Oct 2017 – Apr 2018

World trip - Anna & Bertram

A 202-day adventure by placeswetravelled Read more

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Trip start
October 9, 2017
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Day 1
Monday, October 9, 2017
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 69 m
France Mont Rouget 48.371346, 2.53255948°22’17” N 2°31’57” E
Fountainebleau - First Day
October 9, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
So today was our first day back in Fontainebleau. To get started we decided to try a blue Parcours in the Diplodocus area (Trois Pignons). We’re glad to have both been able to pull a 6a and 6a+ today after we both had a two week break due to world trip planning :-)Read more
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Day 4
Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 8:05 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 74 m
France Corne-Biche 48.391125, 2.55953148°23’28” N 2°33’34” E
Fontainebleau - Another day climbing
October 12, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
We had another great day bouldering today! Weather has improved further and we’ve spent the day in the shades of the trees in Bois Rond with our friends Jasmin & Stefan, their son Julian and their dog Kira.
We tested ourselves on a great boulder (“Quille” 6b+) but will have to return to finish it. On the way back we collected a few chestnuts which we’re adding to our dinner menu :-)Read more
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Day 6
Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 6:54 PM
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 69 m
France Palace of Fontainebleau 48.402085, 2.69943448°24’8” N 2°41’58” E
Rest day: castle visit and tent-building
October 14, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Today was a rest day: we visited Fontainebleau castle, revisited the nice café of Paul & Paulette and tried out our tent (thank you Natascha and Karl!).
TravelerAber morgen wieder ordentlich Knüppeln, ja!?
10/16/17Reply
TravelerEh klar :-)
10/18/17Reply
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Day 10
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 11:44 PM
🌙 13 °C
Altitude: 120 m
France Canal d’Orléans 47.903259, 1.9085647°54’12” N 1°54’31” E
Visit to Orléans
October 18, 2017 in France ⋅ 🌙 13 °C
Today we visited Orléans - a beautiful city with a great cathedral and a nice city centre. Everything is in the name of the local heroine, Joan of Arc.
We had a coffee, read a little and then tried out our slack line in a park by the Loire river. We enjoyed it so much that we’re considering taking it along in our backpacks... :-)Read more
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Day 13
Saturday, October 21, 2017
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 87 m
France Mont Pivot 48.373871, 2.51902548°22’26” N 2°31’8” E
Last days in Bleau
October 21, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
We finished our great visit to Fontainebleau with two areas - 91.1/Cul du Chien and Rocher Saint Germain. We were lucky: the rain held off until the day of our departure and we even managed to climb our most difficult problem on the last day, allowing us to leave Bleau on a high :-)

This visit to Fontainebleau was a great start to our world trip - it really felt like a leisurely holiday, with the luxury of spending two weeks in the forest, visiting new areas and trying out problems. Some days we pursued circuits (many problems in one day), on other days we focussed on one or two difficult (or just interesting) problems that we wanted to climb. We also used our rest days to prepare for Iceland and do some final equipment shopping in the local shops.

