Fitz Roy and El Chalten

Posted on February 17, 2014 by schdani

El Chalten, Anreise

With just 600 inhabitants, one should not believe that El Chalten is one of the most visited destinations Argentina and thus fixed point on my world trip. Squire 3.5 hours by bus from El Calafate, due to the unique landscape and belonging to the family of llamas guanacos (standing on the side of the road) go by very fast, you then arrives in the capital hikers.

Fitz Roy

The best view of the Cerro Fitz Roy, who is the highest mountain in the area of 3405 m, we got on Ankuftstag from the village, because after that we had to get used to the stormy clouds and polluted air of the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares.

The National Park and its routes

In the National Park Los Glaciares There are about 8 Haupttreckingrouten, all of which consist of about 1 meter wide roads, making it impossible to get lost and no guide is necessary.

DC in the afternoon we went despite the extremely high wind force on the 1,5 hours Laguna Capri to get a better look at the Fitz Roy massif. Even the way out from the observable landscape around the Rio de las Vueltas is breathtaking.

Unfortunately, thick clouds have covered the summit of Fitz Roy then in Laguna, but the hike was worth in any case.

The next day we went on to the Lago del Pliege Tumbado to have from there the only panoramic views of all the surrounding mountains. Strenuous 3.5 hours later, passing viewpoints of the Lago Viedma, it was done: Although somewhat cloudy and very windy again, the view of the Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre and Cerro Solo was second to none! You could also see the Laguna Torre of the glacier.

Even though you should be prepared for all weather conditions, El Chalten is undoubtedly the Treckinghauptstadt Argentina.

Perito Moreno Glacier El Calafate und

Posted on February 11, 2014 by schdani

Thank God in El Calafate we had better luck with our accommodation, a homely bed and breakfast quite to our liking! From there we booked then also the trip for the next day. On the way to the glacier Perito Moreno convinced us of the vastness of Patagonia.

We also paid a typical farm, a so-called Estancia a visit and say there as formerly, the animals were kept and then as they were grilled for dinner, the typical dish is cooked a la parilla yes!

The Perito Moreno is one of the easiest-reach glaciers in the world, so to see him on the day and about 3000 people.

Also this is one of the most dynamic Eisriese the world, he has a growth of 2 meters per day, of which we were able to convince several chunks of ice fall itself. It is the speed with which overthrow the gigantic ruins in the depth and cause a noise like thunder.

Then we made even watch a short boat ride to the ice wall of the glacier Perito Moreno still from 300 meters away.

El Calafate is so satisfied with the starting point of all trips to the glacier and a nice little village with the infrastructure needs as a tourist. It is situated on Lago Argentino, the 1600 km2 largest lake in the country, where walk in the lagoon different animals, among others flamingos.

Adios Costa Rica, arriba Argentina!!

Posted on February 11, 2014 by schdani

Wir haben uns ja mental ja schon auf unseren Transfer in Miami eingestellt und uns sogar. Strategien ausgedacht um die Wartezeit zu verkürzen, doch siehe da, fast keine anderen Flüge sind zu selben Zeit gelandet, also weder Stau beim Zoll noch bei der Sicherheitskontrolle waren Leute, sodass wir die restlichen 4 Stunden zum Weiterflug ruhig verbrachten.

Aber natürlich konnte unser Transporttag nicht ohne Zwischenfälle verlaufen und so starteten wir eine Stunde später aufgrund eines technischen Defekts am Flugzeug und wir hatten dann gleich zwei Kinder eine Reihe vor uns, die ein ziemlich lautes Organ hatten, sodass insgesamt sich die Schlafstunden in Grenzen hielten….aber gut, am a Morgen kamen wir dann in Buenos Aires an, wo uns unser vom Hostel bestelltes Taxi natürlich nicht abgeholt hat.

Auch das Hostel an sich war und ist einfach nur grauenhaft! Die Wände und Bettwäsche voller Flecken und der Boden und das Bad dreckig. Nun gut das heißt mit Flip Flops duschen und im Schlafsack schlafen. Und…auf der Mauer auf der Mauer sitzt a kleine W…. die mich auch trotz Schlafsack 3 Mal gebissen hat!!

