Tag Archives: Photo

Malta 2025

In October 2025, Mickey and I explored the Mediterranean gem of Malta, visiting limestone cities, coastal villages, and cliffside trails. What we found was a land where history meets horizon, ancient walls glowing in golden light, fishermen mending nets in pastel harbors, and sea cliffs plunging into the sea.

Here’s a glimpse of the journey and a few tips for anyone dreaming of their own Maltese adventure.

Malta at a Glance

Location: In the Mediterranean, South of Sicily
Languages: Maltese (a fascinating blend of Arabic structure and European vocabulary, reflecting Malta’s history as a Mediterranean crossroad) and English
Currency: Euro (€)
Climate: Malta enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, summers often reach 30–35°C, while winters stay comfortably around 15°C. Rain falls mainly between October and March, leaving the rest of the year warm, bright, and perfect for outdoor living.
Transport: Reliable buses and fast ferries to Gozo.

Google Maps saved Malta sights

Saturday, October 18 – Departure

Our Malta adventure didn’t begin quite as planned.

The flight to Zürich was delayed, meaning we missed our connection to Malta. Instead, we spent an unplanned night at Novotel Zürich.

Sunday, October 19 – Marsaxlokk & the Southern Coast

The day began very early — a 06:00 flight from Zürich to Malta, meaning leaving the hotel at 03:30!.

Arriving on Malta, a Bolt taxi (13 €) took us to Chapter5 Hotel in Ta’ Xbiex.

My first plan was to take a Vintage Bus to Marsaxlokk, Malta’s iconic fishing village, but due to the late arrival missing the Vintage Bus, we hopped on a very crowded express bus from Valletta to Marsaxlokk – clearly, many others had the same idea.

Marsaxlokk is best known for its Sunday fish market, where stalls overflow with the day’s catch of swordfish, octopus, mahi-mahi, and colorful piles of fruit and local delicacies. Rows of luzzu boats, painted in bright blues and reds and adorned with the protective “Eyes of Osiris”, rocked gently in the bay.

After lunch, we followed the coastal path toward St. Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka, a scenic walk past rocky inlets, salt pans, turquoise waters and a power plant.

Dinner: Mamma Mia, an Italian restaurant not far from the hotel. It was “buzzing” with a large local family that delivered “cheerful chaos” as entertainment.

Monday, October 20 – Hiking from Blue Grotto to Dingli Cliffs

From Valletta we took bus 74 to Blue Grotto.

Located close to Żurrieq, Blue Grotto is a network of sea caves, famous for their luminous blue reflections.

After seeing the sights and view points, we noticed dark skies approaching and decided to have a coffee break, inside. The café became suddenly very popular due to a massive skyfall!

After the rain passed, we hiked to Dingli Cliffs. The favorite was the beautiful Triq Panoramika with fantastic rugged, dramatic cliffs and breathtaking sea views.

At 253 m. above sea level, Dingli Cliffs are the highest point in Malta, offering sweeping views of the Mediterranean and the tiny uninhabited island of Filfla. The sheer drop into the sea is dramatic, “breathtaking” almost feels like an understatement.

Whether you drive up to St. Mary Magdalene Chapel for the view or hike the whole trail, this is one of Malta’s most spectacular natural sights.

The bus from Dingli Cliffs was cancelled and we started walking towards the small village of Dingli. Suddenly, from nowhere, there was another skyfall and we ran to a shed for some sort of shelter, even if we were already soaked.

The afternoon and evening plan was to visit Mdina, to see the sunset, it was cancelled due to weather and clothing condition. We took bus 52 back to Valletta for a hot shower and dry clothes.

Trail Notes: Distance: ~13 km | Elevation: ~280 m. | Duration: 3.5–4 hrs. | Difficulty: Moderate (some rocky paths)

Dinner: Shakinah, an excellent Indian restaurant close to the hotel that hit the spot after a long hike. Great cocktails, hot and spicy food and a cool wine cooler.

Tuesday, October 21 – Gozo: Island of Quiet Charm

We caught the Gozo Fast Ferry from Valletta, a 45 minutes boat ride with departures every hour from the Valetta ferry terminal.

Gozo feels like stepping back in time: quieter, greener, and more traditional than Malta’s main island. The island’s heart is Victoria, crowned by the Citadel, a fortress that offers panoramic 360° views and a glimpse into centuries of layered Maltese history.

In the afternoon, we hiked to Xlendi Bay, a small cove surrounded by steep cliffs. Once a fishing village, it’s now a resort area with some, in my opinion, strange architecture. We visited the local sights – a sea cave, and a viewpoint overlooking the cliffs and the village. Stopped for a refreshing after-hike rosé at Terrazzo Restaurant & Beach Bar.

