Mauritius: The monolith that juts out of the Indian Ocean
It is 556 meters high Le Morne Brabant, the mountain on the small peninsula in southwest Mauritius. It stands there monolithically, visible from afar, it feels like it juts out of the Indian Ocean, and in fact the foot of the mountain and the water are often only a few meters apart. There are even higher mountains inland, especially in the Black River Gorges National Park, which is well worth a visit – but you shouldn’t miss out on a hike to Le Morne Brabant.
There are 492 meters of altitude to climb to the summit cross, because the path, which is partly earthy and partly rocky and surrounded by trees and bushes, does not lead all the way to the top. The hike is mostly easy, only in the upper part there is a very steep and rocky passage where you have to pull yourself up with your arms at times. Here, as so often, one or the other “tourist drama” takes place, because some are out and about with flip-flops. As on every elevation, wear sturdy shoes for hiking.
The view inland, of the Indian Ocean, of the coral sand beaches and the countless kite surfers is phenomenal. The Unesco World Heritage listed Le Morne Brabant also has a moving history. Slaves fled to the mountain in the 19th century. On February 1, 1835, police officers made their way up to inform people of the end of slavery in Mauritius. However, many of them fell to their deaths from the mountain beforehand because they feared the worst in view of this police expedition. Since then, February 1st has been celebrated in Creole society as a holiday for the end of slavery.
First a Portuguese base, then Dutch, from the 16th to the 20th century, Mauritius was invaded by pirates and then conquered by France. The British occupied the island in 1810 and the former colony gained independence in 1968. She was led there by Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, who then became the first Prime Minister of Mauritius.
The botanical garden in the north with the large trees, water lilies and lotus flowers is named after him. It’s worth a visit, as is the La Vanille Nature Park to the south with the giant tortoises and the island of Ile aux Cerfs to the east with white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. Mauritius can be explored relatively quickly by car, and a lot of water sports can be practiced in the hotel complexes. The various – Indian, African and European – influences on language, cuisine and religion are also appealing about the island state around 870 kilometers east of Madagascar.
Croatia: The highest point of Istria
Croatia scores with sun, sea and holiday flair not far from Austria, but there is more than that – for example the vojak in northeastern Istria. It is located in the Ucka Mountains and at 1401 meters is the highest mountain on the peninsula on the Adriatic Sea. Located close to Opatija, it only takes about an hour to drive here from Porec, for example.
If you don’t have restricted mobility, you should leave your vehicle on the Poklon Pass at 922 meters above sea level and not drive almost to the summit, which is possible, but either use a bicycle or hike to Vojak. It goes through dense forest, on classic hiking trails and steps, sometimes a bit steeper, but overall comfortable. At the top, walking a few hundred meters on the road is unavoidable. The view is fantastic – of Rijeka, the Kvarner Bay, the offshore islands, inland, of the Ucka Mountains and on some days, when it’s not hazy, even as far as Venice.
On the summit, in addition to the transmitter and antenna systems that can be seen from below, there is a stone-built, approximately five-meter-high observation tower – a kind of shelter with an information point and an interesting story. The tower was built in 1911 by mountaineers and nature lovers from the “Austrian Tourist Club” during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. During the First World War it served as a war and sea observation post, shortly after the war it became the property of the Italian Alpine Club. In 1999 the Ucka Mountains were then chosen as a nature park, and in 2004 the tower was renewed.
Australia: An increase in tropical climes
Hot and sunny, a bit humid – a classic day in Townsville in north-eastern Australia. Those who like sports and great views can hike or run on the Castle Hill, the local mountain of the city in the state of Queensland. The granite monolith, within walking distance from the center, towers 286 meters above the Pacific Ocean, with a great view from the summit. The offshore island of Magnetic Island, called Maggie for short, with its rich vegetation can also be seen.
The hiking trail called Goat Track also has a few hundred steps, at the top there is a short walk along the road. The local population uses Castle Hill, whose name has something to do with the old name for Townsville, for fitness sessions. Those who run up should not tackle it too quickly. The city is also a starting point for boat tours to the Great Barrier Reef to admire corals and fish while snorkeling or diving.
In tropical north Queensland near the reef, Townsville is a lively and big place, but it seems a little quieter than Cairns further north and Airlie Beach with the beautiful Whitsunday Islands a little further south. All are great destinations, of course.
If you are in Australia, you should visit the unique Sydney in the south with the Opera and the Harbor Bridge. You can also climb or hike on the bridge – the “Harbour Bridge Climb” is an experience. What else is there to do Down Under? Lots, in a nutshell: Melbourne and Great Ocean Road, Uluru in the Red Centre, Darwin and National Parks in the North, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane in South Queensland, rugby matches in the stadium, live music in many venues, wildlife viewing etc.
Scotland: The Queen, the King and the local mountain
And suddenly you are standing in 260 hectares of greenery: Holyrood Park in Edinburgh is centrally located and yet wild. It is the royal park with the official residence of the British head of state, Holyrood Palace. For around 70 years this park was also called Queen’s Park. Now that Charles III. after the death of Elizabeth II, it is King’s Park. The local mountain of the Scottish capital stands out from the hills, lochs (lakes), cliffs and basalt rocks: Arthur’s Seat. At 251 meters high, it offers the opportunity for a hike with a magnificent 360-degree view of the city, the Firth of Forth and the North Sea.
If you continue hiking in the park, for example to the striking Salisbury Cliffs, you can climb up to 300 meters. Incidentally, it is not clear where the name of Arthur’s Seat, which arose from a volcano that existed 350 million years ago, comes from. Attempts at explanations are based on modifications from the Gaelic in terms of form.
Edinburgh and its historic old town can be explored, among other things, via the Royal Mile (several streets that make up a Scottish mile – around 1.8 kilometers). A procession for Elizabeth II also took place here, whose coffin was temporarily laid in state in the magnificent St Giles Cathedral. An interesting attraction is also Edinburgh Castle on Castle Rock.
Not far away are the Scottish Highlands with the highest mountain in Great Britain – Ben Nevis (1345 meters) – and Loch Ness, where it is explained to you on the boat trip that the legend of the monster Nessie is based on the sighting of a huge eel – for many too some kind of monster.
Source: Nachrichten