Am nächsten Tag mussten wir dann weiter mit dem Flieger nach El Calafate und sagten Bescheid, dass wir um 8h frühstücken wollten. Selbstverständlich war das Frühstück nicht fertig und wir beschlossen dann um 8.30h zum Flughafen zu fahren bzw zu schwimmen, da es gerade in Strömen regnete.

Aber gut, wir hatten Glück im Unglück und flogen nicht mit Aerolineas Argentinas die alle Flüge aufgrund des Gewitters absagte, sondern hatten dann nur insgesamt 4 Stunden Verspätung. Leider wurde unser Flug aber auf keinem Bildschirm angezeigt und auch keine Lautsprecherdurchsagen hielten uns am neuesten Stand. Aber gut, schlussendlich zog das Gewitter ab, das Flugzeug konnte aufgetankt werden und wir kamen spät aber doch in El Calafate an!

Und keine Angst, obwohl unser erster Tag in Argentinien etwas anstrengend war, von da an gings bergauf! Mehr dazu später….

Costa Riquissssima - Essen in Mittelamerika

Posted on February 6, 2014 by schdani

Delicious and cheap food in Costa Rica

In the 17 days we spent in Costa Rica, we had the opportunity to taste the national dishes. This also does not take too long, because that is the same for breakfast, lunch and dinner here .... mostly rice and beans ...

Gallo Pinto, das Landesgericht

The most famous dish in Costa Rica consists of prepared the day before rice with red beans. Both ingredients with the addition of some spices fried with a little oil in a pan and then together with other side dishes such as scrambled eggs and / or bananas (below) served.

Ceviche – Roher Fisch als Suhsi-Alternative

When Ceviche is a seafood dish that has its origins actually in countries such as Peru, but has been transformed in Costa Rica to a food that is offered almost everywhere.

Kochbananen

At virtually every dish in Costa Rica are served as a side dish plantains.

The second method of preparation is also part of almost every meal. Here the bananas are roasted in the oven on both sides, added a little oil or butter and then cut lengthwise according to taste and add cheese. Above all, this version is for breakfast very popular.

Otherwise, we also eat a lot of fried or deep-fried fish eaten as here, the fajitas into strips.

Since it is mainly consumed in Costa Rica, what is grown in their own country, there is the typical food stalls, the "soda" rather little varied dishes as above.

Aber natürlich gibt es fast überall auch internationale Restaurants mit Essen aus aller Welt, wobei man hier tiefer in die Tasche greifen muss. Während man in Sodas für ca. 5 Euro ein Hauptgericht bekommt, muss man dafür in einem Restaurant fast das doppelte einrechnen.

Are very popular in Costa Rica and the fresh fruit juices and milkshakes which are available everywhere for about 2 euros. You fit especially in the hot months to excellent salads.

Even though we are now a long time no rice to eat more beans, tasted it to us anyway in Costa Rica!

Vulkane Poas und Irazú

Posted on February 6, 2014 by schdani

Excursions to the volcanoes

In unseren letzten zwei Tagen in Costa Rica, wollten wir in zwei Tagesausflügen von der Hauptstadt San Jose aus zwei Vulkane der Umgebung erkunden. Es war zu Beginn trotz Karte vom Tourismusbüro gar nicht so einfach herauszufinden wo genau die Busse abfahren, doch mit etwas Geduld und guten Spanischkenntnissen haben wir es dann doch geschafft!

After a tiring bus journey of 3 hours we reached finally the peak of the first volcano, the Poas, which is 2704 meters high and 1953 is the last time erupted. As before, a smelly sulfur from the crater cloud rises, it is however compensated by the view.

On a 60 minute scenic walk through a grove of trees to get past the beautiful Botos Laguna, just green shimmers in the sunlight.

Direkt am Eingang gibt es ein interessantes Visitor Center mit einem netten Geschäft für Souvenirs und Sanitäranlagen. Wie fast überall in Costa Rica ist alles sehr gepflegt sodass man gut versorgt ist.

Ohne Rast und ohne Ruh ging es dann am nächsten Tag weiter zum zweiten Aussichtspunkt.

