Travel – Page 3 – Leïla's Blog

2018/08/042018/08/05

Bristol

Bristol is the first of the 7 cities / towns that we will be visiting in the next 10 days. We will visit all of them on foot and exceptionally by bus.

As soon as we are driving outside London, I am surprised how yellow the fields along the highway are. England, which is usually such a green country, is all dry! It hasn’t rained for 7 weeks in the south of England, which is a record since the 1976 drought, and people are getting nervous waiting for the first drop of water… “That’s not England, that’s crazy! Where are we?” says one of our English friend.

Bristol once was the most important trading port in the UK and renowned for its ship industry, pirates and, sadly, slavery. Despite facing commercial competition and suffering from several wars through the centuries (Hundred Year’s War, English Civil War, Napoleon I’s Continental Blockade and World War II), it remains a vibrant, cultural and resourceful city. Banksy, hot air balloons, music, Michelin-starred restaurants, LGBT+ communities, Green city, festivals… those are only a few word describing its wide range of attractions.

Park Street, University of Bristol Law in the back

Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity

2017/04/252019/08/04

Bandelier National Monument

Last week-end in New Mexico and in the USA…

There is still so much to be seen around Albuquerque, but the Bandelier was a very good choice for our last day-trip!

We drove through Rio Rancho, Jemez Pueblo, Jemez Springs and the Valles Calderas National Preserve to the Bandelier, where we enjoyed two short hikes. A fire destroyed a big part of the forest in 2011, and the damage is still impressive to see while crossing it.

Once in the Monument we first made the most popular walk (Main Loop Trail), which goes through different proof of remote human presence, including the caves that those populations used as homes. Then we made a part of the Falls Trail, a big part being closed due to the fire and floods. There are a lot of other possibilities of visiting that place, there is even a 18 hours trail!

Then we stopped at the White Rocks Overlook before enjoying a deserved ice cream in Los Alamos.

Finally, we drove back through Jemez Springs again. Just the journey is worth it, the landscapes are just beautiful, and even more in spring as all the Cottonwoods are freshly green!

Near the first fall along the Falls Trail

After the first fall, where the Trail is closed

2017/04/242019/08/04

South Peak by Embudito Trail

A very nice short day hike! From the beginning, you’re very fast out of the city and all on your own. But there are always some people hiking you can talk with!

In the last part, from the intersection Embudito – South Peak up to the summit, I’ve been surprised by the wind and got pushed against the rocks a couple of times. But it was definitely worth it, as the view from up there is just breath-taking; you can see miles away in almost every direction.

That was my last hike in the Sandias before flying back home, and probably one of the best ones!