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World Trip 2022
  • Kristin.aroundtheworld
  • Kristin.aroundtheworld

World Trip 2022

A 299-day adventure by Kristin.aroundtheworld Read more
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  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Los Nevados NNP - Santa Isabel

    March 26, 2022 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    A very exciting day is ahead - a hike to the border of the Santa Isabel glacier at 4.730m.

    The Nevado de Santa Isabel – Poleka Kasue (White Maiden), is located in the PNN Los Nevados near the Nevado del Ruiz, it has easily accessible summits (4.965m).

    At 4 am I was picked up in a 4x4 vehicle and we drove 3.5h for 55km through Los Nevados National Park - a very bumpy ride until reaching the Alto de Santa Bárbara (4.100m). And for the first time in my life I saw the Páramo* and hiked through it - very slow and steady. Characterized by the presence of Fraylejones – Plantagos – Gramineae- and medicinal plants, with an extension of 3,6km of route, until reaching the Edge of the Glacier (4.750m). After 3h we have reached our destination 🗻 In Colombia, on a volcano, at 4.730m, not far from an active volcano, standing in the middle of the ice - wow, what an experience.

    *The Páramo is a vegetation type of the treeless, alpine highland steppes of humid tropical equatorial mountains. The name comes from the Andes of South America. The largest páramo areas extend from Colombia through Ecuador to northern Peru, where they occur above the timberline (cloud forest) between about 3.500 and 4.500 m (up to a maximum of 5.100 m) altitude in a humid climate.    Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Hacienda Venecia (1) - Coffee Farm

    March 27, 2022 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    The next few days will be spent relaxing and learning a lot about coffee.

    „We are a working coffee farm near Manizales with 100 years of tradition and extensive experience in the cultivation, processing, exporting, roasting and marketing of our coffee.
 With our vast coffee fields and picturesque lush surroundings including native trees and water springs, we welcome guests from all over the world to our authentic traditional houses for an unique experience, to be truly immersed in the landscape and culture of Colombian coffee.“Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Hacienda Venecia (2) - Coffee Farm

    March 28, 2022 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    COFFEE TOUR
    THE LIFE OF A COFFEE BEAN FROM SEED TO CUP

    Truly dedicated coffee enthusiasts can be immersed an entire coffee experience around those magic little beans at the daily coffee tour.
    I learned a lot about the coffee plants, the harvesting process and the processing of the coffee bean until it can be roasted after export.
    The Hacienda Venecia needs 250-300 pickers in the high season. Good pickers can harvest 60-80kg of coffee beans. They were paid per kilogram and earn 650 Pesos (~0,16€) per kilogram -> maximum daily wage of 12,53€.    Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Salento (1)

    March 30, 2022 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Hola Salento!
    Salento is a tiny town nestled in the central department of Quindio. The quality coffee made there and the beautiful Cocora Valley draws tourists to this somewhat remote location.

    However, this hasn’t always been the case. Only a few years ago Salento wasn’t even a safe area for Colombians to visit. Guerrilla groups had control over this region of Colombia which prevented any sort of tourist activity in or around Salento.

    But now, Salento is one of Colombia’s best places to visit among both foreigners and locals.

    The rolling green hills, quaint and colorful town, along with some of the friendliest people I have ever met made my visit fantastic.    Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Salento (2) - Cocora Valley

    March 31, 2022 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    The absolute highlight that makes this place so alluring is the almost 60 meters high wax palms - some of the tallest on the planet 🌴
    These palms are national trees of Colombia, and they are not only insanely photogenic but what makes them special is the fact they grow 2.500 meters above sea level on steep grassy hills all over the valley.Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Salento (3)

    April 1, 2022 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    We finished the last day in Salento with a delicious breakfast and a hike.
    I went to Armenia in the afternoon, where actually my night bus should have started at 7 pm for a 12 hour trip to Pitolita and further to San Agustin.
    Unfortunately, the bus started at 10:15 pm and then still had a delay of 7h. But unfortunately not unusual for Colombia.    Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    San Agustin (2)

    April 3, 2022 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    San Agustin is an off the beaten path destination in Colombia that features high waterfalls, a colonial town, an archaeological UNESCO site, indigenous history, and ancient statues hidden and scattered in the hills near river Magdalena.
    The exceptionality of the place was confirmed officially in 1995 when San Agustin archaeological park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    Here, you can find the largest collection of religious monuments in Latin America and also the world's largest necropolis.