Back in Valletta we enjoyed the birthday dinner at Adesso, a cozy Mediterranean/Italian restaurant with very friendly service from Nepalese and Indian staff, The dinner came to exactly 111 Euro. Not 110, not 112 – but that perfectly balanced trio of ones. It felt less like a receipt, more like a wink from the universe:

In numerology, 111 is the number of alignment, fresh starts, and manifestation. So maybe the universe was reminding me: this year is about new beginnings, clear intentions, and trusting the path ahead.
From a designer’s view, 111 is pure minimalism — three clean strokes, standing tall in harmony. It’s a number that looks like a logo for renewal, a visual mantra for simplicity and balance.

Wednesday, October 22 – Valletta Walkabout

We began the day with a pleasant walk along the harbor promenade to the Sliema ferry terminal, then crossed the bay to Valletta — Malta’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Valletta is one of the smallest capitals in Europe, filled with beautiful golden limestone buildings, colorful balconies, carved doorways, peeling paint and steep narrow streets, compact but dense with long history. Built by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century, the city is a living museum of baroque architecture.

With only 6,500 residents, Valletta feels more like a village than a capital. Every corner reveals something new, ornate balconies, quiet cafés, and views over the harbour.

We stopped at Atilem Coffee & Wine — cozy spot on one of the steep and narrow streets, with excellent antipasti and wine.

After the pit stop we walked around Fort St Elmo, Had lunch at 1522, A Food Story.. – contemporary Maltese fusion, also located on a narrow steep road. Inside there was a series of fun framed 3D printed animals

Visited Spazju Kreattiv, a creative arts hub inside an old fort, Fascinating and interesting photo exhibition by local photographers.

Arrived at closing time to St. John’s Co-Cathedral, home to Caravaggio’s dramatic The Beheading of St. John the Baptist, – we see that next time.

Since I love texture, light, colors and patina Valletta was fantastic, where every door, shutter, and sun-washed wall tells a story, not just of color, but of centuries. This island has been lived in, loved, and weathered for over 7,000 years. Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Knights, the British, each left their mark, and the limestone remembers. The patina is not only decay, it’s memory. Salt air, sun, and time have etched themselves into every surface. Peeling paint becomes poetry. Rust becomes a signature, a chipped tile is a timestamp.

Dinner: Jungle Joy, Thai restaurant and bar. Authentic, spicy, and cooked “as the Thai Mama Chef liked it”. Dinner was followed by spontaneous karaoke entertainment.

Thursday, October 23 – Sliema & Departure

Our last morning was all about slowing down. Starting with a tasty avocado, bacon and scrambled egg on sour dough bread at Fifteen37 Café, just around the corner from the hotel.

Took the bus to Sliema and walked the 5 km. seafront promenade, watching locals jog, cafés fill up, and swimmers at the Victorian-era baths.

Sliema represents modern Malta, lively, coastal, and cosmopolitan. With its sea views and fast Wi-Fi, it’s no wonder digital nomads love it here.

After a final rosé overlooking the harbor, we packed up and headed for our flight home.

Reflections

Malta is a place where every horizon hides a story. Whether you come for the history, the food, or the sea, this island invites you to slow down, look closer, and savor every view.

If you’re planning your own Maltese journey, feel free to reach out, I’m happy to share maps, routes, and practical tips from our trip.

A scenic road-trip along the Swedish south coast – 2025

Leave a reply

Earlier this spring, Saturday 29 March, I had the pleasure of taking three visiting friends from India, Gowtham, Mohan and Sanath. on a road trip along the south coast of Skåne, to share a few glimpses of Swedish culture and nature, and to enjoy good conversations along the way.

We began our trip at Emporia [1], one of the largest shopping centers in Scandinavia with around 180 shops and restaurants. The modern architecture, with its stunning curved glass entrances – an amber-colored and a blue, is designed by Wingårdh Architects and opened in 2012.

The Emporia rooftop viewpoint offering panoramic views of Malmö and the Öresund Bridge. The viewpoint sits at approximately 65 meters above sea level and providing a beautiful view, in clear weather 🙂

First stop on the trip was Skanör [2] and Falsterbo [3], 34 km southwest from Malmö. These two idyllic seaside towns are known for their white sandy beaches and pastel-colored beach huts that only the locals, living in the municipality, can buy for around 200.000 SEK. Many are also inherited, to keep in the family.

“It was super cold during the first couple of days—too cold for an Indian like me! But by the time of the trip, I had adjusted enough that Sanath and I even walked into the beach water and took a few photos. Luckily, it was a sunny day, which made things better.” (Mohan)

The area was once a bustling medieval trading hub, today, these towns are a tranquil escape, offering some of Sweden’s finest beaches, birdwatching opportunities, and even a touch of luxury.