We will return to Fontainebleau - and hopefully stay again with our great hosts in Perthes :-)Read more
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Day 15
Monday, October 23, 2017 at 1:07 PM
⛅ 9 °C
Altitude: 456 m
Germany Munich International Airport 48.35666, 11.78343848°21’24” N 11°47’0” E
Munich airport
October 23, 2017 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
We’re at the airport, about to board the plane to Reykjavík. The journey is starting for real :-)
(And the first luggage test failed: 27kg in Bertram’s package. Maybe bringing the slack line wasn’t such a great idea after all... :-))Read more
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Day 16
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
⛅ 9 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Iceland Skógasandur 63.473077, -19.42466663°28’23” N 19°25’29” W
A geyser, waterfalls & a stranded plane
October 24, 2017 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
First full day in Iceland, and we started with lots to see! We decided to take the ring road counter-clockwise and started our day in Selfoss. From there we set off to see an active geyser on our way up to the famous Gullfoss waterfall.
We carried on towards the east and visited Skogafoss waterfall - stemming out of the mountain range that includes the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano.
Finally, we finished this busy first day by visiting a stranded plane wreck at sunset and took some great photos there :-)
To top it all off - and to make us realize how lucky we are - we were able to see the Northern Lights on our first night out in the open 😇 (the picture isn’t pretty, but hey :-))Read more
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Day 17
Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 4:26 PM
🌙 18 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Iceland Hörgslandshreppur 63.990562, -17.26464363°59’26” N 17°15’53” W
Coffee break after 3-glacier-lakes hike
October 25, 2017 in Iceland ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
We stood up early today (after seeing the northern lights in the night!! :-)) and went to Jökulsárlón glacier for a longer hike. Icebergs that float into the ocean and seals included. Now we are stopping for a quick coffee break thanks to my brother Robert’s Jetboil :-)Read more
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Day 18
Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 4:54 PM
🌙 2 °C
Altitude: 1,075 m
Iceland Áreyjartindur 65.033841, -14.41711765°2’2” N 14°25’2” W
Climbing Mt Skúmhöttur
October 26, 2017 in Iceland ⋅ 🌙 2 °C
Another adventurous day in East Iceland. We climbed the second tallest mountain in the region with perfect weather conditions but quite a bit of snow. No signposts along the way made us choose the route - feeling a bit like a first ascent :-)Read more
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Day 19
Friday, October 27, 2017 at 8:43 PM
⛅ 8 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Iceland Oddeyri 65.680848, -18.08906965°40’51” N 18°5’21” W
Rest days...
October 27, 2017 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
... are the best days ;-) It was warmer last night and, thus, the cold did not wake us at 7 am and started the rest day in a little turf house cafe, tried to escape the rain and wind while still visiting some sights and have arrived in the town Akureyri- for another coffee.Read more
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Day 20
Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 4:42 PM
⛅ -3 °C
Altitude: 1,128 m
Iceland Bægisárjökull 65.583325, -18.36430165°34’60” N 18°21’51” W
Another mountain and moving further west
October 28, 2017 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ -3 °C
Today, we were up for another mountain adventure and climbed Mt. Súlur (both northern and southern summit) near Akureyri in the Northern Fjords. The climb was moderately difficult but very cold and with icy conditions. Overall it was well worth it with a very nice view over the Eyjafjörður fjord and the country behind. Now, however, it’s great to be in the car again for our movie night!Read more
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Day 22
Monday, October 30, 2017 at 8:28 PM
☁️ 7 °C
Altitude: 48 m
Iceland Akranes 64.327629, -21.98574164°19’39” N 21°59’9” W
An evening ascent outside Reykjavik
October 30, 2017 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C
We spent most of today in Borgarnes, relaxing in a nice coffee shop/bakery. In the evening, we tested our slack line, which is a real challenge in Iceland as there are no trees big enough to attach it to. So we did our best with some rocks in a field...
We then drove over to Akranes and, upon arriving, decided to climb up Mount Háihnúkur during dusk. It is a little mountain overlooking Akranes and the bay outside Reykjavík. It took us little over an hour to climb the 500 meters and were rewarded by a view over the two cities. :-)Read more
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Day 24
Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 10:33 PM
☁️ 4 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Iceland Tjörnin 64.146905, -21.94077564°8’49” N 21°56’27” W
Reykjavík and ... the beach
November 1, 2017 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C
Today was our last full day an Island which we started in a very Icelandic fashion: swimming in the Atlantic Ocean which currently is less than 6 degree cold :-)

After recovery from the near-hypothermia experience, we explored downtown Reykjavík, especially the harbour and the Hallgrimskirkja, and then went back to our friends in Kopavogúr after a short bouldering session.Read more
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Day 26
Friday, November 3, 2017
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 2,627 m
Colombia Sede F CUN 4.597079, -74.0694054°35’49” N 74°4’10” W
Over the pond to South Amercia
November 3, 2017 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
The last >24h were spent to get us from Reykjavík to Bogotá. Great to have finally arrived!
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Day 27
Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 7:15 PM
⛅ 11 °C
Altitude: 2,630 m
Colombia Sede F CUN 4.59688, -74.0691534°35’49” N 74°4’9” W
First day in Bogotá
November 4, 2017 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
Our first day in Colombia‘s capital was especially one thing: rainy :-)

In the morning we were still lucky and climbed the neighboring mountain of Monserrate (3.170m) but only had a good view over the city until about half the climb. We were completely soaked on our way back.
The afternoon was spent drinking Colombian coffee and visiting the excellent Museo Botero.
Now: cooking our remaining foodstuffs in the hostel.Read more
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Day 28
Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 10:23 PM
⛅ 9 °C
Altitude: 2,631 m
Colombia Museo del Oro 4.601829, -74.071974°36’7” N 74°4’19” W
Bogota - gold museum and big-bottom ants
November 5, 2017 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
Today we were finally rewarded with a great day in Bogotá without rain. A festival took place in town today: the streets were filled with people and there was food, music and street artists everywhere.

We started the day with a walking tour, learning about Columbia’s past and - while we were at it - tried different foods, including big-bottomed ants 🐜🐜🐜 (You didn’t miss anything if you’ve never tried it.)

In the afternoon we went into the famous Gold Museum. It was interesting, but not our favorite in town. Lots of gold pieces created by the indigenous people of Columbia many centuries ago. It’s interesting to see what skill they already had auch a long time ago.

