Day 40 - to Villafranca del Bierzo

After a windy night up at 1100 metres, it was just a hop into the next valley this morning, using the village of Montes de Valdueza as base. This is a much more genuine village than Peñalba, and actually has some people living here throughout the year. Very few young people it seems though, and roughly about half the houses are derelict and even falling down, most of which have rough and scribbled ‘vende’ signs up with a telephone number to call. It would be a good place to live, though I do expect that tucked in between the mountains, it will get some big numbers of rainfall.

The parking for hikers is shared by that for the Monastery of San Pedro de Montes.

It was founded in the 7th century by San Fructuoso, though few of those ruins remain. Coincidentally, this was the era of St Cuthbert, whose death and subsequent tomb founded Durham Cathedral, which I was reading about only a couple of days ago. The monastery remained active until the Muslim invasion a hundred or so years later. It was restored by San Genadio in the 12th century.

Genadio re-founded the monastery, but with 12 monks there, he became too disturbed and took himself off to live a hermitic life in a cave, which I walked past yesterday.

I found a circuit in old paths above the village that took in a mountain pass and gave excellent views of the locality. There had actually been a drop of rain early in the morning, but the wind soon blew the cloud cover away for a ‘sunny intervals’ sort of day.

Then it was time to cross the A6 and take the chance of a supermarket, actually a Carrefour, in the town of Ponferrada. I try to be as quick as possible when passing through bigger towns, and did pretty well here.

On then to Villafranca, about 15 kilometres west, a busy town on the Camino de Santiago, so with all the restaurants and accommodation that generates. This afternoon though it was quiet, and at 20C, bout as warm as I would ever want it. It will approach double that in a couple of months.

There’s an area for campervans here, as there is in most towns. I’m parked up there, and late afternoon took a walk in for a beer. Most of the bars and restaurants are still closed for the season, though it does seem next weekend, Easter, will be busy. I’ll be hidden up on a mountain somewhere hopefully..

A Serene Hill-Side Homestay in Mussoorie - Let's Unwind Effortlessly on Your 2022 Trip

Mussoorie, also known as “Queen of the Hills”, is among the most popular hill stations in the country, and rightly so. This enchanting beauty wins the heart with its old-school charm, picturesque views, majestic waterfalls and mouth-watering local food. Mussoorie can be best described as a “trip to heaven” as you will be literally in the lap of clouds. It is a perfect place for honeymooners, a loner who wants to travel solo, or even friends and family for a perfect weekend getaway.  

Let’s unwind on your trip to this panoramic beauty in the foothills of the magnificent Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand. It is offbeat, adventurous and away from the crowd for the explorer in you. So, let’s begin!

1. Landour

This serene town in Mussoorie is home to the famous author Ruskin Bond. It offers tranquility and serenity of the beautiful Himalayas. The culture and the architecture of the town are reminiscent of the British era. It is away from the hustle-bustle of Mussoorie as not many people know about the town. You should visit this town for a clear view of The Himalayas and to immerse yourself in peace among nature in this unexplored town of Mussoorie.  

2. Sainji Village

Sainji Village, popularly known as Corn village is a vibrant and colorful place with long stretches of lush green that will make you think that you are in a movie. It is so beautiful that it looks unreal. It amazes the visitors with the hanging golden corns in the houses of the locals. This village is an ideal place for anyone who wants to experience a rural and rustic lifestyle and wants to know a thing or two about mountain culture. Definitely an unexplored gem!

3. Emily’s Rokeby Manor

It’s a café that was built in 1840 and will quite literally give you all the British era feels. This place is designed to reflect vintage charm. The menu has a mix of Indian and continental food with mouthwatering cakes as their specialty. Among all the usual modern cafes, dining here will give you a unique dining experience. Location: Rajmandi, Landour Cantt, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.

A warm and cozy place for your staycation in Mussoorie

For your offbeat trip to the hills, you would surely want to live in a place that exudes warmth and coziness. A place that feels like a home away from home. A comfortable place for such an adventurous trip would be Sundays Forever’s homestay. They have a beautiful and luxurious property called The King’s Cottage in Mussoorie with interesting architecture as it was built by King Louis himself. During the day, the hill station from King’s Cottage looks kaleidoscopic and so postcard worthy that it will make your heart flutter with joy. While at night the whole city of Dehradun twinkles with sparkling lights.  

King’s cottage has two bedrooms and two bathrooms with an additional powder room. There is also a super comfy living room with a great view to enjoy those snowy days and pleasant nights. It comes with all the amenities that one can think of. The most important of all things, FOOD! They have continental, Indian and an array of desserts that look pretty and taste oh-so-good!  

One thing that matters the most is the hospitality that cannot be found everywhere. The quality that makes Sundays Forever homestay the best in all of Uttarakhand is the hospitality that the staff provides.  

You can go on to Sundays Forever’s website and contact them directly for bookings across the country.   What more can one ask for on a trip?   Adventure? Check!   A great place to live? Check!   Good food? Check!   Hospitality? Check!

9 Stunning Medieval Perched Villages in Calabria, Italy

A world above the cities and magnificent beaches, the magic of Calabria, the southernmost region of the Italian peninsula, is found more in its perched villages than its monuments.

If you think you’ve already seen Italy because you’ve been to Rome, Venice, and Milan, you made an impressive dent in the culture of the country’s cities but you missed a lot of its magic. Atop Italy’s many mountains, in various states of decay and preservation, hundreds of villages remain from the middle ages (and earlier). Every one of them is a photographer’s paradise of snaking alleys and frenetically stacked houses with killer views, and many have fantastic beaches below, but each of them has a distinct personality worth discovering. It’s within these villages that you’ll truly come to know the Italian people and culture much more than in the crowded cities (and you’ll definitely get more invites to nonna’s house for homemade pasta).

Altomonte

Perched above the Esaro River valley, surrounded by mountains and overlooking lake streams, the medieval village of Altomonte is so prized by Italian brides for its pristine views and romantic architecture that it’s been dubbed “the wedding city.” Not getting married? You can still find romance (of the historical variety) with a stay in a 12th-century castle that’s now a hotel, or a visit to Renaissance-era library in a Dominican monastery. While the village stays current with music festivals and even modern art spaces, it’s truly the past that keeps Altomonte alive and high atop the list of Italy’s most beautiful villages.

Amantea

Famous for its chocolate-covered figs, Amantea dates back to the 7th century and boasts Byzantine castle ruins at its highest point. Winding down the hillside through the old village, you’ll find a 15th-century church with a sea view worthy of the divine—the perfect place to stop and indulge in the village’s traditional pistachio gelato. At the bottom, there’s nearly a mile of modern shops leading straight to Amantea’s coastline and its seemingly endless beach lined with the occasional bar and plenty of beach volleyball matches.

Badolato

High atop Mt. Saint Nicholas in Calabria is the thousand-year-old village of Badolato Superiore. With about 200 full-time residents, much of the village is empty but this no ghost town. A handful of engaged community groups, in conjunction with the local government, are actively renovating centuries-old houses and restoring them to upscale homes.

Today, a colorful cast of international transplants makes up a fair percentage of the village’s residents, but Badolato remains authentic Calabrian to its core. Italian moms still hand-roll pasta in restaurant kitchens, labyrinthine alleyways confound and amaze as they wrap up and around the mountainside through impossibly thin openings, and the siesta is a well-honored afternoon mandate.

Bova

Three thousand feet up with views of the Ionian Sea and Mt. Etna, it’s no wonder that Bova has been occupied since Neolithic times, sought and conquered by the Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Arabs, and Normans (among others) in its pre-Italian history. Dozens of noteworthy churches and palazzos speckle the village, but the castle ruins offer an astounding panoramic view worth climbing for.

For something out of the ordinary among Italy’s mountaintop offerings, check out Bova’s paleontology museum. And if you’ve ever dreamed of a palace made of wine, be sure to visit Palazzo Nesci. Local lore holds that the palazzo’s red stones are a result of a water shortage during construction, prompting the masons to use wine instead.

Fiumefreddo Bruzio

A mouthful to say, Fiumefreddo Bruzio has plenty more than its name to stuff your mouth with. While the chili pepper reigns supreme throughout most of the Southern Italy, cheese takes a strong second place here. From provolone to ricotta, this village specializes in a boatload of cheeses, but the most unique is filiciata, a soft cheese served in fern leaves. After a day of eating, climb the castle ruins for a dreamy sunset over the Tyrrhenian Sea, seen through crumbling windows originally shaped in 1201.

Gerace

Gerace is perched on a 1600-foot mass of sea fossils 60 million years old, and that’s pretty cool.

Gerace’s castle was constructed as early as the 900s and most of the surrounding medieval town remains intact, including over 100 churches and buildings carved directly out of the surrounding rock. Another excellent wine producer (with vineyards originally planted by Ancient Greeks), Gerace is also known for its ceramics, which make great souvenirs. Though Gerace claims awesome sea views, like most of the mountaintop towns in Italy, the beach is actually six miles from this sky-high perch—a testament to the clear skies and pristine vistas of Calabria.

Morano Calabro

Italy’s calendar of religious festivals is more than overcrowded—it’s overrun with them. But for events of a more unique variety, the red-roofed village of Morano Calabro has some quirkier options ranging from a folklore festival to the banner-waving festival, complete with medieval reenactments. If you arrive between festivals, there’s plenty of twisty-turny exploration to uncover, and a couple must-sees like the 5th-century monastery of San Bernadino and the church of Santa Maria Maddalena, whose brilliantly tiled cupola can be seen from just about anywhere in the center of Morano Calabro.

Pentedattilo

A 1783 earthquake drew most of Pentedattilo’s population away from its mountaintop perch, and it finally reached total abandonment in the 1960s. The ghost town remained untouched until the 1980s when international Europeans began restoring a small portion of the village. Today, some of the streets and buildings have been restored by these multinationals, and the village is secured enough to host an annual summer fest and even a film festival. Still, most of the village sits as it has for ages, an empty setting rife for adventure, particularly alluring at night when it is dramatically lit from below.

Stilo

Stilo’s history dates back over two thousand years and its Calabrian surroundings are so beautiful that monks carved rooms and churches out of the natural rocks to set up life here. By the 10th century, proper churches were on the scene, and one of Italy’s most famous Byzantine examples, Chiesa dell’Annunziata, still stands on the ancient Greek temple columns borrowed for its construction. Stilo is a small village, but the charm of its winding lanes and storied arches revealing views of olive groves, vineyards, and the Ionian Sea make it well worth a stop on any village itinerary.