    I decided to visit the archaeological park first and in the afternoon I did the horseback riding tour to see more archaeological sites they are a bit further away.    Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Travel days to Ecuador

    April 8, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    After I was fit again, I decided to skip the last two destinations in Colombia (Tatacoa Dessert and Amazonas) and plunge into new adventures in Ecuador 🇪🇨.
    I was allowed to spend the first night in Guayaquil with the parents of an Ecuadorian friend - a great start.

    COLOMBIA 🇨🇴 - thank you for this incredibly powerful journey and colorful month. I will be back someday!    Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Ingapirca Ruins & Cuenca (1)

    April 8, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Very early in the morning we left Guayaquil for Ingapirca. Ingapirca is the most important Inca site in Ecuador.
    The exact purpose of the site, which was called a "castle" (castillo) by the Spanish chroniclers of the Conquista, is still not deciphered.

    I was surprised by the fauna in Ecuador - pampas grass 🌾and eucalyptus grow everywhere. And I saw wild Lamas 🦙 for the first time.

    We continued our ride to Cuenca.
    Cuenca is located at an altitude of 2,538 meters above sea level and has a population of approximately 580k. It is located in a valley formed by mountainous systems of exceptional characteristics.
    The architectural and cultural riches of the city, in general, have merited Cuenca its designation as a World Heritage City on December 1, 1999. The Historic Center of nearly 200 hectares is made up of the oldest residential area. Here we find a large number of buildings of great beauty in the colonial or Republican style; the archaeological area, the craft neighborhoods (of colonial origin); the central markets; the Tomebamba River Bluff with the Paseo 3 de Noviembre street and several other sites of cultural and scenic importance that show why the city was declared a World Heritage.    Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Nationalpark El Cajas & Cuenca (2)

    April 10, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    And once again the mountains are calling and my heart beats wildly. The decisive point why I decided to go to Cuenca was the possibility to visit the National Park 🏞 El Cajas quite easily - just take the bus up to 3,800m and go hiking in the Paramo without a guide.
    Unfortunately, it was not that easy, because the buses could not drive on the road to the NP for 3 weeks, because there was a big landslide, which took 20 houses with it. Unfortunately, not a rarity in the rainy season.
    So without further ado I took a cab to the entrance of the NP. The ride alone was breathtaking and the pictures describe quite well my impressions of my hike.    Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Chimborazo - Hike & Bike 🌋

    April 13, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C

    Today I had tears in my eyes several times.
    It was a very special day. I decided to do the Hike & Bike Tour to the Chimborazo.

    Chimborazo is a currently inactive stratovolcano in the Cordillera Occidental range of the Andes. Its last known eruption is believed to have occurred around 550 A.D.
    Chimborazo's summit is the farthest point on the Earth's surface from the Earth's center given that it is located along the planet's equatorial bulge. Chimborazo's summit, however, is not higher than the summit of Mount Everest, as elevation is measured from sea level.
    With a peak elevation of 6.263 m, Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador and the 39th highest peak in the Andes.

    With a Pickup truck 🛻 and the mountain bikes on the truck bed we started towards the NP. Our guide said that we are very very lucky because the sky is clearing. In the last weeks nothing was to be seen of the Chimborazo - no rarity during the rainy season.

    Already the first views were breathtaking and beautiful.
    We drove up to 4.900m - to the main shelter at the Chimborazo and hiked up to 5.100m. First time in my life over 5.000m. Staying in the snow next to the equator.

    We hiked down again to the car, picked up the bikes and rode all the way down. One of the most beautiful and special bike rides I have ever did.    Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Riobamba & Guayaquil - Hello Travelbuddy

    April 14, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Stroll trough Riobamba before taking the bus to Guayaquil to welcome my travel buddy for the next 2,5 weeks. I know Tanja from Beijing. We did our semester abroad together, traveled a lot in China and did some city trips afterwards in Europe. How can we two foodies better start our journey through Ecuador than with a good dinner with fusion Ecuadorian food?!Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Guayaquil (2)

    April 15, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    We explored the city center of Guayaquil and walked above the river to Santay Island. The mangrove-covered protected reserve of Santay Island has a different feel from the other attractions in Guayaquil. Wooden walkways on the island lead through a small fishing community of around 200 residents.Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Galapagos (1) - Santa Cruz

    April 16, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ 🌧 16 °C

    We are going to the Galápagos Islands 🐢🦭🦈 - exiting level 💯
    The Galápagos Islands may just inspire you think differently about the world. The creatures that call the islands home, many found nowhere else in the world, act as if humans are nothing more than slightly annoying paparazzi.
    In fact, most of the islands are devoid of vegetation and some look more like the moon than Hawaii. The isolated group of volcanic islands and its fragile ecosystem has taken on almost mythological status as a showcase of biodiversity.

