Berlin, 5 May 2018 Spiritual Excitement
For many years I could not take this quote out of my mind.
And there was nothing, which gives me more excitement than the idea of going out into the world to seek, to explore, to learn. I always felt this is my inner calling, my purpose. The basic element of my existence. Therefore in the last seven years of my life, every tiny decision and step of my life were only towards one goal; Towards my call, to excite my spirit.
If you look around almost everything is movement. The whole universe is in motion, towards something or opposite to something.
And there was I spent half of my age sitting or around at one place. I wonder where things went wrong.
My plan was to travel fast and go out of Europe. But later I decided to take a long detour which would take me to Austrian Alps, Swiss mountain passes and then into the Balkans. I punched coordinates to Hallstatt a beautiful town in Austria as detour. Many beautiful small towns, lakes passed by. Many beautiful mountains were giving me nice company. Weather was just top notch and comfortable 18-19C.
Salzburg Region, Austria Hallstatt
West of Austria is filled with amazing landscape with many beautiful small towns and lakes. The landscape was already change before crossing the so called border. Hallstatt is a small town in the district of Gmunden, in the Austrian state of Upper Austria. Situated between the southwestern shore of Hallstätter See, on the national road linking Salzburg and Graz.
Hallstatt is known for its production of salt, dating back to prehistoric times, and gave its name to the Hallstatt culture, the archaeological culture linked to Proto-Celtic and early Celtic people of the Early Iron Age in Europe, c.800–450 BC. This town is at the core of the "Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape" declared as one of the World Heritage Sites in Austria by UNESCO in 1997.
Salzburg region and West Austria is filled with beautiful landscape. Beautiful cities , mountains and blue water lakes are all around. Hallstatt is one of the most beautiful places in Austria
I spent a few hours and took a lunch break, again towards West , a famous panoramic mountain road just between Austria and Germany.
Germany / Austria Rossfeld Panorama Street
“Sometime just be all there in moment is enough. People: how many km have you done? Me: don't know about km but alot more "killoMoments" A Scenic mountainside vista offers a sweeping panorama of the surrounding valleys & mountains. With a backdrop of 3000+ m mountain. It has perfect view to mountain face while you driving upwards. Again View was so nice that I put down my camping chair and drinking coffee. Suddenly it was getting dark because of clouds and there were clear signs of rain. I packed my stuff and start riding town and towards Germany side. My direction was Munich where I was expecting to meet and stay with Marko.
After 1.5 hours of autobahn and getting wet with rain I reached Munich where Marko kindly offered me a place. He has travelled around the world just a couple of years on his R1200GS. I asked him many questions and tips which were proven to be very useful later. Marko and his wife so kind that they prepared a traditional Chinese hotpot, which was very delicious.
ADAC Carnet De Passage: Next morning, It was time to get ADAC head office in Munich to collect my Carnet de Passage. It is temporary import document for motorcycle. Many countries and customs unions required it for entering a foreign vehicles. I spent this night with an old university friend Fahad. It was nice to meet him after years and refresh memories from student life.
“It is not machine, it is not a motorcycle when you spent so much time together. It becomes your companion and friend. You share good, bad and ugly times together. You sail through the troubles and strong winds. And on the other side, there is always sunshine waiting for you both.."
Black Forest, Germany Freiburg
The town where I spent my student life and have beautiful fond memories. But just instead taking an Autobahn (Highway) I took a detour through beautiful small towns and mountains of Feldberg, Todtnauberg and Schauinsland. It was so nice to be back in Freiburg. Freiburg im Breisgau, a vibrant university city in southwest Germany’s Black Forest, is known for its temperate climate and reconstructed medieval old town, crisscrossed by picturesque brooks (bächle). In the surrounding highlands, hiking destination Schlossberg hill is linked to Freiburg by a funicular. With a dramatic 116m spire, the Gothic cathedral Freiburg Minster towers over the central square Münsterplatz. Must Visit I would say :) I spend a few days here because of old friends, exploring some part of France (Alsace) and close towns. And also because there were 3-4 days continuous rain.
France’s Alsace Wine Region Eguisheim
Eguisheim is a medieval village in France’s Alsace wine region. The narrow, concentric streets of its old town are lined with many preserved half-timbered houses. The central Château Saint-Léon is a centuries-old castle. Southwest at Husseren-les-Châteaux are the ruins of the Three Castles of Eguisheim, which date from the Middle Ages. Northwest is Hohlandsbourg Castle, with formidable ramparts.
Black Forest Whats Next
After couple of weeks travel, I am slightly comfortable with this routine and my pre trip anxiety has decreased drastically. In Next few weeks, I look forward to visit beautiful parts and passes of Switzerland and mountain ranges of northern Italy. Until Next time.. Ciao!!!!
You do not cross mountain, Mountian let you cross. — Karakoram Son