Follow us on Instagram, @calabria_mediterranea

I posted 1.655 times in 2021

87 posts created (5%)

1568 posts reblogged (95%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 18.0 posts.

I added 2.962 tags in 2021

#art - 1027 posts

#wolfstar - 933 posts

#remus lupin - 239 posts

#sirius black - 187 posts

#fic rec - 136 posts

#rs - 118 posts

#marauders - 107 posts

#queue - 92 posts

#arya stuff - 66 posts

#my writing - 57 posts

Longest Tag: 124 characters

#ugh is it bad that every time i see a fanart of those 2 i want to write something where they hook up and remus suffers a lot

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

Idk if you’ve said this before, but what are some good LLaL fics? I’ve never been into them before but I loved yours so much I’d love to read some others that you like. Thanks!!

Oh, Anon. Thank you so much, it makes me very happy to hear that you liked my fic ❤ Those are my personal LLaL favourites (they’re all pretty old/not recent):

Adagio and we’ll not get anywhere, but we’ll go on by lupinely Ok, I know everyone read those two fics, but they deserve the hype and they hit me hard every time I reread them.

To Fill A Gap by sqvalors This one is part of one of my favourite series and ugh, sqvalors digs so deep that this fic reaches the most tender parts of me and it hurts in the best way.

Like Tinder for Ghosts and Leave the Children Behind by montparnasse Only one word: montparnasse. 

What we Lost by toyhto Everything toyhto writes is perfect and this one is no exception.

The hush of waiting by victoria_p This one is heavy and light at the same time and it leaves me teary-eyed every time I reread it.

i can tell you the telling gets old by misandrywitch This one will give you so much nostalgia that you’ll be messed up for days and won’t even be sorry 

121 notes • Posted 2021-05-13 19:55:01 GMT

#4

Hi all ❤ I wrote a story. It’s the fic I’ve always wanted to write, and I finally did. 

Before downfall

Rating: M Wordcount: 15K Tags: Lie Low at Lupin’s, Getting back together, Sirius Pov Summary: Sirius goes to lie low at Lupin's.

128 notes • Posted 2021-05-12 17:14:39 GMT

#3

Inspired by the amazingly talented @mlim8 and her PERFECT, fun, sexy, wholesome Rembus and Hunter AU, I wrote this little fic, set in that ‘verse. Expect lots of sexual tension between Rembus and Hunter.

No rest for the wicked

Rating: M  Wordcount: 2.7K Summary: “In the lovely village of Gryffindor, there's a problem: a demon, an incubus, is terrorising the villagers. Hunter Sirius Black knows everything about demons, but he has never met one like Remus.” - Evenings in the village are chilly and windy. Like any other remote village up north, Gryffindor is nestled in a narrow valley, surrounded from all sides by dark, sloping mountains, their summit hidden by a mist of clouds, dissolving into the grey, thunderous sky. Sirius observes what’s outside the window of his room – he requested a room on the third and last storey of the inn to have a good view of all his surroundings: a tailor’s shop, a baker, the huge soap makers’ brick building, thatched cottages in a row, all with shiny puddles of water in front of them, and a cobblestone road that twists and slithers. You can’t see the rundown church from here, but Sirius knows it’s there, feels it, to the west, on the outskirts of the village, half-covered by wild, overgrown ivy and surrounded by tall oaks.

Keep reading on ao3

128 notes • Posted 2021-06-25 14:59:10 GMT

#2

Happy New Year, Wolfstar fandom ❤ (I know I’m late but who cares) Here’s a short happy fic with a lot of pining ❤

I wanna be your boyfriend

Rating: T

Wordcount: 3.5K

Tags: Marauders Era // Canon Compliant // New Year's Eve // Friendship // Getting Together // Friends to Lovers // Pining // Romantic Comedy // Happy Ending // Fluff and Humor // 

Summary: New Year’s Eve, 1976. Remus goes to James’ party and Sirius doesn’t know how to accept gifts.

Remus’ first New Year’s Eve party looks a lot like Gryffindor winning the House cup – or any Quidditch match: James and Sirius smuggle in the alcohol and entertain the guests, Lily pretends to lend her records reluctantly but she’s the first one to dance, Alice makes eyes at Frank and Frank makes eyes at Alice, both too shy to do anything else, Dorcas does her Slughorn and Dumbledore impressions that make everyone laugh, even Marlene who’s usually curled up in a quiet corner, and Peter, well, Peter talks to any girl who’ll listen, or at least he tries. Remus usually pours glasses of whatever foul beverage there is and shuttles back and forth between being the perfect audience for James and Sirius and keeping Marlene company. In the process, he manages to find the exact moments when Sirius isn’t watching him to pine at the sweet sight of him.

Read on ao3

156 notes • Posted 2021-01-03 23:18:21 GMT

#1

Written for the Candy Hearts Challenge hosted by @goodboylupin​. 

I had the following prompt: ME & YOU, and I used it to write something a little bit angsty (but it has a very happy ending, I promise)

'cause you and me (we’re on the edge of the knife)

Rating: T

Wordcount: 3.5K

Summary: Remus and Sirius have an honest conversation after James’ stag party. 

--

It’s the uncertain hour when late night and early morning blur together, and the starless sky is a nebulous ceiling above Remus, the rolling hills surrounding him shrouded in a damp, padded darkness that conceals the apple tree and Sirius’ motorcycle parked under it.

All Remus can see is the stone balcony railing, shiny with drizzle, and the orange butt of his cigarette, white puffs of smoke curling up and then dissolving lazily into the chilly winter air. The distant beat of music from the living room, dulled to a feeble thump by the Insulating Charm, doesn’t quite break the sleepy silence.

Remus can’t remember whose idea it was to smoke the mallowsweet picked from Sirius’ garden, but its pungent smell pleasantly prickles his nose and sharpens his mind.

Read on ao3

200 notes • Posted 2021-02-13 15:21:52 GMT

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Game Journal: Tag Tamers - Entry #03

Previously: Following Millenniummon dividing the world into two and separating Ryo and Ken, Gennai manages to build a machine to establish communication between the two mirror worlds, starting a plan with both boys to free each area of the digital world on both sides of the divide. A Greymon, agent of Millenniummon, opposes them, having somehow gained the ability to travel between the two worlds, and evolving into MetalGreymon later on.

Now: I learn how many areas I must clear, explore the jogress mechanics of the game and face up against an old favorite of the Adventure 02 fanbase.

Special thanks to NikcDC and Ajora Fravashi from Romhacking net for translating this game!

Last time around, I cleared a Tropical Islands area and half of a Mountain area (on Ryo’s side of the divide). By returning to talk with Gennai before clearing the Mountain area as Ken, I learn how many areas there are in this game. They are as follows: File Island (cleared during Ryo’s part of the prologue), Remote Forest (cleared during Ken’s part of the prologue), Sea Islands (cleared during the previous entry), Mountains (Ryo’s side already cleared), Machine area and Millenniummon’s continent.

Going by the above, I’m two and a half areas away from facing the final boss. Lore-wise, it’s strange for there to not be a desert area, considering how long the Chosen Children spent in such areas during the anime. Perhaps this is Millenniummon’s continent? I’ll see when I get there.

Anyway, before going to face MetalGreymon’s forces, I check if I can pick up new digimon. I have 3 options: Gabumon, Botamon and YukimiBotamon. I initially pick the Child-level, thinking it’ll be more powerful, only to find it has just one attack, which consumes its energy points and would eventually leave him useless in a long-term mission. I decide to instead pick up the YukimiBotamon and train it, hoping to see it evolve into Tailmon. After all, I already have the Digimental of Light, so might as well use it.

The enemies in the mountain area of this world are much the same as in the other: primarily teams of 2 Baby II level digimon with 1 Child level digimon as the main threat. While Wormmon and Patamon can easily handle that, YukimiBotamon is very vulnerable, so I end up having to revive it mid-battle.

It’s worth it, though, because fighting such relatively high-levelled opponents means my Baby level digimon very soon evolves into the Child stage. Plotmon is adorable here, and will be very useful for this area.

Clearing the first dungeon of the mountains opens up the DigiCave, where a sign can be read, bearing the above inscription. This is digimoji, and translating it (with the handy guide provided by NikcDC in the patch), it turns out to be a particular jogress evolution: LadyDevimon + MarineDevimon -> SkullSatamon.

While exploring the final dungeon of the area, the Death Chasm, I come across a piece of the Digimental of Darkness. Given how much focus there is in the Adventure series to darkness as a corrupting force, I was expecting this to be handled differently from the others. It is a bit interesting, though, that it is Ken and not Ryo the one who finds the pieces.

Anyway, the dungeon is pretty long, but manageable for my team, and soon enough I’m face to face with MetalGreymon again. As before, he boast of having stolen my skills, but given I don’t normally use tricky moves against him (I prefer straight-forward offense unless I can’t help it, you see), it doesn’t really mean much. Defeating MetalGreymon for a second time opens up a portal in the village, though, this time leading to the “Machine Continent”. Gennai tells us that this continent has been corrupted by a great evil, and that we must go face the source.

With my Wormmon-Patamon-Plotmon team, I go face the first dungeon. It’s harder, the teams now consisting of either 2 Childs/1 Adult, 1 Child/2 Adults or even 3 Adults. I manage to defeat them, but it’s clear I won’t be progressing much with my current team, which shows no sign of evolving anytime soon. I remember the message regarding jogress, though.

There’s a particular building in the village that is centered around fusion, as well as a “fusion counter” in the digimon information when you look up your team. Assuming that jogress is the way to new evolution, as it often was during this era of the franchise, I decide to use it on my team, namely on Patamon and Plotmon.

I did not expect to receive a Baby I level again, but that just means I can train it. Going back to earlier dungeons, I start to clear them with my inappropiately powerful Wormmon by my side, and these efforts pay off very fast.

Soon enough, I repeat this process with the Gabumon I mentioned at the start and an Elecmon I trained from a Punimon, gaining another Punimon that evolves into Centalmon. With a team of 2 Adults and Wormmon, I go face the dungeons.

While still harder than the previous areas, it’s much more manageable this time around. The Digimental of Light means Tailmon gains access to a Nefertimon move, which heals me much like the Pegasusmon one did. Still, I end up having to restock my healing items in the ocassional mid-battle shop frequently enough. Finally, after what frankly felt like much, much more fights than in any of the previous dungeons, I come accross MetalGreymon.

Can’t see him clearly? Don’t worry, I have a zoomed-in view for you.

Don’t let anyone tell you the Adventure 02 writers didn’t know what they wanted to include in their series.

