panorama
Little Update: EXAMS ARE FINALLY OVER and I can officially say, "HELLO SUMMER!!"
Im heading to a couple of eastern/central european cities next week and I'm definitely excited about the warm weather and getting to explore again. But, I have yet to share all of my spring travel trips with you guys (oops!)
I blame the one month of exam preparation! Being on a year abroad and travelling as much as I did meant that I had a TON of catching up to do for finals. So, for the last month, I did nothing else but study. Well, study and watching an occasional YouTube-video for a break.
Anyway, it's all over and I'm back to blogging with probably my final post on my spring solo Scandinavian trip.
Whilst I was in Bergen on my solo-trip a month ago, I went up Mount Fløyen for a panoramic view of Bergen and part of the Nordic Sea.
Bergen is surrounded by 7 different mountains, and there are so many options when it comes to hiking and getting an amazing view. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a mountain-climber/hiker, nor am I a person who is great with directions (leave me to hike up a mountain alone, and I probably wouldn't make it down).
Even though I imagine myself to be as cool as the main character in Into the Wild, I am not. My mum was adamant that I should not be hiking alone.
Thus, the most convenient way for me get a panoramic view of Bergen and to imagine I'm exploring a mountain was to head up the most touristy mountain in Bergen - Mount Fløyen.
As I was navigating my way around, I realise I was upwards at every turn. Turns out, once again, I failed at map reading and was heading up towards Mount Fløyen instead of the Fløibanen (the funicular that takes you up). I had half a mind to just wing it and head up on foot, when I chickened out upon realising that I had no wifi, and my maps might not work since there aren't any hotspots up on a mountain. So I headed back down and took the funicular.
Better safe than lost on a mountain, they say (by they I mean my brain cells haha!)
The funicular went up to the viewing point in a couple of minutes, which was rather surprising. I expected it to take a lot longer.
Upon arriving at the viewing gallery, everyone rushed out to the edge whilst marvelling at the wonderful view.
Thankfully, I went up early in the morning which meant fewer tourists, and more photo opportunities!
The viewing area is so wide that walking from one end to another, you get a great 360 view of Bergen and even parts of the Nordic Sea (?) It was brilliant!
Being a moderately chilly spring morning, the clouds were thick and low such that they float by occasionally engulfing the view, leaving the little peaks of mountains and tiny houses below, behind the trees.
Eventually the clouds got so thick I felt like I was swallowed in the middle of one huge cloud cover. As the wind blew them towards me, I could feel myself walking straight into it.
It was a pretty odd feeling; similar to walking in smoke, except not quite.
It was sort of smokey and misty without the crappy burning smell I would say. Well, basically, I liked the feeling of walking into clouds.
After admiring the view to my hearts content, I decided to take a little walk into the woods and mountain pathways marked out on Mount Fløyen. Most people who go up on Mount Fløyen do it solely for the view, and rarely venture past the viewing deck. So heading into the "woods", I was completely alone with no one in sight.
Everytime I see something resembling the woods, Out of the Woods by Taylor Swift pops into my head, and I start humming to myself.
Are we out of the woods yet, are we out of the woods, are we in the clear yet are we in clear yet good ~
I walked past tall evergreen trees and snow covered ground making squishing noises with my boots and leaving deep indented footprints on the snow covered pathways.
As I was wandering, I manage to spot quite a few families having their morning hike. Little children playing, running around, and tugging on each other, whilst parents sit at a corner sipping tea or strolling leisurely behind them.
Going down another path, I stumbled upon the weirdest looking statues and the most interesting signboards with sayings like "Don't scare the baby dinosaurs" or "Beware of Witches". When I first saw the dinosaur notice, I ACTUALLY THOUGHT IT WAS REAL.
I know. Silly. Because they're extinct.
In my defence, I thought they meant some sort of a wild animal that looks like a dinosaur, you know, one of those flying bird like dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. Yeah. So I was a little apprehensive strolling around all alone.
I told Jerald about it, and of course he had a good laugh at me.
Regardless, it was a lovely morning spent up on Mount Fløyen. I just wish I lived in Bergen or grew up in Bergen. That way I could go on family walks in the mountain, have campfires up here (there was leftover campfire wood all around!), and pretend to find dinosaurs or meet witches on brooms.
With my over active imaginations, I'm pretty sure a 5 year old carina would love to spend her saturday mornings up on Mount Fløyen!
If you're ever traveling around Scandinavia alone, and want to spend sometimes among tall trees, whilst admiring a picturesque view, head up Mount Fløyen! If you're a tad bit more adventurous, you could choose to walk up, or if you're one of those ala Reese Witherspoon in Wild kind of people, you could consider hiking up one of the other mountains. I'm pretty sure the view is just as incredible :) Who knows, maybe up on another mountain, you could attempt to look for hobbits, and talking rabbits instead of witches and dinosaurs?
Into the (Snow Covered) Woods + Mount Floyen Panoramic Views
9 June 2015 Fløyen, Bergen, Norway
I think I got lucky with this whole trip to Prague. Europe typically has lesser tourists during the winter, and I was fortunate enough to have 3 days of clear skies great weather when I was in prague. The beautiful weather meant that you could see the entire city when you climb up to get a bird's eye view of the city.
The panoramas in Prague are so captivating with their myriad of colours - especially during sunset. Some buildings are pastel in colour, others vibrant shades of orange and yellow. From rustic architecture of the old town, to other modern looking buildings in the commercial districts, you literally get the greatest view from above.
Getting up to the look out points of Prague is also incredibly easy.
