A Ski Tour

A fever has taken over Austria. It's spreading wildly over the country. Everyone has it. It makes people do the craziest things. And now I have it, too. No, it's not a new thing; I just got it late.

Maybe you have heard of it. Ski touring. Yup, skiing uphill on your downhill skis. They have hair on it.

I mean, I have done cross-country skiing like every proper Finn. In touring, the skis, bindings, and boots allow for free movement of the heel to enable a walking pace, similar to cross-country skiing. So I thought: "If you can crosscountry ski, you can do this". But still: this is skiing uphill with your heavy, wide downhill skis!

One time was all I needed to be brainwashed. One. Before I tried it on the last day of December 2012, I thought it's the weirdest thing.

They have that grip or "climbing skins", so that the ski will glide forward but not slide backwards.

So yes - after one time trying it, I was sold. I still wouldn't go far off-piste, but I have to admit it: it was so much fun! A great - an efficient - way to do outdoor sports. It's also more economic than downhill skiing - as soon as you have the gear, that is, because you work your way up.

The view is getting better and better the higher you go.

"Oh look, I forgot to shave!" :D

My first ski touring accomplished successfully!

Like in hiking, also in touring the aim is to reach the top of the mountain, where also a cross usually is. The custom is to say "Berg Heil!" and take a shot of Schnaps.

Sunset, as seen from the Berggasthof Falba Stuba in Laterns.

Until sunset we sat at the Gasthof, sipping some well-deserved Weizencola (wheat beer with Coke). Then it was time to ski down the hill, happy and red-cheeked.

One Cold December Night...

... my friend Hanna took me to the horse stable with her.

Atte.

After the evening chores, such as feeding Atte, getting him ready and geared up, the youngster took us for a ride in the pitch black Finnish woods. Already after ten minutes, I couldn't feel my toes or fingers anymore. However, the ice cold wind was not the only reason that brought tears to my eyes - it was wonderful! :)

A warm, velvety nuzzle on the palm is a great feeling on a cold winter's night.

Hanna must have many stories about Atte, but the one I got to experience was this handsome young man as a mischievous stallion with a sense of humour. When picking him up from the corral, he pretended to be cuddling, rubbing his muzzle against your shoulder. The next second, his teeth reached for the top of Hanna's woolly hat, stealing it away. :D

As wonderful the ride was, I must say how happy I was being back at the stables, defrosting myself and inhaling the therapeutic smell of the horses. 

Atte's stable mate in her own pen.

Guatapé

On the third and last day of our trip to Medellin few weeks back, we were driven outside of the city. We were clueless but the weather was promising - sunny and luke warm like my morning coffee in Bogota - so we were really looking forward to seeing yet more of the beautiful Colombian landscape.

When we arrived to our destination, my grin grew wider. We were going on a boat ride! Everyone who knows me, also knows how much I love being on the water, and it had been already a long time since I was sailing on a boat.

The biggest surprise for me was the fact that the sweet-water lake is artificial. Man-made. Fake.
Well, the water is real - the town is bordering a reservoir created by the Colombian government for a hydro-electric dam, built in the late 1960s.

Our hosts were very thoughtful and had packed a picnic basket with some bubbly for the ride. This day was getting better and better!

The main stop was in colourful Guatapé, a town founded in 1811. The huge stone you see in the horizon is la Piedra del Peñol or Peñón de Guatapé.

Some legends are related to the stone and its origin, wilder guesses claim that it is a meteorite, but actually it is a rock formation, that formed along the Antioquia Rock Base 70 million years ago. A long time ago, they started to paint the letter G.P. (GuataPé) on the side of the stone but that high-risk project was cancelled.

Nowadays a popular tourist attraction, the stone is 220 metres high, which can be climbed up:
740 steps all the way to the top.

Meanwhile, we were getting closer to the harbour in Guatapé.

Latin music was playing from the Rumberos, party boats that were parked in the harbour, waiting for more passengers. 

In Colombia, Sundays tend to be days, when people get out for lunch, socialize, meet friends and family, and go to church. Seeing the easy-going, carefree lifestyle and the happy locals brings you in a good mood, too.
A favourite pastime for many Colombians is sitting on a plastic chair, sipping a chilly Poker beer.

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen.

Getting geared up for the "Cable Flight"

To get an adrenaline kick, Lukas wanted to try the strength of the 600 metre long wire we saw earlier.

Piece of cake for him! :)

After some delicious pizza lunch at the lake's Beach Club, we headed back to the marina. The dark clouds that were glooming on us decided to let the rain drops wait so that we were able to finish the day as planned.

It meant, of course, climbing up the 740 steps to get a full 360 degree panoramic view of the area. As the battery in my camera died, unfortunately I have no pictures from the top... You just have to take my word! ;)