Fann Mountains

The road is winding and, following my yesterday's "mount-ish" mood, it leads to... Fann Mountains. The Fanns are in Tajikistan and are perfect for tracking in May-October. The highest point: Chimtarga peak (5489m)  


Wikipedia says: Fann Mountains (also known as the Fanns) are part of the western Pamir-Alay mountain system and are located in Tajikistan's Sughd Province between the Zeravshan Range to the north and the Gissar Range to the south.


So, let's investigate a bit.

Fann Mountains

Alaudin Lakes

Lake Alaudin and Mountain Adamtash

Ewpnet.com about Fanns: Narrow canyons with clear, rushing rivers, high glaciated summits, a wide variety of colourful panoramas, picturesque river valleys and thousands of lakes set amongst juniper forests make this one of the most attractive mountain regions in Central Asia. 

Apart from the mountains, perhaps the most striking feature of Tadjikistan is the riotous sense of colour. The Tadjiks love vivid colours, as many as possible, wherever possible.

So let's observe those colours and make our lives brighter like Tadjiks do :)

and a man, of course :)

Let's not forget about one of the best ways to "investigate" another culture... which is... definitely... food...

Mapsoftheworld.com says: A typical treat of Tajikistan food is a minimum of a four course extravaganza. It usually starts with an appetizer, which is a sweet dish like halwa. The main course of meat and soups follow. The plov, a wonderful preparation of rice and meat shredding with many other garnishing finish forms an exquisite meal. Central Asian delicacies feature prominently in the food of Tajikistan. The lipioshka, an unleavened bread is often served in roadside restaurants and is taken with the shashlyk, a preparation of grilled muttons prepared in a traditional way.

mmm halwa.... that's what i would eat now....

well, the tip is over for today, take it or not, it's up to you to decide but i'm sure that nobody will regret tracking in the Fanns...

Leaving you with you decision... enjoy you Tajikistan meal ;)

... though in case you are still doubting about Tajikistan, please find more here: 

http://ismaili.net/mirrors/pamir_001/page3/taj.htm

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Photos of Fanns are from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fann_Mountais_Trekking.JPG

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1638118

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-photo/gcmozafer/1/1285928431/13_alaudin-lakes-unbelievable-colors.jpg/tpod.html

Tajik people: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=us-blacklists-tajik-cotton--2010-07-22
http://ismaili.net/mirrors/pamir_001/page3/taj.htm
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200506/30/eng20050630_193333.html
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Tajikistan/West/Dushanbe/Hisor/photo1188940.htm


Tajikistan food: http://foundintranslation.berkeley.edu/?p=5675
http://www.mapsofworld.com/tajikistan/society/food.html

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

Latest tragic events in Japan has turned my attention to the beauty of this country. It is scary how easily somwthing that has been built for years can be washed away in a few seconds....


https://picasaweb.google.com/118079222830783600944/Japan?feat=directlink#


indeed scary...


but let's hope that soon all these horrible events will be in the past and we'll think more about the beauty of Japan and not the sorrow it is in...


Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park... 


Wikipedia says: Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a national park in Yamanashi, Shizuoka, and Kanagawa Prefectures, and western Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. It consists of Mount Fuji, Fuji Five Lakes, Hakone, the Izu Peninsula, and the Izu Islands.

- = Mount Fuji area = -

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776.24 m (12,389 ft).

Shiraito Falls

Aokigahara

Aokigahara, also known as the Sea of Trees, is a 35 km² forest that lies at the north west base of Mount Fuji in Japan. The forest, which has a historic association with demons in Japanese mythology, is a popular place for suicides; in 2002, 78 bodies were found, despite numerous signs, in Japanese and English, urging people to reconsider their actions.
Due to the wind-blocking density of the trees, and an absence of wildlife, the forest is known for being eerily quiet.

********************************************************************

- = Hakone area = -

Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands

Lake Ashi

Ōwakudani

Ōwakudani ("Great Boiling Valley") is a volcanic valley with active sulphur vents and hot springs in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture,Japan. It is a popular tourist site for its scenic views, volcanic activity, and especially, Kuro-tamago  — a local specialty of eggs hard-boiled in the hot springs. The boiled eggs turn black and smell slightly sulphuric; consuming the eggs is said to increase longevity. Eating one is said to add seven years to your life. You may eat up to two and a half for up to seventeen and a half years, but eating a whole third is said to be highly unadvised.

- = Izu Peninsula = -

Mount Amagi

********************************************************************

- = Izu Islands =-

Niijima

For more information about Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, please visit: http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/parks/fujihakone.html

Thanks to all photographers and Wikipedia :)




Photos taken from:
http://www.tokyotravelguide.info/top-5-attractions-in-tokyo
http://japanvisitor.blogspot.com/2010/10/hakone-botanical-garden-of-wetlands.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/illustriousknights/79547025/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericflexyourhead/1841686617/
http://www.bloglauriannelopez.com/page/2
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vasa_on_Lake_Ashi.jpg
http://satoh490625.blog50.fc2.com/blog-entry-87.html
http://www.kasianowak.com/section142512_45778.html

Tórshavn

Today's tip: Tórshavn

Tinganes showing government buildings

Wikipaedia says: 

Tórshavn (IPA: [ˈtʰɔuʂhaun]; Danish: Thorshavn) is the capital and largest town of the Faroe Islands. It is located in the southern part on the east coast of Streymoy.

Old Town, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands

Cafe Natur, Tórshavn, Faroes

The pictures are from: 

http://os.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9D%D1%8B%D0%B2:Torshavn.JPG

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zinnie/338268601/

http://www.johnknowles.net/faroes/

Link for interested ones: http://www.visittorshavn.fo/UK/index.asp

Dreams and Journey

... at that moment i've realized that the world is so "polyhedral" and there are so many places beyond the usual Paris-Rome-New York traveller's scheme...

there are so many places that are hidden from publicity and yet they are not a tiny bit less interesting

so what i would like to do is to find these places and maybe even visit some of them one day...