In the area you also find Falsterbo Golf Club, one of Sweden’s oldest golf courses, established in 1909, offering a fantastic course with beautiful views.

Falsterbo Horse Show that each summer hosts one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events.

Sweden’s oldest nature reserve, Måkläppen Sanctuary, open for visitors between 1 November – 31 January. Here you can enjoy bird watching and and wild seal spotting.

Continuing eastward along the scenic coastline, we reached Smygehuk [4] (47 km from Malmö), the southernmost point of Sweden and the entire Scandinavian Peninsula.

The area features Smygehuk Lighthouse that dates back to 1883. During the summer months, there are lots of activities – music, art, culture, and shopping. The winter offers clean, crisp air, spectacular sunsets.

The viewpoint Utkiken is a platform that marks the southernmost point in Sweden, from which one can see Köpmansmagasinet, dating from the early 19th century. Rumor has it that it was once a smuggler’s nest during the Napoleonic Wars. There is a signpost pointing to places such as Berlin, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and the North Pole.

We enjoyed lunch at Sweden’s southernmost café, Café Smyge, with their famous prawn sandwich,

“Lunch at Café Smyge was something new—I couldn’t really figure out the food, but it was interesting! Luckily, we found some Indian food in the evening. I was happy—spicy food always hits the spot.” (Mohan)

After lunch we followed the coastline to Ystad Saltsjöbad [5], about 65 km from Malmö. This elegant luxurious spa resort offers a charming and classic Newport-style experience with sea views, delicious food, and a relaxing spa. The resort has a rich history dating back to the 19th century and is situated just 20 meters from the sea, providing an excellent location for a getaway.

Ystad itself is famous for its medieval streets and as the setting for Henning Mankell’s Wallander crime novels.

Our final stop along the south coast was Ales Stenar [6] (80 km from Malmö), a 1,400-year-old Viking stone ship located on a hill overlooking the sea. Composed of 59 massive boulders weighing up to 5 tonnes each, this mysterious monument is one of Sweden’s most fascinating historical sites. Whether it was used as a burial ground or a solar calendar remains a mystery, but the view from here is breathtaking, especially at sunset.

“At Ales Stenar, the sea view was beautiful. Me and Sanath climbed down from Kåseberga ridge to the seashore and caught a peaceful sunset while walking on the stones near the water.” (Mohan)

Returning to Malmö, we ended our journey at Möllevångstorget [7], a lively square in the heart of the city. Known for its fruit and vegetable market, this area is a melting pot of cultures, packed with international grocery stores, Middle Eastern bakeries, and Asian supermarkets. It’s also home to some of Malmö’s best restaurants, including Kontrast, an Indian eatery serving rich, aromatic curries and flavorful tandoori dishes. My Indian guests approved the authenticity of the dishes 🙂

Gowtham’s “Top 5 things that stood out”:

The roads were smooth, well-maintained, and there was barely any traffic. Everyone followed traffic rules, which made driving feel super calm and safe. Definitely a big contrast to the usual chaos we’re used to back home.
Parking was super easy and organized, with proper spots everywhere. No random squeezing into tight spaces or stressful searches like in India.
Since we were mostly in the countryside along the south coast, it was really quiet and not crowded at all. Most places had very few people around, which made the whole trip feel super relaxed.
The weather was a bit chilly, but overall it was nice. The air felt fresh and clean, and there was zero pollution.
The beaches we stopped by were really well-kept, with clean surroundings and crystal clear (and freezing!) water. Everything just felt very well-maintained and natural.

Mohan’s story:
“Overall, it was a really chill and refreshing experience—very different from the usual road trips in India.

I felt a bit anxious when I landed in Denmark since it was my first foreign trip, but also excited—the air was so fresh and welcoming, I felt like I had stepped into a European movie set.

The Sweden trip was a surprise! Gowtham bro casually told me and Sanath that we could go on a road trip with Ingo, and I was instantly in. I was already hoping to see the Danish countryside, so I was happy we were actually doing a road trip through peaceful, scenic routes.

It was super cold during the first couple of days—too cold for an Indian like me! But by the time of the trip, I had adjusted enough that Sanath and I even walked into the beach water and took a few photos. Luckily, it was a sunny day, which made things better.

I had stopped beach walking and hiking recently back home because of the crowds and poorly maintained spots. But here, it was the opposite—clean beaches, quiet roads, and no traffic. I even picked a few seashells and small stones for my girlfriend—she finds those things cute, and I didn’t want to return empty-handed!

At Ales Stenar, the sea view was beautiful. Me and Sanath climbed down from Kåseberga ridge to the seashore and caught a peaceful sunset while walking on the stones near the water.

