... under a fiery sun. After the initial elation of walking, I imagined how quickly the passing cars could drive me to destination. Hitchhiking was the only way out. I waited only a short time before the ...
... at this staggering altitude, all contributed to create some uneasiness. Two people walked past me in hiking gear, but they were not aiming to the summit. Failing someone else's support, I grudgingly changed ...
I realise now that I'm writing how much hitch-hiking was essential for the success of my trip in Armenia. With only public transport, which is often rare or non-existent, it would have been impossible ...
It was the French couple I met at Smbataberd fortress that gave me the idea. They had been absolutely delighted with this church, which until then I hadn't realised how close it was to Yeghednadzor. Catching ...
... to make up for the imperceptible incessant sweating. Very few cars ply the dirt track, but even if I was not hitchhiking, someone took pity on me upon catching sight of someone walking on this desolate ...
I left Yerevan heading for the southern province, and was dropped at the crossroads to Tatev. By that time, I had realised by talking to other people that I'd been grossly overcharged by the ticket tout ...
... over the island of Crete, leaving behind snowfalls that had affected areas just a few hundred metres over the sea level where I was hiking. On the mountain tops a fresh layer of shining white contrasted ...
... going to the opera and there I was, backpacking in Russia with only casual clothes and a pair of hiking shoes. What could I possibly wear on the night of the performance?
The next day my mind kept going ...
... service – but without fighting. I didn't realise my luck at first, but came to appreciate the bonus of being stationed in such a wonderful region. It was then that I developed a liking to mountain hiking, ...
... were going hiking and not skiing, surely there would still be a lot of snow. I would need snowshoes and crampons, neither of which I had. I replied to my friend that I was forced to give up. By the evening, ...
By about half past nine we had loaded the horses with my few possessions and the provisions for all. I had hired an extra sleeping bag in anticipation of the cold in the altitude. We started walking along ...
... after the last days of hiking, but I could hardly get tired with admiring the lush vegetation, the tree ferns and red boulders that make up the riverbed. Besides, as the only visitor, I had the place all ...
When I decided to spend a long weekend in Spain, I had the idea to do some hiking in Cap de Creus Natural Park. I initially looked for a host at the seaside village of Cadaqués which lies at the centre ...
... to attempt a long economical hitchhiking trip to Urumqi, and headed to the bus station. I was loath to spend another day cooped up in a bus, so I returned my ticket and changed it for the night departure. ...
... day without a base, but more importantly I would not enjoy the spectacular road across the Tian Shan mountains. The only choice was hitchhiking for the 250 km long stretch.
Before anything, I visited ...
... like to take leave and start hitchhiking for a lift, but he comes up with the Portuguese bridge that is to be seen nearby. I can’t resist the temptation. The very fact that this artefact should stand in ...
... climb to the Resegone mountain top. In the evening I prepared everything I’d need, clothes, hiking boots, water and a ration of home-made baked beans, minutes before setting out to Paolo’s house where ...
... for a peaceful hike. The only comfort was that the weather was terribly muggy and wouldn’t have made very pleasant hiking.
From shop to shop, I went up and down the streets until I landed at one that ...
It is a mountain name I often heard pronounced when we spent a week at Foppolo during summer holidays in my childhood, but I’d never climbed it. When I was deciding on Saturday what to do together with ...
... I’d only brought one of the pair. That’s because I had intended to call on the cobbler’s during the week and see if he could mend a tear in my usual hiking boots. I had put the right shoe in the car together ...