” I have heard since I got to India. It is the standard question which a vendor or a would-be guide uses to try to start a conversation with His Royal Highness, the Foreign Tourist, who would be me. “I am from Bhutan”, I answer bluntly. “It’s impossible” retorts the seller, amazed. “Yes, I am the adopted son of Bhutan’s King, the best friend of the Crown Prince and the fifth in line to inherit the crown.” The seller is left bewildered. Although I will often hear the word Bhutan around me, no seller will ask me where I come from again… Welcome to India ! Welcome to Jodhpur !

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