Lunch at Café Smyge was something new—I couldn’t really figure out the food, but it was interesting! Luckily, we found some Indian food in the evening. I was happy—spicy food always hits the spot.

And finally, shoutout to Ingo—our 63-year-old young friend who drove more than 300 km like a pro. His energy was amazing. I hope I have that kind of enthusiasm when I reach his age!

I didn’t get much time to explore agricultural practices in Denmark and Sweden, which I’m actually interested in – but hopefully next time.”

Final thoughts
This road trip showcases the diversity of Skåne, from picturesque villages, golden beaches and ancient Viking landmarks to vibrant city culture and mouthwatering cuisine. Whether you’re a nature lover, history buff, or foodie, the southern coast of Sweden offers something special for everyone.

See previous posts about sightseeing in Skåne:

Madeira 2024

Leave a reply

A visit to Madeira has been on my wish list for quite some time, to hike along the Levadas, that I heard so much about. I made it as birthday gift to myself 🙂 and travelled with Topas 19-26 October.

Madeira is a stunning island in the Atlantic Ocean, located about 500 km to the west of Morocco. Its often called the Island of Eternal Spring because of the mild climate year-round, with temperatures averaging around 20° C, making it a perfect year-round destination. Its lush landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and jagged mountains form an exciting backdrop to this volcanic island.

Madeira’s history dates back to the early 15th century when Portuguese explorers, led by João Gonçalves Zarco, discovered it. Over the centuries, Madeira grew as a hub for sugarcane production, and later, a popular port for European trade. Today, the island is famous for its fortified Madeira wine, which is produced using a unique aging process. Madeira also produce Rom and export a lot of bananas but only to Portugal. Because of its small size, it does not correspond to the European criteria, and therefore cannot be exported to other European countries, which is a real shame because it is very tasty

The island is crisscrossed by Levadas – water channels that date back to the 16th century. Initially built to move water from the mountains to the fields below. These days the Levadas serve as pathways for hiking through lush forests, past cascading waterfalls, and over towering cliffs. Some of the most popular hikes include the Levada do Caldeirão Verde, which weaves through the Laurisilva forest (an UNESCO World Heritage site), and the challenging Levada do Rei, offering panoramic views of the island’s rugged interior.

The first three days we stayed at Santa Crux Village Hotel in the small village of Santa Cruz. The picture that looks like a orange juice is a local refreshing drink Poncha, made of 2 parts orange juice, 1 part lemon juice, mixed with rum and honey.

Arrival date – 19 Oct.

Dinner: Recanto da Pitada.

Note: The hiking times and distances are approximate numbers and what my Garmin registered. Some hikes had many height meters.

Day 1 – 20 Oct. Levada do Canical to Porto da Cruz
Time: 2:30 | Distance: 9.20 km

Levada do Canical trail is along the northern coast, following the irrigation canal through a built-up area, observing how levadas are used in daily life. Notice the toilet seats used for the plants 😉

Boca do Risco pass the edge of Madeira, with steep cliffs dropping into the sea, and Porto Santo visible in the distance. Fantastic view! According to Hugo the guide, this popular spot can be very crowded during peak tourist season with up to 200 people at the same time!

The surroundings change to eucalyptus and pine trees. The path leads to the charming coastal village of Porto da Cruz, The last 1.5 km is a 300-meter descent.

In Porto da Cruz, we enjoyed lunch at a restaurant with sea view. It is also possible to take a swim in the natural rock pools. After lunch we visited the local rum distillery. The village is also know for it’s surf community.

Dinner: No documentation

Day 2 – 21 Oct. Morning – São Lourenço Peninsula
Time: 2:00 | Distance: 6 km

Morning hike was along the São Lourenço Peninsula, located at Madeira’s eastern tip and is one of the island’s most striking natural landmarks. The area is a protected nature reserve with a scenic 7-kilometer hiking trail that offers panoramic views that is quite different from the other hikes on the island. The peninsula is as barren as the rest of the island is green. It offers a unique “moon-like” landscape with volcanic rock formations.

Aside from a palm-fringed forestry station with a small exhibition and a café, the area is a semi-desert, Together with Mogens, I climbed to the top at the end of the peninsula, very steep but the reward is another stunning view over the island and ocean.

Day 2 – 21 Oct. Afternoon – Praia da Machico
Time: 1:00 | Distance: 3 km

After the visit to the peninsula, we drove to the edge of Caniçal and followed an old path over the mountain to Praia da Machico. There is a small café on the top. Many height meters and steep after the café descending to Machico and the beach.

Machico has one of Madeira’s few sandy beaches, with golden sand imported from Sahara.