Still, this BlackWarGreymon is much different from the anime one, being a willful servant of evil rather than a lost soul looking for answers to his existance. He implies Ken is quite scared during this battle, which is a bit of a change from Ryo, for whom this has never been implied.

I manage to defeat him, after which the perspective once again changes to Ryo. Piccolomon confirms that BlackWarGreymon is the powerful digimon controlling the Machine Continent, so he’s not just coasting on his master’s power here, but exerting his own. Coupled with a plan, one to test the power I can get from the jogress facility before facing up against Millenniummon’s agent, I leave Piccolomon’s house.

But that’s a story for next time. See you soon for what I assume is the conclusion of our conflict with BlackWarGreymon, as well as our arrival to Millenniummon’s Continent.

Thanedar

Thanedar is a quaint little hamlet in Himachal Pradesh, located amidst the scenic apple orchards in Shimla district. Situated at a height of 7,250 ft from the above sea level, it is famed as the fruit bowl of Himachal Pradesh.  Active with its beautiful apple and cherry orchards, Thanedar gives unequaled delight to the nature lovers. You can enjoy plucking the fruits from the myriad trees that supply lakhs of cartons full’s with juicy apples around India and also abroad and also biting into them or can savor the chewy slices of apples that the localities dry on their roofs.. There are many resorts forgeting the deluxe orchards that offer one the experience of staying near the nature.

The nearby places that you must visit are the Nag Devta temple, standing along the Tani-Jubbar Lake, St. Mary’s church which also happens to be one of the oldest churches in India and Hathu Peak that provides mesmerizing vista of the snow clad peaks of the Himalayas.

Thanedar is a good base to explore the apple country side. It is here, Samuel Stokes (later known as Satyanand Stokes), a social worker from Philadelphia, planted the first apple seed in 1916 and the legacy of apples in India started growing. Samuel stokes is an embodiment in Thanedar. One can still see the 'Starking Delicious' apple orchard that he planted there. Thanedar’s apples are used in preparing most delicious wines, jam and pickles. The hill station has an impressive rest house built in the traditional pahari style overlooking the Sutlej valley. This is a place to undertake many adventure activities from camping to trekking, nature walks and rock climbing.

Prime attractions in this picturesque place include an ancient Tani-Jubbar Lake, St. Mary’s Church and Arya Samaj Mandir.

Tani-Jubbar Lake : It is a small but pretty lake. This lake is in fame for Nag Devta temple, an ancient wooden temple built along the lake but not open to outsiders. Every month of June, a fair is held near the lake, where local artisans and craftsmen display their wares. Its just 6 kms from the Thanedar Retreat.

Barobag : It is the highest point in Thanedar. Flanked by the Shilajan Peak, it offers stunning views of the snow-capped mountains to the North. Many miles below the Barobag Hill at Thanedar, one can see the meandering Sutlej make its way into the Punjab plains. Atop Barobag hill is the Harmony Hall -a three-storeyed structure made of stone house of Satyanand Stokes , built in 1912.

Hattu Peak : This peak is at a height of 11000 ft. Surrounded by pine and spruce trees, it offers a wonderful trek, it takes minimum two hour trek to reach this peak from Narkanda. On the way one can see many flora and fauna. Also can enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges of Himalayas from the peak. During winter and spring, the peak is covered with a with a thick blanket of snow. At the top there is small temple dedicated to Hatu Mata (incarnation of Kali). Every year a fair is organized here in the month of May. An ancient Hattu Mata temple is located on the top of the hill. Trekking through the steep mountain slopes is the only way to reach the peak. 

St. Mary's Church : This is one of the oldest churches in India built in 1843. Located 6 km from the town, it is a beautiful wooden church with its old graveyard stands as a reminder to a bygone era. Built of wood in a neo classical style, it's stained glass windows are its main attraction. Adjoining the church is the Gorton Mission school established in 1843.

Arya Samaj Mandir : This is a Pahari style temple built by Stokes. Situated amidst of picturesque apple orchards of Thanedar, the temple is surrounded by inscriptions from the Upanishads and Bhagvad Gita. 

Reasons to Visit

·        Thanedar lies 18 kms from Narkanda off the NH-22 and is surrounded by Apple, Plum and Apricot orchard.

·        Thanedar offers good Himalayan views, walks and village character.

·        Thanedar is where you can pickup apples, apricot etc that are used in preparing jam, pickles, and wines.

·        Thanedar is home to experiential retreats that focuses on soft adventure, walks, treks etc.

·        Thanedar is Recommended for honeymooners and families who are not looking for luxury but looking for a nature centric comfortable experience.

Access Information

·        Nearest Airport -Shimla (80 kms), Kullu (175 kms), Chandigarh (198 kms)

·        Nearest Railway Station - Shimla (80 kms), Shoghi (95 kms), Kandaghat (110 kms)

·        Thanedar is an Ex-Chandigarh / Ex-Dehradun / Ex-Ludhiana / Ex-Jalandhar / Ex-Amritsar / Ex-New Delhi / Ex-Noida / Ex-Gurgaon Getaway

- > Credits < -

Book title : Book 4 * Samurai Troopers * Shin Kon Hen (Early Dusk Volume)

Published by Keibunsha Novels

Character designs by Enzan Norio Story by Ushyuu Miki

- > Table of Contents < -

Prologue - 17 Chapter 1 - Ominous Clouds - 23 Chapter 2 - A flash of brilliant light - 57 Chapter 3 - Era of The Ogre - 99 Chapter 4 - Opening Eye - 143 Chapter 5 - Correct and wrong determination - 169 Epilogue - Where the one village becomes eternal - 207 Otogaki (Afterword / Postscript) - 211

The people of this land prayed for a person, a hero, that was mentioned in the ancient legends to come help them. To save them. Instead, an evil person arrives and begins taking over the land. The time for life being full of relaxation and peace has come to an end. However, all hope is not lost. One day, a mysterious warrior appears out of nowhere. This lone young man, this mysterious warrior, becomes a monk. He comes into contact with armor called 'the armor of the light' and wears it. As evil spreads and touches the lives of many people, this man says only a single name... a single word. "Kikoutei". ('Kikoutei' is a poetic word for the sun. 'The radiant gleaming emperor'.)

-> Prologue < -

The story begins right here in the year of 1989 (after the final defeat of Arago). A weird, but unnoticed, shadow forms in the sky, spreading a shadow over things, and making the area a little bit darker. Kayura is walking though a gorgeous, peaceful, and quiet valley of Asuka, Japan. The area itself, unlike so many other places, isn't packed with people or buildings. It's a place with more wide open spaces and nature to it. The view is utterly spectacular and relaxing to the senses. There use to be many temples, shrines, and homes in the area a long time ago. These days, very few buildings of any kind are left standing. This detail shows that the area use to have a lot more interest in it. Kayura, dressed in the traditional blue and white robes of the Kaosu clan, and with the shakujo (metal staff of Kaosu) in hand, walks down a path through a line of trees on this quiet summer's day. She still looks like a pretty little teenage girl. After everything that happened, she's still emotionally distant from people. Then again, after everything she's been through, not many people could blame her any. As she walks, a gentle breeze blows and rustles the leaves of the surrounding trees. She'd seen a little of Japan after Arago's defeat, when the world was returned to normal. She wonders why more people aren't behaving in a loving way and sharing the love that's in their hearts. Her mind wanders to her past, her village, her parents. Despite having been kidnapped and used by Arago, her unhappy past was completely purified because of a happy memory of her ancestors. Although this doesn't magically cure her and help the teen to completely adjust to her new way of life, it does help. Kayura is the only living descendant of her village, of the entire Kaosu clan. She is the only person left behind to carry on and protect Kaosu's mission. The ages old mission is to keep a watchful eye on the world. By doing this, they can help to encourage people to be true to their nature and be good. Live good lives. Make the world better. Even when there was an entire clan undertaking this mission, it wasn't easy. With her being the sole survivor, this would be a challenge and a half. She eventually finds her way to the lake that Shuten, Nasuti, and Jun went to in order to recover the Inochi no Magatama (Jewel of Life). The teen only found her way here by following a feeling from deep within herself. At her destination lies an old story waiting to be shared with the final descendant of the Kaosu clan. As she approaches the tranquil lake, sunlight glimmering off the tiny ripples created by the breeze, the water begins to show her a vision. This is a vision of the mission that she's meant to follow. Despite the knowledge gained from this vision, there are still lots of puzzles concerning Asuka, Japan. These unknowns hiding the one true reason for the former warrior having been drawn to this location. The sun continues setting on the surrounding mountains. Kayura continues through the trees and down a hill. Despite carrying the shakujo, she's not worried that it will suddenly spring to life with its power and offer protection from any dangers. It does still hold that same kind of power, but its no longer seen or housed as a "worshipped object". Not to mention the Inochi no Magatama has long since gone from the village as well. So, there's no reason for it to activate. As she continues onward, a farmer hurries home, rushing past her. No 'hello', 'goodbye', or 'how are you?'. The teen silently watches him hurry up the hill and out of sight. She can't help thinking about how humans have managed to make a living for themselves here. The land is very slanted, with a lot of hills and moutains. One can only begin to imagine how difficult of an undertaking it was to try and live in this area. With each step she takes, it seems as though she feels more and more drawn towards a certain place. There's no map or compass to act as her guide. Only the will of her own heart. Soon she notices a large, very old, and enshrined rock shaped like a turtle. It's sitting in front of someone's house. The height of the rock comes up to her hips and is quite wide. It has the name "Kikoutei" carved into it and looks as though it's the remaining ruins of some place that had long since gone. As the teen touches the grey, weathered stone, she thinks about how it has such a calm face. In olden times, two feudal lords fought over this land. In those days, when peasant served a lord, they received a piece of land to live and work from. This was especially important during times of war. In exchange for their areas of land, these peasants were expected to preform various duties for the lord who gave them this land. A reasonable sounding expectation. The more peasants and land that the lord had under his control, the more wealth and power he could aquire. It's said that when the two feudal lords were fighting over this land, the lake went dry. This was very problematic because the lake was where the regining emperor of that time had his turtle at and died at. Nothing could be done to restore the lake or bring the turtle back to life, so, as the story goes, this stone was cut and made into the shape of that turtle. It was meant as an offering for the deceased turtle's soul in the hopes this would bring it peace, as well as help to appease the emperor. Kayura couldn't help but take notice of how warm this stone turtle was to the touch. Especially here under the intermitten shade of the trees. Most any other stone under these conditions would be cool to the touch. An amusing thought crossed her mind, wondering if part of the sun itself resided within this stone figure. Then again, who knows? Maybe this warm, calm-faced stone turtle held some connection with the people who knew about the will of Kikoutei, the radiant gleaming 'emperor', the sun itself. She took a moment to kneel, close her eyes, and say a quiet prayer for the stupid people of the world. This included people who acted without reason and only wanted to see others hurt. Maybe, one day, far into the future, the people might become peaceful and loving once more. With the prayer finished, she opened her eyes, stood, and began walking again along the dirt path. Casting a final glance back at the turtle, she can't help but to find the premise intriguing that people who lived such a long time ago had made such an image from stone, then called it 'Kikoutei' (in Japanese it's a poetic word for the sun). Something that is a source for built up power. It's said that such an idea was said to have begun in the Asuka area and spread out to touch the minds and hearts of everyone it came into contact with. That this warmth and kindness had entered into everyone's hearts, being passed down through history. Even now, in this day and age, it's said that that sort of power continues to support the people of this land. Kayura took her time walking around the lake. A few birds chirping up in the trees, but the area otherwise quiet. When she was on the opposite side of the lake, another truth revealed itself to the teen. The way of Kaosu, the life's purpose and mission of her clan, would begin to do the same. She would offer love and kindness towards others. Maybe, on some level, little by little, this would help people turn away from their harmful ways and return to how they should be.

