Horserides around the world

Aside from skiing, I also love horseback riding, so I thought it was time for a flashback at some nice trips I’ve been able to do.

Tian-shan mountains, Kyrgyzstan

Tenuta Luogo Marchese, Sicily, Italy

Jalman Meadows, Mongolia

Brushing teeth in a stream while a herd of horses gallop past.

England

Muhu Island, Estonia

Jaipur, India (picture taken by Manu Bahuguna)

Isalo National Park, Madagascar

Isla Margarita, Venezuela

Woops, it’s not a horse! In the Sahara, Morocco.

Dingle Horseriding, Ireland

 

Ski waypoints with a crazy touch

Some crazy good, some crazy fun, and some just crazy, simply for the heck of it

1. Gulmarg, Kashmir, India (3979 m, with the highest ski lift in the world) This was crazy good (great snow conditions), a bit scary (experienced both an earthquake and a snow storm while there), as well as crazy fun (the ability of being hauled to the lift on a sled). Hotel Highlands Park is worth mentioning, complete with the mix of really good service, beautiful views, coziness and lovely food.
2. Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (5895 m) This one was just for the heck of it, having reached the summit carrying mini skis “just in case”, of course I couldn’t resist taking a few turns.
3. Chacaltaya, Bolivia (5420 m) Feeling nostalgic since there is no skiing here anymore – the glacier melted away in 2009. Climate change is happening now!
4. Yabuli, China (1374 m) Crazy cold, at – 38 °C – my coldest ski experience. I suppose the resort has changed since I celebrated one New Year there, admiring one of the world’s longest toboggan runs parallel to the slope and hoping for an alternative to the “Deer penis soup” on the menu. Happy New Year! Lots of fluffy snow though.
5. Tiffindell, South Africa (2900 m) I was warned by so many, not to go travelling on my own in South Africa, but had an amazing time. Great fun in the African snow!
6. Oukaimeden, Morocco (3258 m) How bizarre! Some used donkeys instead of the ski lift, and standing on top of the mountain with snow under your boots, looking out over the desert sand, is a weird experience.
7. Thredbo, Australia (2037 m) Snow gums with oil rich leaves made the air filled with eucalyptus smell that could have fooled you to believe your were inside a cough drop, and the crimson rosellas (red and blue parrots) close to the slopes were such an exotic sight.
8. Yong Pyong (Dragon Valley), South Korea (1458 m) No powder, but hard snow on well-groomed slopes and efficient service. It’s a wonder I reached the place though, because of so many language difficulties, and even a bigger wonder I managed to find my way back to Seoul!
9. Mt Olympus, Cyprus (1951 m) Crazy fun waypoint on a road trip around Cyprus, combining sunbathing with skiing.
10. Nevis Range, Scotland (655 m) Crazy bad snow conditions – unfortunate timing, however worth the trip because of the good company and new acquaintances.

And…here are some photos:

Gulmarg

Gulmarg

Gulmarg

Mt. Kilimanjaro

Oukaimeden

Thredbo

Mt Olympus

Nevis Range

Would I do it again?

If I were to do certain trips all over again, what would my perfect world tour look like? Here’s one way it could be done:
I would start with one of my absolute favourites; Antarctica. Why? Because the impressions that were left with me from that journey , the new friendships that were made ​​and the incomparably beautiful nature and wildlife, made me humble.

After the snowy continent, my journey would continue like this: India  – Bhutan – Myanmar – Kyrgyzstan  – Mongolia – Japan – Papua New Guinea – Australia – Chile – Argentina – Guyana – Barbados – Cuba – Canada – Ireland – South Africa – Greece – Italy – Switzerland – Belgium – and finally, back home, to Sweden. (Of course, there are so many optional routes that could be taken, and in order for me to experience new exciting places, I would have to do a completely different walkabout.) Well, here are some pictures from those places mentioned above, that left me in awe.

Oh, and the obvious answer to the question above (Would I do it again?) is, Yes!

Antarctica

Chinstrap penguin, Half moon island, Antarctica

Jodhpur, India

Tiger’s nest, Bhutan

Bagan, Myanmar

Inle lake, Myanmar

Yaks in the Tian shan mountains, Kyrgyzstan

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Mongolia

Japan

Sushi time, Japan

Ambua lodge, Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea

Surf’s up, Australia

Fin del mundo, Argentina

Guyana

Kaieteur falls, Guyana

Barbados

Havana, Cuba

Cuba

Toronto, Canada

Ireland

Santorini, Greece

Santorini, Greece

Rome, Italy

Horse polo, Italy

Lugano, Switzerland