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Journeys to Saudi Arabia: Tasting Raw Camel Milk

How does the raw camel milk taste ? Is it really the best milk on this planet ? What makes it so different from other types of milk ?
These questions crossed my mind whenever I saw these beautiful animals during my travels. I was not able to find the definite answers to all these questions but I did not hesitate when a chance of tasting it appeared. A bowl of fresh, warm camel milk with foam on top. How could I refuse ?

Gili Meno – Lombok’s Paradise Island, Gili Islands, Indonesia

Gili Meno – the paradise on Earth

Gili Meno is the smallest of Gili Islands archipelago located just of the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia. The archipelago consist of three small islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air from which Gili Meno, located in the middle, is the smallest. Only about 500 people live permanently on the island. The main income comes from tourism, coconut plantation and fishing. It is the most peaceful island from the three of them.

Faulhorn-Grindelwald. The longest toboggan run in Europe.

Where is the longest toboggan run in Europe ? The Jungfrau Region claims to be home to the Europe’s longest (or even World’s longest) toboggan run called Big Pintenfritz. This crazy, high-speed toboggan, 15 km long run leads from the Faulhorn 2681 m via Bussalp down to Grindelwald. Faulhorn/First/Bussalp region is a top destination for sled riders. There are several sledge runs here: 8 km classic ‘City Run’, ‘Family Run’ and ‘Bussalp Run’ but the highlight is of course the 15 km long Big Pintenfritz. The longest sledging run in Europe with panorama view over the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The curious name of Big Pintenfritz (Big Pub Fritz) refers to a village innkeeper who supposedly inaugurated the run after a bet. The starting point of the run can only be reached on foot but once on the Faulhorn (2681 m) you will be rewarded for your efforts with a unique panoramic view over the Swiss Alps.

One Day in Amman, Capital City of Jordan

I have arrived in Amman on the same day as Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The next day I went to the city and the first thing I saw were military armored vehicles and hundreds of policemen guarding the demonstration against the US president’s decision. My boys would love it ! The situation looked pretty serious. Thousands of people went on the streets. A march from Palestinian refuge camp of Al-Buqaa to the capital took place.
The official number of Palestinians living in Jordan is unknown but in 2008, Minority Rights Group International estimated that about 3 million people residing in Jordan have Palestinian origin. The majority of them live in the northern part of Jordan, mainly around Amman. No wonder the protest was so heavy. There was a huge poster hanging from a balcony with a swastika on Donald Trump face and words: “Trump. Extremist Maker in the World.”.

Winter hiking to Capanna Leit and Pizzo delle Löite, Lepontine Alps, Switzerland

Pizzo Campolungo is a mountain of the Lepontine Alps, overlooking Prato and Dalpe in the Leventina valley of the canton of Ticino. It lies just south of the Campolungo Pass.
The plan for the weekend was a 2 days circular hike around Pizzo Campo Lungo starting in Dalpe, with an overnight at Capanna Campo Tencia. We have chosen this route through Passo Venett with Capanna Leit on the way in case the conditions/time would not allow us to reach Capanna Campo Tencia. It was November and there was already snow in the mountains but we didn’t know exactly how much snow is over there…

Mountain Biking Trail No.4 ‘Um den Homberg’, Baselland, Switzerland

Mountain Biking Trail No.4 ‘Um den Homberg’
Starting point: Grellingen Railway Station
Distance: 22.70 km
Elevation gain: 497 m
Highest point: 759 m
Time required: ca. 3h
End point: Grellingen Railway Station

This circular tour starts and ends at the Grellingen train station and leads first along the Birs to Chessiloch, a historical site from the 1st World War – now a popular picnic area (Feuerstelle). During the first World War troops were stationed at Chessiloch. Since the Jura railway line was one of the important connections to the border troops, this railway line, as well as the Chessiloch bridge, was strictly guarded. Members of the various units have left coats of arms and symbolic figures on the rock walls.
The ascent through the Chaltbrunnen valley is not very steep an follows a designated hiking trail so (mind the walkers and hikers at this part of the trail!). After Chessiloch the trail turns left into beautiful Chaltbrunnen Valley (Chaltbrunnental) with towns Meltigen, Zullwil, Nunningen, Bretzwil and Seewen. Here the trail enters so-called ‘Schwarzbubenland’. After rounding the Homberg, the trail returns to the starting point Grellingen, crossing the main road Seewen – Grellingen and continuing downhill on the flank of the Eichenberg.

3 days in Muscat, capital city of Oman

Muscat is an amazing city! It is Middle East’s best-kept secret. It is located on the Oman Gulf at the Arabian Sea and surrounded by the rocky Western Al Hajar Mountains. A city which will become the top travel destination soon (or maybe it already is…) What makes it so special ? Muscat is considered as one of the smallest capitals in the world, but this relatively small city has a lot to offer. The Omani culture and history, architecture, beautiful sandy beaches along the Arabian Sea, mountains, delicious food, local markets, amazing people (some even claim that the Omanis are the most hospitable people on earth !). There is so much to see there. Oman advertises its natural beauty with the following campaign: ‘Beauty has an address – Oman’.

Volunteering for FNPF Nusa Penida, Indonesia

“If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
. . . I’m starting with the man in the mirror”

We took those words seriously and decided that next family holiday will be the one to ” give back” a bit of what we have and make a difference.
This year vacation was not only fun but a bit of “work” as well. Thanks to FNPF (Friends Of The National Parks Foundation) this experience was amazing and unforgettable. Friends of the National Park Foundation (FNPF) is an Indonesian conservation not-profit organization working to protect wildlife and its habitat, at supporting local communities.
FNPF’s primary wildlife focus on Nusa Penida is protection and rebuilding wild populations of endangered Indonesian birds such as Bali Starling (Bali’s emblem bird),Java Sparrow and Cockatoo. Bali Starling is (or maybe was) listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. It is one of the rarest living bird’s in the world !

Hiking in the Graian Alps, Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso, Aosta, Italy

Gran Paradiso National Park (Italian: Parco nazionale del Gran Paradiso) is located in northern Italy, between Aosta Valley and Piedmont region, at the border with France. It was the first national park established in Italy. A land of beautiful mountains, endless woodlands and rich wildlife. It is named after Gran Paradiso mountain (4061m) located in the middle of the park.

The 15 Best Snorkeling Destinations in Europe

There are amazing snorkeling places around the globe. I am aware of this. I have seen lots of them on TV. But not everyone can afford a trip to Belize, Maldives, Palau, Virgin Islands and the like. The old continent offers also great snorkeling places where the natural beauty, marine life and crystal clear water is comparable to world’s top snorkeling destinations.
Here is a guide for travelers to the best places for snorkeling in Europe. I am a snorkeling freak and have explored myself the majority of snorkeling spots included in this list. Feel free to comment on this post and include your own suggestions.