PS. This was my birthday and the group was so nice they sang a birthday song for me in the bus and there was Cava in my room 🙂

Dinner: Restaurante O Professor

Day 3 – 22 Oct. Pico Ruivo, Santana and Funchal

Today we should move to another hotel in Funchal, and the plan was to hike to Madeira’s highest peak: Pico Ruivo (1,868 m) but due to very heavy rain and after approx. 250 m. walk, half the group and I decided to return to the Achada do Teixeira – Mountain Spot Café, at the parking lot, where the trail started, and stay there and wait for the other half. After returning and concurred the weather conditions, a few hours later, they all agreed that it was a bad idea with limited view, very slippery (dangerous) and very wet experience.

On the way to Funchal we visited the small village Santana, famous for it’s A-framed thatched houses, Casas do Colmo, that also offer a glimpse into the local culture.

Arriving to Funchal the sun was shining, Funchal is Madeira’s capital and a blend of history, nature, and culture, named after fennel (funcho in Portuguese), it origins from the 16th century as a bustling Atlantic port for sugar and wine trade.

After checking in, Jan the guide took us on a nice guided stroll around the city center to see the Town hall, the port, Madeira Winery, the Zona Velha (old town) with it’s cobbled stone streets and the special painted doors, etc.

Dinner: A Bica

Day 4 – 23 Oct. Funchal and Monte Palace Tropical Garden

Together with René, I started the day with a visit the Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers’ market) and Praca do Peixe (Fish market), where fish, fresh fruits, flowers, and local crafts are sold. The not so pretty black fish is called Black Scabbard (Espada-preto), a deep-sea delicacy, iconic to Madeira. Didn’t taste it, my mistake.

We took the cable car to the Jardim Tropical Monte Palace (Monte Palace Tropical Garden) – a lush retreat on the slopes of Monte. Visiting the garden was like stepping into another world, where nature, culture, art and tranquility come together. The garden is over 70,000 m² and displays approx. 100,000 plant species from all over the world. The view from here is fantastic, overlooking the terraced hills and the blue waters of the Atlantic.

Wandering through the winding paths, you find koi ponds, waterfalls, and hidden alcoves. The garden is a blend of natural beauty and man-made artistry, with intricately designed tiles, sculptures, and ornate fountains.

At the heart of the garden stands the Monte Palace, a majestic building that houses a collection of art and history. It once belonged to the British consul, Charles Murray, and was later bought by Alfredo Guilherme Rodrigues. He built the big manor house, inspired by German castles and turned it in a popular hotel, which closed in 1943. In 1987 it was bought and turned into the public garden you can see today.

Back in Funchal city we tasted some Madeira wine that is known for its unique production process involving heat and aging. Its rich flavors range from dry to sweet, making it versatile for both sipping and cooking. Renowned for its longevity, even opened bottles last for years.

Dinner: Theo’s

Day 5 – 24 Oct. Balcões viewpoint and Levada Furado
Time: 5:20 | Distance: 20 km

Starting in Ribero Frio we hiked to the Balcões viewpoint from where there is a fabulous view of the highest peaks. After enjoying the view, we return to Ribeiro Frio along the same path and continue to Levada do Furado and later along Levada Portela. Levada do Furado is one of the first levadas built to irrigate farmland in Porto da Cruz. The trail ends with a staircase leading down to Portela.

Dinner: O Americano

Day 6 – 25 Oct. morning: Cascata do Risco, Rabacal and Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo
Time: 2:20 | Distance: 9 km

Morning hike was from Rabacal to the beautiful Cascata do Risco (Risco Waterfall). Even if it was raining a little bit and I was glad I invested in a new rain jacket the other day, the hike was amazing. After the water fall we walked through the 800 meter long Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo that both had a levada canal and a water pipe to produce electricity. Using flash light was an advantage. When entering the tunnel we had rain, at the exit it was blue sky and sun :-O.

Lunch at Cafetaria Panoeste, tasted the Portuguese cake Pastel de Nata (or was it Queijada da Madeira?), according to Hugo the local guide, this place served the best ones on the island.

Day 6 – 25 Oct. afternoon: Raposeira Do Logarinho
Time: 1:40 | Distance: 7 km

After lunch we hiked from the café to Raposeira Do Logarinho, through some rural areas with fantastic views over the landscape, overlooking the sea and the burned trees after a big bushfire some years ago. Ended the hike at a café in Raposeira Do Logarinho for a refreshing Poncha.

On the way back to Funchal we passed Cabo Girão, one of the world’s highest sea cliff viewpoints where you stand on a glass floor and look down 580 meters to the cliff and sea below.

Back in Funchal it was time for last dinner. Good bye Madeira, it was a great pleasure.