The Doris McCarthy Trail

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One of Toronto’s features that the city’s boosters like to promote is ravines. Toronto has many ravines and people often say that, in order to feel like you have left the city behind, all you need do is go down into one. It’s kind of true, but, with a few notable exceptions, you never really feel that you are completely out of the city. You feel that you are in a small, natural setting outside of which is an urban Gargantua. One notable exception, and it’s one that I only recently discovered, is the Doris McCarthy Trail.

Doris McCarthy was a Canadian artist who lived nearby, in a large house on top of the Scarborough bluffs called Fool’s Paradise. There is also a piece of artwork called Passages at the end of the trail which was commissioned by The Friends of Doris McCarthy. Apparently, she also donated two hectares of the ravine to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, so it seems appropriate that they named the trail after her. To get to the trail head, take the 102 Bus from Warden Station and get off at Kingston Road and Bellamy, in front of the Pioneer gas station. They sell soft drinks and snacks inside so if you haven’t brought any refreshments, you can stock up there. A large bottle of water is the minimum I’d suggest having with you. If it’s a warm day you’re going to be guzzling it like crazy on the way back up the trail. There really isn’t any obvious place to park, so, in this case, public transit really is the better way. Simply walk from the gas station down Ravine Drive for about two hundred feet and you will see the entrance to the trail.

I guess I should mention that riding a mountain bike down the trail seems to be acceptable to the powers that be because there are signs advising cyclists to walk down the steeper sections.

The problem with that is getting back up. Even in your lowest granny gear, it’s going to be a tough slog and you’re pretty much eliminating your chances of seeing any foxes or other wildlife. Once past the barricade, you will find that the path immediately plunges downward and you are, seemingly, enveloped in nature.

Bellamy Ravine Creek or brook burbles to your right over what is obviously a series of man-made cascades, installed, presumably, to keep the newly upgraded trail from being washed away by spring run-off. I believe the trail had to be closed recently due to just such an event. So okay, it’s not 100% natural, but it’s close enough. You’re completely enveloped in a deciduous forest and there is nothing to remind you that the houses on Bellehaven Crescent are only a few hundred feet away, even though they are.

You might find it interesting to reflect upon the fact that you are following a path used by natives as long ago as 8,000 B.C. This is known, apparently, because some arrowheads dating to that period were found in the ravine. Corroboratory evidence of there being large numbers of natives in the area, prior to the arrival of European settlers, is the Tabor Hill Ossuary just 4.5 kilometeres to the north. Dating to the 1400s it is estimated to contain the remains of 472 Wendat natives. Two kilometres to the west, on the north shore of Highland Creek, was the village, four hectares large, that these people lived in. Both the ossuary and the village were excavated in 1956 by archaeology students from U of T.

If smuggling and skullduggery are more your cup of tea, then you might choose to imagine all manner of illegal imports from the United States being brought up this path as recently as the 1830s, tea and tobacco being two of the most popular products. It might seem harmlessly romantic, but getting caught could result in hanging, so smugglers would sometimes dump their entire cargo overboard if they thought there was a chance of that happening.

And then there’s the gold. It is said that, during the war of 1812, American soldiers buried some looted gold here in the ravine, and it was never recovered. Highly unlikely, but the story does add to the trail’s allure. Primarily, however, the Doris McCarthy Trail is a nature trail that takes you down through a cleft in the Scarborough Bluffs to the shore of Lake Ontario.

Enjoy the lush forest, the birdsong, the burbling brook and the blue sky overhead if have been so fortunate. About two thirds of the way down you may begin to notice a slightly strange phenomenon. The horizon of Lake Ontario appears to too high in the sky. This is, I think, an optical illusion of sorts caused by the fact that you are still fairly high above the shoreline but still looking straight out at the horizon. Or maybe it’s just me. Have a look and see what you think.

When you reach the bottom of the path, you are presented with a piece of artwork called Passages. Depending on your point of view it either looks like the rib cage of a large fish or the hull of a boat.

Maybe you see something else. In any case, it’s meant to commemorate the life of Doris McCarthy and place that life within the much larger context of the bluffs, which, as the explanatory plaque will tell you, were formed 23,000 years ago.

In fact, if you just look at the layers of clay and silt in the bluffs you can see the history of how they were formed. The top layer is glacial till, a hodge podge mixture of everything the ice sheet has ground up on its way south, but basically clay and small boulders.

It’s easy to tell the difference between this and the layer of sediment below it because the lines in the till are vertical and the lines in the sediment are horizontal. To get a sense of how old the layers of till and sediment at the bottom of the bluffs are, start with the top layer of till. It was deposited here somewhere between 25,000 and 40,000 years ago.

Then realise, as you scan down the cliff face, that each succeeding layer was deposited much earlier. What you can see at the bottom was left there as long ago as 2.5 million years maybe. In between the time the bottom and top layers were deposited, woolly mammoths inhabited the region. The bluffs, in short, are really old and were formed over a long period of time. Their erosion, however, has taken place over a much shorter period, 1.62 feet each year. Scant wonder then that a summer house built on the edge of one of the properties above has almost fallen right off that edge. Ironically enough, it used to belong to a comedian called Billy Van who starred in a TV series called The Hilarious House of Frankenstein. So, if you think the city has destroyed the natural look of the area at the base of the bluffs with its new breakwaters, I would encourage you to spare a thought for the poor homeowners on top of them. How did they know that by building a string of monster homes right next to an eroding cliff they were being perhaps overly optimistic. Seriously though, the breakwaters were obviously needed to slow down the rate of erosion and allow future generations of Torontonians the opportunity to marvel at this geological wonder.

Once you have satisfied your curiosity about Passages, there are two directions you can head, obviously. To the west lies a long service road which will eventually (a little less than a kilometer) bring you to Bluffers Park Beach, where you can lie in the sand and maybe even go for a wade in the water.

To the east, the path stretches out a good long ways along the shore, but just remember, for every kilometre you hike in that direction, you’re going to have to come back to Passages and then hike back up the hill to the bus stop. One particularly interesting thing to see in this direction is only a couple of hundred metres away, however. It’s the remains of the steamship Alexandria, which ran aground here in 1915. All the passengers on board escaped and climbed up Gates Gully to Kingston Road. If you walk to the first rock protrusion of the breakwater, you should be able to see the top of the ship’s smoke stack because the waves break over it.

So that’s pretty much all there is to this outing. A nice walk in nature. Some historical and artistic curiosities. And couple of million years of geology. The day of my visit, there was one more thing to take note of. Turkey vultures, aka buzzards. These birds have an awesome wing span, five-and-a-half to six feet in length, which allows them to ride the updraft at the top of the bluffs. Only occasionally do they need to flap their wings to stay aloft. And what are they looking for while they circle? Dead squirrels. The occasional seagull carcass. Washed up fish and the like. Just anything that’s already dead but not yet in a state of putrefaction. Even a buzzard has to have some standards. The thing about these buzzards, however, is that they could also serve as a nice exclamation mark at the end of some kind of sentence about the brief, transitory nature of all living things, while they circle over a 2.5 million year old cliff face looking for their next meal.

To get back to Kingston Road and the bus back to Warden Station, simply trudge your way back up Gates Gully. Take your time, and rest as often as you need to. If it helps, you can imagine yourself being a smuggler in the early Victorian era with a big payout waiting for you at the top.

20 Things to do & love about Hong Kong right now

What’s not to love about Hong Kong? Our designer Pauline, shares her top 20.

What inspires you in Hong Kong?

So so much, daily sightings – heritage buildings, architecture and Art, HK is a very abundant place for art. From street art and random sightings in old neighborhoods to discovering a whole range of local independent artists who work in different mediums. And of course the international art scene that is also present here. If you need a change of scenery you can jump in a cab or bus and you are on the beach in half hour.

A lot is getting lost here in the way of the the old Hong Kong as we know it – neon signs, buildings, makers, crafts so it’s incredible if we are lucky enough to see it even for a moment, so it’s important to me to get a sense of that now. 

1.     Favorite place in Hong Kong?

So so many – endless list. I am in love with this city.  Being so close to the outdoors with an unexpected view of the mountains, city and sea all together in a perfect light. Lush Nature sitting right next to the density of high rise. That’s pretty unique. Walking distance too.

2.     Favorite food?

Has to be discovering traditional Cantonese and ethnic foods that remind me of being an immigrant Chinese with a childhood in England not really knowing where they came from. Love seeing that little old lady or man selling something homemade -  Hakka bun or dumpling or a village shop selling local honey in a  pop bottle. Happy local bites have managed to stay and most of it is quite healthy. You feel the love that went into making it.

My favorite area for this is Sham Shui Po – an older district – total gem sitting next to the hole in the wall food spots with it’s electronics, secondhand markets and off course fabrics. In contrast there’s lots of cool new places also popping up. Art & Coffee. Interesting to see how neighborhoods are changing in this new era. Another place worth a mention - is Dignity Kitchen - a Singaporean social enterprise that serves up yummy Singaporean food housed in a renewed heritage building at 618 Shanghai street -  i love their Pandan cake!

3.      Favorite Drink

Freshly squeezed sugarcane juice. Nothing beats the thirst but this. Better than any bubble tea. Bring your own container or bottle even better. Look out for the few drink vendors selling it and the traditional Chinese herbal teas which are great for cooling and keeping your body heat in check during the summer months. My fav spot is Kung Lee Sugarcane Store on Hollywood road, Central, intersection near Lyndhurst. It’s a family business spanning a few generations.