We finished the day with a great dinner (Tamales) in a traditional restaurant in town.Read more
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Day 29
Monday, November 6, 2017 at 10:15 PM
⛅ 7 °C
Altitude: 1,309 m
Colombia Barichara 6.638037, -73.223396°38’17” N 73°13’24” W
Arrival in Barichara
November 6, 2017 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C
Today we travelled from Bogotá to Barichara, a small town about six hours north of Bogotá which is known for its well-kept colonial-style architecture.

Most of the day was spent travelling from Bogotá to San Gil, the closest major city to Barichara (the ~220km took about 7 hours including a break).

We arrived at our Airbnb place at about 6pm. A great place, with a very friendly host (Diana) who also runs a small natural-ingredients-based shop and a library out of her house :-)
Anna managed to get some yoga in before we headed to a great dinner in town. With place for only about 10 guests, the hostess prepares every dish fresh for each guest. Anna loved her Pita so much, we took some bread home for tomorrow :-)Read more
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Day 30
Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 5:58 PM
⛅ 29 °C
Altitude: 1,333 m
Colombia Barichara 6.638793, -73.2247066°38’20” N 73°13’29” W
Hiking around Barichara and slacklining
November 7, 2017 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
We had beautiful weather again and decided to hike to the next village, Guane on a beautiful 10km hike along wild forests and plantations. Guane was a nice and quite sleepy village where we ate our snacks and relaxed before catching the bus back to Barichara.

After an extensive, midday-sun-avoiding lunch break with new style afogato (espresso with ice cream - here: bubblegum flavor instead of vanilla :-)), we looked for a place to slackline. We used the local park and soon had many visitors from the local youth crowds. Two of them even dared to try it out themselves :-)

Now: pizza a movie at a private open-air cinema :-)Read more
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Day 32
Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 10:59 PM
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Colombia Mompos 9.239935, -74.4230129°14’24” N 74°25’23” W
Slackline-based community engagement :-)
November 9, 2017 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
We spent the afternoon of or second day in Barichara slacklining. We found this a fun way to practice (for us) and engage the local kids. Most are shy at first, but after a while, one or two dare to give it a try and it is always a lot of fun.

We did the same in Santa Cruz de Mompox (we took the night-bus here and arrived this morning): after arriving and looking at the sights of this UNESCO world heritage site, we set up our Slackline by the local football pitch and akin had a sizeable crowd of onlookers admiring Anna’s skill in turning around on the slackline and (new since today) kneeling down on it :-)Read more
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Day 33
Friday, November 10, 2017 at 3:23 PM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Colombia Magangué 9.235757, -74.7546779°14’9” N 74°45’17” W
Over the Magdalena river to Cartagena
November 10, 2017 in Colombia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
After our short stay in Mompós (Mompox), we spent almost another day travelling. However, it was quite an eventful journey: we had a colectivo taxi to another village on the swamp/Magdalena river. From there, a 10 person-chalupa took us over the swamp to a harbour town of Magangué. As you will see in one of the pictures, there is an ongoing effort to build bridges to connect more easily with road transportation. To be seen what that will do to sleepy Mompós and the wildlife.

From there, another bus ride was necessary. Waiting was made easier with fresh orange and lime juice which Bertram ordered using his growing Spanish skills. :-)

Now we are on the bus and hopefullyonly 2 more hours to get to Cartagena. Looking forward to swim in our nice Kartaxa Hotel (redeeming hotel loyalty points :-)).Read more
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Day 34
Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 11:18 PM
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Colombia Plaza San Diego 10.429103, -75.54714810°25’45” N 75°32’50” W
Hot day in Cartagena + Independence Day
November 11, 2017 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
The high expectations of Cartagena were met! And it was the day of the yuca :-)

After yoga on the roof terrace st 06:30 (and despite the early timing it was already soooo hot) and nice breakfast with (—> Yuca No. 1) very nice yuca cake we left in the burning heat, jumping from shade to shade and explored the touristy yet really beautiful historic city of Cartagena. Our favorites were:
- the many beautiful, colorful colonial buildings
- plazas bustling with life
- info tables on every 2. house explaining the original use of the buildings

After a lunch break with (—> Yuca No. 2) delicious yuca fries, we went out of the old town as more and more people came in for the Independence Day festivities and climbed the old Castello San Felipe for a nice view over both the old city and the new skyscrapers.

Best possible ending if the day: fresh coco + lime lemonade on a plaza near our hotel.

