Greencaviar Travel

Chapter 4: A Journey to the Simien Mountains  From Gondar, our journey continued north into the dramatic landscapes of the Simien Mountains, one of Ethiopia’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. If Addis and Bahir Dar had shown me the cultural and historical origins of Ethiopia, the Simiens revealed its wild, untamed soul. The Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is often called “the Roof of Africa.” Standing there, with the wind whipping across the escarpments at altitudes well over 3,000 meters (13,123 feet), I could see why. Sheer cliffs dropped thousands of feet into valleys carpeted in green, while distant peaks pierced the sky in rugged, dramatic formations. Photo credit to JT From the little town of Debark, we signed in at the park visitor center — the official gateway to this extraordinary landscape. Our guide arranged for local handlers, armed with rifles, who would accompany us on the trek. Their presence reminded us that these mountains are wild,...

Chapter 3 - Gondar: The Origin of Empire Our journey through Ethiopia brought us next to Gondar, a city often called the “Camelot of Africa.” Sitting high in the northern highlands, Gondar once served as the imperial capital — the beating heart of politics, faith, and culture from the 17th to 19th centuries. I hadn’t read much about Gondar before arriving; all I knew from our itinerary was that we would visit a castle — a UNESCO World Heritage site. That meant I had to lean in and pay close attention to our guide’s narration about the history of each structure. As he spoke, a steady stream of chanting drifted from a nearby church, filling the background like a living soundtrack of faith. The Royal Enclosure: Six Castles, Six Stories We began in the Royal Enclosure, a vast compound surrounded by high stone walls. Walking through its arched gates felt like entering a lost world. Inside, six castles rose one after another, each whispering the story of the ruler who built it. Fasiledes’ C...

  Onward to Toyama via Fushiki After immersing myself in Kakunodate’s past, I boarded the bullet train back to Akita and journeyed west to Toyama Prefecture, passing through Fushiki, a coastal port town with a long history of trade. This leg of the trip was quieter and less touristic—but deeply satisfying in its simplicity. A Summer Visit to Shirakawa-go: Heatwaves, History, and Heavenly Views From the small port town of Fushiki, I boarded a bus for an almost two-hour ride into the mountains. My destination: Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gifu Prefecture, famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs designed to shed heavy snow. The journey itself was beautiful — winding roads through serene mountain landscapes, lush greenery in every shade imaginable. I visited in the height of summer, under a heatwave warning. The local advice was simple but essential: drink plenty of water. Once in the village, I wandered through narrow paths and op...

If you've been following my blog, you've likely read about my exhilarating encounters with the Aurora Borealis, my challenging hikes through the Chugach Mountains, and my thrilling drive along the iconic Seward Highway.  But this time, Alaska beckoned me on a different kind of adventure -- a cruise that promise to unveil the natural marvels of its coastline. Exploring Ketchikan: Gateway to the Tongass National Forest My journey began in Ketchikan, where I immersed myself in the lush greenery of the Tongass National Forest. Stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Arctic Circle, this expansive rainforest is the second largest in the world, a sanctuary for diverse wildlife and a haven for nature lovers like myself. Walking beneath towering trees and listening to the symphony of birdsong, I felt humbled by the sheer scale and beauty of this ancient wilderness. Juneau: Huskies and Humpbacks Next, I ventured to Juneau, Alaska's capital accessible only by boat or plane. Here, ami...