4.     Favorite mode of transport

Has to be the Star Ferry, 5 minutes on that after a long day – just takes every thing away. It’s very therapeutic. That really hasn’t changed for me since the early mid 90’s traveling here for work.

5.     Favorite place to shop

More of a browser than a shopper these days. I have everything I need. Love all the antique shops along Hollywood road in my neighborhood with all their unique offerings. Unfortunately many are no longer operating since this tough year. I look out for special exhibitions to learn more about Chinese antiques. My fascination with craftsmanship done the old way. There’s always little surprises down the side streets. Love all the nostalgic & random stuff. Sometimes there’s a few treasures to be found.

6.     Favorite HK artist

I love dimension and have an obsession with typography and textured works. I have been quite intrigued by the local artist Michell Lie and her Chinese brushwork inspired pieces mixed with some contemporary elements. There’s a beautiful fluidness in her work that i can just get lost in for a short while. Currently exploring ceramic artists in the city.

7.     Favorite place to explore

Old industrial neighborhoods around HK – the Mills are fantastic – repurposed textile mill now focusing on the history of HK textiles, sustainability, supporting local projects. Such a great place to hang with it’s shops, exhibitions and museum.

8.     Favorite temple in HK

The Chi Lin nunnery in Diamond Hill, very different from the other traditional temples you see in South China, I feel very calm when I am here and it’s not far to get to. If you need a couple of hours out. It’s perfect and there’s a lovely landscape oriental garden next to it too. For a further out trip– Tsz shan Monastery is quite special and a must .

9.     Favorite sighting

Often you will see parts of movies or TV series being shot. People don’t really bat an eyelid to it. It’s great to see a part of the neighborhood lit up with lights, cameras and crew and you know there’s some action going down.

10.  Favorite place that doesn’t feel like HK

Some of the Hikes –Cape d'aguilar, Cape Collison, some of the further out little islands that you can only access by boat. The landscape and vegetation here is so diverse.

11.  Favorite night time spot

Has to be the peak – but anywhere with a clear night view of the Harbor I am happy with. A sunset hike via the many paths to the peak is perfect way to soak in the city.

12.  Favorite fashion discoveries

PoHo neighborhood has lots of small design boutiques, some fashion, lifestyle and accessories. PMQ is another fab little area full of small boutiques and workshops. Love checking out the side streets in Central too and some of the other districts. The side alleys are the best places to discover something. Mongkok behind the ladies markets has a few vintage stores i love rummaging around in too.

13.  Favorite Lifestyle store

Still has to be G.O.D .. love all the little nuances and humor in the heritage inspired products.  Small items that are perfect memories of HK.

14.  Favorite season in HK

September on wards till March. Weather’s cooler and you can get out to do more hikes…and not turn up in places sweaty. Many people do not realize HK has seasons, complete contrast to other 4 season countries as winter here is like 1 month of 12 degrees and people running around in Puffas.

15.  What do you love most about HK

Convenience. This city was built on that. I haven’t had to drive since I left the UK more than 20 years ago. Most places can be walk-able, if not jump on the MTR which is super clean and efficient or bus or grab a taxi. Most places are 15 mins to under 2 hours away. You can be in 3-4 places a day if you plan right. Shops in some districts are open late 7 days a week. It’s really a city that never sleeps. …. And I am never too far from seeing water.

16.  Favorite day trip

Jumping on a ferry to one of many the islands – 30 minutes and you would have landed elsewhere. Can’t decide which I love better.. have so much to discover still on Lantau, Cheung Chau, Lamma, or go inland to the islands around Plover Cove. You can never get enough sunsets.

17. Favorite Smell

Can’t decide if it’s the Kowloon or Hong Kong Candle created by BE Candle and Tiny island maps. But I love both for a different daily mood and the Terrazzo holder.. all locally made. Love that.

credit:tinyislandmaps

18.  Current favorite hang out place.

Central market just finally finished get renewed. It was a 4th generation building old modern style market that first came about in the 1850’s . Super cool with a well curated bunch of shops and food hangouts.

19.  Favorite thing to do in HK

Eat, hang out with friends, visit a museum, see an exhibition somewhere hidden. Just be inspired.

20. Favorite place to decompress?

My 24/7 Gym or has to be home. After all the running around - the new way of working and the past pandemic year made me appreciate being still and chill.

Blessed with magnificent beaches, humbling mountain landscapes, and a blissful Mediterranean climate, Malibu is a famous city that lures even celebrities and socialites to leave foreign lands and permanently settle on its heavenly terrain.

Malibu brings both the resplendence of the Santa Mountains and the Pacific Ocean together, so expect a wealth of enchanting trails, state parks, campgrounds, and beaches.

It can be hard to choose where to go, so here’s our very own list of the best things to do in Malibu, CA to give you a glimpse of the city’s irresistible destinations.

1. The Getty Villa

The Getty Villa, located east of the city limits of Malibu, is an educational center and museum dedicated to ancient Greece, Rome, and other classical civilizations.

Why You Should Go

Featuring art that dates back to 7,000 years ago, the Getty Villa is nothing short of grand. In fact, it is a re-creation of an ancient Roman country house and offers performances, family events, lectures, Mediterranean-inspired food, and a wealth of resources on classical antiquity.

What to Do

Browse through the villa’s amazing exhibits, or catch an event if you can. If you’ve worked up an appetite from that, enjoy classical fare at the café, kiosk, or tea room.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Oceana Santa Monica, LXR Hotels & Resorts

2. El Matador State Beach

El Matador Beach is located within the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach and is one the places to visit in Malibu that you should never miss!

Why You Should Go

El Matador Beach is a spectacular seafront location perfect for the usual swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing, with the added bonus of cave adventures during the low tide.

What to Do

Ready your cameras for El Matador’s impressive arches and unique rock formations. Don’t forget to wait for the low tide after swimming to visit the cave!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club

3. Zuma Beach

Zuma Beach is a 2-mile-long shoreline bordering a massive sandy area. Unlike other beaches in the city, there are no residential buildings on its shores.

Why You Should Go

One of the largest and most popular beaches in Los Angeles County, Zuma Beach is often considered to be one of the top attractions in Malibu. Its wide taupe sands and gentle summer waves beckon beach lovers here to go swimming, scuba diving, surfing, and fishing.

What to Do

The squad will absolutely love all the fun things to do in Malibu, California waiting for them at Zuma Beach. On top of the classic beach activities, there’s kiteboarding, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, beach volleyball, and windsurfing.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Malibu Beach Inn

Related: Best Beaches in Malibu

4. Adamson House

The Adamson House was built in 1929, featuring an extensive use of decorative tiles inspired by Mediterranean Revival design.

Why You Should Go

Sometimes dubbed the Taj Mahal of Tile, the Adamson House’s exterior and surrounding landscape flaunt a vibrant Mediterranean scene, while a rustic Old World countryside charm permeates the house indoors.

What to Do

Step into the forgotten era of Spanish-Moorish design in California, and make your way through the gardens and historic rooms. Afterwards, check out the shop for unique gifts along this motif.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

5. Malibu Country Mart

Nestled between the majestic mountains and the glistening sea, the Malibu Country Mart was founded in 1975.

Why You Should Go

Malibu Country Mart, the heart of the downtown Malibu’s Civic Center, has a generic name, which hides away its extravagant countryside ambience, upscale boutiques, and al fresco dining experiences.

What to Do

Immerse yourself in Malibu’s calming, laid-back setting as you shop ’til you drop and dine ’til you’re filled. If you brought the little ones along, there’s a small playground just for them.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Santa Monica Proper Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels

6. Malibu Bluffs Park

Malibu Bluffs Park spans six acres of community park facilities overlooking the Pacific.

Why You Should Go

Part-wilderness and part-park, the Malibu Bluffs Park offers families multipurpose sports fields, a playground, trails, picnic tables, a whale watching station, and community events at the heart of actually 83 acres of undeveloped wilderness.

What to Do

Escape the rush of urbanization and commune with the abundance and power of nature at Malibu Bluffs Park. Hike the trails, listen to the distant waves, have a bite in the wilderness, and encourage the love for outdoor recreation to the kids.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Anza – a Calabasas Hotel

7. Escondido Falls

The Escondido Falls drops from a 150-foot multi-tiered cliff, the highest in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Why You Should Go

Dependent on rainfall, Escondido Falls is best visited in the early months of the year. It takes an adventure through 4.2 miles of oak woodland, riparian woodland, and coastal sage scrub to be rewarded with such a sight to behold.

What to Do

One of the top fun stuff to do in Malibu is embarking on the outdoorsy journey to Escondido Falls. Hike the Winding Way and soak in the natural ambience to recharge your soul!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Sheraton Agoura Hills Hotel

8. Malibu Wine Safaris

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Malibu Wine Safaris takes you around Malibu’s largest vineyard to introduce you to its furry friends!

Why You Should Go

Aboard a trusty safari vehicle, Malibu Wine Safaris carries you through Saddlerock Ranch on a fun safari adventure that ends in wines and hor dourves.

What to Do

Explore the 1,000-acre Saddlerock Ranch with Malibu Wine Safaris and meet zebras, water buffalo, llamas, giraffes, and more! The adventure then serves you locally grown wines in a private wine tasting location.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village

9. Point Dume State Beach

Point Dume State Beach is one of the most breathtaking things to see in Malibu, noted for its vast, rugged beach landscape.

Why You Should Go

Featuring over one mile of shoreline and 34 acres of sand, Point Dume State Beach is a hidden gem that boasts views of the entire Santa Monica Bay and Catalina Island in the distance.

What to Do

Despite its rocky features, Point Dume State Beach actually has perfect spots for swimming, surfing, scuba diving, and fishing. Whale watching is also common from December to April.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Homewood Suites by Hilton Agoura Hills

10. Malibu Coastal Adventures

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Malibu Coastal Adventures is a consistently five-star rated tour operator that takes you along the Southern California coast.

Why You Should Go

Looking for the top things to do in Malibu with kids? How does an ocean adventure aboard a luxury catamaran sound? And you won’t just sail aimlessly around; you can meet and interact with sea life along the way and explore amazing marine landscapes too!

What to Do

Try stand-up paddleboarding, explore incredible sea caves, grab a fishing pole to catch some lunch, or snorkel around exotic kelp forests! Meet whales, dolphins, and sea lions as you go.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hilton Garden Inn Calabasas

Related: Best Things to Do in Southern California

11. The Grotto Trail

Nestled on the idyllic Santa Monica Mountains, the Grotto Trail leads you to a secret oasis hidden in a canyon.