Mit 3432 Metern ist der Vulkan Irazu der höchste in Costa Rica der seit dem 18. Jahrhundert 15 Mal ausgebrochen ist. Schon bei der Busfahrt kann es einem aufgrund der Höhe relativ schwindelig werden, obwohl die Straße wirklich nicht sehr steil und breit gebaut ist. Gott sei Dank wir am Hinweg ein kleiner Stopp in einem Souvenir- und Snackshop eingelegt, sodass man auch den Höhenunterschied etwas besser wegsteckt.

The crater of the Irazu Volcano is 1050 meters wide and 300 meters deep. The landscape around the volcano is impressive, especially the view down to the city of Cartago, or when fill the valleys with clouds.

After a short but due to the amount strenuous climb to the lookout point, we have our snack really deserves, at least we thought ..... but we did not expect the hungry anteaters, has made us a Stricht by the bill! Na meal!

Manzanillo National Park - Frogs and more!

Posted on February 3, 2014 by schdani

Why the Manzanillo National Park

Now we are back and already traveled almost 1.5 weeks across Costa Rica and have not seen the "national animal" the frog. There was on the West Coast was the dry season, the colorful little things are not really to be found, but they had given us the tip, but our happiness in times National Wildlife Refuge Gandoca Manzanillo to try and since we already had before to look at the Caribbean coast, this fitted in well with our plans.

Already in Corcovado National Park, we found that we're screwed without a guide in the rainforest. You would then have to give it night not extend to or be concerned to meet unknown perhaps poisonous animals that you do not happen to look for what you want to see!

That is why we booked here in Manzanillo a guided half-day tour and we got one of the most best guides in the area, Ricky, who is descended from the indigenous people of Costa Rica.

Again, we met again to the Jesus Christ lizard with its cool mohawk look.

And in the rest of the bushes as always cavorted any amount of other reptiles and insects .... like this little gecko or this spider with its beautiful network.

Also this Bananenfalter-couple we discovered on a tree. Both males and females are characterized by the dark eye spot on the up to 10 cm large wings.

It was very interesting to go into a hollowed out tree and see from the inside how high it actually is.

I can not actually see the rain forest and tired so I could walk long hours and photograph the smallest details, like this mushroom for example.

The "poison dart frogs"

But now we come to the real stars of the hike, the frogs!

Erroneously, most of these frogs are known as poison arrow frogs although the natives of these regions used the poison of 3 types for their arrows. There are various Variantes the poison known, such as batrachotoxin, a cramp poison, which leads to muscle and respiratory paralysis, which can result in severe cases in humans in 20 minutes to death.

The second conspecific, the Phyllobates lugubris, referred to in German as the Dusky Leaf Steiger can match the colors forth with his colleagues, although this species is relatively non-toxic.

Costa Rica was the first goal of my trip around the world well chosen sure as many Wild Animals I'll probably see in any other country. The Manazanillo National Parks is therefore recommended because you can see him well within a day or half-day excursion and the paths without much physical effort are well accessible.

Caribbean flair in Costa Rica - between palm trees and wild animals

Posted on February 2, 2014 by schdani

Die Ost-bzw Karibikküste Costa Ricas

Costa Rica is probably one of the countries where one has the shortest distance between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, so you can bathe himself within a few hours in two different oceans, and that's what we did!

Our "base camp" we pitched in hippie village of Puerto Viejo, which will be known to sell for his dealer's Marijuana on the road. In any case, it is warned in the guidebook before them and the aggressive sales methods. Perhaps this is because we just do not look like this at night or do not go away, but we were in the four days we were there offered drugs even once. While it looks at the loose passage of many Bob Marley imitations that this grass could be in the game but they smoke it myself than to sell 😉

Otherwise, the houses of the Caribbean are certainly more colorful than the other coast, but also all a bit of tourism and of course more expensive.

Unfortunately, not oh-so-eco-conscious Costa Rica be garbage problem under control, so that on the one hand leave mainly domestic tourists a lot of trash on the beach and on the other hand, the garbage disposal is not really organized, well, freuts the vultures!

