Japan - Himeji Castle
Foto: Climbing the volcano (bron: Ronald van der Veer / Allert Stolp)
Chile - For the first hour, we walk over gravel and rocks. Then we reach the first patches of snow. Soon we climb through the snow. As the sun rises higher, it also gets warmer. We zigzag slowly up the volcano. By following the tracks of those ahead, a kind of small staircase forms. Along the way, we take necessary breaks. We also vary layers of clothing depending on whether we are in or out of the wind. As we ascend, the snow gets harder and deeper. Sometimes I sink up to my knees. The ice axe provides support by using it like a walking stick. If you slip unexpectedly, you can stop the fall with the ice axe. At some spots, Alex has to chisel the footprints a bit. We are the first group today on this track. The snow from the past days has flattened the tracks. This gives me the chance to look around. We have a magnificent view of the wide surroundings. We also see dozens of groups climbing the volcano in trains below us. They look like ants. Around noon, we reach the summit of the Villarica volcano. A fantastic feeling. We have a view of the active crater of the Villarica volcano. The volcanic activity is low in the crater and cannot be seen from the edge. A slight sulfur steam rises from the volcano. We avoid this poisonous air by staying upwind. At the top, we change clothes. From the backpack, we take out a ski jacket, ski pants, and shin guards to prevent snow from entering our boots. We put on gloves and fix a blanket under our bottoms. We are so busy with this that we don’t notice when the volcano suddenly emits a large sulfur cloud. The whole crater fills with mist. Before the sulfur steam reaches us, we put on helmets and start the descent. Alex shows how to slide down. He also explains how to brake with the ice axe. Sergio goes down first and makes a track in the snow. It looks exciting. I sit down and slide down. It’s not as bad as I thought. Sliding through the snow, I quickly cover many meters. Sometimes snow sprays up through my feet and over me. In one word, the descent is: "Awesome!"
Easter Island
Chile - Jacob Roggeveen gave Easter Island its name on Easter Sunday when he visited the island in the Pacific Ocean in 1722. Easter Island, or Isla de Pascua as it is called in Spanish, is also known as Rapa Nui. The island has fewer than 4,000 inhabitants and ...
San Pedro de Atacama
Chile - At the bus station, the luggage is loaded into a minibus. We then walk about ten minutes to the hotel in the center. San Pedro de Atacama is already a very nice and busy village early in the morning. It seems like time has stood still here. The hotel ...
The Atacama Desert
Chile - At the viewpoint, we have a view of the village of Putre. We also see the cultivated agricultural terraces with the imposing Parinacota volcano in the background, with its summit over six kilometers high. We have now ascended to 3,500 meters, and this ...
Torres del Paine
Chile - Shortly after, we stand at the starting point of the hike to the mountain lake at the base of Torres del Paine (the towers of Paine). Just as we start, it begins to drizzle lightly. With my rain pants and jacket on, I climb steadily for the first hour. ...