Why You Should Go

If you’re looking for cheap things to do this weekend, why don’t you take the squad on a short 3-mile round trip into the mountains? The trail leads you to a narrow canyon with caves, a creek, a little waterfall, and an enclosed pool.

What to Do

Experience the beauty of the majestic Santa Monica Mountains as you journey through a rare coastal Mediterranean ecosystem with occasional wildflower blooms.

Looking for things to do in Malibu tonight? You can also reserve a spot at the campground to listen to coyotes and watch the stars glisten in the dark!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club

12. Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek State Park is a massive 8,000-acre mosaic of woodlands, tallgrass, and slopes surrounding the 14-mile Malibu Creek.

Why You Should Go

The Santa Monica Mountains is indeed home to a treasure trove of hidden gems, one of which is the ancient sprawling paradise surrounding Malibu Creek. This state park is so pretty it has been the location of a couple of popular films.

What to Do

Malibu Creek State Park offers a lot of the free things to do in Malibu for backpackers. Hike, bike, climb, kayak, camp, and watch wildlife as you explore the Santa Monica Mountains. For a full experience, the park offers free docent-led tours too!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel

13. Solstice Canyon

Located off Corral Canyon Road from the Pacific Coast Highway up on the Santa Monica Mountains, Solstice Canyon is a popular sight with a wide array of hiking trails.

Why You Should Go

Another contender for scenic adventures into the Santa Monica Mountains is Solstice Canyon, a favorite among families, hardcore hikers, and history enthusiasts. Solstice Canyon features ruins, coastal sage scrub, and a perennial waterfall, all populated by roaming wildlife.

What to Do

Hike the wide trails and enjoy picnics along the way. A trip to the waterfall shows you several ruins too, like a stone hunting cabin and ranch house. If you’re looking for a more challenging adventure, opt for the Rising Sun Trail.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Woodland Hills

14. Malibu Riders

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Malibu Riders is a top-rated horseback riding tour company that guides guests through Malibu’s most beautiful trails.

Why You Should Go

With Malibu Riders, you get to ride through the city’s most amazing trails, lush forests, and stunning landscapes aboard gentle horses. You don’t need to be experienced. Just come and enjoy the relaxing ride.

What to Do

First choose your adventure. You can enjoy a ride through forests, up mountains with ocean views, or to a famous ranch formerly owned by 20th Century Fox. Arrive about an hour ahead of the ride schedule for briefing, and enjoy the trip.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hampton Inn & Suites Agoura Hills

15. Leo Carrillo State Park

Named after a local conservationist, Leo Carrillo State Park is bordered by 1.5 miles of breathtaking coastline.

Why You Should Go

Campers with an affinity for the water are always drawn to the sycamores, coastal caves, reefs, and tidepools of Leo Carrillo State Park. The park also features lovely trails for back-country hiking.

What to Do

Book a spot on the park’s famed campgrounds and enjoy a beachy camping trip involving swimming, surfing, beachcombing, caving, and diving.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Quality Inn & Suites Thousand Oaks – US101

16. Malibu Hindu Temple

Amidst the green state parks of the Santa Monica Mountains rose a Hindu temple built in 1981.

Why You Should Go

The Malibu Hindu Temple is one of the largest Hindu temples in the Western world. It’s actually an active temple that hosts Hindu ceremonies, activities, and cultural programs.

What to Do

Looking for things to do in Malibu for couples? This temple makes for a unique experience with a foreign culture.

Tour the grounds and marvel at the intricacies of Hindu architecture inside out. Check out their official calendar to catch an event. If you’re hungry, the temple has a kitchen that serves delicious vegetarian meals.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hilton Woodland Hills/ Los Angeles

17. Neptune’s Net

Neptune’s Net was started in 1956 by a retired aerodynamicist from NASA.

Why You Should Go

Done all the best things to do in Malibu, CA? Reward yourself with a warm tasty meal at Neptune’s Net, a popular restaurant that has been featured in countless movies and shows.

What to Do

Even when it’s raining or cold, Neptune’s Net’s popularity never dies out. Treat yourself with the deep-fried seafood well loved by locals until today. Enjoy the postcard-perfect views as you chow down on Malibu fare.

LOOK ! 10 Best Places to Visit in Montenegro

LOOK ! 10 Best Places to Visit in Montenegro

 Established as an independent country in 2006, the tiny Balkan country of Montenegro is quickly becoming a well-liked travel destination.

Gorgeous beaches, verdant mountains, and postcard-perfect historic towns draw an increasing number of visitors per annum.

Add a light Mediterranean climate into the combination, add opportunities for active pursuits ranging from mountain biking to whitewater rafting, and it’s no wonder that tourism is now the drive behind Montenegro’s growing economy.

Here’s a glance at the simplest places to go to in Montenegro:

1-Herceg Novi.

At the doorway of Kotor Bay is Herceg Novi, which translates as New Castle.

Herceg Novi is found right at the foot of Mount Orjen, and it's a scenic, historic

but a pristine alternative to a number of the larger coastal cities within the region.

The city dates back to the 14th century, and therein time several empires and cultures

have inundated and left reminders of their presence.

Between the 15th and 18th centuries, the world was referred to as Castelnuovo, and it had been passed through the hands of the Ottoman Empire, the Albania Veneta, and even the Republic of Venice.

2-Lake Skadar.

As the largest lake within the Balkans, Lake Skadar sprawls across both the Montenegrin and Albanian borders.

This long, snake-shaped lake flows through lush valleys, steep mountains, and even around

floating islands.

It’s also one of the country’s biggest nesting grounds for birds.

There are over 280 different species that decision Lake Skadar home, including the Dalmatian pelican and therefore the great crested grebe.

The best time for bird watching is from late spring to autumn; however, you’ll still

be ready to enjoy a plethora of outside activities at any time of the year.

3-Sveti Stefan.

You’ve probably seen photos of Sveti Stefan plastered everywhere on your Instagram feed.

This charming islet is really a five-star resort, situated within the Adriatic coast along

the Budva Riviera.

A narrow isthmus connects it with the mainland.

Even if you don’t have the cash to splurge on one among their 50 rooms or cottages, you

can still marvel at Sveti Stefan from the 2 pebble beaches on either side of the isthmus.

The bright orange rooves of the resort surrounded by the shimmering blue waters are arguably some of the foremost iconic symbols of Montenegro.

4-Mount Lovcen.

One of the foremost striking natural features in Montenegro, soaring Mount Lovcen is capped by two mammoth peaks of granite.

Part of a park, Mount Lovcen inspired Montenegro’s name and maybe a symbol of national

pride.

Climbs to the highest of the mountain offers panoramic vistas of the fortified city of Kotor, the surrounding hills and therefore the Bay of Kotor.

With its circular viewing platform, the nearby Njegoš Mausoleum may be a destination for sightseers as well as for those that want to pay their respects to the poet and philosopher buried there.

5-Cetinje.

Founded within the 15th century, Cetinje is best known for the various European embassies built when the town served as Montenegro’s capital.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the town’s inland valley location at the

edge of the Ottoman Empire made it a strategic spot for diplomacy.

Today, the elegant mansions constructed within the Continental style of architecture are

converted into museums, academies, and administrative buildings.

Other interesting sights include the 15th-century Vlah Church with its fence made up of

Ottoman rifles and therefore the Cetinje Monastery with its collection of Early Christian era relics.

6-Ostrog Monastery.

Situated high during a giant rock, the Ostrog Monastery is that the country’s most unusual

architectural site and a serious Christian pilgrimage destination.

The entire monastery was carved out of a subside an almost vertical mountain cliff with only the whitewashed façade left visible.

Built-in the 17th century as a refuge against the Ottoman Empire, it houses the remains

of its founder, who was sainted after his death in 1671.

The monastery includes two inner cave churches ornamented by frescoes, a number of which were painted directly on the rock walls.

7-Perast.

Located to the northwest of Kotor and sharing an equivalent gorgeous fjord-like bay, pretty Perast is a village notable for its stone-crafted villas and historic churches.

Two of the city’s picturesque chapels are situated on tiny islets, Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George.

Back onshore, the Church of St. Nikola is worth a visit for the pleasant views thata climb up to the belfry offers of the town and bay.

While there’s no beach during this bay-front city, the stone jetties along the waterfront

are popular places for sunbathing and relaxing.

8-Durmitor park.

Situated within the Dinaric Alps, the thickly forested Durmitor park may be a paradise

for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The park includes the high-altitude peaks of the Durmitor Massif, 18 glacial lakes and

the Tara River, home to the world’s second deepest gorge.

Skiing and snowboarding are the most activities in winter while whitewater rafting, camping and hiking attracts visitors within the warm-weather season.

The park’s wildlife includes wild boars, brown bears, and therefore the most sorts of butterflies found anywhere in Europe.

9-Budva.

Located within the center point of Montenegro’s coastline, Budva boasts a picturesque Old

Town, an abundance of beaches, and a number of other important cultural institutions.

Dating back over 2,500 years, it’s one among the oldest preserved villages within the country.

It’s the city’s vibrant nightlife, however, that creates Budva the foremost popular place to

visit in Montenegro.

By night, revelers crowd the city’s many bars, clubs, and restaurants, then spend

the day relaxing at one among the various beaches in the region.

10-Kotor.

Considered one among the simplest preserved medieval towns on the Adriatic coast, the fortified town of Kotor is tucked against the steep mountains surrounding the deep channels of the Bay of Kotor.

While Kotor’s architecture reflects the varied empires that ruled over the region,

it is best known for its Venetian-flavored Old Town, which is dominated by the 12th-century

cathedral.

The church’s carved stone altar is an exquisite example of the stonemasonry skills Kotor was known for within the Middle Ages.

Treks up the upper town walls to Kotor’s hilltop fortress reward hardy hikers with

breathtaking views of the town and deep-water bay.

https://ift.tt/32dn05u Blogger via IFTTT

tagged back by @suitcasesoffeathers​!!! (I’m also gonna answer my own questions in this post for @pilotpig​, thank you for being curious!! Haha

Also, sorry for all the long posts lately!!! (I just found out about the keep reading button so I’ll use that from now on!!!

1. If you could meet any fictional character in real life, who would it be and why? 

hmmm, maybe Hermione Granger? Since she could teach me all sorts of stuff about magic and tell me things that happened during the books that Harry was too oblivious of to notice. XD Hermione seems like she’d be more perceptive than him. 