Around Puerto Viejo you will find several beaches which are a real paradise and especially for surfers. Here you go white with black beaches from, but one thing is always the same, the rainforest equal right behind it!

The Jaguar Rescue Center

The road between Cahuita, Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo is full of hostels and bed & breakfasts, mostly run by American expatriates who turned smokes with their huge all-wheel drive cars to make the gravel roads unsafe. Jaguar Rescue Center be included in a visit to the injured animals, maintained and prepared again for their release.

Furthermore, the station also serves as a research center especially for snakes are milked also there to produce antisera. To View a yellow Viper and a rattlesnake that any noise made in Costa Rica, since its rattle because of the high Luftfreuchtigkeit not work.

Unfortunately, the waves were too high bathe properly or to snorkel, but we enjoyed the afternoon on the beach of Punta Uva.

And lo and behold what is buzzing with such a beach walk in the scrub, green iguanas, very nice bright-colored males and females.

On the whole, the West Coast of Costa Rica has us a little like better, but there is a reason why it has been definitely worth it to visit the Caribbean as part of my trip around the world, but more on that in the next article.

Uvita und National Park Marino Ballena

Posted on February 1, 2014 by schdani

The marine life in the National Park

Uvita consists mainly of 3-4 restaurants and a supermarket on the "main street" and then go two parallel street two gravel roads to the beach where you will find more hostels and restaurants. Why Uvita is worth a visit in any case, you will certainly understand after these photos.

The surrounding Marinenationalpark Ballena is known for its humpback whales, dolphins and turtles, which of course are all not easy to sift through. Nevertheless, we started with full optimism as our half-day boat tour and see, we were lucky. We sighted a humpback whale mother with her about 6 weeks of age. Full-grown humpback whales can grow up to 15 feet long, they are a protected species and are known for their whale song.

They spend the winter in tropical or subtropical waters and in the summer they migrate to the poles.

It is extremely difficult to photograph the large marine mammals because they only briefly appear approximately every 10-15 minutes and then usually only the dorsal fin can be seen. Thus we could use 3-4 made of about 30 photos just.

Equally difficult to photograph the dolphins, this. Due to the speed Thank God they are a bit more sociable than the whales and came to our boat to front of the bow herzuschwimmen.

There was a group of about 10 Slim dolphins, which are up to 2.5 meters long and weigh up to 115 kg. You are Waymarked by their spots on the back.

The rest of the boat ride was very scenic and in glorious weather, it can be on the water anyway endure. Although we are not really encountered while snorkeling on interesting sea creatures that cooling was more than located.

The waterfall near Uvita

After this rather hot morning and a delicious lunch, we took a taxi to 2 km distant waterfall to cool us there again.

Here, of course, all around cavort also all kinds of insects, but do not worry, the spider was further away than it appears in the photo ....

On the way back we were still the great light of the evening hours to take advantage of all the beauty of this landscape to enjoy. Even after more than a week in Costa Rica, we have not yet set us apart in the vegetation, time and again we discover new plants and animals ......! To be continued ....

Nationalpark Corcovado – Welcome to the Dschungle!!

Posted on January 31, 2014 by schdani

Der einzigartige Corcovado National Park

The most species-rich, according to National Geographic National Parks now holds the world what it promises, here an overview of us sighted in the 3 days in January 2014, animals and plants. Even if such here described not so easy is to organize a tour or get a place to sleep on the Sirena station, you can not miss the Corcovado in any case.

Here is the so-called Costa Rice Airforce to see a flock of pelicans.

The Corcovado Nationalpark is the only Costa Rica, in which all four native species of monkeys can be observed: Capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, howler monkeys and squirrel monkeys.

The capuchin monkeys are omnivores and medium in size with 3-4 kg. Do not use in contrast to the spider their tail for gripping and holding.

The spider monkey (no, this is not the @ meant, but the animal) moves very skilled at dizzying heights continuously and is an active day and territorial tree dwellers. These monkeys have hook-shaped hands, the thumbs are regressed and weigh between 7-9 kg. The preferred area of life are the deeper rainforests.

The howler monkeys are known by their loud cries in the early morning, the barking of dogs is similar and is made possible by its pronounced larynx. Also, they took us to sleep in as many nights.

