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Post by Subtext Mining on Mar 16, 2021 20:33:02 GMT
Ingram inspired me to start a thread on the wonderful nature in the Czech Republic and the hikes I’ve been on while here. But on a personal level, I've been organizing group hikes to help stave off lockdown madness. One each weekend and one during midweek. Its literally the only thing to do. CR? Do you live in a rural area or close to any of your national parks. I wouldn't mind hiking through some of your country's mountainous regions or amidst your spire-rock formations. Interestingly, much of your lakes, dense forests and rock outcroppings that I've seen in photos do not appear all that dissimilar to the landscapes I've hiked through in Kentucky.
To answer your question Ingram, I live in Prague. Currently confined to the city limits, to be exact. Ingram mentioned the rocky spires around here, and it’s true. Czech Republic is a very rocky country. Good thing I like rocks! For starters I’ll begin with my first trip here in June of 2018. Only having limited time here I made a point to visit Bohemian Switzerland and see the famous landmark Pravčická Braná.  Many scenes from The Chronicles Of Narnia were filmed here.  These formations here are all sandstone, from when this area was all under water millions of years ago.  Flash forward to January 2021 and I returned for the snow.    I’ll continue with more images from hikes through Bohemia here. Anyone else, please feel free to post nature photos of your own, as well. |
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Post by Somny on Mar 16, 2021 22:49:42 GMT
What a striking landscape! Reminiscent of visuals from The Grand Budapest Hotel.
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Post by Subtext Mining on May 4, 2021 15:37:28 GMT
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Post by Subtext Mining on Jul 11, 2022 8:40:14 GMT
I've been on dozens of hikes since my last post  but last week was a particularly special one for me, as I finally managed to return to my favorite place, Vysoké Tatry (The High Tatras) mountain range in Slovakia, after four years. This is Popradské Pleso, 1,494 meters up into the mountains.  Further up  to the symbolic cemetery.  The next day, July 4th, I went up to Skalnaté Pleso, which I'd never been to yet. 1,754 meters up.  Then up to Veľká Svišťovka, the top of the ridge with the breathtaking views looking north into Poland. 2,038 meters up.  Zelené Pleso down below.  On my way back down, after most of the other hikers had dissipated, I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of an elusive chamois, the iconic animal of Slovakia.  There were two others higher up on a large rock outcropping in this spot, as well. Here's a better example of what they look like.  |
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Post by Alexrd on Jul 11, 2022 10:42:29 GMT
That reminds me when many years ago I went hiking to Sierra de Gredos, Spain. Suddenly a huge male Iberian ibex appeared. Since I was in the middle of nowhere, I would have no defense or immediate help if it suddenly charged against me since they can do quite powerful headbutts. They look like this:  |
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Post by Cryogenic on Jul 11, 2022 15:04:04 GMT
That reminds me when many years ago I went hiking to Sierra de Gredos, Spain. Suddenly a huge male Iberian ibex appeared. Since I was in the middle of nowhere, I would have no defense or immediate help if it suddenly charged against me since they can do quite powerful headbutts. They look like this: Whoa. Reminds me of a video on a YouTube channel I just found last night: Title: 24 Hours With a Japanese Hermit in a Hidden Village Channel: Tokyo Lens Uploaded: 26 Jun 2022 From the description: Spending 24 hours with a Japanese Hermit in a bear-infested village that can't be reached. What could go wrong? The channel host/narrator hikes through some incredible natural Japanese scenery and reaches the dwelling of an 88-year-old Japanese hermit. At one point, he encounters a bear in the distance, but he has bear spray with him just in case. The old hermit (an incredible guy for his age) also shows him markings and damage left by earlier attempts from bears and other animals to breach his property, as well as on the remaining buildings nearby. Imagine that: a near-nonagenarian living by himself in wild bear country and taking it all in his stride. I've not had too many encounters with dangerous animals myself, but I did go to Australia when I was a kid, and at one place we stayed at there was a huntsman spider in the kitchen (they look fearsome and are capable of giving a nasty defensive bite), while in another place, at a camping site, there was a redback spider in the roof vent of our caravan (these things are small but can inflict severe pain with their venom and symptoms that can last for months). The Earth is beautiful, but not always so motherly. |
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Post by Alexrd on Jul 11, 2022 16:02:52 GMT
Camping in Australia? Thanks, but no thanks. Australian wildlife is crazy. It's like traveling through Naboo's core: always a bigger fish spider.