2. If you could magically teleport anywhere (to a real location or fictional location), where would that be and why?

oooh, that’s fun, I’d go to Hogwarts for sure!! That would be so fun!!!

3. If you were in control of the world for a day, what would you do?

maybe just fire Trump and what’s his face vice president guy. lol, I think that’s the only thing I could do and not be scared of the repercussions. 

4. What’s the weirdest dream you’ve ever had?

I’ve had so many weird dreams lol. There is one in particular that was this whole story thing going on, but it would take too long to write the whole thing, so I’ll tell you my favourite part. So, there was this servant boy and he and the princess fell in love and blah blah blah, but eventually he took her to visit his parents in his village. He lived in this rock thing and inside everything was saran wrapped. Th counters, the couches, everything (apparently this was for easy cleanup). So eventually this bell sounded (like a warning bell in medieval times) and that meant everyone had to go and steal food from each other and it was only legal between the first and second bell. The servant guy went off to steal food and everyone was beating each other up and it was terrible and then suddenly servant dude comes rolling down this hill (the village was on a slope) on top of a giant armadillo. He just rolled the armadillo into a convenient sized hole next to his house and claimed the armadillo as his own. (I found it funny when I think about it, but typing it up sounds weird....but I guess that’s the point lol)

5. What do you do when you’re bored?

I usually just complain that I’m bored then rewatch videos I’ve already seen or watch old shows I used to like, or I’ll draw.But lately I’ve been sucked into those top 10 scary videos lol.

6. What’s the dumbest injury you’ve ever gotten? (could be from cuts/scrapes to broken limbs, etc.)

When I was maybe 7 or 8 I was playing a video game with my siblings. It was this super weird racing game on the N64 and I was really into it for some reason, and every time I made a turn I would lean my body in that direction. I was sitting on a wooden stool while playing so the stool would lean too and eventually it just toppled to one side and my head landed right into a stone fire place. It was not fun lol, I still have a scar right next to my temple.

7. Do you have anyone that you really admire/aspire to be like one day? If so, who?

hmmm, I think my parents. A combination of the two. lol, that’s kind of a boring answer but it’s true.

8. Is something that you really treasure that other people may think is dumb?

ohh, there’s this stick I have. lol, I found a stick in the woods when I was 8 and it was the perfect walking stick with a thumb hold and everything. I loved that stick and brought it with me to school sometimes. And when we moved houses I brought it with and I still have that stick in my room and I’ll probably never throw it away at this point. I don’t know why I like it so much. XD

9. What are some positive personality traits that you believe/other people say you have? (no need to be modest ;))

lol, mmm, my parents say I’m creative. My dad says I’m really, thoughtful and have interesting insight about different topics (which I disagree with lol). I’ve been told I’m empathetic and kind and all those things too haha.And every once in awhile I get that I’m funny. (which is cool since I’ve always loved making people laugh and making others happy is what I always strive to do)

10. What style do you usually sport clothes-wise?

mmm, that depends. I love dresses and skirts and girly clothes, but I also love the simple jeans and graphic t-shirt. and then there are days wear I just want to look all boyish and wear baggy pants and oversize shirts. My style is pretty non-existent haha.

11. If you could have a mountain of any food right now, what would it be?

lol! uhh chocolate probably, haha I’m always craving chocolate. I wouldn’t eat an entire mountain of it in one sitting of course though, but it would be nice to have a stash whenever I want some! XD

my own questions:

1. Are there any new hobbies or new skills you want to try/learn?

I’d like to learn violin again as well as get back into photography!

2. Do you believe in anything supernatural? (if you have stories please share, I find them fun to read)

I do lol, it seems no one I tagged does though, which is understandable. I believe in ghosts and aliens (though there is no doubt in my mind aliens exist, I don’t believe any have come to earth. The universe is just so huge there has to be another planet with life on it) I sadly don’t have any stories though.

3. What’s your favourite historical era and why?

I LOVE medieval times. The atmosphere is super cool and it was always my favourite unit in history class in grade school (in highschool when I took an ancient history course we didn’t have time for that unit and it made me mad lol) But I just love history in general so much! It’s so cool to learn about and talk about!! (This is why I’m going to write a time traveling story, since I get to do research about different era’s for it!)

4. What is one of the strangest conversations you’ve ever had?

hmm, this was like, weird for a couple reasons. This was waay back when I was in 9th grade and my friend was in 8th, so I’d go to her school after my school was done and wait for her sometimes. So at one point I was waiting in front of her class and this boy (who I’ve spoken to many times before and he was always fine then) Started asking me “do you like fairy of tails?” over and over and I was so confused what he meant so I asked him “sorry, fairy, of tails????” and he just....rolled away lol. The entire conversations he was rolling around on the walls, flip flopping from one to the other in the hall and then just rolled into his class room.

I later realized he meant the anime fairy tail, which he already knew I liked and cosplayed from so....idk what was going on with him that day. XD

5. Any inside jokes (not with me, just in general)?

‘Imagine this!’ *pretends to open cupboard*  (this one is with rieko lol, it would make no sense to anyone but us) 

6. What quote do you say the most?

the wombo quote from spongebob as well as various other spongebob quotes.

 ‘HE WAS THEIR FRIEND! AND HE BETRAYED THEM!...HE WAS THEIR FRIEND!!!’ from harry potter, I say that all the time lol

7. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

teleportation since that would be so convenient and I could go all over the world for significantly cheaper.

8. Favourite British drama, Korean drama and/or American drama?

British drama: ‘Merlin’

Korean Drama: ‘Good Doctor’ or ‘Hello My Twenties’

American drama: if ‘Stranger Things’ counts then that, if not ‘Once Upon a Time’, the older seasons.

9. Have you ever been in a situation that felt like you were in a movie?

All the time lol. I feel really surreal a lot. There was one time where me and my friend were walking at this park that had a farm on one side and forest with swings and slides and all that on the other (it wasn’t a super dense forest or anything, it was pretty open). We were walking at night and as the forest area came in view we saw a ton of lanterns lighting it up, some were on the ground and some were in the trees. It was weird because the day before there was nothing there. I promptly decided to do what anyone would do and force my friend to go into the forest of lanterns with me. My memories are all mixed up because for some reason I remember it being pitch black in the forest even though there were lanterns.....but anyways, eventually I saw a flashlight, I couldn’t see who was holding it but I could tell someone was coming towards us. I looked at my friend who desperately wanted to leave and I for some reason was feeling brave and wanted to talk to the person (I have no idea what compelled me to, I normally am not like that) When I turned back there was a second flashlight and then my bravery just drained and me and my friend just ran out of there. Next to the forest on the exit we took was a school so we stood in front of the school and then we heard a little girls voice say ‘what are you doing?’ and my friend screamed at the top of her lungs and scared the poor kid who went back inside the school and I laughed so hard and then we went home. lol, it felt like a horror movie but at the same time it was so fun! oh, and then the next day we went back and almost all the lanterns were gone.

10. Any funny things you did as a kid?

I also had elaborate plots for my toys. And I thought grilled cheese was girl cheese and only girls could eat it. I also truly believes ‘stupid’ was the s word. lol. Oh, and I had an obsession with toads when I was little and there were a ton in my neighborhood at the time so I would catch toads a lot.

11. Something you’re looking forward to?

when rieko is less busy and we can hang out and film and all that again lol. (even though was just went skating last week XD)  Also, I’m looking forward to the distant future when I have money and can pay to go to upcoming cons!!

Cape Town Itinerary: What to See and Do in 4 (or More) Days

Posted: 2/13/2020 | February 13th, 2020

Cape Town is one of those places I can never get enough of. Its natural beauty, climate, people, chill atmosphere, and delicious food scene always make my visits memorable.

Backed by Table Mountain, Cape Town is really one of the most beautiful cityscapes in the world.

There’s a lot to see and do in the city, so to help you make the most of your trip, here is my suggested itinerary for four (or more) days.

Suggested Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Table Mountain, City Center, Walking Tour, & more!

Day 2: Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Lion’s Head, & more!

Day 3: Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach, Penguins, & more!

Day 4: District Six Museum, Muizenberg Beach, Hout Bay, & more!

Day 5 (or more): Kalk Bay, Signal Hill, Slave Lodge, & more!

  Cape Town Itinerary: Day 1

Take a Free Walking Tour For a thorough introduction to Cape Town, I recommend taking at least one free walking tour. As you know, I always do that when I arrive in a new city, to help me get a sense of the destination’s culture and history and orient myself. Some of my favorite walking tours are:

Free Walking Tours Cape Town

Ashanti Free Walking Tours

City Sightseeing

Just be sure to tip your guide at the end, as that’s how they make their living.

Explore the City Center Your next stop should be Cape Town’s city center. You’ll find all kinds of shopping, cafés, restaurants, and markets along Long Street. Take several hours to explore and see it all. To see more of Cape Town’s eclectic neighborhoods and get a feel for the local pace of life, here are some specific areas worth exploring:

Green Market Square – Right off Long Street, this is a perfect place to find local handicrafts and souvenirs. There are all sorts of crafts and gifts here. Don’t be afraid to haggle for a good deal!

Victoria and Alfred’s Waterfront – This is another impressive shopping locale, with a large variety of shops and entertainment. It’s on the historic working harbor, the architecture is quite charming, and it’s extremely popular with both tourists and locals alike. Grab a seat on a waterfront restaurant’s balcony, have a drink, and soak up the atmosphere.

Bo-Kaap – Not far from the city center is Bo-Kaap, a colorful Muslim neighborhood. This area, previously the home of Cape Town’s slave population, is known to be quite Instagram friendly (you’ve likely seen it on IG already!). Each home is painted a different color and you can tour the area on your own (although you’ll probably enjoy it a lot more if you take a free walking tour). If you don’t tour with a group, be sure to get a overview of the area’s history at the Bo-Kaap Museum. It’s small, but the staff is quite friendly and super knowledgeable. Admission is 20 ZAR ($1.36 USD) per person.

De Waterkant – A nice place to spend the evening is the De Waterkant neighborhood. Not far from Bo-Kaap, this trendy area (think NYC’s Greenwich Village) is the perfect place to stroll, window-shop, and enjoy an upscale dinner. The architecture is quite stylish in what is Cape Town’s “pink” (gay-friendly) district. The Cape Quarter shopping mall is here as well.

Woodstock – This is one of the coolest neighborhoods in Cape Town. In recent years, it’s become a hub for art galleries, co-working spaces, breweries, and hip restaurants. What was once an old, rundown industrial area is now one of the coolest places in town.

