Road Trip in the U.S, Grand Canyon

It will take a while to post the whole USA trip :))
From Las Vegas, early morning, the road took us to Grand Canyon and its North rim.  We arrived just in time to put up the tent and explore the area before sunset. For the best pictures we chose North Rim and Kaibab plateau as there is less touristy and it is higher than the South Rim. Also because its more foresty and there is a special squirrel, Kaibab squirrel, only found here.We arrived to a rainy Grand Canyon , which I was hoping for after seeing the pictures on internet of a rainy Grand Canyon. I did want to get one of those photos :) Unfortunately , there was no thunder . We went quickly to a place called Point Imperial, also highest point with its 2683m, from which has a great view of the canyon. We stayed here for a while and just enjoyed the wonderful view, it is difficult to describe in words how overwhelming it is to stand right at the edge and look out over everything.After a while it stopped raining, so before the sunset we explored the area around the campsite. I did not think it would be so hard to breathe in this 2600m , but I really struggled. Anyhow, when it was time for the sunset we went back to Point Imperial to try to photograph it. The plan was to go to Cape Royal, but the road was closed for the season. So the sun was unfortunately setting behind us at Point Imperial.
While walking around at Point Imperial , we saw coyotes and turkeys, and actually the nature was just amazingly beautyful and full of sparkling colors. Happy with the day and the evening, we left the place and returned to the tent. By the morning the temp sank to around zero :) Experienced campers as we are, it didnt bother us ;)
Next post, off we go to Antelope Canyon.

Point Imperial

Point Imperial

Kaibab Squirrel

Point Imperial

Bright Angel point

Bright Angel Point

Point Imperial

Point Imperial

'Quick' visit of Berlin

Last weekend I was for the first time in Berlin, with very low expectation on actually liking the city but was very much positivly surprised.
Only the inner city contains beautiful monuments, historical buildings and sites, museums etc. So much to visit and see. The aim was to visit the top ten recommended and actually made it (the feet were a bit sore) To be honest, only to visit the 'Neues museum' where they have the bust of Nefertiti is worth going to Berlin, amazing collection of Egyptian artifacts.
The whole of Berlin is a mixture of new and old from all different decades, amazing mix that absolutly gives that extra to the city. A closer look at Berlin's old buildings there are marks of grenades, cracks after bombs and at some thousands of bullet holes.
Another thing I very much liked about Germany in general, was the food :) and of course the beer. Not only had a 'Eisbein' (boiled shank) but also their country dish 'Curry würst' :)) So much like UK.
Recommend the city for sure!
Next post, back to USA and this time we are in Grand Canyon.

Brandenburger Tor

Victory Column

Ampel man

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europa

Oberbaum Bridge

Berlin Wall

Neues Museum

Berlin Cathedral

The Pretzel guy

Parliament House

Checkpoint Charlie

Mitte

 

Road Trip in U.S, Las Vegas

Lets continue. After Yosemite we were off to Las Vegas. If took almost a whole day to get there as the original way was closed due to the fire. We almost needed to go half way back towards LA until turning and heading towards Vegas.
Although the first impression of the desert is Wow, after more or less 300km of it, it got a bit boring. Gladly some areas are higher up, so there were occational rain and also some greens such as Joshua trees, but most of the road was rather bland.
After arriving to Las Vegas in the late afternoon we took a walk to see all the famous places; the Eiffel Tower , Treasure Island, Venice, Ballagio, etc
Rather fun city if you are up for some games and a party, but all the 'Bling Bling' gets boring too after a while. Of course we gambled, and tried the 'one-armed-bandit' but after an hour trying to loose $20 (my wife kept winning) we gave up and walk on. As said earlier, a fun Party-city but it gets 'sad' with all 'over-the-top' people and surroundings.
Next blog post will again be a break from US, where I will show you couple of pics from my first visit to Berlin.

Road Trip in U.S, Yosemite National Park.

So, next part of the U.S.
As mentioned in the previous post, after leaving LA we were off to Yosemite NP. A trip that took around 6-7 hrs. From the beginning we were supposed to camp rather deep into the park, but due to the fires that have raged in the area we were put further south :( 
So we ended up in an area called Mariposa Grove. To be honest, not a bad area either compared to the previous as its closer to the giant Sequoior. Its assumed that the oldest is about 2,700 years old...?! Amazingly large and cool trees. This part of the forest has throughout the years been through many fires, but these trees are durable and except some blackened, it looked like it was feeling perfect.
We spent one and half day here. After a night sleep we hiked along the Mist Trail, that goes up to Half Dome (2695m). But instead of walking the whole 23km up to the top, we walked up to the 2 first waterfalls and it was very wonderfully that too. The first one is about 30m but unfortunately it's not that much water in the river this late in the year as you can see in the pictures.
Second one is few miles up the trail and has a fall of 181m. The entire round trip was about 11km and took us approx 5h, as we stopped a lot to rest and take pics :)) It felt so awesome to hike here, as I have seen so many time on nature programs. And now I was there, among all of these high mountains and deep valleys. But this visit was just a scratch on the surface of what more there is to see/experience here. For example there are several more waterfall, higher and at more amazing scenery (if that is possible) but it was the dry period of the year :/ 
Yosemite falls with its 800m, you can imagine!
The evening was spent at the lookout point, Glacier Point, from which there is an incredible view of the Yosemite valley and the Half Dome. Amazing place to be at and enjoy the sunset.

Next, Las Vegas!!

The view of Half dome and Yosemite valley from Glacier point

The view from Glacier point

Mariposa Grove, giant sequoia

Stellars Jay

Giant sequoia

Granit rocks, half dome in the distance



A rainbow below the waterfall

Abstrackt Coyote

Tight

The lower fall

Famous view with El Capitan on the left side

Sequoia

Me sitting on the edge of Nevada fall

 

Road Trip in U.S, Los Angeles

Time for the pictures from the 'road trip' in The States.

Let's start at the beginning, the trip was to start and end in Los Angeles, so in total we would have two full days to explore it. Obviously iy's not enough, but hopefully this is not the last time.
It might feel odd, but I will show you pictures from both occations in this post.

When arriving we stayed on the south side of LA, close to the gorgeous Hermosa Beach. So of course the first day was spent walking along it, and just after a few minutes we saw both dolphins, pelicans and few surfers (not that unusual as you might suspect :) ) But actually the first day was just spent enjoyed the warm weather.
On our last day, we stayed at Santa Monica beach where the famous muscle beach is. Unfortunately we did not really see any 'proper' body boulders but people keep in shape! Everywhere you could see people running, cycling, walking, rollerskating along the beach promenade.
Of course we also saw parts of Hollywood and Beverly hills, but just because we needed to find/see the Hollywood sign :) and wow how small it is. Even if the houses were luxurious here, the beach property would be prefered (if I ever would have a choice)

When first arriving I thought that this would be a city for me, but when actually seeing the traffic, NO WAY!

Anyhow, this is few of the pictures from LA, and next is Yosemite where also the trip took us.

 

Santa Monica Pier

 

Muscle beach at Santa monica

Santa Monica Pier