    After we arrived in Puerto Ayora, we just walked to the pier to book the tickets for the ferry to Isla Isabela for the next day and we were just so surprised by the animals on and around the pier. Sea lions 🦭 were chilling on the benches of the pier, pelicans were looking for fishes, rays, water turtles 🐢 and sharks 🦈 were swimming directly in front of us. We couldn’t believe our eyes.    Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Galapagos (2) - Santa Cruz & Isabela

    April 17, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    We had an incredible breakfast at a fancy café with waffles, açaí ice cream and avocado toast before we visited the Charles Darwin Research Station where more than 200 scientists and volunteers are involved with research and conservation efforts, the most well known of which involves a captive breeding program for giant tortoises 🐢.

    At 3 pm, our 1st of 3 speedboat ride 🛥 started to Isla Isabela (2h). We were so happy as we arrived at our 2nd destination after the captain said: “It will be a ugly ride 😭.” But it wasn’t as bad as expected especially as Isla Isabela welcomed us with a big rainbow 🌈 and penguins 🐧 on a cliff near the port.    Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Galapagos (3) - Isabela

    April 18, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Isabela is the largest island of the archipelago, but despite its size and imposing skyline of active volcanoes, it’s the delicate sights like frigates flying as high as the clouds or penguins 🐧 making their way along the cliffs.

    We rented bikes for the whole day and first made our way to Puerto Villamil where we snorkeled in the lagoon “Concha de Perla”. Despite a lot of small colorful tropical fishes, we have seen a sea turtle 🐢, a stingray, white dotted rays, marine iguanas, sea stars ⭐️, Sally lightfoot crabs 🦀 and a sea lion 🦭.
    After this great start in the day, we passed Pozo Salinas where we have seen a wonderful pink orange flamingo 🦩.
    We continued our way to “Muro de las Làgrimas” (Wall of tears) - a 100m-long wall of lava rocks built by convicts under harsh and abusive conditions. On the way we have passed 5 giant tortoises 🐢 before we hiked up to some viewpoints. On the way back we enjoyed fresh coconut and a fresh dip into the Pacific Ocean 🌊 after a very hot, humid and sweaty bike tour.    Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Galapagos (4) - Isabela

    April 19, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Los Túneles
    Around a 40 minute boat ride 🛥 from Puerto Villamil is the outstanding spot for snorkeling 🤿, formed by convoluted lava formations standing between mangroves and the open sea.
    To reach the spot our captain had to find the way through the rough big waves and navigated through the rocks 🪨 We walked on top of the lava tunnels with our guide who explained the history and vegetation. We were lucky and spotted two blue-footed boobies.
    We had two more snorkeling spots 🤿, where we spotted a sea horse, a lot of sea turtles 🐢, white-tipped sharks and baby sharks 🦈.

    At everytime a wild animal passed our way we just asked ourself: „How is that possible? Why are these animals so fearless and not annoyed of the snorkeling people?“ Why do they want to swim with us?“

    My personal highlight was the manta ray on our way back.
    We ended up on the beach in the evening and just tried to realized how lucky we were.    Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Galapagos (5) - San Cristobal

    April 20, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Two ferry rides, a few dolphins and sea lions and a delicious breakfast later, we reached San Cristóbal Island - our last destination on Galápagos.

    San Cristóbal is the fifth largest and easternmost island of the Galápagos. It is comprised of three or four fused volcanoes, all extinct. Its name comes from the Patron Saint of seafarers, “St. Christopher.” Its older English name of Chatham is named after John Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham. It is home to the oldest permanent settlement of the islands and is the island where Darwin first went ashore in 1835.

    Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands and home to more than 500 sea lions 🦭. You can find them lazing around beaches or on the waterfront.    Read more

  • Kristin.aroundtheworldWorld Trip 2022Traveler

    Galapagos (6) - San Cristobal

    April 21, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Today we did the 360º Tour:

    With the 360º tour, as the name suggests, we made a complete round of San Cristóbal Island and visited Rosa Blanca (a small bay with several beaches whose main attraction is the dunes contrasting with its crystalline waters where we swam with various species of sharks, rays and sea ​​turtles), Sardina Bay (two beautiful beaches with a lot of marine fauna), Punta Pitt (the northeast point of the island, a tuff formation that serves as a nesting site for many sea birds), Cerro Brujo beach and the famous León Dormido.Read more

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