Visit Table Mountain A visit to Cape Town isn’t complete without taking in the view from Table Mountain. It’s a bit of a walk up there, but it��s totally worth it. The shortest trail takes about two hours, but if you’re short on time, you can take the cable car, which takes about five minutes each way (it’s a bit pricey at 330 ZAR ($22 USD) for a round-trip ticket, though). Up top, you’ll have a 360-degree view of Cape Town, the harbor, the mountains, and the beaches. Try to come up during sunset, or if you can, bring some food and drink and have a picnic!

Keep in mind that the clouds can move in really fast here, so be sure to check the weather before you hike up.

I suggest hiking up and then taking the cable car down if you’re short on time. If you want to extend your stay, hike both ways and spend some time relaxing and taking in the view. If you pack some water and snacks, you can easily make this a full-day activity. There are shops at the summit as well as several other hiking trails to explore if you’re looking to work up a sweat.

Note: I put this at the end of the day so you can do the walking tours in the morning, but you can also make this a full-day activity if you want! It’s worth taking it slow here if you have the time.  

Cape Town Itinerary: Day 2

Visit Robben Island Hop on a ferry from the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and head to Robben Island, located about 8km from shore, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of his 27 years behind bars. Declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1999, the museum is an important symbol in South Africa, representing the triumph of democracy over apartheid. The tour guides are former prison inmates, and you can to sit in the cells where the political prisoners once lived.

No visit to Cape Town is complete without coming here. Do not skip this!

Ferries operate three times a day, starting at 9am (a fourth ferry operates during the summer season). Admission is 320 ZAR ($22 USD) for adults and 200 ZAR ($13.50 USD) for anyone under 18, which includes the ferry ride. Expect the entire trip to take at least four hours.

Visit Kirstenbosch Garden Located in the southern suburbs, these gardens were established over 300 years ago and have more than 22,000 types of plants found on the African continent. Spanning over 1,300 acres, this is unlike any other botanical garden you’ve seen! Be sure to do the tree canopy walkway. There are restaurants and cafés on-site, but they are expensive, so I’d bring your own food and have a picnic on the grounds.

Rhodes Drive, Newlands, +27 0800-434-373, sanbi.org/gardens/Kirstenbosch. Open daily 8am-6pm (7pm in the summer). Admission is 70 ZAR ($5 USD) per person (discounts available for students and children).

Watch the Sunset from Lion’s Head Table Mountain’s little sister, Lion’s Head, is perfect for an evening hike. It takes just 45 minutes to hike to the top, so time your trek so you’re at the peak for sunset. It’s one of the most scenic spots in town. Also, remember a flashlight for the trek back down.  

Cape Town Itinerary: Day 3

See the Penguins While you’re in Cape Town, you won’t want to pass up seeing the area’s cutest inhabitants: African penguins! This colony is home to over 3,000 penguins. They live at Boulders Beach Park, and you can view them from a raised boardwalk (further down the beach you can swim with them if you’re really bold — expect freezing water!). Just keep in mind that they are wild animals. The beach is their home, not yours — so keep your distance and don’t try to feed or pet them. They are wild animals after all.

Visit Slave Lodge Built in 1679, this is one of the oldest remaining buildings in Cape Town. It is where the Dutch East India Company housed their slaves until 1811. Over 60,000 African and Asian slaves were brought to the city, and almost 300 men and women were forced to reside in the lodge at a time. Today, the lodge is a museum where you can learn about the hardships slaves faced in their daily lives in Cape Town.

Corner of Adderley Street and Wale St, +27 2- 467-7229, slavery.iziko.org.za/slavelodge.

Tour Parliament Take a tour of the parliament of South Africa and learn about South African politics — including how the country was governed during the apartheid era. Dating back to 1884, the Houses of Parliament are National Heritage Sites; the original building was granted approval by Queen Victoria when Cape Town was a British colony.

Today, they host daily hour-long tours during the week, and you can even book a spot (at least one week in advance) to watch debates if you’re interested.

120 Plein St, +27 (021) 403 2266, parliament.gov.za/visiting-parliament. Tours are held daily, but advance booking is required. Admission is free.

Hike Signal Hill For some beautiful sunset views, hike up to the top of Signal Hill. The climb is tiring and takes around 90 minutes, but the views are worth it (you can also drive or take a taxi up to the top). You’ll get a sweeping vista of Cape Town, including a view overlooking Table Mountain too. Just be sure to give yourself lots of time, so that you don’t miss the sunset.  

Cape Town Itinerary: Day 4

Visit the District Six Museum In 1867, District Six was established for freed slaves, immigrants, and marginalized individuals. Under apartheid (1948–1994), the district was declared a “white area” and the existing residents were forced out. Over 60,000 people were forced from their homes, and this museum highlights their struggles and stories. It provides important context to the city’s modern history and ongoing struggles.

25A Albertus St, +27 21-466-7200, districtsix.co.za. Open Monday-Saturday 9am-4pm. Admission is 45 ZAR ($3 USD) or 60 ZAR ($4 USD) for a guided tour.

Hit the Beach Cape Town has some incredible beaches, so make sure you spend at least part of a day on one of them. Clifton Beach is probably the most popular. The sand is super white and the water a bright blue. Unfortunately, it’s cold pretty much year-round, so don’t expect warm tropical waters. The scenery is gorgeous though, with the mountains behind you and mansions and upscale restaurants lining the beach road.

Another option is Muizenberg Beach, which is a 30-minute drive from the city center. This beach has a famous boardwalk and is great for surfing.

Check Out the Wildlife If you head down Muizenberg Beach, be sure to stop at Hout Bay. This harbor is home to tons of seals and seabirds. If you’re visiting between June and November, keep your eyes peeled for the migrating whales. Right whales, humpback whales, Bryde’s whales, and dolphins can all be found here.

If you’re looking for a meal, the fish and chips in this area of town are to die for. And don’t miss the Bay Harbour Market on the weekend: vendors sell everything from fresh fish to jewelry to local art, and there are often live bands too.

Explore the South African National Gallery The Iziko South African National Gallery is home to an extensive collection of both South African and African art, as well as English, Dutch, and French pieces. The collection focuses on works from the 17th to 19th centuries, including paintings, sculptures, sketches, and lithographs.

They also facilitate an ever-changing rotation of contemporary artwork from both locals, as well as visiting exhibitions from across Africa and around the world (visit the website to see what temporary exhibitions are available during your visit).

Additionally, the gallery has a lot of insightful information about art and censorship during apartheid.

Government Ave, +27 21 481 3970, iziko.org.za. Open daily 9am-5pm. Admission is 30 ZAR ($2 USD).  

Cape Town Itinerary: Day 5 (or More!)

If you have more than four days in Cape Town, here are some other fun things to see and do during your trip. Most of these will take you out of the city, so you can see more of this beautiful region of the country. Consider renting a car to make things easier!

Visit Kalk Bay This fishing village makes for a nice spot to go window-shopping (or actual shopping if you want some souvenirs). There are plenty of seaside cafés you can relax in for a few hours, away from the busy city center.

Journey to the Cape of Good Hope The Cape of Good Hope is where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, and the drive there from Cape Town is one of the best on the continent. You’ll want to take the route along Chapman’s Peak, a winding and scenic road along the Atlantic coast. It’s a toll road, but the views are very much worth the price.

The Cape of Good Hope is located in Table Mountain National Park, which stretches all the way from Table Mountain in Cape Town to the tip of the continent. This nature reserve is home to numerous birds and animals, including antelope, Cape mountain zebra, eland, and baboons. Keep in mind that, while the baboons may look cute, they are still wild animals, so be careful around them and keep your food secured and out of sight.

There is a lot to see, so plan for a full-day excursion. If you don’t have your own car, you can book a tour with the Cape Point Explorer for 740 ZAR ($50 USD).

Enjoy Some Wine If you love wine, head to the Stellenbosch area. If you have a car, it’s just 45 minutes outside of the city and is home to hundreds of vineyards. The wine from this region is world-famous, and the scenery is breathtaking, offering towering mountains and lush valleys. Tastings typically run about 60-75 ZAR ($4-5 USD), and food pairings are available as well. Some suggested wineries to check out are:

Spier Wine Farm (one of the oldest in the region)

Marianne Wine Estate (offers a classic French winery experience)

Waterford Wine Estate (they pair their wines with decadent local chocolates)

If you don’t have a vehicle and want to take a tour, expect to pay at around 1,000 ZAR ($68 USD) per person for a half-day tour of the region and its wineries. Many hostels run their own tours to the region or have partnerships with local tour guides who can take you as well. Be sure to shop around!

Learn to Surf Cape Town is a super place to learn how to surf (though it’s also terrific for experienced surfers). Surfer’s Corner at Muizenberg Beach is known for its beginner waves, and there are plenty of surfing schools around where you can rent a board and take lessons. Expect to pay around 500 ZAR ($34 USD) per person for a 2-3-hour lesson.

***

Cape Town is one of my favorite cities on the African continent. With its terrific hikes, beautiful scenery, and important history, Cape Town has something for everyone. And, thanks the rand’s value, it’s affordable enough, so it’s easy to visit without breaking the bank.

Let this Cape Town itinerary help you make the most of your visit there.

Map of Activities

P.S. – Want to meet other travelers in real life? This year we launched The Nomadic Network, a platform created to help travelers connect, learn, and get inspired in real life! Here are our upcoming events if you want to take part: Seattle (2/17), Austin (2/18), Fort Lauderdale (2/19), Portland (2/19), San Francisco (2/20), Los Angeles (2/23), Detroit (2/24), Boston (2/24), Dublin (2/24), San Diego (2/24), London (2/25), Chicago (2/25), and NYC (3/10).

Book Your Trip to Cape Town: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines, because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive inventory. If you want to stay somewhere else, use Booking.com, as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. My favorite places to stay in Cape Town are:

The Backpack Cape Town – A fair-trade hostel with a swimming pool and garden, as well as activities most nights. They do a lot of good work for social change!

Ashanti Lodge Gardens – You can hang out at the pool or the landscaped gardens here, or in the awesome Kumasi Bar, with its views of Table Mountain. They have a great bar menu too!

91 Loop – When you stay here, you get a free breakfast, free city walking tours, the opportunity to take part in organized activities, and discounts on the Honey Badger restobar.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those 70 and up)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all those I use to save money — and I think they will help you too!

Looking for more travel tips for South Africa? Check out my in-depth South Africa travel guide for more ways to save money, tips on what to see and do, suggested itineraries, informational reading, packing lists, and much, much more!

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