I would love to one day visit Japan though.
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Post by Cryogenic on Jul 11, 2022 16:32:51 GMT
Camping in Australia? Thanks, but no thanks. Australian wildlife is crazy. It's like traveling through Naboo's core: always a bigger fish spider. LOL, yes. The camping was only for one or two nights. I bailed on the tent and stayed in the caravan. But yeah, you're never completely safe from the creepy-crawlies, no matter where you lodge. Me, too. Like a lot of Westerners, or Westerners of my age who spend a significant chunk of time on the Internet, it's a country I've long been fascinated with. Before I visit, however, I want to make a serious attempt to learn the language. I have, of course, been telling myself this for a few years now. |
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Post by smittysgelato on Jul 11, 2022 20:19:55 GMT
Japan. The land of anime, sushi, Samurai, The Temples of Kyoto, Kurosawa, and many other wonderful things. Def a place I might visit one day too.
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Post by Cryogenic on Jul 11, 2022 22:53:45 GMT
Japan. The land of anime, sushi, Samurai, The Temples of Kyoto, Kurosawa, and many other wonderful things. Def a place I might visit one day too. And cute girls. And ladyboys. It's got everything. LOL. |
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Post by smittysgelato on Jul 11, 2022 23:24:50 GMT
Japan. The land of anime, sushi, Samurai, The Temples of Kyoto, Kurosawa, and many other wonderful things. Def a place I might visit one day too. And cute girls. And ladyboys. It's got everything. LOL. Japan isn't the only place with ladyboys, haha. |
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Post by Cryogenic on Jul 12, 2022 0:00:13 GMT
And cute girls. And ladyboys. It's got everything. LOL. Japan isn't the only place with ladyboys, haha. Oh, I know.  |
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Post by smittysgelato on Jul 12, 2022 0:07:00 GMT
I was not expecting the conversation to go in this direction at all. xD
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Post by Cryogenic on Jul 12, 2022 0:25:26 GMT
I was not expecting the conversation to go in this direction at all. xD It's a Cryo-diversion.  But with your multitude of Audrey avatars, you're obviously a brother-in-arms who appreciates the finer things in life.  |
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Post by smittysgelato on Jul 12, 2022 0:53:20 GMT
I was not expecting the conversation to go in this direction at all. xD It's a Cryo-diversion. But with your multitude of Audrey avatars, you're obviously a brother-in-arms who appreciates the finer things in life. I am a lover of beauty, yes. Thus my presence on this forum |
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Post by Cryogenic on Jul 12, 2022 1:01:52 GMT
It's a Cryo-diversion. But with your multitude of Audrey avatars, you're obviously a brother-in-arms who appreciates the finer things in life. I am a lover of beauty, yes. Thus my presence on this forum Thanks. It's nice to be appreciated. Oh, right, yes, yes... I see what you mean!  Elvis, Star Wars, Japan, transsexuals, and of course, a bit of Audrey... I'm a simple man who can't help enjoying the best this universe has to offer. |
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Post by Ingram on Jul 12, 2022 9:58:36 GMT
Japan isn't the only place with ladyboys, haha.
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Post by Cryogenic on Jul 12, 2022 19:01:54 GMT
Japan isn't the only place with ladyboys, haha. When you both approve and disapprove of another hilariously-timed Ingram GIF... I've made up my mind. I'm going travelling with Smitty. It reads like an invitation to me! |
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Post by smittysgelato on Jul 13, 2022 4:52:55 GMT
I believe it is my destiny to disappoint Ingram. This will not be the last time, I can tell. |
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but last week was a particularly special one for me, as I finally managed to return to my favorite place, Vysoké Tatry (The High Tatras) mountain range in Slovakia, after four years.
But with your multitude of Audrey avatars, you're obviously a brother-in-arms who appreciates the finer things in life. 