Dinner: Restaurante Do Forte

Hiking Söderåsen National Park 2024

Leave a reply

On a sunny September Saturday (21st), I had the pleasure to visit Söderåsen National Park and hike the Hjortesprång Trail (Blue Trail), together with my dear colleagues and friends from India, Jinu and Shiva,

Söderåsen National Park is a beautiful area in Skåne, southern Sweden. It’s known for its rich biodiversity, scenic landscapes, and a variety of hiking trails. The park is part of the Söderåsen Ridge, which is a geological formation that offers rolling hills, deep ravines, and lush forests, making it a fantastic destination for hiking.

We parked at entré Skäralid, where you also find the Naturum Visitor Center that has an exhibition and café, where we bought a very good take-away sandwich for lunch. You can also get snacks, water and coffee/tea to-go.

There are a number of different trails in the area and one of the most popular is the Hjortesprång Trail (Blue Trail), that offers breathtaking views and an opportunity to experience the area’s diverse nature. The trail is a well-marked circular route that is about 8 kilometers. It takes you through some of the most picturesque parts of Söderåsen, with varying terrain that includes open meadows, dense forests, and viewpoints offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape. The trail is suitable for both casual hikers and more experienced trekkers. It can be a bit challenging at times due to the hilly and uneven terrain.

As you hike along the trail, you’ll pass through different ecosystems, including lush hardwood forests, which are home to a wide variety of plants and animals. The trail is particularly beautiful in spring and summer when wildflowers bloom and the forest is green, but it also offers a unique experience in autumn, with the colors of the changing leaves.

One of the key attractions along the trail is Hjortesprånget (“The Deer Leap”). A dramatic viewpoint located at a high point and offers a fantastic view of the Söderåsen Ridge, as well as a deep valley below. The viewpoint is named after a legendary event where a deer supposedly leapt across a ravine.

Hiking Skåneleden Kullaberg 2024

Leave a reply

Kullaberg is a rocky peninsula, located in northwestern Skåne, along the Kattegat coast, just a 1.2-hour drive north of Malmö. This area is famed for its stunning landscapes, dramatic cliffs, rich biodiversity, and world-class hiking opportunities.

After obsessively watching the weather forecast for days, I decided to tackle the Skåneleden Trail on Thursday, 25 July. This summer’s weather has been wildly unpredictable, but my decision paid off — the conditions were perfect.

The natural beauty and diverse landscapes of the Kullaberg Nature Reserve include winding pathways of trails with lush, towering beech forests, fascinating caves and dramatic coastline views.

Just outside the charming village center of Mölle, there is a free parking lot for hikers. The trail starts right next to a chapel, next to the parking lot. Following the orange and blue markers for the north coast.

The first goal, after some serious uphill effort, was Håkull, Kullaberg’s highest point at 187 meters above sea level. The panoramic view from the top is extraordinary, making the challenging hike up (and down) well worth it.

Next detour from the orange trail led me to Josefinelust Beach, named after King Oscar 1’s wife, Josefina, who fell in love with its beauty during a visit in 1865. This area doesn’t have a beautiful pebble beach; it’s also home to some of the caves this area is known for. Note: The path down and up is very steep, with a “stairway” providing some much-needed assistance.

At the very tip of the Kullaberg Nature Reserve stands the key landmark — Kullens Lighthouse. It’s one of the oldest and most powerful lighthouses in Scandinavia, having “Saved lives since 1561.” The current structure, built in the late 19th century, houses a museum and observation deck with fantastic panoramic views. Nearby, the Kullaberg Naturum Visitor Centre offers fun activities and engaging nature and animal exhibitions. One quirky feature was a cigarette voting box asking, “Which animal keeps it cleanest at home: Badger or human male?” 🙂 Another exhibit showcased birdhouses with various items and information on how long these items take to decompose in nature.

While exploring, my Garmin watch ran out of juice. I put it in my pocket with a power bank to charge, but after a kilometer or so, I noticed it was missing. Retracing my steps, I found it! Some kind soul had placed it on a rock in plain sight. Huge thanks to that awesome person!

The trail from the lighthouse back to Mölle, along the south side of the peninsula, is marked with red signs alongside Skåneleden’s orange markers. This section offers more coastal views than the forest trail on the north side.

Next, I reached Ransvik Beach, once notorious as a “stronghold of sin” because it was the first place in Sweden where men and women swam together.

After roughly 15 km, I arrived at the charming fishing village of Mölle. At the end of the pier in the small harbor, I treated myself to a well-deserved dinner at Systrarna på piren, enjoying a fantastic view of the village, sea, and sunset.