Tomorrow, we have a city tour planned in the morning, get our laundry back (yeah!) and visit the Inquisition Museum.Read more
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Day 35
Sunday, November 12, 2017 at 3:35 PM
⛅ 30 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Colombia Plaza San Diego 10.429155, -75.54701210°25’45” N 75°32’49” W
Cartagena No. 2
November 12, 2017 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Second day in Cartagena was rather lazy. After another typical Colombian breakfast including patacones (salty banana patties), we showed up for the city tour which turned out to be rather boring and no value add to the info tables in the city. Thus, we left early and went to look at the Inquisition Museum which was the former Palacio de la Inquisición. Very nice architecture, not that much info ;-) Probably the nicest thing: meeting Sumi again coincidentally whom we had gotten to know in Bogotá a week ago!

Afterwards we relaxed in a nice café (almond milk included :-)) and fetched the laundry (Bertram still fighting to get everything back into the backpack as I write).

Likely, we will have a quick meal before taking the bus to Santa Marta tonight.Read more
TravelerI really loved meeting you both again in Cartagena and look forward to another coincidence in Ecuador!! Take a good care of yourselves, Anna and Bertram!! ❤️💋😍😘🤣
11/13/17Reply
TravelerIt was great seeing you too! :-) We will Land in Quito on 22 November - so maybe see you after that :-)
11/14/17Reply
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Day 36
Monday, November 13, 2017 at 10:43 PM
⛅ 36 °C
Altitude: 23 m
Colombia Playa del Centro 11.244582, -74.21008811°14’40” N 74°12’36” W
Iguanas and Quintas in Santa Marta
November 13, 2017 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 36 °C
Originally, we thought to come to Santa Marta only as the gateway to the Lost City. But we were positively surprised by the city’s charme. It’s a lot less pretentious (and fancy) than Cartagena, but also has a nice old city with a lot of beautiful colonial houses, colourful facades, and nice cafés to hang out. Just everything seems more relaxed, less busy, less “2-worlds-type” as we saw in Cartagena with the polishes old town and the slums on our way to the bus terminal.

After a breakfast at one of them (Ikarus Café - highly recommended, nice coconut latte and almond milk shakes), we checked out tour operators for the Lost City trek which we will do as of tomorrow. No haggling needed, it’s all 850.000 pesos, 240 euros.

We then made it to the harbour but soon escaped the heat in one of the mini buses heading to La Quinta where Simon Bolívar lived for some time and also died. Best idea! Not only did we see the beautiful scenery of a former sugar cane estate but also a pre-taste if the jungle with iguanas, many different birds, and.... squirrels :-)

Heading home for self-cooked dinner, we investigated options to spend time at the beaches of Tayrona National Park after the seemingly quite challenging Ciudad Perdida trek. And finally: we booked the plane to Quito, Ecuador. We will land on November 21, 16:00. Any tips welcome!Read more
TravelerEcuador Reisetipps - GEO-Reisecommunity
11/16/17Reply
Travelerdie Seite ist zwar schon älter, aber wohl immer noch aktuell.
11/16/17Reply
Travelerdas Museum http://www.geo.de/reisen/community/tipp/566494/… wäre wohl was für euch und das Rafting im oberen Napo Fluss. :-)
11/16/17Reply
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Day 38
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 3,530 m
Colombia Cuchilla Caracas 10.941611, -73.55063610°56’30” N 73°33’2” W
Hiking in the Sierra Nevada
November 15, 2017 in Colombia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
We had a great time with the 13 other people from the Magic Tours group hiking 4 days to the Ciudad Perdida (Lost City)!

The weather on the first 2.5 days was very nice, sunny with only a few clouds. The hike itself is not overly complicated but the heat and humidity get at you! The first day’s t-shirt does not get dry again ;-)

Also, we were lucky only to walk one afternoon in the rain. The terrain gets so much more difficult to walk on once the rain starts pouring.

The tour had really fantastic food, lots of it as well and well received fruit snack stops along the way.

But the best were the natural pools in which we bathed at least once a day.

Overall, great experience, but the 4-day version definitely suffices :-)Read more
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Day 40
Friday, November 17, 2017 at 2:04 PM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 1,832 m
Colombia Ciénaga 11.027475, -73.92487311°1’39” N 73°55’30” W
Visiting Ciudad Perdida/Teyuna/Lost City
November 17, 2017 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Waking up at 04:40 today, we started the hike at 06:00 and arrived in the bottom of the 1.200 steps to the Lost City around 06:15. It took us until 07:00 to get the first glimpse of the ruins of the city that a ln extinct civilization built in 800 AD.

It was a very impressive visit and thanks to our two guides we learned a lot about the use of the different areas and the local customs. Also, it was incredible to see such a piece of architecture being built right in the jungle without help of animals. Today the area is filled with mules carrying the goods for the tourists.

Is was weird, however, to look at the indigenous houses in the area and how people still live in the area. It feels a bit like visiting a zoo - with humans in it.

Still, the effort of the trip was worth it, we made new friends and are very much looking forward to some relaxing days on the beach in Tayrona!Read more
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