The White Elephant trunk raccoon, also called Koatie is known by its extended movable snout and elongated head.

The Tapier is up to 2 meters in length, the largest mammal that may be encountered with the Corcovado National Park. This genus has been known for 14 million years, to be honest it looked like even a dinosaur. Tapiere are solitary animals and herbivores, the further they are nocturnal and pull during the day back into the undergrowth. We had the morning to see the happiness the same Tapier while eating and then still be observed at noon at the Siesta.

The agoutis belongs to the family of rodents, is a rabbit dwelling and at the same toe walkers, allowing a rapid Weggallopieren at risk.

Very often antreffbar in Costa Rica is a small collar Abel pig, also called peccary. These pigs have glands on their backs, which can release musky secretions. Most live up to 20 animals in the herd, we observed two who were crossing a river and then even a whole family of about 15 animals.

Probably the most beautiful insect in Costa Rica is called the Blue Mophofalter, or Himmelsfalter. They came to meet us flown to the hiking trails and its beautiful color makes a stunning contrast to the green rainforest. Unfortunately they are a bit camera shy, but then I could scan but still one sitting. The exterior color is brownish with eye patch.

Many different butterflies dancing in the rain forest to himself, art is just only, to catch them in a quiet moment!

From this little monster should be best not stung, because the bloodsuckers leaves droppings in the wound, which contains bacteria that can cause even the death of the bitten person up to 20 years later. Thanks to our effective insect spray but no animal dared already ran on a radius of 3 meters to us.

As one can see on the following photo, fall in Costa Rica even the grasshoppers slightly larger than in their home soil!

The major networks in Costa Rica anywhere to place networks of the golden silk spider are so strong and tear-resistant, they are used by the population as fishing nets. These insects are up to 4 inches tall and have a very nice drawing.

It continues now in the realm of birds that it really is also a dime a dozen here. Here a white Ibis looking for food in the river.

The crax rubra we noticed through his constant hum, a very beautiful bird, which is this is a male because the females are more brown.

A true showpiece, this Schwarzkehltrogon, which is particularly noticeable by its striped tail.

Also in this evening mood is a bird of the star who crowned night herons obviously feels due to the abundance of food in Costa Rica well.

But our absolute favorite animals among birds in Corcovado were undoubtedly the scarlet macaws, one of the largest parrots in the world, which can be up to 90 cm and feed on nuts, buds and other fruits.

Now, however, generally one of my favorite animals, reptiles, of whom there are also teeming here. At the beginning here a harmless lined snake, which barred our way.

As a picture book to us this Lizard is presented, how lucky considering how fast they really are!

Also a very nice drawing, the Emerald Basilisk, which belongs to the genus of iguanas.

And here is the famous Jesus Christ lizards that can run across the water at a speed of 8 km / h.

Following are a few impressions from the animal and plant world.

Costa Rica up in the AIR!

Posted on January 29, 2014 by schdani

As we are in our jungle tour had a flight case, we used the course to take pictures and to be honest, was the 15 minute flight of the previously best experiences during the trip and not as strenuous as 7 hours of walking for same route!

That was quite a surprise as virtually out of nothing, the small plane landed in front of the ranger station. The fact that here the runway consists of a meadow and is not even paved, must indeed be a disadvantage ..... Anyway pilot Alvaro makes the job for 25 years and flies daily always the same 4-5 routes.

In the plane fit a maximum of 5 people, but he also brings always food etc. to the station. We started towards the sea and then made a loop over the national park so we now again could anything we've brought in the last 2 days walking behind us admire from the air. As Alvaro opened the window so my photos have no reflections, I thought that the wind carries me off the plane.

What have we found on our hike, it was confirmed again now, Costa Rica is seen scenically breathtaking, or can anyone in these photos say something else?

Endless and pristine beaches, not for nothing that 25% of the total area of Costa Rica are protected. What you can imagine the sight of the dense rainforest of the air also, is the species richness in both flora and fauna.

World Tour 2014 I My travel blog

The world is a book. Who do not travel read only a page.

Author Archives: schdani