Difficulty: Varies from easy to challenging, with some (very) steep and rocky sections.
Terrain: Coastal cliffs, dense forests, meadows, and rocky shores.
Trail Markings: The Skåneleden Trail is well-marked with orange signs and information boards. North trail is marked blue and south is marked red.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer are the most popular seasons, with mild weather and longer daylight hours. Autumn also offers beautiful foliage and fewer crowds.

For maps and inspiration, check out Kullabergs Natur

Canoe adventure and visit to Bäckaskog Castle 2024

Leave a reply

Monday 8 July I was invited by a friend to join a canoe trip on Holjeån, a small creek close to the village Näsum. We rented canoe and equipment from Wetlandi Canoe Center and started from Västanå Kvarn (mill).

Västanå Mill is one of the country’s oldest industrial facilities still in operation. Records (an invoice to the Danes) indicate that there has been a mill here since at least 1380. Although not as old, the stone bridge over the river just south of the mill is still impressive. The bridge is nearly 50 meters long, and since no traffic has been allowed since the 1950s, one can peacefully gaze over the river from the bridge.

Under the bridge we encountered our first challenge. When we should pass the small stream, I got the tip to try and “brake” as much as possible to avoid going to the right, that was apparently not a good idea. Maybe I braked too much since we went to the left and got suck on some rocks. Got loose and could continue to the next challenge.

After approximately 1 km down river there was a log across the river, under water. Since the water level was quite low we could not pass over it without some extra work. Climbed on to the part of the log that was over water and could drag the canoe over.

When entering Ivösjön the sky opened up and there was lots of rain, hale, wind, waves, thunder and lightning. Got a little nervous and we decided to paddle to the shore to take “shelter” (very limited but we were not on the lake). After half an hour it was gone and we could see the sun again and continue to the end station Klackabacken.

The distance from Västanå mill and Klackabacken is 7 km. A narrow river with fantastic and magical scenery.

Download map

On the way home we passed Bäckaskog Castle (Map).

It is a fascinating place. A former monastery, then a castle and now a hotel. It has a museum, an old monastery kitchen, a chapel, a beautiful park and som hiking trails. The night porter, Bosse, told us about the ghost Patrik, 10 years old, who is a friendly ghost that haunt the castle. He got a cold breath from a mun when Patrik saw him die, getting stuck in the water mill. One day Patrik was gone and they never found him. Many years later bones from a child was found in a well… If you visit the hotel and feel a chilled breeze, it could be Patrik.

The last couple of years the castle has been the scenery for the Swedish music program “Stjärnorna på slottet”.

People of India

Leave a reply

India is a diverse country with a population of 1.4 billion people (2022), that is close to 18% of the world population. The people are known for their rich culture, traditions, and hospitality.

India has a variety of religions, over 2 million temples, 22 official languages, many ethnic groups, each with its unique customs, traditions and cuisine. India is also known for its vibrant festivals, such as Diwali, Holi, and Durga Puja.

During my trip in the south west part of the country in October (2023), I was very fascinated by the characters, colors and scenery. Meet some of them here:

Amsterdam 2023

Leave a reply

Mickey and I visited Amsterdam 28 August to 1 September. This is some of the things we did… Enjoy 🙂

The sights on Google Map

Photo “heatmap’

Day 1
Flight KLM to Schipol Airport. Sprinter train to Centraal Station. Smart that we could use our Visa card as travel pass on the public transport. Checked in at Eden Hotel. Nice hotel with good location. Small shop for snacks and drinks, bar and pool table (free).

Walkabout: Dam square, Anna Franks house/museum (did not go inside) and much more in the neighborhood, Dinner at De Nachtwacht

Day 2
Breakfast at the rooftop restaurant Blue with nice 360 degrees view over Amsterdam.
Walkabout: Cool gallery AbrahamArt Gallery – Museumplein with RijksMuseum, Van Gogh and Stedelijk Museum We didn’t enter any of the museums, viewed the exterior. Headed to the Heineken Experience for a tour, a visit at the bar and their rooftop bar with very nice view and beer cocktails.

Dinner at a small and very good Thai restaurant, NK Thai Noodles close by. We asked for the dishes made Thai mode – Quote from waitress: “are yo sure?” 🙂 – It was spicy and tasty.

Finished the day with an evening stroll to the Skinny Bridge and play some pool.

Day 3
Brunch at the The Lobby, nice restaurant at Hotel V. Looked around the nice Joordan district and walked towards Wester Park to visit Amaze, an audio and video “museum”. In groups of eight you walk through a maze of different audio and video installations to finish in a big warehouse style room sitting on “fat boys” (big pillows) watching a light show on the walls and on the pillars accompanied with (loud) electronic music.

Took public transport back to the city and had a look at Red Light District – “no pictures please”.
Passed the Rembrandt museum, Had a good burrito at a small Mexican take away restaurant.

