Tag 147 - to send

09/24/19

- Alex

We leave the rest area relatively early and search for a library due to the bad weather, where we can use the 'lost' time well and productively.

By noon, the weather clears up and we continue driving. First, we stop at a wastewater station that does not work because it has burned down. We continue the trip and after 50 kilometers, we stop directly on the road at a gravel parking lot. Here we enter a narrow and overgrown hiking trail that leads us to a tree that is about 1700 years old - very impressive.

(Above: Not THE old tree, but still a pretty rustic specimen)

(Above: 1700 - 1800 years old)

After another stop for refueling and shopping in a small town, we now turn towards the west coast. Here, a narrow country road winds through the hilly countryside. We want to visit a cave system and park our van on a parking lot after half an hour of winding driving, and walk along a very short hiking trail. The internet said that the cave can be explored with a tour guide or alone. We quickly realize that this is not quite true when we stand in front of the securely locked cave entrance - very disillusioning. So we promptly turn around and try our luck elsewhere. Out of frustration, I accidentally turn onto a gravel road once wrong and this mistake becomes really annoying when we notice it only after 15 minutes, which gives us a 30-minute detour (and 'detour' here means that we end up exactly where we were at the end of the 'detour').

We don't let that spoil our mood and stop at the next roadside parking lot, which is very wide and long; nevertheless, we are the only ones there. Here, a narrow path leads away from the parking lot and to a waterfall. We didn't look at any pictures in advance, so we have no expectations. However, the empty parking lot doesn't promise much.

The trail is only 450 meters long and already halfway along the route, we can hear a growing roar. Through the dense canopy of leaves, we can imagine the falling water, but what awaits us there at the end completely blows us away.

In the valley in front of us lies a cascade about 30 meters high and 30 meters wide, from which (due to the heavy rain of the last few days) immeasurable masses of water flow down. It is an incredibly impressive sight that we enjoy for several minutes (despite the spray that thoroughly soaks us).

We leave the place and now, as evening approaches, we go to our sleeping spot. We park on a cow pasture directly by the water, next to which there is also a small cemetery.

There is only one lonely house in the immediate vicinity, we have no reception, and we are the only campers here - a bit uneasy. But when you turn on the lights in the camper, close the curtains, prepare something delicious to drink and eat, and snuggle up, it doesn't matter where you are; then it's always cozy.

- Alex