The photos in this post were taken in 2 different locations, 1st was from Petřín Hill, and the second set of photos with the gorgeous view of the river was from Vyšehrad.
Petřín Hill does not require any sort of climbing. No stairs or steep hills, but you have to buy a funicular ticket to get up there.
There are many other attractions atop Petřín Hill as well, and you could walk to the Prague Castle from there. We ended up entering the mirror maze - I got enticed by the image, however, it was pretty much an illusion. It was not as big as it appeared to be. Whilst we were in the maze there was a segment with contorting mirrors, and 2 little french girls there kept going "Je suis grosse!" and bursting into laughter. How adorable! It is no doubt a perfect activity for kids and families, but considering I'm (sort of) an adult, I did not find it as amusing or impressive. That being said, I did have a little fun with the funny mirrors that contort bodies, momentarily indulging my inner child.
Most of the attractions require an entrance fee and it was not worth it for the mirror maze unfortunately. Regardless, the view is stunning and that in itself deserves the trip up to Petrin Hill.
Right at the top of the hill, there is a beautiful church and garden. Perfect for a picnic. A Picnic with an awesome view. Why did I only think of this now?!
I think it's a MUST to get a panoramic view of Prague. I love seeing the bird's eye view of any city - I think I practically do it in almost every european city i've gone to, but if you hate climbing stairs, or hills, take the funicular up to Petřín Hill. It is so so worth it.
You'll definitely NOT be disappointed with the view.
If know i'll be walking for a long distance (usually practically the whole day) whilst traveling, my go to outfit would be something like this. Easy, cosy and comfortable. This pair of army green pants is so comfortable. It made so easy to climb up and down to take photographs, be it squatting down or climbing on rocks. Having a fluffy coat also makes it easy to lean your body / support yourself on your elbows while you lean over a rough edge to take photographs.
Now you know the things I do when I travel (and how silly I look at times)!WHAT I WORE
Grey Coat: H&M (similar here)
Burgundy Scarf: Primark
Army Green Pants: myCK (similar here and here)
Boots: Timberlands
So, are you for exercising to get great views of a city or do you prefer being close to the ground and admiring the different streets and people from there instead?
Prague's Panoramic Views + Outfit
10 February 2015 Petřín, 169 00 Prague-Prague 6, Czech Republic
If you've ever talked to me about sports, you'll know that my only form of exercise comes from dance. Or walking. I don't run or play sports, I've never enjoyed playing ball games, or made any form of effort to visit the gym/go for a hike. The only time I climb the stairs when I'm on a holiday, is to get up to the highest level of a building to get a good view.
Basically, I'm just quite lazy. If there is an escalator, i'd take the escalator.
The last evening in Barcelona, we took a little walk to Parc Güell. If I'm not wrong, it's the biggest park in Barcelona. We were walking from the train station and some how came face to face with a steep inclined hill, accompanied buy what seemed like 80 steps. We climbed up mid way and I questioned if we were heading in the right direction.
We approached a local, and she said yes, we were, and that we just had to go on straight, turn right, continue on straight, turn left, continue on ahead and we'd arrive at Parc Güell.
Well, that was when we realised every turning involved climbing more steps.
After finally reaching what seemed to be the park entrance, to my dismay, we saw a stretch of escalators leading up to it. On the account that my throat was sore, and my nose was blocked/ I was feeling really lethargic - that was pretty much a hike up a hill. The plus side to climbing up is you do get to enjoy really good views along the way, and stop to take photos. You can't exactly stop on an escalator.
We decided to sit down at one of the wooden tables and benches before attempting to find the place with the Monuments. When we were about to sit down, we saw the same old lady we met on our short "hike" up to the park. She was just chillin' at one of the other benches, as if her climb up was effortless.
And here's me post climb, standing there staring towards the sun looking very tired, refusing to move my feet. As 2 supposedly fit and healthy young adults, Jerald and I felt really ashamed for taking so long to get up there and yet, feeling quite tired from the climb.
Parc Güell has more of an organic feel to it, unlike the usual pretty well groomed and clean parks i'm so used to visiting in big cities. It felt more like a forest/jungle - really tall trees covering the sunlight, slightly muddy, and narrow trails. Well, I have never been to a forest or a jungle, but you get what I mean.
As I wasn't feeling too well that day, we initially thought of heading back early and giving the park a miss. But, I insisted (and convinced my body - mind over body!!) that I was well enough to continue with the day's plan and I was glad we ended up going to Parc Güell!
The part of the park with the monuments was more touristy, plus you have to pay to get in. That being said, it was nice to take a look at different parts of the park. After climbing all the way up, we might as well pay to go in since it wasn't that expensive. It was an interesting place to explore and watch the sun set. Unlike the other areas of the park, this area around the monuments felt more resort like. I don't remember if there were student offers, but if you do decide to go into the paid area of the park, ask anyway.
The thing about Barcelona is, sometimes, they don't display the student prices or announce that they have discounts/offers for students even though they do have them. So just double check to be sure you're not over paying.
Thinking back, I'm quite glad Jerald and I took a longer route up to the park. The climb up was nice and quiet. There were houses on top and along each slope, and its so cool how the people living there are so used to the "work out". An elderly man just walked right past us and he was not panting one bit!
I think everyone should climb up to Parc Güell instead of taking the escalator. It isn't that much of a climb really - compared to 300+ steps up various towers in Europe. If I'm pretty sure I would have enjoyed the climb so much more had I not been sniffling the whole time.
"Hiking" in Barcelona
2 November 2014 Park Güell, Carrer d'Olot, s/n, 08024 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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