Day 4
Great omelet brunch at Omelegg, very popular and good, recommend it. Expect to wait in line outside, no booking,

Theme of the day was rooftops. Started with a visit to Luminair, Fantastic view over Amsterdam. Continued to Nemo Science Museum that has a kind of park on roof, Crossed the harbour with a small ferry (free). Walked pass Adams Tower and had a peek at the Eye film “museum”. Visited De Ceuvel, an award-winning, sustainable planned workplace for creative and social enterprises on a former shipyard, The craft beer from the local brewery was good 🙂

Continued to Straat, a “museum” in a warehouse with some great street art. Amazed by the detail and size of some of the art work, fantastic! There was quite a heavy “scent” of spray paint.

Dinner at Ribs Factory, close to the hotel. Evening walkabout – the cocktail bar Luminair, night version, Great night view over the city. Next stop on the “cocktail rooftop bar crawl” was Malabar Cocktail bar also with great night view over the harbor and city.

Day 5
Revisited Blue for a brunch with a view. Checked out the LEGO general store with some fantastic LEGO builds. Went on a Canal tour. Passed a French Fries shop with 3! security hosts to manage the line. Walked around Vondelpark where we saw the only people on bikes wearing helmet, 3 persons, the only ones during the whole stay! Very nice park with a brewery in the middle where we tasted the local brew.

On the way home we dropped by The Flying Dutchmen Coctail bar where some of the locals had their after work drink. Finished the day with dinner at Wagamama located across the street from the hotel. Then some backgammon at the hotel bar.

Day 6
Checking out, Breakfast at Omelegg. Short break at the Centraal Station that is “under construction” for the next many years before heading to Schipol…

Porto Myrina, Limnos 2022

Leave a reply

21-28 August Mickey and I visited the Greek island Limnos (Lemnos). The island is the 8th biggest in Greece, located in the center of the Northern Aegean sea.

We travelled with Apollo and stayed at Porto Myrina, Powered by Playitas. The hotel had a lot of different sport activities included in the price. At some activities you could just up show at the set time, others you should sign up for. We tried Yoga, Padel, Scuba diving, kajak, SUP and did a lot of laps in the pool.

Tuesday we did a 12 km hike to the “Antenna hill”. Beautiful 360 degree view over the landscape from the top:

Wednesday we experience “extreme weather conditions” where there came a SMS warning!
Spent the day playing backgammon and visit the fitness center:

Thursday we hiked up and around the Castle of Myrina, that could be considered as one of the most resistant and best fortresses in Greece:

Friday we rented a car (“jeep”) and drove around the island to see some of the sights – A dessert. Sand dunes (and a tank) at Gomati beach.

Extraordinary lava formations at Falacro and drove on some dirt roads – great fun! and might be the best sight of the day. A salt lake at Aliki, that was not white but muddy due to the rain storm.

Had lunch at the surf beach Keros. Should see some windmills at Kontias but probably also due to the storm, the path up to the windmills was closed. Many of the roads was very narrow, especially through the villages:

Saturday we did a 14 km hike to “The Church without roof” (Church of Panagia Kakaviotissa). This Greek Orthodox Church was built by refugee monks who fled to the mountain as early as around 1,416 AD and is one of its kind in the world.

The track towards the church we choose an alternative route that Google maps marked as a path. In reality there was not much of a path, only the ones the sheep and goats had made. We used Google maps as a compass to help us keep on the right track. An exciting adventure.
Hiking back from the church, it was more or less roads and “the beaten track” all the way back to the hotel.

Myrina is the capital and main port of Lemnos and counts on 4500 inhabitants. The settlement stretches around two beautiful bays and between stands the imposing Venetian castle surrounded by massive formations of volcanic rock.

Visitors are charmed by the old neoclassical mansions, Ottoman buildings and fountains, traditional houses, narrow streets and modern constructions that compose the setting of Myrina. Along the waterfront lie plenty of restaurants and traditional taverns.

Saalbach-Hinterglemm 2022

Leave a reply

22-26 January 13 present and former colleagues from NNE spent at Saalbach-Hinterglem, Austria, for some days of skiing. The trip was planned for taking place last year but cancelled due to a virus. We were all looking forward to the trip but there was some uncertainty and anxiety up to the days before departure. The Danes needed a negative PCR-test (max 42 hours old). It was enough with a third booster shoot for the Swede but needed proof, train ticket, that I just arrived from Malmö the same day.

We travelled with Northlander and stayed at Skinetworks Hotel Pinzgauerhof in Hinterglem. Perfectly located close to the lift Reiterkogelbahn, ski rent Heil’s and after ski Goaßstall.